Firman Parasitic Battery Drain / Charging Failure

Generator battery repeatedly goes dead between runs, even though the charger is connected.

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Possible Causes

Faulty battery charger, Parasitic draw from accessories, Sulfated or aged battery, Loose battery connections

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Turn OFF the generator and disconnect battery negative before testing.

  • Test charger output: With utility power present, measure voltage at the charger leads; it should be around 13.2–13.6 V DC. Replace the charger if output is low or zero.
  • Check for parasitic draw: With the generator off, use an ammeter in series with the battery to measure current draw. More than a small standby current may indicate a fault in accessories or controller.
  • Inspect battery: Load-test the battery; replace if it fails to maintain voltage under load.
  • Clean and tighten terminals: Ensure all battery connections are clean and tight to minimize resistance.

Correcting charging and parasitic draw issues will extend battery life and ensure reliable starting.

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Repair Difficulty

Easy 2/5

Required Part

Battery Charger
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