Generator Not starting unless coach engine is on

thgoodman wrote:
I had the same problem since I bought our '06 Beaver (Monaco, out of warrantee) in '08. Finally got sick of starting the coach engine every time I wanted to use the generator. Took it to the Cummings dealer across from the Monaco plant in Coburg, OR. The solution was simple but expensive. Monaco cheeped out in the 12v cable the ran from the battery to the generator and it couldn't carry the current (hence, big voltage drop). Replaced the cable with a #0000 welding cable (probably over kill, big $$$, almost 50' long) and the problem was solved.

Before you spend a bundle on a bank of new batteries, try this to confirm your problem. Hook a good set of jumper cables from a good power source to the gen. right where the battery cables attach from the coach to the generator assembly but before the starter solenoid. Try to start the gen. In my case, the generator started instantly. YMMV

I wonder two things here How many beavers were produced with the wrong gen start cables and I wonder how this ever got through final inspections at factory and at dealer and why the previous owner whom bought it new would have not wanted that fixed at the time he bought it??

Had the same problem over the weekend. Generator wouldn't start and remote panel was only showing 10.5 volts. Started to remove the house batteries to take them for a load test. Found loose battery cable. It appears to have solved the problem.

I had the same problem since I bought our '06 Beaver (Monaco, out of warrantee) in '08. Finally got sick of starting the coach engine every time I wanted to use the generator. Took it to the Cummings dealer across from the Monaco plant in Coburg, OR. The solution was simple but expensive. Monaco cheeped out in the 12v cable the ran from the battery to the generator and it couldn't carry the current (hence, big voltage drop). Replaced the cable with a #0000 welding cable (probably over kill, big $$$, almost 50' long) and the problem was solved.

Before you spend a bundle on a bank of new batteries, try this to confirm your problem. Hook a good set of jumper cables from a good power source to the gen. right where the battery cables attach from the coach to the generator assembly but before the starter solenoid. Try to start the gen. In my case, the generator started instantly. YMMV

Have all of the batteries load tested at an auto parts store. It is usually free. It definitely sounds like you have low/dead battery(ies).

RonWSl wrote:
x2 on the dead battery/batteries - my HR would do that if the house batteries were down/dead.

Same here. If my coach batteries arent right up to the top....genset doesnt want to turn over

Most MH's use the house batteries to start the genet, so my guess is that the house batteries are dead or real low. The fact that when you start the MH engine, the alternator is supply enough voltage to the battery bank to allow the gen set to start. A good voltage test is called for to determine the state of charge for your battery bank and to try and recharge them, and then do a load test to see if they will hold a charge.

x2 on the dead battery/batteries - my HR would do that if the house batteries were down/dead.

Sounds like you have a set/bank of dead batteries. The engine should have at lease two battery and maybe one for the gen and the rest for the coach. Take reading off the batteries. Have you plug it into shore power for a couple days to see if they will charge up. Reading volts from the batteries first. Check to ensure that you have water in each battery if so designed.

http://www.mmbalmainauto.com.au/PDF/State_of_charge_12_volt_batteries.pdf

On mine there is a battery in the engine compartment for starting the engine. Then I have 2 batteries under the stairs for the inside house lights etc. I have a gasser not sure if there is a difference. I do have a battery disconnect switch in the stairwell to disconnect the house batteries when storing so batteries are not drained. I would first check for a battery disconnect switch and check if batteries are engaged.