Starting Generator with Dead House Battery

ifrpilot99 · 01-02-2013, 01:44 PM

I have a 2013 Georgetown 351DS and although I have not run into this issue... yet, I would like to know how to start the generator if the house batteries are dead.

In my old coach, the chassis alternator would charge the house battery. Is that the case with my new Georgetown? Will the "Emergency Start" switch work for this scenario?

My understanding is that it emergency start switch "couples" the house batteries to assist with starting the chassis if the chassis battery is dead.

Will it work in the reverse scenario or do I need a separate charging/jump source for the house batteries?

Thank you!
Steve

VinceU · 01-02-2013, 02:29 PM

Since the system is designed to back up a failed Chassis battery, it needs the coach batteries to flip the relay. Your only recource would be a large jump to the batteries. The genset takes a pretty could current flow, don't kill a compact cars battery in the process. Charging over time would be a better course of action. Don't forget the engine alt will also charge them in time.

ifrpilot99 · 01-02-2013, 02:45 PM

Vince,

Thank you for the reply. I suspected that the chassis alternator provided a charge to the house batteries. However, I was unable to confirm this functionality in my Georgetown documentation and have not had an opportunity to put a voltmeter on the batteries to test.

Thanks again!
Steve

Iggy · 01-02-2013, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ifrpilot99

...... I suspected that the chassis alternator provided a charge to the house batteries. However, I was unable to confirm this functionality in my Georgetown documentation and have not had an opportunity to put a voltmeter on the batteries to test.
Steve

Steve I wish I knew also.....
I have always wondered while driving down the road does the engine alternator also charge the house batteries?
I have never found anyone who knew that for sure.

What I think is ....
I do not believe the engine battery is connected in any way except when you press the emergency spring loaded connect switch that hooks them together to help start the engine in case the engine battery dies while parked.

Iggy

ifrpilot99 · 01-02-2013, 03:03 PM

Iggy,

It is relatively easy to test, simply run your house batteries down a bit and throw a volt meter on them. Make sure the battery disconnect switch is set to on (connected) and start the chassis engine. It may take a few minutes for the solenoid to kick in, but you should see the voltmeter jump when the chassis alternator starts providing a charge to the house batteries.

My rig is in storage and I assumed someone would know the answer, so I took the lazy way out and asked.

VinceU · 01-02-2013, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ifrpilot99

Vince,

Thank you for the reply. I suspected that the chassis alternator provided a charge to the house batteries. However, I was unable to confirm this functionality in my Georgetown documentation and have not had an opportunity to put a voltmeter on the batteries to test.

Thanks again!
Steve

Sure, in fact in the past 4 or 5 years a a panel is installed to manage battery charging using the alternator and converter powered by shore or generator. Basically when its safe to do so (primary batteries are charged, it will also connect in the 2nd set of batterries also. Therefore when your traveling the alt charges chassis batteries first then coach. When you're plugged in or operating genset the coach batteries get topped up first and then cut in the chassis batteries. Panel is called SDC or Intellic located close to the battery bank. They don't provide voltmeters though I built my own gauge board and can tell at a glance all batteries and shore power.

ohiobill · 01-02-2013, 03:10 PM

I'm pretty certain the alterntor charges all batteries when the engine is running. I have noticed that when checking the house batteries before a trip they may show about 3/4 charge, but when we arrive, they show as fully charged.

VinceU · 01-02-2013, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ifrpilot99

Iggy,

It is relatively easy to test, simply run your house batteries down a bit and throw a volt meter on them. Make sure the battery disconnect switch is set to on (connected) and start the chassis engine. It may take a few minutes for the solenoid to kick in, but you should see the voltmeter jump when the chassis alternator starts providing a charge to the house batteries.

My rig is in storage and I assumed someone would know the answer, so I took the lazy way out and asked.

I found a copy of the SDC inst. and schematic. FR also included a copy with my documentation. Its identical except for specific labling. It shows clearly how the transfer works and is good to have for troubleshooting.

bend302 · 01-02-2013, 09:26 PM

Yes, I am convinced that the engine alternator trickle charges the house batteries. Simple test...check the battery idiot lights on your control panel. Start the engine and wait a minute then check the lights again. In my case the lights always go from where they are to all lit when the engine is running. And, like others I find my house batteries are always fully charged after a long drive.

Bill

RamblerGuy · 01-03-2013, 07:38 AM

I have started the generator on our 2011 Sunseeker several times with dead coach batteries by starting the chassis engine. I don't know how this worked. I am planning to do some tests soon to try to figure it out. I'm an engineer and can't stand to not know what's going on with something like this.

There are a few recent threads with more information about the Battery Control System. One thread is named: Charging your house batteries

Trempert · 01-03-2013, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamblerGuy

I have started the generator on our 2011 Sunseeker several times with dead coach batteries by starting the chassis engine. I don't know how this worked. I am planning to do some tests soon to try to figure it out. I'm an engineer and can't stand to not know what's going on with something like this.

There are a few recent threads with more information about the Battery Control System. One thread is named: Charging your house batteries

I have done the same. The generator wouldn't start, so I started the engine and it started right up. I didn't have to wait and the batteries were down to 1 light on the panel.

BillMFl · 01-28-2013, 03:27 PM

Here is a good hint. My 2012 Model 360 user manual advises starting the engine when sliding slides whenever shore power is not connected. This implies that the chassis battery/altenator are feeding the house batteries when the engine is running.

Trempert · 01-28-2013, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillMFl

Here is a good hint. My 2012 Model 360 user manual advises starting the engine when sliding slides whenever shore power is not connected. This implies that the chassis battery/altenator are feeding the house batteries when the engine is running.

My slides won't move when the engine is running. I'm assuming it's a safety lockout device.

BillMFl · 01-29-2013, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trempert

My slides won't move when the engine is running. I'm assuming it's a safety lockout device.

My bad. The manual actually advises running the generator when sliding slides or leveling jacks when not connected to shore power. I believe that both the chassis and house batteries are charged when the enginge is running BUT the house battery control switch has to be in the "on" position. Both the chassis and house batteries are charged by the power converter when plugged into a 110v shore power source, but once again the house battery control switch (located just inside and lower left panel at entry steps) must be in the "on" position.

copsuno · 02-05-2013, 08:39 PM

I can confirm, for I actually had to do this. My house batts boiled over and were dry, unkown to me. Tried to start gen and it would only throw the disconnect switch. Cranked engine and waited 15 mins, flipped the disconnect back and hit gen switch and bam it fires. So now know what to do the hard way.

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