Completely “Non Boat” related Electrical Issue…

[jaysweet]

I normally stay in my lane with the small boat crew. I'll add my two cents on this one.

The best way I know to maintain a battery is by "floating" it with a regulated source. In my case, being a HAM, I use a regulated analog power supply. The supply powers several things but the voltage at the battery is kept a 13VDC. The battery is used for marine use and will be fast charged, or "equalized", from time to time. I retire in a month, so I'll do this more often.

I work in TV broadcasting and also do the day-to-day upkeep on large generators. 3 diesel and one natural gas. Having done this for many years, I have learned that dedicated generators are a maintenance pit. As some of you have said, whole house generators will fail when they are needed most. Here in my part of the country, that storm that gets the power will also surge the automatic start circuits. I will never have a generator in standby at my home. I have a 5K and will upsize when the time comes but it will be portable.

Interesting take on standby generators. Ours is ~5.5 years old now: it's a 20KW Briggs & Stratton (both generator and engine branding) running on a 500 gal. propane tank, with a dual 200 amp split transfer switch (that's the thing that detects power loss from the street, starts the generator, and then flips over the power). It has worked well for the time we've had it, although it wasn't installed yet during our 2 most challenging outages in 2012 (5 days and 2 days). The failure on Dec. 23rd was apparently 100% my fault, since I last changed the oil in Dec. 2020. I guess it had consumed enough oil in 2 years to take it just below the "low oil" point. I don't really have any reference points, as I've never owned a non-portable generator before, and I'm not trying to say "mine's the best", but I'm certainly happy with it so far.

(The main reason for the generator was having aging parents move into an in-law apartment. They really can't handle uncertainty, with our well water on an electric pump.)

 

[SailingLoto]

"severely pulled chest muscles. "

This speaks loudly to me. I pulled mine a few weeks ago starting my 30 yamaha on a stand. I've pulled, or torn a lot of muscles over the years. The angle was weird when I gave the rope a tug. For the following week or so I could have won first and last in a wet t shirt contest my right side of my chest was so swollen.

 

[Tater]

"severely pulled chest muscles. "

This speaks loudly to me. I pulled mine a few weeks ago starting my 30 yamaha on a stand. I've pulled, or torn a lot of muscles over the years. The angle was weird when I gave the rope a tug. For the following week or so I could have won first and last in a wet t shirt contest my right side of my chest was so swollen.

I tore a rotator cuff years ago pulling a 10 horse Johnson. It had submerged during a flood. The funny part was that I delayed surgery several years. My wife left me shortly after the surgery. Why did I wait so long?

 

[higgs]

I did not read all replies so maybe this suggestion was already offered. First thing I would do is check battery connections. Are they as tight as you can get them? Is there corrosion?

 

[sailcapt340]

I‘m really enjoying reading the comments to this.
The connections are new, clean and tight. But thank you.
I‘m running it again today. It doesn’t get that normal weekly run cycle as some have suggested theirs do. I believe that has a lot to do with the hard starting issue. If thats the case, then it just has to become a part of my routine.
As far as the charger(s) are concerned, they‘re still here, at least until a new Victron comes. Maybe a yard sale.
The muscle repair is a tough one. Rest and rehab, that’s about it.
And SailingLotto, you are right, it is the angle of the pull start cord. Mine looks straight but it really is off center.
I can only imagine if ice and snow were a factor.
Tater….I got nothing….. but you did make me laugh.

 

[Tater]

I‘m really enjoying reading the comments to this.
The connections are new, clean and tight. But thank you.
I‘m running it again today. It doesn’t get that normal weekly run cycle as some have suggested theirs do. I believe that has a lot to do with the hard starting issue. If thats the case, then it just has to become a part of my routine.
As far as the charger(s) are concerned, they‘re still here, at least until a new Victron comes. Maybe a yard sale.
The muscle repair is a tough one. Rest and rehab, that’s about it.
And SailingLotto, you are right, it is the angle of the pull start cord. Mine looks straight but it really is off center.
I can only imagine if ice and snow were a factor.
Tater….I got nothing….. but you did make me laugh.

Does the generator have a block heater? There are several ways to do this.

 

[sailcapt340]

So a couple of days ago we are up in Boston at a friends house. I don’t know how or why the conversation got around to home generators but it did. Turns out, hard starting is not an uncommon problem.
But while we we’re talking, his friend just blurts out…give it a shot of starting fluid. He comes from Minnesota and deals with this issue far to often himself.
He goes on to say Natural gas is under much less pressure and it takes a lot longer for it to get into the carburetor. (That I did know but didn’t think it would take that long)
A shot of starting fluid starts the process and draws the gas right in. And your off and running.
Well, today I give it a try and wouldn’t you know it, it starts right up. No battery drain and better yet no pulled muscles.
If this is your issue give this a try….Remove the air cleaner cover, spray a shot in the intake tube and pull the cord or the starter button.
Worth a shot.