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Topic: Genset start button in bedroom (Read 696 times) previous topic - next topic

Genset start button in bedroom

I am considering disabling or discoonecting this genset remote start button. In the four months that we've owned the coach, we have accidentally started the generator a number of times.

Can someone please tell me the purpose of having a genset start capability in the bedroom? I don't want to disconnect it if there is a good reason for it.
Royce & Denise, MC #17410
'01 U320 4220 ISM450 Build #5895 SOLD
Toad: '10 Honda CR-V

Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world. - Gustave Flaubert

Re: Genset start button in bedroom

Reply #1 –
Hi Royce,

Some find it helpful for starting to make coffee in the early morning before you arise.
Jim Frerichs
2002 U320 42'

Re: Genset start button in bedroom

Reply #2 –
I disconnected mine.  Same time, unplanned starts fumbling for something else.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Genset start button in bedroom

Reply #3 –
We don't try to operate ours bed overhead switches without first turning on the lights  ;)

I seem to recall trying to figure out a way to remember which might be which, and realizing ours are alphabetical as you're laying in bed, looking up

BD
FG

Bed  Docking
Floor  Genset
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Genset start button in bedroom

Reply #4 –
I have used the bedroom gen switch when parking at night and  running the gen for air conditioning and when it cools off outside and no longer needed I use it to turn off the gen and not have to go to the front to do so.  DAN
Dan & Shirley Stansel
2002 U295 4020 AGDS Build#6054
Towing Buick Enclave & M &  G Braking
Emerald Bay, Lake Palestine, Texas
MC# 16650

Re: Genset start button in bedroom

Reply #5 –
I used ours more as a convenience item, in not having to go up front during the night. But, last year the bedroom switch just quit working and I don't really miss it.

I had thought of the bedroom switch as more of an emergency stop than anything else.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Genset start button in bedroom

Reply #6 –
Apply a small blob of silicone caulking to the switch as a marker. When you reach up you will feel the blob and know you are on the gen switch. You can also glue a piece of felt, a small bumper or something that will let you know you are on the gen switch.
Rick
Rick

Re: Genset start button in bedroom

Reply #7 –
On my 91 .On the generator itself there are 2 switches for the auxillary. If you flip them they will turn off the remote switch panels One on dash and one in bedroom. You can turn on or off either or both. You might take a look at your generator panel and see if yours has that also. Then just turn off the switch that controls the bedroom auxillary panel.
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: Genset start button in bedroom

Reply #8 –
I pulled the wires off the back of my remote start switch several years ago and have not missed it a bit. 
Jan & Richard Witt
1999 U-320  36ft WTFE
Build Number: 5478 Motorcade: 16599
2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited w/Air Force One
Jan: NO5U, Richard:KA5RIW
The selected media item is not currently available.

Re: Genset start button in bedroom

Reply #9 –
Rick, we did something along those lines, still start the gen accidentally every once in a while.  I think I am going to replace the single start switch with a two switch panel.  One to enable the circuit and one to start the gen.  It would take two fingers then to start or stop the generator.  All the function with a safety built in.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Genset start button in bedroom

Reply #10 –
We do occasionally use the switch as we don't have Aqua hot, so During the night I have the heat strips on and will start gen set from bed to run till coach is warm then shut off gen set.  If I wake up and it has cooled down I will again start gen set to warm coach.  Can be usedin the same manner when AC is needed.  I like the convenience.
Jerry & Nanci
1999 U270 34'WTFI
2011 Malibu
A smart man knows what to say, a wise man knows when to say it.

Re: Genset start button in bedroom

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Green99 –
We do occasionally use the switch as we don't have Aqua hot, so During the night I have the heat strips on and will start gen set from bed to run till coach is warm then shut off gen set.  If I wake up and it has cooled down I will again start gen set to warm coach.  Can be usedin the same manner when AC is needed.  I like the convenience.

I agree.  turn on a light.  cell phone screen works
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Genset start button in bedroom

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Green99 –
We do occasionally use the switch as we don't have Aqua hot, so During the night I have the heat strips on and will start gen set from bed to run till coach is warm then shut off gen set.  If I wake up and it has cooled down I will again start gen set to warm coach.  Can be used in the same manner when AC is needed.  I like the convenience.
Are you saying you have the A/C on when you turn the generator off? If so I think that is pitting your transfer switch relays by arcing the heavy load. One of the reasons I have not found it useful since you have to get up anyway to turn something on, Heat, Coffee etc.
"After the generator has started to operate, wait three minutes and then add the load. Prior to turning off the generator, disengage the loads, wait three minutes and then momentarily press the generator off button". Generator Usage Tips
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Genset start button in bedroom

Reply #13 –
I just wish the genset would delay power delivery until it's warmed up and/or cut off power and have a proper cooldown from the switch.  You're not supposed to start or shut off a generator loaded up which means for me I have to run to the front to adjust the thermostat anyway.  For me the only purpose of the switch is to shut off the generator at the last minute before sleep after watching tv in bed.  Something that rarely happens.

Re: Genset start button in bedroom

Reply #14 –
I just got my FT last Autumn.  A lady friend and I were heading back to MI with it and stopped to sleep in a parking lot.  She had been driving my car all day, as I drove the FT.  I offered her the queen island bed and I was preparing to sleep on the couch.  I had started the gen from the instrument panel, so as to run roof AC for a while.  A few minutes later, the gen suddenly stopped.  She asked "What happened?"  "The generator shut down", I replied.  To which she responded "Oh, maybe that's what one of these switches over the bed was.  There's even a clock over the bed too."  I told her to press the same switch again and see what happened. Sure enough -- in a few seconds we had power and AC a short time later (yes, Barry, I know I should have cut the load of the AC). 
Mogan David
1999 U295 36'
 

Re: Genset start button in bedroom

Reply #15 –
Barry,
I have never started or shut down genset with AC going, but I have started and shut it down with the heat strips on.  I wait until it reaches temp and shuts off then shut off gen set.  As to start up, I have a progressive Ind. surge protector, so the power is up before it is allowed into the coach.  If you see this as a problem, please let me know.  If this is an unacceptable practice I don't understand the purpose of the switch.
Jerry
Jerry & Nanci
1999 U270 34'WTFI
2011 Malibu
A smart man knows what to say, a wise man knows when to say it.