Does Onan 5500 Gen send 12V power back to it's starting battery?

[Tonto256]

I know that the battery charger from the coach will charge connected batteries, but does the gen itself also send 12v back to the same battery that started it? I have done some research and gotten mixed answers. I called the service department at the dealer I bought it from and he says it does not get a charge from the gen itself, only draws to start gen.
The reason for the question is because I had another post on here about wiring two batteries in parallel, which I have done. I am now wondering if when the gen is running, are both batteries being charged by the coach charger and the gen charger if in fact the gen sends a charge back to the battery that started. I don't think it is an ideal situation to have two separate chargers charging the same battery. Sorry if i'm making this confusing.

[SAD]

I don't know the answer to your question....

But my hunch is that the generator itself does not have a charging circuit, since the generator is designed for use in an RV - which has a converter/charger that is active any time it is exposed to 120v power (regardless of the source of 120v: generator, or shore power)

If the onan does in fact have a charging circuit (for use in some other installation type), it would make sense to me that in an RV, it would be disabled or not utilized.

A quick look at an Onan service manual would likely tell you if there was one present at all.

[abneynormal]

your power converter charges them. make sure you don't have the battery disconnect on when using your rv

[Tonto256]

I appreciate the responses. Makes sense.
Thanks

[maxx1015]

Originally Posted by abneynormal

your power converter charges them. make sure you don't have the battery disconnect on when using your rv

Y can't u have battery disconnect on ??

[mike508]

I have a fuzion 404 toy hauler. I had the transfer switch go bad, nothing out of the transfer switch. I can start the generator but when the battery goes dead, the generator dies. My take on this is the generator does not supply its own 12 volts but rather the long way around through the transfer switch to the converter and back to the battery, IMHO.

[rnkburg]

I have to run a battery charger on mine to keep going. A 10 amp does just fine. Gen puts out a little but not enough to keep it going. Dealer even said you have to wire gen battery to coach battery to get it to charge. I never have just in case coach goes dead and then I can't start gen to charge up.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2

[jumpy]

The generator does not charge the battery I have run a wire off the oil press switch to a relay that runs power from the coach batteries to the generator batteries. that way when the generator is running and charging the coach batteries the solenoid is energized and charges the gen. battery. Just what i did to solve my problem. I have a 377se raptor with that gen.

[abneynormal]

if your onan is a HGJAD model it can have an optional charger installed from a lead on the 120 volt generator. mine is a HGJAB so no dice. however if I go to a 3 12 volt system I will install an automatic battery charger to keep the starting battery charged. which is similar to the wiring diagram of the HGJAD model.

[SrbjmwRaptor]

I have a2013 raptor 297 se and had problem where generator goes dead due to running battery dead I put jumper cables from one battery to the next . But after shutting it off at night both batteries were dead in the a.m That makes no sence why would onan not relises this is a issue? so guess I will use 10 amp charge recomemded here .another ? Does the 5500 onan Cummings have a oil filter and what kind of oil do u use"

[SAD]

Yes it has an oil filter. Check your owners manual or google for a manual using the model number. Should also find oils viscosity. I ~believe~ it should be 15/40.... But don't trust my memory. Get it from the manual.

[PARAPTOR]

Originally Posted by Tonto256

I know that the battery charger from the coach will charge connected batteries, but does the gen itself also send 12v back to the same battery that started it? I have done some research and gotten mixed answers. I called the service department at the dealer I bought it from and he says it does not get a charge from the gen itself, only draws to start gen.
The reason for the question is because I had another post on here about wiring two batteries in parallel, which I have done. I am now wondering if when the gen is running, are both batteries being charged by the coach charger and the gen charger if in fact the gen sends a charge back to the battery that started. I don't think it is an ideal situation to have two separate chargers charging the same battery. Sorry if i'm making this confusing.

ONAN 5500 model HGJAB

Oil Filter # Onan -- #122-0836
Air Filter # Onan -- #140-3116

Their is a similar thread out there, do a search for others comments.

If I recall the 12V charging is an option, not used on RV.

Going to read your question to make sure I understand what you are asking. My guess is being a 297se you either have one or two coach batteries supplying the coach and the generator, ie in parallel and charged by your converter. The other person had a three battery system again two in parallel as stated above and a third battery dedicated to the generator (not connected to the other two and not charged by the converter). He uses a separate battery charger to keep that one charged. Their is another thread out there that installs a battery isolator that enables the dedicated third battery to be charged from the converter.

[PARAPTOR]

Originally Posted by mike508

I have a fuzion 404 toy hauler. I had the transfer switch go bad, nothing out of the transfer switch. I can start the generator but when the battery goes dead, the generator dies. My take on this is the generator does not supply its own 12 volts but rather the long way around through the transfer switch to the converter and back to the battery, IMHO.

CORRECT (Right On)

[PARAPTOR]

Originally Posted by abneynormal

your power converter charges them. make sure you don't have the battery disconnect on when using your rv

Oh my favorite Switch "Battery Disconnect"

Never got a straight answer what this actually shuts off

In "ON" position (Horizontal) NORMAL Connects Batteries to coach Circuits

In "OFF" position (Vertical) Disconnects Battery from some Coach Circuits

So:
Battery Disconnect Switch in ON POSITION --- BATTERIES ARE CONNECTED

Battery Disconnect Switch in OFF POSITION --- BATTERIES ARE DISCONNECTED


So I think what I am saying is generator will start regardless position of switch, however if you want Batteries to be charged using the converter Disconnect Switch must be in ON Position.

[Tonto256]

A few things are wired directly to your battery or batteries, such as the landing gear and in most cases the generator starter. These items are always "hot" no matter what position the battery disconnect switch is in. The battery disconnect switch will connect your batteries to the rest of the coach when turned to the "on" position.

[Keshka]

after reading here about how "crappy" the WFCO is I decided to do some testing. First off, I have a big *** battery it's a CAT 8D series 210 amp hour, 132 lbs battery. Since I am new to this Fuzion I decided to add an amp/watt hour meter to the system that reads both charge and draw. The watt meter is installed on the negative lead and captures everything that goes in or out of the battery.

Lights and radio runs about 4.5 amps draw. I have left it there on a full charge for about 3 hours. I then started the HGJAB gen set and was surprised to see over 50 amps charge current being feed to the battery.

Is the WFCO doing that much or is genset adding to that with and onboard 12v alternator. Above posts say nay to an onboard alternator and I can find nothing in my genset docs to say one way or another.

Trying to decide if I need to "upgrade" the WFCO to something like the PowerMax PM3-100 or if the Cummins is helping,

Keshka

[sourdough]

The thread you posted to is almost 7 1/2 years old so don't be holding your breath for a reply............

[notanlines]

Your Cummins 5500 does not have a 12 volt charger, much less a '50 amp charger.' It provides only 120 volts to your WFCO inverter and a source for the remainder of all your 120 volt outlets and appliances such as your converter, which in turn charges your battery/batteries.