Forum Discussion

cwenger's avatar
cwenger
Explorer
Nov 23, 2019

Jump starting the generator

I stored my 2013 Holiday Rambler Ambassador in Florida for 6 months while at home in Maryland. Needless to say, with the generator not having run for 6 months, neither the generator nor the engine would crank. After considerable hassle jump starting the chassis batteries, I finally got the engine started.

Next time after 6 months storage, I am wondering if I could jump start the generator instead of the engine. Could I keep both the house and chassis battery disconnect switches off and jump start the generator? Then if, and after, the generator is running, switch the disconnect switches on without screwing up anything?
Class A
  • cwenger's avatar
    cwenger
    Explorer
    Nov 23, 2019
    I’m not sure my generator gets its cranking power from the chassis battery. With the house battery disconnect switch off and the chassis battery disconnect switch on, there is no power to the generator.

    The reason for having the disconnect switches off, is that it took about ½ hour to jump charge the chassis batteries before the engine would start.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Nov 23, 2019
    Why don’t you maintain your batteries with a small solar system? Are your batteries toast?
  • rockylarson's avatar
    rockylarson
    Explorer
    Nov 23, 2019
    Could you have started the genny first and then the engine? Would that have been any easier? They both draw from the same chassis battery so jumping would be the same. Don't know why switches are involved in the jumping process.

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