Log In | Register
Skip to main content
Topic: Generator, lithium battery, inverter. (Read 507 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Generator, lithium battery, inverter.
Good morning,
A couple months ago I replaced my Super Start Fleet & Heavy Duty 6 volt acid batteries with a
TCBWORTH
12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Lithium Battery,100A BMS,TCBWORTH Group 31 Battery for RV,Solar,Marine,Camping,Trolling Motor,off-Grid,Backup Power,Motorhome,15000+Deep Cycles.
After I installed the TCB battery, the generator fired up.
Yesterday I reinstalled the TCB battery so I could run Stay-Bil fuel stabilizer. The generator would crank but not start.
Prior to attempting to start generator.
1. Add gas to RV to bring level to 1/2 tank.
2. Checked all battery connections and voltage.
With a test meter battery reads 14.4v. The inside inverter display 14.4v.

See attached photos for batteries and inverter info.

Your help would be greatly appreciated!

2002 30' IB
Re: Generator, lithium battery, inverter.
Reply #1 –
Sounds like a fuel issue rather than electrical (spark). It’s possible that either your carburetor or fuel pump is fouled or gummed up.
2003 26.5' RB (green)
Re: Generator, lithium battery, inverter.
Reply #2 –
Just checking - you do know to hold down the generator 'off' position to activate the fuel pump long enough to fill the float bowl?

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Generator, lithium battery, inverter.
Reply #3 –
I did allow my Rv's fuel level to drop below half full before topping off.
I wonder if that could be an issue?
2002 30' IB
Re: Generator, lithium battery, inverter.
Reply #4 –
Steve.
I start my generator from inside my rv.
When it failed to start I went outside and pressed the prime button.
I don't thing the carburetor is gummed up.
I started the Generator, two months ago to let is run for 30 mins.
This time I treated the fuel with Stay-Bil. I tried to power up the generator so the Sta-Bil would cycle through.
I've never had my generator not start.
2002 30' IB
Re: Generator, lithium battery, inverter.
Reply #5 –
Hi Mark;  The Sta-bil fuel additive treats the entire fuel tank, so it has nothing to do specifically with the generator.  I'm not sure why you are taking the battery in and out, just to work on the genset.
    The pickup tube for fuel for the generator is about 1/4 of a tank, above the bottom, inside the main gas tank to prevent running out of gas for the engine.  Enough left so that you can go get some more gas for the generator. 
    Lazy Daze may have still been using that really old neoprene hose for the gap from the tank pickup to the fuel line running to the generator.  Leaking of air through cracks in that hose, show by needing a higher and higher level of gas in the main tank to get the genset to prime.  You must have the one cylinder MicroQuiet Onan generator.  My older two cylinder Onan (anything but quiet) doesn't have a provision to prime the genset.   RonB 
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Generator, lithium battery, inverter.
Reply #6 –
Quote from: Steve  - 
Just checking - you do know to hold down the generator 'off' position to activate the fuel pump long enough to fill the float bowl?

I’m always a bit confused about how long the generator should be primed. Are we talking 5 seconds, 30 seconds, a minute?  My generator usually doesn’t start the first time. It will take going through the process 2-3 times.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Generator, lithium battery, inverter.
Reply #7 –
Hi Ron-
My LD had two 6 volt acid batteries. On winter I did not remove them from my LD.
One battery was frozen and would not hold a charge. Instead of continuing to use acid batteries I switched to a lithium.
two months ago I placed my LD in temporary storage until I could treat the gas. I removed the lithium in the event weather turned nasty cold. Next week we'er suppose to return to warmer weather. My rv fuel tank is a little less than 1/2 full. I think I'll top off the tank and give the generator another try. I've never had problems with this generator. Even after sitting for several months when I've bee out of state. Last summer I preformed a full tune-up.
2002 30' IB
Re: Generator, lithium battery, inverter.
Reply #8 –

I have a question and a comment. Neither of these is directly related to your generator problem, but...

First, I'm curious how the TCBWORTH 100 Ah lithium battery and the TCBWORTH Group 31 Battery (lithium? lead-acid?) are connected. It's generally not advised to have two batteries of different capacities connected in parallel. (And if the group 31 battery isn't lithium, it's definitely not advised to pair it with a lithium battery.)

Second, that RV-30S solar controller is an old pulse-width modulation (PWM) model that wastes a lot of solar power and may not be compatible with lithium batteries. For both those reasons, it would be a good idea to replace it with a Blue Sky 3000i MPPT controller. It'll get more power from your solar panels, and it'll be kind to your expensive batteries.

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Generator, lithium battery, inverter.
Reply #9 –
Andy-
I replaced two 6v acid batteries with one 12v lithium.
My controller is old. I'll let a new owner replace it if they desire.
Currently my goal is getting the generator up and running,
2002 30' IB
Re: Generator, lithium battery, inverter.
Reply #10 –
"I replaced two 6v acid batteries with one 12v lithium."

So is the group 31 battery your engine battery? Sorry if I'm asking a dumb question.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Generator, lithium battery, inverter.
Reply #11 –
.........generator should be primed. Are we talking 5 seconds, 30 seconds, a minute? ....
      Hi Greg; priming the carburetor on the genset, you are trying to get a really small pump to fill up the carb. The outlet of the carb is the orifice gasoline goes through to the engine. A gallon per hour isn't much. So you have a vent on top of the float bowl. I bet that it is pretty small also, but two holes. Hopefully plumbed up through the air filter, so it doesn't let dirt fall into the float bowl. Depending on how far away your gasoline tank is from the generator, and how much has evaporated since it was last run, 30 seconds, a minute, or longer might work. If you have to do that several times to get the genset to start, you aren't priming it long enough. If you start smelling gasoline, too long!
      My Noisy Onan Emerald, I have to crank it over. Bursts of 5-6 seconds at a time. (Don't overheat that itty bitty starter motor). Once at 5 seconds it will cough or sputter. A few seconds later it usually starts in 2-3 seconds.   If it has been run recently, say a few hours before, It may start up in a second or so.  I try to make sure I'm over the recommended 1/4 tank. I have started it when reading about an eighth of a tank, but I'm sure my tank gauge isn't very accurate either.  RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB