Generator Questions

396chevy · 04-26-2014, 11:59 AM

I am replacing a generator that had its own internal "chassis" battery charger. Its battery was totaly isolated from the rest of the trailers "house" batterys which was powering up the 1600 watt power invertor and the 12 lighting tasks of the trailer. We are now installing a onan 6K 6HDKAH-1044K quiet diesel gen set. Do I need to run some type of power isolater from the "house" batterys to the "chassis" battery keep the chassis battery charged to run the generator fuel pump and starting system? Thanks Bill

Rich Biebel · 04-27-2014, 04:58 PM

Bill......On that model battery charging output is an option. It would have had to be ordered with B183 which is a 10 amp battery charging output.

The ID label shows a lot of info and I would look there to see if B183 is listed anywhere. If not the only other way to tell if it has battery charging is to run it and put a voltmeter on the battery after it is running. Battery voltage should rise if it does. If it does not it will slowly drop.

If it does not have that option you have to make other provisions to charge the generator battery. Motorhomes and RV's often have a DC converter and they use that to charge the battery.

If you do not have battery charging and want to isolate the generator and it's battery from the rest of the RV all you need to do is add a small external type automotive charger that runs on 120 volts and is connected to the battery. Any small charger with a 5-10 amp output will work.

04-26-2014, 11:59 AM	#1
396chevy Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 48 Likes: 10 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Generator Questions and Answers, by R&J Control Inc I am replacing a generator that had its own internal "chassis" battery charger. Its battery was totaly isolated from the rest of the trailers "house" batterys which was powering up the 1600 watt power invertor and the 12 lighting tasks of the trailer. We are now installing a onan 6K 6HDKAH-1044K quiet diesel gen set. Do I need to run some type of power isolater from the "house" batterys to the "chassis" battery keep the chassis battery charged to run the generator fuel pump and starting system? Thanks Bill

04-27-2014, 04:58 PM	#2
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,320 Likes: 25 Liked 557 Times in 217 Posts	Re: Generator Questions and Answers, by R&J Control Inc Bill......On that model battery charging output is an option. It would have had to be ordered with B183 which is a 10 amp battery charging output. The ID label shows a lot of info and I would look there to see if B183 is listed anywhere. If not the only other way to tell if it has battery charging is to run it and put a voltmeter on the battery after it is running. Battery voltage should rise if it does. If it does not it will slowly drop. If it does not have that option you have to make other provisions to charge the generator battery. Motorhomes and RV's often have a DC converter and they use that to charge the battery. If you do not have battery charging and want to isolate the generator and it's battery from the rest of the RV all you need to do is add a small external type automotive charger that runs on 120 volts and is connected to the battery. Any small charger with a 5-10 amp output will work. __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R