Generator question

I've done the same thing several times over the past few years with our 96 Southwind. The house batteries get low, I start the engine and then the generator.
I never had any problems with the alternator or electrical system.

No problem.

No, you wont hurt anything.

Thanks for the quick responses. I feel better now at least until the storm comes calling. Really feel for the folks in Florida.

Starting the engine puts both house/chassis on-line which helps insure that the generator has sufficient current to start.

Quite normal to run the generator all day while driving in the heat in order to run the air conditioning.

Itasca Spirit user manual from Winnebago actually suggests starting the engine before trying to start the generator or move the slideouts.

Some motorhomes have an auxiliary switch in the driver's cabin. When your house batteries are dead, you press the switch and it ties the house and engine batteries, and allows you to start the generator without having to start the engine. If yours does not have the auxiliary switch, you can start the engine, but it will slowly charge the house batteries. Not all motorhomes allow the engine to charge the house batteries unless they are equipped with a BIRD device. This device will also allow the generator to charge both house and engine batteries.

ScottG wrote:
No, you wont hurt anything.

The odds are really good that this is true.

There is a tiny chance that the house battery is effectively shorted......and THAT might cause a problem. That usually would only happen if it had been sitting neglected for a LONG time.

Since you already did it and nothing smoked, then you are fine.

Weak house battery: Check electrolyte level and cleanliness of cable connections. Check voltage at battery terminals with shore cable connected to 110vac or with RV generator running. Should read over 13volts if converter charger is working and aux battery switch is "on". Voltage should be over 14 volts with engine running generator off and disconnected from shore power. House battery(s) may be old, need replacing.