Cummins/Onan — Jump Starting
Operation · Battery
From a Cummins/Onan service manual covering: P216, P218, P220, P248. Check it applies to your exact model before use.
Applies to: Cummins/Onan P216, Cummins/Onan P218, Cummins/Onan P220, Cummins/Onan P248
Before you start
- Electrical arcing can cause severe personal injury. Do not allow positive and negative cable ends to touch.
- Jump starting a battery incorrectly can cause either battery to explode, resulting in severe personal injury or death. Do not jump start a frozen battery.
Procedure
- Disconnect engine load.
- Use a battery of the same voltage (12V) as is used with your engine.
- Attach one end of the positive booster cable (red) to the positive (+) terminal of the booster battery and the other end to the positive (+) terminal of the engine battery.
- Attach one end of the negative booster cable (black) to the negative (-) terminal of the booster battery and the other end to a solid chassis ground on the engine.
- Turn the ignition switch to START to start the engine.
- Do not engage the starter for longer than 30 seconds; allow 5 minutes for the starter to cool between cranking intervals.
Tools required
- booster battery and cables (12V) Amazon
Tool links are Amazon searches (affiliate links); manufacturer special tools may only be available from a dealer.
Specs & values
- Do not engage starter for longer than 30 seconds; allow 5 minutes to cool between cranking intervals
Full service-parts list: Cummins/Onan P216 →, Cummins/Onan P218 →, Cummins/Onan P220 →, Cummins/Onan P248 →
Source: Cummins/Onan service manual. Steps and values are as documented; always cross-check against the official manual and any later revisions for your exact serial number before servicing.