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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Ask Howard -> Generator won't start
Post Info TOPIC: Generator won't start
RhinestoneAngel


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Generator won't start
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Our generator will not start. It sounds like it wants to with the rrrrrr rrrrrrr sound but won't kick over. We've been charging our batteries. In fact, we have the cable plugged into our outside electrical box charging the RV batteries. Our RV is right outside our kitchen door in our driveway. We have the jacks down and have about a quarter tank of gas. My husband said if it doesn't have enough gas it may not kick over. At first we thought maybe the batteries were drained because of sitting in the cold winter season. The RV starts, the lights work, the dash stereo works. The slideout works. So we don't know what's happening. Could it be a fuse? And if so, how do we know where to find the fuse box for the generator. Our RV is 11 years old. The generator is built in. We even had an inverter put in so I could make coffee while on the road without having to stop etc... We've tried starting the generator with the RV power on and off. We've checked our gauges and it says our batteries are fully charged. Any advice is appreciated.



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bjoyce


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You said you have 1/4 tank, that is your problem. Motorhomes have the generator fuel intake about 1/4 of the way up the tank wall so the generator will not suck the tank dry. They want to leave enough fuel to drive somewhere and get more, otherwise you could be stranded somewhere. Once you get enough fuel in the tank you might have to prime the generator to get it started.

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GENECOP


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When was your generator last serviced?

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RhinestoneAngel


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Thank you. I'm hoping that's all it is. My husband suggested that might be the problem. We will  gas her up and hope that solves the problem and that our generator starts. We have never hade a problem with her. We never used her much. We have never gone boondocking although we have run the generator on occasion in our bkyd...yeah we were redneckin' it so to speak. hehe We've never had her serviced, never had the need to. She always passed inspection with flying colors! Thanks again!



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Lucky Mike


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I will start with a second motion on the gas being to low in the main tank!!!!.........in fact 3 hrs ago while I was out working on mine it quit........after a little panic of "What did I do now".....I went inside and sure enough I was at the 1/4 mark.....so off to the gas station and a 100 bucks later(gas).....Ta Da!!!!!! its working

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Terry and Jo


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Something to consider with regards to fuel.  I could be wrong with this, and if I am, it is likely that others will correct me, but it would be good to keep the tank as full as possible to prevent a build-up of condensation, thus leading to water in the fuel.  If you aren't going to be traveling much, be sure and also put in some fuel stabilizer to help the fuel stay fresher.

Terry



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otterlakeram


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Don't forget about "low oil" shutdown. I have a Honda, it baffled me one day and I had low oil.

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RhinestoneAngel


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Great advice all around. We will certainly gas up and check the oil and use the fuel stabilizer as well.


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