Generator Problem

The 13.4 was without the engine running. We are charging the battery now.

A fully charged lead-acid battery will measure 12.7 to 12.8 volts max.   The 13.4v you reported is a charging voltage that is only available when the engine is running or you are plugged into shore power.   However, batteries that are just taken off of a charger will have what is known as a surface charge that results from the chemistry and configuration of a lead-acid battery.   That surface charge goes away fairly quickly.   So I am guessing you had just (within a few minutes) shut the engine off when you checked the inverter voltage.

Just an FYI.. I have started the generator in my 2551 just using the engine battery.    The coach batteries were removed.   You have to leave the engine running and you have to wait about a minute or two after you start the engine.

We were able to get the Genny running using the white rocker button on the dash while the engine was running. It ran great with a load and kept running fine after I turned the engine off. So, it looks like the Genny is not the problem.   I shut the Genny off and tried to restart as you normally would. It was a no go.....also no lights, pump, etc. The battery is still charged up just fine so I think there is a problem with the battery cut off switch or a relay or connection. I think this is going to be an RV tech fix.

In our 2007 PC, when I use the kill-all switch by the main entry door, a solenoid is tripped.  We hear it well by making a loud "CLICK".  The thing resembles this, though the quality of connections may differ.  If you don't hear the "CLICK", maybe that thing is faulty.  I would tap it with a hammer to jolt it loose, but NOT to dent it.  If you fixed it, then you need to replace it.

Thanks for all the help. Thought I should let you know how it all worked out. I took the RV in to my RV guys this morning. Initially thought it was solenoid or relay but checked out the batteries first. They were both fine. Checked out the battery cutoff. It was fine. Tracked it to a problem with the ground. Under RV, the ground wire was just barely movable. Re-established the connection to the frame the a new bolt and those star connectors. Thirty minutes after arrival, all the DC power was working fine and generator started right up and I was on my way home. What a relief. Heading out Friday morning on a month long trip. Thanks again.

First dry camping dry camping with the PC love it. however a glitch always happens and it goes like this battery looks full I go to start the generator and it kills the whole electrical system. I have to put jumper cables from the engine battery to the house batteries and then the generator starts. I think my problem is my batteries are too dead and they were indicating 11.7. any help I'd appreciate it thank you

Hi Mark,

Yes, it seems you need a new pair of house batteries.  If the battery voltage drops quickly from 11.7 volts while trying to start, they are surely dead.

When replacing your batteries, I advise to consider a pair of 6V AGM batteries.  I found the 6Vs work much better together than 12Vs do.  Because 6V batteries are taller than 12V, I had an interference problem in my 2007 battery compartment.  So I replaced the raised battery tray with a flat stock metal bottom and bought a pair of maintenance free 6V AGM batteries.  I installed them in 2015 and they remain there today in great shape.

CLICK HERE for my write-up on changing to 6V AGM batteries.
CLICK HERE for pictures of my battery compartment splash shield to protect them from tire splash.  I am not sure if your 2008 PC model 2900 has the same condition as my 2007 model 2350.

A battery tray is an absolute requirement to maintain acid levels.  So if going with wet acid 6Vs. you will need to replace your battery compartment frame with a taller one that hangs down lower.  I think Phoenix has them available.  Keep in-mind that doing so, the battery frame will hang below your battery compartment door by 2 extra inches, a simple cosmetic issue alone.

Whether 6V wet acid or 6V AGM, going from two 12V to two 6V batteries will greatly improve your power reserves for your house when camping for multiple days without shore power, and two 6V batteries live twice as long as two 12V batteries with less acid boil-over messes to deal with all the time.  AGMs simply don't boil over.  They stay clean, clean terminals, acid-free, and maintenance free.  I went through two pairs of wet acid 12V batteries that provided us with only two good years of service each.  One of my best improvements made to our PC was going to two 6V AGM batteries.  Six years so far and all is well.

I have to add that converting out our florescent and incandescent lighting to LEDs also helped with our battery reserves.  CLICK HERE to read all about it.