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Old 06-17-2011, 09:37 PM   #1
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Battery flat

We are just on our first trip in our 2001 Georgetown 325. Everything is going great after a week in Montana but I just noticed that the engine battery is flat. I managed to start the engine by pressing the battery bypass button on the dash, but have a few questions as a new owner. we are on full hookup so the unit is plugged into 30 amps.

1. Does using The stereo on the dash drain the battery (the one that starts the engine)?

2. Does using the reading lamp above
the drivers and passenger seat drain the battery?

3. Shouldn't the main engine battery charge while plugged in?

Many thanks for any answers...

Cheers,

Iain
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Old 06-17-2011, 11:16 PM   #2
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The dash stereo and the reading lamps are powered by the "start" battery. No it will not charge while being plugged in to shore power. Only the "house" batteries will charge while plugged in. Now I don't have your unit, or one like it. There may be a way to connect them all other than the "by-pass" switch, that will allow the "start" battery to charge while on shore power. Hope others chime in.
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Old 06-17-2011, 11:53 PM   #3
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Actually the start battery will charge when the house batteries are charging providing you have a battery separator like all the current Georgetowns. The battery separator will combine the batteries when voltage is over 13.2v and disconnect at 12.6v
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Old 06-18-2011, 12:02 AM   #4
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Thanks for your replies. I guess I need to know if the 2001 georgetowns do this or if they are completely separate unless the "use RV battery" to start engine button is pressed.
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Old 06-18-2011, 07:23 AM   #5
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If the start battery will not charge when on shore power you could always use a battery charger to keep the battery topped up.
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Old 06-18-2011, 07:23 AM   #6
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On our 2008 Georgetown, we use a solar charger laying on the dash to keep a trickle charge in the car battery while we are parked. Their cheap and work. The solar generated charge is connected thru the cigarette lighter plug on the dash. If you have not changed the batteries in the 2001 that you own, you are working on borrowed time. 4-5 years is about all you can expect out of batteries. We have replaced the house batteries this year.
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Old 06-18-2011, 01:11 PM   #7
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We have a 2005 Georgetown (bought used) and the dealer's service manager told me that everything you turn on using the dash switches works off of the start battery. And, it is not charged by the 30/50 amp shorepower. He also said the engine alternator trickle charges the house batteries and I have proven that to myself.

Remember that the start battery is a different animal from the coach batteries and does not bounce back from a full discharge very well.

The solar charger deal sounds like a good idea.
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Old 06-18-2011, 09:21 PM   #8
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Many thanks all for your help. I think I'll look for the solar charger. For now at least I had a plug in charger with me.

Cheers,

Iain
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Old 06-19-2011, 12:51 PM   #9
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Just a reminder that there doesn't seem to be any standards between the model years of Georgetowns. Before buying a solar powered charger to lay on the dash (I got a great 600ma one from Wally World for less then $40) make sure the cigarette lighter socket is "ALIVE" with the ignition off. Some outlets in various vehicles only have power with the ignition ON.
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Old 06-19-2011, 03:28 PM   #10
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Many good threads here regarding solar panels.
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