Connecting powertech generator to victron cerbo gx

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Connecting powertech generator to victron cerbo gx

November 02, 2024, 08:58:07 pm

I am wanting to connect the generator to my victron cerbo gx. I want to be able to use all the programmable features the victron cerbo gx has to auto start the generator, and turn it off. I am having trouble figuring this out. If someone has done this or can point me to information on connecting this to a powertech generator. I would appreciate it. Yes I have tried google and YouTube. Tom

Re: Connecting powertech generator to victron cerbo gx

Reply #1 – November 02, 2024, 10:15:30 pm

I have no experience with victron cerbo gx, but if you can not find someone that knows, you and I can easily figure this out how to do. I know how it works in my coach but we have different animals.

Re: Connecting powertech generator to victron cerbo gx

Reply #2 – November 02, 2024, 10:54:11 pm

Jack I appreciate that. Hopefully someone has been down this road. Would be hard to believe with all the victron systems people have installed, that someone will know. I know your knowledge of electrical subjects is way more than mine. I might need to give you a call to figure this out. Tom

Re: Connecting powertech generator to victron cerbo gx

Reply #3 – November 02, 2024, 11:02:36 pm

A function we are also hoping to do when we get to the house electric re-do on WildE.

Re: Connecting powertech generator to victron cerbo gx

Reply #4 – November 02, 2024, 11:04:42 pm

Was hoping your magical powers with the search feature of this great forum would turn up something. 😀. Tom

Re: Connecting powertech generator to victron cerbo gx

Reply #5 – November 03, 2024, 01:57:42 am

I have a Cerbo GX, but have not wired it to the generator. I found this video on YouTube, as to how to configure the AGS: https://youtu.be/6J9_3-yZke4?si=sjzU0bqw_YQJEvUg

Looking in the manual in section 3.7, it mentions that this relay output can be configured as a normally open or normally closed output. I have a different unit connected to my generator which allows me to remotely start/stop my generator through an app on my phone, and that is connected through the start/stop button on the dash. This takes a momentary 12V pulse to start or to stop the generator.

To make a normally open relay output work when a momentary voltage is required, you'll likely need a one-shot relay which will take the constant on (closed) relay output and put out a single pulse to start the generator. You'd then also need another relay to send another pulse on break (when the Cerbo output opens again). There may be a pre-configured option for this, but I don't know of one off the top of my head.

Hope that helps.

Re: Connecting powertech generator to victron cerbo gx

Reply #6 – November 03, 2024, 01:26:29 am

Thanks Keith. I did see that video it did not address the issue of needing the pulse to start stop the generator. You seem to understand about the pulse for on, then pulse for off. After studying the wiring diagram. I may have figured something out. I will have to do some testing to see if I'm right. Tom

Re: Connecting powertech generator to victron cerbo gx

Reply #7 – November 03, 2024, 08:08:20 am

Can you post the generator semantic here?

Re: Connecting powertech generator to victron cerbo gx

Reply #8 – November 03, 2024, 09:24:06 am

Hope these pictures will work.

Re: Connecting powertech generator to victron cerbo gx

Reply #9 – November 03, 2024, 11:40:28 am

I think I have figured out how to make it work. I ran a temporary wire from the cerbo gx relay NO terminal to the auto start switch. Now if I have the auto start switch on and I turn the generator on with my cerbo gx (with my phone or touchscreen) it turns on the generator. If I turn it off with with phone or touch screen it turns it off. The question I have is there a problem running this like I have it wired now that I'm not thinking of? Tom

Re: Connecting powertech generator to victron cerbo gx

Reply #10 – November 03, 2024, 12:36:38 pm

I think you have it correct, since that #2 position on the latching relay is also used as the run wire from the BCM-12 controller.

One question for you...does the auto/manual switch have to be in the auto position for this to work where you wired it in? I'd want it to work regardless of the auto/manual button setting, so just make sure you tie into that wiring after the auto/manual switch if you have the same thought.

Re: Connecting powertech generator to victron cerbo gx

Reply #11 – November 03, 2024, 12:43:27 pm

Yes the way it is now the switch has to be on. If I switched to the other side the switch would do nothing. I think the switch was wired reversed from the wiring diagram. Thinking about whether I want to have the switch functioning or not. Tom

Re: Connecting powertech generator to victron cerbo gx

Reply #12 – November 03, 2024, 12:54:45 pm

I do store the coach inside my shop when not using it. I might want to be able to turn off the auto start switch. In case I have something programmed on the victron that would make it start. If I forget to turn it off. But then I would have to remember to turn it back on. It is hard for me to predict which would be easier for me to remember. Guess Michelle will have to remind me. Tom

Re: Connecting powertech generator to victron cerbo gx

Reply #13 – November 03, 2024, 02:03:28 pm

Tom,

After we talked the other day I see that how you are showing a pulse and getting the start/stop. By looking at your prints that should be fine. If you are concerned about the start during storage it looks like just turn off the manual switch on the generator. The down side is if you have loss of power in the shop it won't auto start.

Mike

Re: Connecting powertech generator to victron cerbo gx

Reply #14 – November 03, 2024, 02:25:28 pm

Thanks Mike. Now I just need to find an attractive way to run the wire. Should be super easy.

Tom

Re: Connecting powertech generator to victron cerbo gx

Reply #15 – November 03, 2024, 04:44:30 pm

The unit I installed to give me remote operation of my generator is done through the momentary start/stop switch, so the auto/manual switch setting has no bearing on it's control. This is the way I wanted it so it could be started remotely with the auto set to on or off.

Re: Connecting powertech generator to victron cerbo gx

Reply #16 – November 03, 2024, 05:11:19 pm

I see the pros and cons both ways. Won't do any good to have the ability to start or stop with phone etc if the switch is off. If I change my mind would just be a matter of reversing how 2 wires are plugged into the auto/ manual switch.

Tom

Re: Connecting powertech generator to victron cerbo gx

Reply #17 – November 03, 2024, 05:46:58 pm

Here's what I'm thinking:

Option 1: Leaves auto/manual switch as it is. Does not require it to be set to auto for Cerbo to have the ability to start/stop generator as needed (remotely or by programming).

Option 2: Requires auto/manual switch to be in auto setting, which will always give BCM-12 the ability to start generator when it's battery threshold is hit. This may not be the choice or safest, if the coach is stored indoors, where starting the generator and letting it run in an enclosed space is not recommended.

Option 1 would be my choice.

Re: Connecting powertech generator to victron cerbo gx

Reply #18 – November 03, 2024, 05:59:34 pm

Yes the BCM-12 will be disconnected in my install. As the victron cerbo gx can be programmed for state of charge. About not wanting it to ever start in the building unattended(doors open etc), that is why I was thinking of having the auto/manual switch functional. Turning it to manual will stop any unintended generator starting while parked in my building.

Tom

Re: Connecting powertech generator to victron cerbo gx

Reply #19 – November 03, 2024, 07:13:41 pm

Quote from: T and M Long – November 03, 2024, 05:59:34 pm

Yes the BCM-12 will be disconnected in my install. As the victron cerbo gx can be programmed for state of charge. About not wanting it to ever start in the building unattended(doors open etc), that is why I was thinking of having the auto/manual switch functional. Turning it to manual will stop any unintended generator starting while parked in my building.

Tom

I'm glad you clarified that. On first glance, I thought the BCM was left in place. Sounds like the coach is wired so the BCM is in front of the auto/manual switch, and the auto/manual switch connected to the genset. On manual the signal from the BCM to the generator start relay is blocked preventing it from starting. Have I interpreted that correctly?

Re: Connecting powertech generator to victron cerbo gx

Reply #20 – November 03, 2024, 07:51:44 pm

So sorry I wasn't more clear I have in my mind what I am doing. Have not explained it good enough. I do not need the BCM-12 to be functional. The victron system does everything the BCM-12 did and way more. I have not finished permanently wiring this yet but what I plan on doing. If you look at the wiring diagram at the auto start/manual switch. The bottom leg of the switch I will unhook that wire from the switch (and leave it unhooked) it comes from the BCM-12. I will attach the wire coming from the cerbo gx relay to that spot on the switch. The BCM-12 will not have the ability to start or stop the generator. I do not want the generator to auto start by the victron cerbo gx while it is in a closed building. All the switch will actually do is

1) in auto position the victron cerbo gx can control the generator either manually with phone etc. or auto start/ auto stop. Programmed for a multitude of parameters that you program.

2)In the manual position the generator will only function with the generator switch. The victron cerbo gx will have no control. I hope that clears up any confusion.

Tom

Re: Connecting powertech generator to victron cerbo gx

Reply #21 – November 04, 2024, 12:01:27 am

I have read it all and looked at drawings. Since you have generator starting and stopping, I believe you have it and don't see any side affect.

The Auto Start Module needs a closed circuit to start the generator and to keep it running. The latching relay is doing that when you use the monetary start stop switch. When you press the start/stop momentary switch again that is causing the latching relay to release, opening the circuit, thus shutting the generator down. Your Victron is doing the same thing as the latching relay.

I agree that you need to keep the switch where you can turn off the Auto Start. Unless you can also do that in the app or on the Victron screen. If you can easily shut off auto start via the app, then I would bypass the switch. That way you could turn it on if you had left the coach and had forgotten to do, or if like me, wake up around 2 in the morning realizing you forgot to turn auto start off when you parked the coach in your building.

Re: Connecting powertech generator to victron cerbo gx

Reply #22 – November 04, 2024, 06:54:21 am

Thanks, I appreciate everyone sharing their thoughts on this. Truth is I have not used the victron app or the touch screen to control the generator (other than testing while installing). As I use it, I suspect that I will not want to use the auto/ manual switch on the dash. So I may not have that switch functional.

Tom

Re: Connecting powertech generator to victron cerbo gx

Reply #23 – November 04, 2024, 10:16:48 am

Agree with your assessment above. If you are removing the BCM-12 or no longer need it to function, going inline with the auto/manual switch makes the most sense to me...that way you can still disable auto start if you want to. I'd just suggest to actually do unplug/disconnect the BMC-12 so that it does not attempt to start the generator based on it's functions despite what the Victron might want to do.

Re: Connecting powertech generator to victron cerbo gx

Reply #24 – November 23, 2024, 01:01:45 am

Quote from: T and M Long – November 03, 2024, 07:51:44 pm

So sorry I wasn't more clear I have in my mind what I am doing. Have not explained it good enough. I do not need the BCM-12 to be functional. The victron system does everything the BCM-12 did and way more. I have not finished permanently wiring this yet but what I plan on doing. If you look at the wiring diagram at the auto start/manual switch. The bottom leg of the switch I will unhook that wire from the switch (and leave it unhooked) it comes from the BCM-12. I will attach the wire coming from the cerbo gx relay to that spot on the switch. The BCM-12 will not have the ability to start or stop the generator. I do not want the generator to auto start by the victron cerbo gx while it is in a closed building. All the switch will actually do is

1) in auto position the victron cerbo gx can control the generator either manually with phone etc. or auto start/ auto stop. Programmed for a multitude of parameters that you program.

2)In the manual position the generator will only function with the generator switch. The victron cerbo gx will have no control. I hope that clears up any confusion.

Tom

Tom,
I'm trying to understand how this works. I get that the generator can be started by The Cerbo GX. When you start the generator manually, it closes the NO relay on the Cerbo sending power to the closed Autogen on-off switch (in is closed and, in turn, supplies power to the generator on-off switch starting the generator. But, with the BCM-12 the generator is started by sending a pulse to a latching relay, whereas the Cerbo will be sending constant power until stopped (moving the Cerbo relay from closed to its NO position.) This is where I'm confused. Since the gen is using a latching relay for the on-off switch, I would assume its expecting another momentary pulse to turn the gen off. In the case of the Cerbo, isn't it just cutting power to the switch versus sending a pulse to trigger the gen to turn off? Or, is turning off power to the Auto-Gen On/Off switch cutting power to the generator altogether and causing it to shut down?

After removing power from the BCM-12 entirely, we were unable to get the gen to start or stop at all. With the BCM-12 under power, we could get the gen to start, but were unable to get it to shut down. Are you able to manually both start and stop the gen from the Cerbo with the BCCM unplugged from 12V power or just when its still plugged in but disconnected from the Auto-gen on-off switch?

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