Generator statting power

I have a 2910T which 12 volt battery supply starts the generator ? Truck or house?   Thanks  JAS

Hi jas,

The house batteries are used to start the generator.

If the house batteries are too weak to turn over the generator, I suggest to start up and then speed up the main engine to 1200-1500 rpm for about 5 minutes, then try starting the generator with the main engine running at idle.

I suggest doing that because I monitor my house and chassis battery voltage when the main engine is running.  All batteries are always being fed by the alternator all the time.  When I turn off the main engine, the charged-up battery voltages drop to around 12.7V.

Ron Dittmer

Thanks  I keep the 2910 in one of our heated shop bays. Always plugged in to a 20 amp circuit . The battery switch in the use mode. The 120 volt outlets would work but not the lighting. Backed out the bay and started the generator ran for a hour . Today went to the shop.  House batteries at 2 volts. Put on charger  this afternoon . I will check in the morning.
Maybe the charger is not working when plugged to 120 volt circuit. Last winter all worked fine and summer also. Had to run the truck for awhile before the generator to crank.
Any help???

House batteries at 2 volts.

If that is accurate I suspect your batteries are toast.  Even at zero charge you should see 6-10 volts.  Check the water in them first before doing anything else.  If you left them on charge it is possible they boiled dry.  If you have an older converter as the only battery charger they tend to continue charging and boil your battery if left plugged in for an extended period of time.  Newer chargers sense the state of charge and adjust accordingly.

Hope yours are fine and it is just a miss-read.

Hi jas,

The house batteries are used to start the generator.

If the house batteries are too weak to turn over the generator, I suggest to start up and then speed up the main engine to 1200-1500 rpm for about 5 minutes, then try starting the generator with the main engine running at idle.

I suggest doing that because I monitor my house and chassis battery voltage when the main engine is running.  All batteries are always being fed by the alternator all the time.  When I turn off the main engine, the charged-up battery voltages drop to around 12.7V.

Ron Dittmer

Not true, at least in my 2015-2551... I remove my house batteries over the winter, and can still start the generator via the chassis battery.  Typically I start the engine first because I am "exercising" the engine and generator a few times over the winter storage to keep them in good condition.

Very interesting donc13.  Now you have me wondering if I've had it wrong all these years.  I will have to experiment with our batteries and see.  Or maybe Phoenix has been wiring the generator differently since our PC was built nearly 10 years ago.

To jas, Since your PC is stored indoors in a heated building like our PC, I suggest you consider not plugging in and disconnect all your batteries and simply let your PC sleep over the winter.  With the batteries disconnected, they won't drain on you.  Your generator and everything else can rest in peace being in dry heated storage.  There is no need to exercise the generator or anything else for that matter because of your type of storage.....heated & DRY.  I have been doing so with our PC for the last 8 of the 9 winters and it all wakes up in great shape 6 to 7 months later in the spring time.

I left our PC plugged into 120V the very first winter of 2007/2008 in our dry heated garage and all I got were acid boil-overs which did a lot more harm than good.

All this information and trying to get the hang of what is controlled by which function is a chore indeed. Going down to the PC from the A means a big change in how things operate and some info is not transferable. We keep PC plugged into 50 amp at rest since our unit is 50 amp. The rule was batteries get service once a month and distilled water filled to the appropriate level. Some of what I see suggests that there are new arrivals who are not fully trained on generator service requirements or battery. time was you drive into the service station and a man would check things and refill what needed. Well, some people never saw the man at the station taking care of service needs and have no idea what it involves... where is the training program.

If there has been wiring changes it would be helpful if those who are training us all knew what and when it happened so we can all be on track... Don't know what we'd do if we had to winterize. Sure feel lucky to escape that task. Wishing all Happy New Year and great travels... Honk is you go by. Regards, Patricia

Donc12

Not true, at least in my 2015-2551... I remove my house batteries over the winter, and can still start the generator via the chassis battery.  Typically I start the engine first because I am "exercising" the engine and generator a few times over the winter storage to keep them in good condition.

I was looking at the wiring diagram below and I agree, the batteries could be disconnected and the alternator would supply the 12v starting power to the generator when the engine is running. But if the batteries are connected and the engine is off the house batteries would supply the starting power.

Does anybody have a electrical schematic for a 2910T .I liked the one that was posted  JAS

Most PC's have the same schematic.

This thread brings up a question for me as a potential PC owner.  I assume the engine alternator is internally regulated.  If so I do not think that it would ever bring the batteries to full charge like an externally regulated alternator mated to a 3 step regulator that would go through bulk, absorption and float.  I should add I am leaning toward the E-450 engine and chassis.  Feedback much appreciated.

The Ford voltage regulator, of course is regulated, puts out a higher voltage then the converter on my PC. So it will charge to 100%.

Just anecdotal, but when our coach batteries were down with engine running the generator wouldn't turn over.  I bought a pocket sized car starter to jump the coach batteries and has plenty of power to start the generator.

The Ford voltage regulator, of course is regulated, puts out a higher voltage then the converter on my PC. So it will charge to 100%.

I have noticed the same with our old PC.  Driving does a great job charging.

Just anecdotal, but when our coach batteries were down with engine running the generator wouldn't turn over.

That's because the alternator was also trying to charge the coach batteries, so system voltage was too low. I'll bet if you pulled the neutral off the coach batteries the generator would have started.