Power Issues - Generator not starting - brand new batteries

[Schneider]

Well....I am brand new to RVing. Flew down to Bakersfield and bought a 34-foot super-c Four Winds coach with the Duramax. It was an awesome drive back to the Seattle area, but one issue has me perplexed, as everything was working when we left. Here it is:

1.Generation only hums when I attempt to start it (much like a dead battery in a car).
2.Put brand new batteries in the coach last night (wired it identical to the way it was)
3.When shore power is unplugged, the coach lights flicker on and off and the GFCI protected outlets do not work.
4.Other inverted outlets (near the TV's seem to work.
5.Found the inverter, converter and the transfer switches in the back bedroom, but know very little about these.
6.Also tried to start the generator when the Duramax diesel was running with no luck. Just a click an a hum.

For some reason the power from the batteries is being limited when disconnected from shore power and causing all the above, include the generator not starting.

Does this ring a bell for anyone? Any help is appreciated!! Not ruling out operator ignorance as I am an RV rookie.

Thanks in advance for any help!!

[We_Cant_Wait]

Could it be that the pre-heat is cycling due to a colder outside temp, and it might take several on-off cycles of the switch to complete the pre-heat/priming cycles.

[tenbear]

It sounds like you have a high resistance connection somewhere in the wiring between the battery and the genny. If you can, measure the voltage at the genny when trying to start it, also at the battery. Check all the connections and don't forget the ground connections.

[Schneider]

Yes.....they started it and it ran fine at the dealership.
It is a diesel 6000W Onan generator. Looks like new.

[midnightsadie]

did it start on your test run at the dealer? assume its propane? is the tank turned on? stop at the nearest rv dealer and beg for a show and tell. tip the guy who shows you how to start it.