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Topic: Solar charge issue Victron (Read 1340 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #20 –
my 97 gen requires two pushes.  The magnum can run all types and repeats the start cycle up to four times. 

For my wants/needs the temp control auto gen start was important enough to source the system.

Several posters here mentioned positioning the thermoprobe for the me-ags-n next to the std a/c control location.  60' of cable included.

Allows one to leave the coach and when the temp the unit was set to detect occurs the gen starts and the heating or cooling then occurs.

And if the temp changes the other way the opposite HVAC unit turns on.

The system seems to be capable of fully automatic temp and battery charging maintenance dry camped.

A large solar system can be integrated up to 240 volts and 6600 watts with a pt100.

Then the only gen start trigger might be the temp.

Unit can be set to auto exercise the gen at preset intervals.

All American made and serviceable.

The technology exists to fully automate our coaches including winter and summer switching.

The idea that a 20 year old coach with a liberal application of coach bucks can be automated is intriguing.

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #21 –
The Victron BMV712 (and most 700 series I think) battery monitors have a relay function that can be activated on low/high SOC, low/high voltages, low/high temperature, etc.  You can set open and close values and invert these to send a signal to your generator start circuit.  You can also choose the time period before a relay changes if you prefer.  Pretty versatile function for a nice price point.

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #22 –
Great info.  Does anyone have a link for a  ambient temp sensing setup/probe that could be used with the 712 or the Venus unit?

Can the units be set to restart if the first try does not work?  Exercise the gen at preset times?  Have a system test function?  Failure light or screen indication? 

I understand the good price point just need to see how the temp auto gen start mentioned actually is outfitted and setup.

Time delays for the two button gen start systems?

Any links to the programming setup steps?  Manual?

The Venus unit mentions temp inputs. Any idea how?



Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #23 –
Bob, reading through the manual it says you need to buy the temp. sensor and it is to monitor the batteries.  But could possibly be used to monitor the inside temperature if you mount it inside the coach.  I've had success emailing Justin Larrabee with Victron with questions.
You can get the manual on Victronenergy.com

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #24 –
Thanks folivier. 

My reading has the temp input being inverter overheat.

On the Victrons customer question a owner asked about using the unit to auto start a gen and could the gen start repeat start the gen if it does not start the first time.

Victron gave a very technical possible custom fabrication scenario that might address the customers wants.

Later in the same answer the Victron guy recommended buying a magnum energy ME-AGS-S as a stand alone gen start.

It turns out that if I change my roof air boards to go with the later Dometic CCC heat and air control panel that it's internal thermostats can trigger the gen to start.  The later CCC unit can auto switch from heat and cold triggered by the thermostat on the wall.

No actual need to run the ME-AGS-N's thermoprobe for the interior.

The autostart can be set to check the reason it starts from every half hour to max of 25 hours.

If the unit sees the same or any  condition that would have caused it to starti it will auto reset and continue to  run the gen.

The living room  and bedroom temp sensors are connected to the living room thermostat.  So if either thermostat calls for any of its functions the gen can be set to start and run.

Totally separate from the batteries SOC.  Same result.  Different reason.

The heat side can be set for heat strip, heat pump or furnace and the auto fan runs at lower speed if the temp is 2 degrees above or below its set point.

At 5 degrees above or below the fans on the a/c's switch to higher speed until the temp drops to 2 degrees above or below then it switches to low.

The fans can be set to turn off at or below the set points or left to stay on and either the compressor for ac or heat pump or heat strip or the furnace which is the aquahot in my case.

I think when the basement thermostat calls for heat that it could send a signal to the auto gen start to start.

Turning on the bathrooms thermostat and setting it's temp higher would stop its fan from running but allow the basement radiators and fans to operate on the basements thermostat.

If just the 110 volt element was turned on then the power demand could start the gen I think.

As a backup if the batteries ran down the gens auto start would come on from the lower SOC.

If the 110 was not on and just the diesel  then just the battery running down would trigger the gen start and/or low temps anywhere in the coach subject to the wall thermostat. 

Like I said automating the coach can be done for sure.  If you have enough solar then the diesel aqua hot may never run the batteries down enough to trigger the auto start to recharge the batteries.

If it does not then the auto start comes on.

Also obviously hot and cold can auto turn on the needed systems connected to the living room thermostat.

Word of caution Magnum mentions on the first page of their manual that their equipment is not non spark certified.

No reference in the Victron manual.  Any wire connection can spark.  Even a tiny amount could be a problem.

The Magnum mentions the temp control auto start for possible safety of occupants. 

In this case the trigger could be either hot, cold or SOC.

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #25 –
Quote from: craneman –
The thermostat that came in my coach when on auto, will switch from Aqua Hot to roof air and vice versa.

Which thermostat is it? pics and what A/C do you have?

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #26 –
Quote from: DavidS –
Which thermostat is it? pics and what A/C do you have?
Mine are not OEM, they are Penguin two's,  but have 10 button CCC Dometic thermostat, and if in auto, will change from heat to air conditioning to maintain temp.

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #27 –
Yes the ccc I was referring to was the ten button latest unit.  I thought I was clear about that.  Latest unit and board changes in both my airs I think will work at least for the two airs and the 10 button control

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #28 –
Quote from: DavidS –
Which thermostat is it? pics and what A/C do you have?
Sorry for the delay, we were in Vegas for  nascar here are pic's of the thermostat and the manual. As far as what units are on the roof, I believe they are the original with different boards. The coach came this way when we bought it.