How is generator battery charged on an 82 FC?

[freewill2008]

I mistated this just a little yesterday. The genset
should start from the coach batteries as long either
cable is connected.

If the cable from the isolator to the combiner relay
and genset battery is connected, then the genset
should crank OK from the coach batteries because
current would pass through the isolator in the
direction of the genset.

Current would not pass the other way from the genset
battery through the isolator to the coach batteries
however. That is the purpose of the combiner and the
cable from the combiner to the 3208 cranking motor.
(The 3208 would never crank with that combiner and
cable alone of course, but it would help if the coach
batteries were marginal.)

To start the genset with the coach batteries it would
still be better to use the dashboard combiner switch
though, because the combiner would keep the genset
starting load off the solid state isolator.

Bob Griesel

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "freewill2008"
wrote:
>
> It depends on which cable is been disconnected.
>
> If only the cable from the isolator to the combiner
> relay is disconnected, then the genset will start
> with the dash combiner, but > there will be no charging
> current going to the genset battery from the converter
> and/or the 3208 alternator.
>
> If only the cable from the 3208 starter to the other
> side of the combiner relay is disconnected, there will
> be charging current going to the genset battery but the
> dash combiner switch will not work.
>
> If both cables going from the front of the coach to
> the combiner are disconnected, or the cable from the
> combiner to the genset battery is disconnected, then
> the dash combiner won't work *and* the genset battery
> won't get any charge from the converter and/or 3208
> alternator.
>
> BobG
>
> >
> > If I understand Bob's post correctly, that
> > cable being disconnected would also mean you
> > would not have been able to start the generator
> > by using the dash combiner switch, yet you were,
> > so??
> >
> > Don Bradner
> > 90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"
> > Eureka, CA
> >
> > On 6/28/2007 at 8:35 PM davidkerryedwards wrote:
> >
> > >Ah ha. I've seen what I think is that isolate in the house
battery
> > >compartment mounted on
> > >the back wall. There is a heavy cable that is pretty obviously
> > >disconnected from that
> > >isolator. I have no idea why, but this could easily be the
cable
> of which
> > >you speak and
> > >would account for the dead battery. Any idea why someone might
> disconnect
> > >that cable?
> > >It does seem as though the voltage meter on the generator reads
> higher
> > >when the main
> > >engine is running.
> > >
> > >Kerry
> > >82 Fc 35
> > >Denver
> >
>