After conferring with an alternator expert, I disconnected the alternator positive cable that leads to the battery. The generator runs fine now with no error code and does not shut down. The alternator on the generator is now excluded from the charging routine. I reconnected the Dakota lithium starting battery. It will be charged by my main alternator when the engine is running or by the battery charger when the generator is running. The solar panels will also keep all of the batteries topped up. I think I have the system sorted out.
As I was dealing with all of the variables in my lithium installation, another problem popped up. My Yanmar 4jh4 HTE would not start. After a little bit of diagnostic work we figured out that the starter relay was bad. We think it stuck in the on position and kept the starter motor gear engaged with the flywheel after start up. This fried the motor and solenoid. New starter motor and relay fixed it. If you have this engine, it might be wise to change the relay before you get a catastrophic failure that ruins your starter motor. There was no warning in advance that there might be a problem with the relay. It came out of the blue. Luckily we were tied up to our mooring when we noticed that the motor wouldn't start.
As I was dealing with all of the variables in my lithium installation, another problem popped up. My Yanmar 4jh4 HTE would not start. After a little bit of diagnostic work we figured out that the starter relay was bad. We think it stuck in the on position and kept the starter motor gear engaged with the flywheel after start up. This fried the motor and solenoid. New starter motor and relay fixed it. If you have this engine, it might be wise to change the relay before you get a catastrophic failure that ruins your starter motor. There was no warning in advance that there might be a problem with the relay. It came out of the blue. Luckily we were tied up to our mooring when we noticed that the motor wouldn't start.
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