I have a 2006 Four Winds 28ft with a standard Generator. Have not had any problems starting or running at all. Today all of a sudden it would not start...meaning it sounded like a motor that did not have enough battery to turn over. So I started the coach (Chevy Express 3500 chassis) and then tried the generator and it started just fine. If there is enough battery to start the coach engine then why would there not be enough to start a small generator? My logic says that the coach battery must have a low battery but with starting a big V8 was not a problem. Any ideas if this is something else?

Sounds like the generator is wired to the coach battery, not the chassis battery. You can always use the battery boost button to start if need be.

I had a 2006 Triple E and it had a two way charging system on it. When the coach was plugged in, the system charged the chassis, and when the chassis was running, it charged the coach. Yours might be like that, and when you ran the motor the voltage to the coach was high enough, so your generator started. Check your coach batteries with and without the engine running to see what the voltage is. I believe the generator should start from the coach batteries.

Our generator starts from the coach batteries. If they are drained you can start the engine, then the alternator will provide power to the coach battery, which will in turn allow you to start the generator.

Our generator also starts from the house batteries. There is also a relay that connects the alternator to the house batteries when the engine is running, so that the house batteries get recharged while driving. Since starting the engine allowed you to start the generator, you must have a similar system.

my 2010 3500 chevy coachmen starts from the chassis battery.

what battery is used for starting a generator in a class C

IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Aug 23, 2014
jdog wrote:
RVWithTito wrote:
My 2007 Four Winds generator starts from the house batteries. If it's low, you can use the emergency switch below the steering wheel to join the house and chassis battery for more juice.

It takes 2 people in order to use the emergency switch, at least on my unit. I can't push the emergency switch and generator start switch at the same time because they are not located in the same area.

They really should be together. Kind of useless if they are not. I have one located near the steering wheel on the edge of the kick panel, very easy to reach when sitting in the drivers seat or while standing outside.
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ksg5000
Explorer
Aug 23, 2014
jdog wrote:
RVWithTito wrote:
My 2007 Four Winds generator starts from the house batteries. If it's low, you can use the emergency switch below the steering wheel to join the house and chassis battery for more juice.

It takes 2 people in order to use the emergency switch, at least on my unit. I can't push the emergency switch and generator start switch at the same time because they are not located in the same area.

Just starting the engine should put both batteries in parallel - some make it habit to start engine before trying to crank up the generator.
jdog
Explorer
Aug 22, 2014
RVWithTito wrote:
My 2007 Four Winds generator starts from the house batteries. If it's low, you can use the emergency switch below the steering wheel to join the house and chassis battery for more juice.

It takes 2 people in order to use the emergency switch, at least on my unit. I can't push the emergency switch and generator start switch at the same time because they are not located in the same area.
RVWithTito
Explorer
Aug 22, 2014
My 2007 Four Winds generator starts from the house batteries. If it's low, you can use the emergency switch below the steering wheel to join the house and chassis battery for more juice.
DaHose
Explorer
Aug 22, 2014
You can clearly see the Genny wire coming off my coach battery. I added a quick disconnect there and resettable breaker for everything else. Now I can completely isolate my coach battery if necessary.

Jose
cgmartine
Explorer
Aug 22, 2014
I am too late! Glad you found the problem. I was just about to mention the battery disconnect switch for the coach batteries. When my switch is in the off position, and I try to turn on the generator, it sounds like the coach batteries are dead..until I click on the switch. With the switch off, the engine battery will not start the generator, even with the assist switch, at least on mine, a 2008 Tioga.
wpatters1229
Explorer
Aug 21, 2014
Exactly...I build websites for a living and etiquette is not happening on most sites. I try to follow up so folks can learn from these posts as I do. Love forums...such a brain trust!
tenbear
Explorer
Aug 21, 2014
Thanks for the feedback. It's always good to hear the outcome of the problem.

I wish everyone would give us feedback.
wpatters1229
Explorer
Aug 21, 2014
You are right it is the coach batteries that drive the generator starter. I pulled the batteries and one of the connection had some green corrission on it. The water levels where good and the acid levels. Cleaned all the connectors and coated with silcone grease to hopefully keep corrission to minimum. The generator fired right up after that. I do like the idea of running the engine while starting the generator so you have that extra voltage. Thanks for all the great ideas and help. Problem solved!
ksg5000
Explorer
Aug 03, 2014
Check your ground wires - both battery and generator. When the ground wires get corroded it impedes battery performance. Also make sure all battery connections are tight as well as the battery connections to the generator.

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what battery is used for starting a generator in a class C

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