Generator runs but no power to my AC panel

[HawaiianFish]

Aloha all,
Today I fired up our Onan 5kw generator while on the hook in an attempt to microwave lunch. She fired right up, I went to turn my AC panel from off to generator and nothing. Any ideas what might be wrong? I have started the generator before but never attempted to use it as this is a new to us boat, so I’m hoping I missed something basic…

 

[forfun1960]

I think there is a breaker on the generator itself. My memory near the start switch on the generator itself. Suggest you check there.

 

[Scuba Too]

There is a breaker on the gen itself. Likely just needs to be reset. It will run but not deliver power.

 

[HawaiianFish]

Thanks guys, I’ll try that today and get back to you guys.

 

[HawaiianFish]

Happy Aloha Friday!

Good news bad news.

So I inspected the Generator with the engine lid fully open and found the breaker on the genset that was in the off position. I’m excited at this point, easy fix. I attempt to turn on my Onan 5KW by priming it and then pushing the start/ignition button. Click click click… Ok, so it is my standard issue with my engine battery/thruster bank not having enough power or a ground issue. Put the parallel switch on. This is what fixes the issue I have with my engine not having enough power to start. Still click click click. Crap! New issue…

But when I do get her fired up, I now know where the AC output breaker is!

I will keep you informed, the marine electrician is looking at my engine/thruster bank issue.

Thanks again guys,
Koi

 

[dbsea]

What battery do you have for your thruster/gen and engine? I had to replace both of mine because the universal battery ones from the factory are way underpowered for starting applications. They are only 550CCA. The thrusters require 750 and the engine wants 800 or more. I went with the optima group 31 dual purpose with 900CCA. I was having problems with my thrusters cutting out and my engine not starting if I was on the hook.

 

[HawaiianFish]

What battery do you have for your thruster/gen and engine? I had to replace both of mine because the universal battery ones from the factory are way underpowered for starting applications. They are only 550CCA. The thrusters require 750 and the engine wants 800 or more. I went with the optima group 31 dual purpose with 900CCA. I was having problems with my thrusters cutting out and my engine not starting if I was on the hook.

Aloha Dave,

So I replaced all six Universal batteries with identical batteries. I am not sure that was such a good idea now. Regardless, I still have new batteries fully charged and can not start my engine with out using the parallel switch. My bow thruster works, but stern thruster does not.
The prevailing initial response I get when discussing this problem is a grounding issue, but I am not sure how to find that issue. If replacing the bank with 2 new optima 31’s fixes it I would gladly do that, and take the 2 new Universal AGMs and add them to my house bank on the other side, I have room and it would be an upgrade for all three banks.

Unfortunately I find it hard to believe this will fix my issue that easily.

As far as the generator, I am changing the oil and filters before messing with it anymore. It only has 86 hours on it, but who knows when it was serviced last.

I did however get Pau Hana out to one of our River beaches for the first time last weekend, and am truly loving the boat, thanks for all the help!

Some photos…
Sorry wish I could figure out to post on here and not have to give the link.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xMu3RfkE_ZWGP_WXa8Pxwdd7w9Og9FOv/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vOetIRblii_-Go0D7hBO8Oy18Lb7rPGS/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12ccFgoNt9QIgQqLmIJ39HdIlkuILN9mt/view?usp=sharing

 

[summer wind]

Had the same problem last week after the generator sat all winter. It needs to be primed, just keep your finger on the trigger and after a minute or so of clicking, the starter will do its thing. It sounds like the battery is low, but check the voltage, it probably is fine.

 

[HawaiianFish]

Had the same problem last week after the generator sat all winter. It needs to be primed, just keep your finger on the trigger and after a minute or so of clicking, the starter will do its thing. It sounds like the battery is low, but check the voltage, it probably is fine.

Thanks! I did get it started after doing exactly what you did. Just had to hold it for awhile. That was a huge relief. So was the brand new oil in it from the previous owner, very clean. But the genset does only have 56.9 hours on it…

As far as the batteries, I am now very convinced that the issue with my Engine and Thruster banks is due to the very low Cold Cranking Amps(CCA) supplied from the factory battery set up. I am going to replace my brand new Universals with X2 Power AGM batteries from batteries plus. They have 1150 CCA. I’m hoping this solves my problems. (Can’t start the engine without going on parallel, and the stern thruster just clicks)

Hoping to take the 2 leftover universals and add/move them to my house bank on the Port side. Have to do the math though to see if the wire gauge will still be within specs for the increased amp hours, from 440 to 660.

 

[Martin610]

Mixing old and new batteries can be an issue. The old ones may bring down the new.

 

[BB marine]

From your Previous post you stated that you had a Marine electrician looking into the problem. The ground issue should be a basic check for him and the first thing he looks at. A resistance check with a VOA would reveal the ground issue and the repair is normally a removal of a cable lug ,cleaning and tight connection. There are several large yellow ground cables that are all associated but if the engine starts with the house bank parallel to the engine bank I would concentrate on the engine battery cabling. Check both red cables and yellow cables. There are times when a Cable or a cable lug has poor connection which causes a voltage drop. Check the charging system. Is the engine and thruster banks getting a full charge from the shore power battery charger? I believe the C30 has a charger/inverter combo. If so the only way that the engine and thruster banks get a charge is though the ACR (Auto Charge Relay). The house bank gets charged. Once the house bank is at 13Volts for 90 seconds the ACR's close and now the engine and thruster banks are being charged. Are both ACR green when you are on shore power? What is the battery voltage when the charger is on? All batteries should be equalized and show the same voltage if all ACR's are green 13V+ This would be something that your Marine electrician should have checked. What did the battery load test show of each battery that was replaced? 80% or lower would be cause to replace the batteries if fully charged. The technician would have checked this before deciding to replace the batteries. After the new batteries were installed what % did they load test at? The questions asked will lead you to where your issue is. The bottom line The universal batteries are border line for starting the D6 Volvo. They are border line for starting the D3 Volvo. They are good house bank batteries and that is it. Good Luck troubleshooting. Ask your Marine Electrician the questions and you will find the cause. It sounds like you have always had the issue just got worse. Start with connections end at the battery. It may be a combination of a dirty loose connection and marginal batteries.


Look on page 34 to trace all the connection checks you need to make.
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