Forum Discussion

BigDaddy1951's avatar
BigDaddy1951
Explorer
Feb 18, 2021

Generator Light Stays On

I have an odd issue on my Winnebago 2007 Voyage 35L. After replacing the hydraulic Jacks, (which is a whole different nightmare) I found that the green light on the dash and steps generator start switches stayed on whether the generator was running or not. I have tried turning off the starting battery isolation switch, but they stay on. Same with turning off the house batteries by the steps. It is not connected to AC power. I know a few things and have a multimeter, but I’m not sure where to go from here. Thanks in advance.
  • The generator is not connected through the battery isolation/disconnect contactors because the generator's starter motor requires a large current when cranking (in the rough vicinity of 100A average, presumably with peaks well above that, on the generator in my motorhome).

    This sounds like a generator problem or generator control problem--an auto-generator-start controller if you have one, say--as much as anything. It might be something as simple as one of the generator control switches sticking it the "off" position rather than properly in the neutral position. It may be that the generator just thinks its in a fault condition rather than actually off, and merely interrupting its power would reset its little brain.
  • See if you can get a wiring diagram. Some things cannot be turned off like smoke detectors, engine computers and who knows what else. That's one reason that I installed full disconnect switches on both battery banks.