Question about Onan Generator
Something I have never understood about generators (I have an Onan 6.5 Emerald III.) A 12-volt DC battery is used to start the generator, which then produces 120V AC. The battery supplies the energy ...
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As others have said, the generator will automatically charge the house batteries through the battery charger built into the converter when running, but generally, it will not charge the chassis battery unless the "AUX BAT" switch is pressed. (not recommended for long term charging)
My MOM switch is powered by the house batteries, but AUX BAT is powered by the engine battery so the key must be in RUN for the batteries to be ganged.
This is so you cannot permanently gang the house batteries to the engine batteries while the engine is off - otherwise you could accidentally drain both your house and engine batteries and be stuck.
My Onan 4BGE will also shut down if the engine battery is disconnected (mine starts from the engine battery). But while running the inverter charges the house batteries.
Strange that it would actually run off of the engine battery but not charge it. I did not know that.
Steve
