Cars & Trucks Logo

Related Topics:

Mike Fastiggi Posted on Sep 20, 2013

Have a 18kw generator that keeps draining battery. Put a new charge on battery and started up fine. Went on vacation and when I got back battery was dead. Put new battery in and same thing has happened. What could be the problem?

1 Answer

ecoenergy08

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

  • Contributor 20 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 12, 2013
ecoenergy08
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Joined: Jan 30, 2011
Answers
20
Questions
1
Helped
8039
Points
40

I am assuming the generator is not being maintained by grid power when in standby.
I would suggest breaking the live feed from the battery + terminal through a cheap (or expensive) ameter, accuracy is not important.
Try disconnecting any wires feeding the various parts of the electric system to identify where the leakage is.
If there is no Identifiable leak being indicated by the ammeter then there may be an issue with the battery.
If you are not able to identify what the issue is you could fit a very small float charger connected from the mains to maintain the battery, you would need to connect it's 12v output through a normally closed pole of a relay which is energised by the generator therfore disconecting it when the generator runs.
We have done this in the past on old / exposed units to keep them in a full state.

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 37 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 06, 2009

SOURCE: 1999 Durango will not start, no fire

ALTERNATOR NOT CHARGING

Ad

Anonymous

  • 2 Answers
  • Posted on May 21, 2009

SOURCE: battery and alternator charging problem

As dumb as this may sound check the termials and if the u-shape is up then flip it over. I had the same thing happen to me on mine and now it works fine.

Anonymous

  • 164 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 28, 2009

SOURCE: 1997 lincoln town car battery drain

Sounds like short ore you leave some dash lights on to drain the unit. If relay start to make you upset die hard made a battire that you could shut off like secuirty thing to shut down the power it cost 150 i dont know they still make it

Anonymous

  • 26 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 04, 2009

SOURCE: 1998 Avalon XLS battery drain

Does The car shut off mid drive? Could be a Wiring harness problem,
I think it's you're alternator though, That would be a good reason you're battery is dieing,

How do you get the car started again?

rtpflh

rtpflh

  • 546 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 28, 2009

SOURCE: My 2005 ford explorer check charging system warning light

if charging light is on w/ engine running,the fault could be the alternator or another component of the charging system.remove, clean and tighten battery post connections to check for alternator output,use a volt meter or multi-tester set to 50 Volts DC,w/ tester on battery terminals it should read 12 volts W/ engine off;13 to 14 volts w/engine running.if voltage increases when alternator is spinning,suspect battery

Ad

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

How long have u got to charge it for for 1st use because I charge it all day when I turn it on the next day the battery kept going down I'm still charging it

A new battery comes charged well enough to start the car, if it keeps going flat u have a problem either with the charging system or a power drain, so once car is turned off sonthing is staying on draing the battery. Or the battery could be faulty but very unlikely. To check the charging start car and put a volt meter on the terminals of the battery should be reading aprox 14.2 v if it only reads 12 something then u have a charging fault. If charging fine then have to test for a power drain and the easiest way to do that is to open bonnet or boot depend where battery is lock the vehicle up and wait about 20 mins for the car to shut down Ecus etc remove earth terminal off battery and put a 12v bulb from the earth terminal of battery and the earth lead if the light shines u have a power drain remove each fuse in turn remember to put it back after until light goes out then u have the offending circuit. Hope this helps
0helpful
1answer

2006 Buick lucerne; while driving "service battery

Test the alternator out put.. First check battery for voltage.. should be 12v or slightly better.. Start engine and check the battery again.. and it now should be 14= VOLTS.. IIF ITS NOT 14+THE ALTERNATOR IS POSSIBLY BAD.
0helpful
1answer

Battery completely drained after 45 mins of listening to cd player without car running,

a healthy battery will take a charge and discharge and be o k -you have several things going on-the ticking noise is some kinda rely that is turning on and off probably because of low voltage-the voltage jumping around sound like the alternator is giving up and is not fully charging battery-you may also have a drain on the battery that doesn't stop when you turn the key off like an extra power amp for the radio- you can take your car to autozone or advanced auto and they will check out the charging system for free and tell you what is going on-cheers Denny
0helpful
2answers

Truck is draining charge and not charging battiers

I just went thru same thing with my 2003 f-350 diesel. I hooked up my horse Trailor and drove to Von's parked went in came back out and truck was dead. I tried to jump it didn't work. Then over next two hours two tow truck Drivers hooked up to both batteries full power charge direct to my truck and would not start.
End story required two new batteries alternator and cilanoid discussed above. In other post. Also contributing to the cause was really badly coroded cables they looked good at the connection point but wher discovered to be coroded inside the tubing just above the end connections so bow it has all been replaced and I have had no trouble since. Hope this helps. Tanya
3helpful
2answers

Running fine, all of a sudden car is completely dead

sounds like short somewhere draining battery. Might be alternator causing this also. can have it checked at autozone at no cost....good luck and hope this info helps....Please rate this post.
0helpful
1answer

Vehicle was parked and not started for 2 months.

Hi, there will be diodes in the generator that are letting the power from the battery drain away through the parked times when not in use. to prove it charge the battery- then disconnect the negative terminal on the battery, connect 24 hours later and see if the battery as kept it charge, if so - fit new alternator, good luck.
1helpful
1answer

97 nissan sentra put new alternator and battery car wont start

are you sure the alternator is good? because it could be tricky ...The only other thing is the wire running back to battery pack to charge battery maybe disconnected
0helpful
1answer
Not finding what you are looking for?

56 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Cars & Trucks Experts

ZJ Limited
ZJ Limited

Level 3 Expert

17989 Answers

john h

Level 3 Expert

29494 Answers

Arnie Burke
Arnie Burke

Level 3 Expert

7339 Answers

Are you a Car and Truck Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...