Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Peter on July 16, 2022, 10:05:49 pm

Title: Questions on Auto Gen start PT 10
Post by: Peter on July 16, 2022, 10:05:49 pm
When I purchased my coach a couple of years ago one of the first things I had to take care of was fixing the aquahot
because apparently it got damaged because of operating it with below allowable power to it (I was told below 12.5 volts??)

Of course I do not want to go through that episode again so am inquiring about the PT 10 gen I have in the coach and the "auto start" feature listed on the dash.

If i have the auto start on the gen on, will it automatically start when the voltage reaches a certain number? And if so, what is that voltage? (I cant seem to locate that info in the foretravel operating procedures)

I currently have a Magnum 2812 Inverter and have the ME AGS auto start for it BUT have not installed it as I was told I did not
need it with the auto start feature of the Power Tech. Is this the case?

With my intended plans to fulltime in the  coach this "cold" winter in Alberta Canada, without the auto feature of the gen, if I lost power I would certainly freeze my system up as the aqua hot can only operate so long on batteries (even with the diesel on)
Any advice or knowledge would be appreciated.
Peter
Title: Re: Questions on Auto Gen start PT 10
Post by: WS6_Keith on July 16, 2022, 10:27:30 pm
I'm not sure if they used the BCM-12 unit back in 1998 or not, but see this thread: Generator Auto Start (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=43887)

The BCM-12 manual is in this thread:  Auto gen start trigger voltage (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=43914)

See this thread about remote control of the generator if you should need it and have a hotspot.  Adding temp control to AGS (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=42312.msg435175#msg435175)
Title: Re: Questions on Auto Gen start PT 10
Post by: oldguy on July 17, 2022, 12:11:57 am
I would think 12.5 volts would be high. My auto generator start is set at 12.2 and I have set
it to run an hour. The one thing is the generators won't start below -10 c unless your cycle
the glow plugs. There maybe a way to increase the glow plug time before the engine starts
to turn over. I will look tomorrow to see if I can find the manual for the gen auto start.
Title: Re: Questions on Auto Gen start PT 10
Post by: Peter on July 18, 2022, 10:30:09 am
So a couple more questions on the PT10
Also planning to change the oil, filter and fuel filter ( I can only find one fuel filter....looked everywhere...as I have been told there are two??) and have read in the foretravel operating manual it takes 10-30 oil. In reading here most use 15-40. Which is correct? I will be using synthetic because the gen will start easier in cold weather.

Also do I have to prime the fuel filter at all or just take it off and install the new one??
Peter
Title: Re: Questions on Auto Gen start PT 10
Post by: oldguy on July 18, 2022, 10:51:20 am
I have only one filter on my coach. I use 15-40 in my engine and the fuel pump should
prime the filter. If it doesn't start right up shut it down and try over. The clicking sound
you here in the glow plug cycle is the fuel pump.
Title: Re: Questions on Auto Gen start PT 10
Post by: Bob & Sue on July 18, 2022, 11:48:44 am
The second geny fuel filter could be on the fuel pump itself. Actually its more of a screen than a filter but I don't mess with that one. I wouldn't even know about it but our fuel pump started acting up so in my efforts .... I took the bottom of it off. Just twist it and the bottom comes off.      Basically the fuel pump comes apart but ours was 20 plus years old ( original paint ) and no one had  done anything with it up till then, so I don't do anything with the new one either.....
Title: Re: Questions on Auto Gen start PT 10
Post by: wolfe10 on July 18, 2022, 11:56:57 am
The second geny fuel filter could be on the fuel pump itself. Actually its more of a screen than a filter but I don't mess with that one.

Agreed.  A fine micron filter followed by a very large micron screen says the fine filter will catch everything and the screen is "along for the ride".
Title: Re: Questions on Auto Gen start PT 10
Post by: Peter on July 18, 2022, 02:12:35 pm
Thanks for the assistance!
I am right in the middle of the oil change and want to refill  the oil. I see 2 yellow fill caps. 1 on top of the engine and one on the front close to the radiator overflow. Which is the right one to add oil in????

Also if anyone has a pdf copy of the operator manual I would really appreciate a copy!  Can't seem to find one online
Peter
Title: Re: Questions on Auto Gen start PT 10
Post by: oldguy on July 18, 2022, 02:27:42 pm
Which ever one you want to use, they both will work.