Diesel wrote: 

>I haven't been able to post due to a power outage.  It goes out 
>after almost every good storm, but, what was unexpected was that the 
>generator didn't kick in.  I had to manually flip the power switch a 
>few times, from auto to manual to off and back (even though it was 
>on auto all the time and the battery was charged as evidenced by a 
>3.8VDC check on the side panel) and there is plenty of propane in 
>the tank.  I flipped the breaker a few times.  I pulled the fuse and
>it looked good. 
>
>Everything looked ok electrically, and, after a few flips of the 
>switch, it turned on.  Recently on its weekly charging cycle, it had 
>been turning off and on after only a few seconds, so, that's 
>probably related.  I'm guessing that the propane generator wasn't up
>to speed at first, for whatever reason, and that the voltage wasn't 
>as high as it needed to keep the solenoids down, so, they were 
>clicking?  I never heard that clicking before, and, the lights were 
>running as soon as the generator kicked in. 
>
>While I might not have continuous power, it doesn't always mean 
>other circuits in the neighborhood are all dead.  Some might still 
>have better battery backup, and/or their own reliable generator to 
>keep them going.  Having some electrical knowledge lets me
>reconfigure mine for my immediate needs.  Backsoon.

My generator has a 12V motorcycle battery.

Did you test the battery under load?  Just checking it by itself with a
VOM without a load does no good. For 12V systems I wire a car headlight
in parallel with it, then test.  Battery testers are expensive.  (But an
auto parts store will do it for free).





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