Troubleshooting Generator Starting

[Pelagic]

Yesterday, I tried to start my Northern Lights Generator and all I got was a clicking of the Solenoid Starter.
On the NL start panel it showed Voltage at only 11v

Strange as Trojan 12v battery is only 2 years old and battery is kept charged via my 24v system and a Victron DC-DC convertor???

Measured Voltage at Battery and it is 13.9V....(Yet Voltmeter on NL panel shows only 11v)

Checked all the cabling and battery connections... All tight and no corrosion !

The Gen had not been started in 4 months as I was redoing all fuel hoses and filter system, but nothing has changed on the starter system and engine normally starts immediately.

Before I take the starter motor off can anyone explain the discrepancy in Battery readings?

[a64pilot]

Measure voltage at the starter itself with your multi meter, if it’s high, then have someone hold the start button down and see what it drops to.
I suspect you still have a bad connection, Or a bad wire.
If there is a big drop, then go measure voltage at the battery when the start button is pushed, it could be a dead battery who’s voltage is kept up high with charger, but can’t supply the amps.

[NoTies]

Battery isolator switch contacts?

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Measure voltage at the starter itself with your multi meter, if it’s high, then have someone hold the start button down and see what it drops to.
I suspect you still have a bad connection, Or a bad wire.
If there is a big drop, then go measure voltage at the battery when the start button is pushed, it could be a dead battery who’s voltage is kept up high with charger, but can’t supply the amps.

Thanks, I will do those measurements on Monday when I have some help.

I suspect the battery even though it is fairly new.

Have never trusted the DC/DC convertor as a float system because I think it overcharges the AGM voltage.

Before when plain lead acid, it took a lot of water so maybe it is shortening the life of the AGM

[a64pilot]

I think your buying a battery.
I just attached my generator cable to the starter solenoid on my propulsion motor, I don’t have a separate generator battery