T&T: Generator Problem

[Greg Allard via Trawlers-and-Trawlering]

At 12.2 volts, that battery was at half charge. If your generator is equipped with an alternator (some of the smaller ones are not), a frequent cause of a depleted battery is that the alternator has failed. If there is no voltage meter on the genny, the only way to tell is to start the generator, and put the positive test probe of an electric meter on the alternator output terminal (and the negative probe to a ground on the engine.)

You may just have a battery past its prime, but even if you do replace it, you do want to know that it is charging OK. This is a good reminder that
diesel engines, even small ones, need to have a strong, well charged battery to turn the diesel over fast enough, to build sufficient compression for it to start.

Happy that you found the problem!

Greg Allard
M/V Meander
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