Generator will not charge starter battery when engine is running?????

Around 15 + or - a little. This indicates the alternator is charging.

If your tests were all before the starter, you may not have gone far enough to diagnose your problem. On these machines the starter is also the charging unit. They used to call the units starter/generator. So if your starter works and charging part doesn't , this unit will need repair or rebuild. Also check all your connections. GOOD LUCK FRIEND.

I can't find any reference to a Homelite model 720 generator but most battery charging systems do not supply enough amps to run a car starter. Battery chargers usually work in the two (trickle) to ten amp range. Car starters need way more amps to have enough power to turn an engine over, depending on the size and number of cylinders in the motor. Some chargers have a switch with a 60 amp 'start' position to help the battery turn the motor over, but without that there is little chance the charger side of your generator will supply enough amps to help your battery.

Do you have a volt meter so that you can check battery output when unit is running. The charge rate on most small engines is about 3 amp so it will not charge very fast. If you have a battery charger I would disconnect negative cable from battery, check voltage on battery then hook up charger for a couple hours. Recheck voltage.Then leave battery neg. cable off overnight and check voltage again the next day.You may have a bad battery that wont hold charge. If it holds charge overnight then I would hook neg. cable back up and leave set for a day or two and recheck voltage. If voltage has dropped then you have something draining battery. Before I did anything to drastic I would clean all connections to battery and starter switch. If your system is really not charging you will have to replace starting diode. Good luck.

Yes you can install an electric starter on your generator if the following conditions are present. Starter/fan cover has cutout for starter, the flywheel has ring gear and block has taped holes to mount starter. Examine the engine where the starter would normally be installed (look at a generator like yours with the same motor that has the starter installed ) and check that the mounting holes are there and threaded to receive the bolts. If threaded holes to mount are there and access thru starter cover to flywheel is there, check that the flywheel has a ring gear where starter motor engages. If all present starter can be installed however you will not have the charging coil which is normally under the flywheel to charge battery; but you can still use the generator to charge the battery. To locate parts, use model number of the engine not the generator. Good Luck

CHARGING SYSTEM
The charging system is an integral part of the battery and starter systems. Since all of these systems work together, any diagnosis and testing should be done in conjunction.

The charging system is protected by a 12 gauge fusible link located in the A11 circuit. This fusible link is between the generator and the starter.

The generator ground is provided through a case ground in the generator to its attaching bracket. This generator uses a voltage regulator internal to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM)

When the vehicle is running, battery voltage is applied to the generator field terminal through the A142 circuit. This circuit is the output from the contact side of the Automatic Shut Down (ASD) relay. The ground, or voltage regulated side, of the generator field is controlled by the K20 circuit which connects to cavity 4 of the PCM connector.

When there is current present in the field, and the rotor is turning, the stator in the generator produces a B+ voltage that is supplied to the battery through the A11 and A0 circuits. The A11 circuit is connected to the output terminal of the generator and connects to the engine starter motor battery feed terminal. The A0 circuit is a direct feed line from the battery and connects to the engine starter motor.

Grounding for the system is accomplished at the battery negative terminal. These grounds connect to the engine and body.

HELPFUL INFORMATION
Inspect for a blown fusible link in the A11 circuit between the generator and the starter motor.
other Fusible link goes from the starter to the alternator. Thanks. Keep updated for any more query. You can rate this solution and show your appreciation.

with engine control switch ON and engine running at amoderate speed, charge indicator lamp should be off, if lamp is not off, detach wiring harness at generator. iflamp goes off generator is faulty. if lamps stay on, check for grounded "L" terminal in wire harnes

Hi
If the starter battery is not taking a charge, then it may have failed and require replacement. It is not uncommon for a battery that sits on standby for long periods of time to eventual fail. Best approach is to contact Kohler direct or one of their service agencies to get the correct replacement battery for the generator system.
You can contact them here
regards robotek

I had an 8kw unit from Guardian I put in last year. The starter was defective direct from the factory. If your battery is at full charge and voltage good, with tight connections to the starter it may boil down to the starter itself. Call the warrenty dept. for the company and tell them it should be covered.

Yes you can install an electric starter on your generator if the following conditions are present. Examine the engine where the starter would normally be installed (look at a generator like yours with the same motor that has the starter installed ) and check that the mounting holes are there and threaded to receive the bolts. If threaded holes to mount are there and access thru starter cover to flywheel is there, check that the flywheel has a ring gear where starter motor engages. If all present starter can be installed however you will not have the charging coil which is normally under the flywheel to charge battery; but you can still use the generator to charge the battery. If you have more quesions about this please email, Good Luck