Victron auto generator start

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Victron auto generator start

April 05, 2020, 11:06:47 pm

Wonder if anybody with victron inverter and the BMV 700 or the color control has enabled the auto start generator function via the relay?

Would really like to enable this function. When the previous owner Richard had AM solar install it this was not something that he had them do. Not sure why. Both the BMV 700 series and the victron color control has a relay built in that can be used to start a generator. I would like to enable this. I emailed am solar and basically got a response at saying when things have settled down in the US to come up to Oregon. That is not an option for me at this time. I don't plan to be in the Pacific Northwest until at least 2022. Nor do I want to pay $150 an hour or whatever they're charging to do this. So on my coach are u320 there's a generator starts stop button above my head in the bed. I was wondering if I could wire that relay to that switch.? Seems like that would be the easiest way to get to the generator circuit rather than running wires all the way to the front of the coach. my color control is located just behind a refrigerator and just in front of the bathroom. So going after you the best way. Just not sure how to do it. Anybody on the forums have that enabled? I've looked on victron's website and at some YouTube videos but so far I have not been able to find out how to actually wire the thing in. Thinking about calling power tech but I got a feeling they're going to say just to call foretravel. And like most men I don't like to ask for directions 😁
Thanks
Bob

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #1 – April 05, 2020, 11:16:32 pm

🤔 so slap me in the head.
I just realized why it's not set up for this. I don't have a automatic transfer switch on the coach. Which means that starting the generator will not provide power to the batteries without the Manuel transfer switch on generator.
So in order to allow it to work I would have to reinstall the automatic transfer switch.
But still would like to know the answer to the question.
Long day....

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #2 – April 06, 2020, 04:13:36 am

I do have the auto transfer switch but have not set up the generator auto start either, I want to though.
It looked to me like I could run the switch from my Victron 3000, Color Control,or BMV700. I thought the Victron 3000 was only a few feet away from where the old generator auto start was located ( next to the old Freedom 25 unit) and would be much easier to tie into.
I could not find the generator auto start wiring on the Foretravel wiring diagrams. I plan to trace the wires from the generator back to the original switch.

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #3 – April 06, 2020, 09:08:00 am

Bob - mine is set up to work and is programmed by the color control GX device. Mitchell, at AM Solar, did the install and had to custom make some electronics to make it work. Really works well and provides a lot of parameters to choose from to start and stop the generator. I paid the big $$$ to have it done for I do not have that skill set. I did have the wiring diagram for the auto start that came with the coach in my owner's manual so that helped Mitchell with the install.

Sorry I could not be of better assistance.
Oscar

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #4 – April 06, 2020, 09:14:12 am

I believe I read somewhere on this forum that the gen autostart control box is under a the center console of the dash and there is a pot that you can turn to adjust the start voltage. My guess is that you could hook into the autostart around there. You could do a search on gen autostart or adjusting autostart.

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #5 – April 06, 2020, 09:16:49 am

I suspect it wouldn't be as easy as I thought. Wish am solar would be a bit more helpful but we all have a lot on our plates now. Victron isn't much help either. But seems that if there is a switch jacking into that should do it. Think I have a pic of the switch wiring above the bed when I installed the back up camera. Maybe that will help.

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #6 – April 06, 2020, 09:17:35 am

Partly out of curiosity I have a question.

What tells the auto-start that the generator has started?

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #7 – April 06, 2020, 09:22:17 am

On our coaches I don't know but I suspect via the transfer switch. On the victron system it would sense the 120 v coming from it. With the color control it's really cool you can set how much or what voltage you want the generator to come on how long you wanted to stay on and when to turn it off. You can turn it on manually as well. Of course we have that function both on the dash and above the bed so it's not as big of a deal except for the fact that with the color control it's all sensory located where you can see state of charge, PV voltage and input from the solars, and what your current use is in both AC and DC. One problem though I see is that with lithium batteries the voltage usually remains pretty constant until you're almost empty and then it starts to drop off, unlike AGM where the voltage drops off continuously as you use them. So I suspect that it's not as simple with the victron lithium setup as I would hope it to be. For instance if I never wanted my batteries to go below 40% state of charge not sure how I would do that with a lithium set up since the voltage would be pretty much the same as 80% state of charge. I don't think it's until you get down below 20% that your voltage starts to sag. But in truth I haven't played with these guys enough on a day-to-day basis to tell. it may be that I'm going to have to just run it manually. And that's okay. it won't make me more involved in the process instead of a automatic thing.

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #8 – April 06, 2020, 09:38:31 am

Quote from: Bob and Julie – April 06, 2020, 09:22:17 am

.........One problem though I see is that with lithium batteries the voltage usually remains pretty constant until you're almost empty and then it starts to drop off, unlike AGM where the voltage drops off continuously as you use them. So I suspect that it's not as simple with the victron lithium setup as I would hope it to be. For instance if I never wanted my batteries to go below 40% state of charge not sure how I would do that with a lithium set up since the voltage would be pretty much the same as 80% state of charge. I don't think it's until you get down below 20% that your voltage starts to sag.

Bob and Julie, Time to call AM Solar or Bay Marine and tell them you want to buy something like the following which has user variable settings for state of charge shutdown. Victron also makes a 250 amp unit.
https://youtu.be/Cu5kRvr7dMs

Victron Smart BatteryProtect - 220AMP - 6-35 VDC - Bluetooth C. [BPR122022000] Amazon.com: Victron Smart BatteryProtect - 220AMP - 6-35 VDC - Bluetooth C....

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Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #9 – April 06, 2020, 09:42:30 am

The victron BMV and GX can both use the SOC to trigger a relay to start the gen. If you can find where the original Foretravel autogenstart is located you could just wire into their setup.

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #10 – April 06, 2020, 09:57:18 am

I have put a Magnum inverter in which has and auto start in it. I assumed that the auto start wasn't tied into the old inverter, is that
correct. I haven't used the auto start on my ski trips and it wouldn't have come on as it is set for 12.2 volts and the batteries have
never gone below 12.4.

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #11 – April 06, 2020, 10:01:14 am

Found out information about the gen autostart in the media section. The selected media item is not currently available.

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #12 – April 06, 2020, 10:22:57 am

Jack I have both the 220 amp battery protect as well as the bp100. All installed by am solar.

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #13 – April 06, 2020, 10:36:06 am

Based on the manual you should connect your wire coming from the BMV or GX and connect it to the wire coming out of the Dynagen BCM12 terminal 5 (Start/Run Relay output) to start the generator.

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #14 – April 06, 2020, 10:40:54 am

Hmm. Then how would it shut off?
The problem is when am solar switched out from the factory system to the victron system the auto generator start was inactivated. since it was no longer compatible with the type battery that it now has. I believe but not sure that the victron color control relay should go directly to the generator and not the old dynagen module.
But again I'm not sure.

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #15 – April 06, 2020, 10:58:34 am

The dynagen is going to the engine control module of which there are two types GS300 and the ES5X. I believe (don't know for sure) but the start up acts like a momentary switch like on the water pumps that have multiple switches in different locations, one pulse turns it on and another pulse turns it off. So if you were to connect it to the wire coming out of terminal 5 it should work to turn it off and on. I think it works this way because when you manually turn on the generator it seems to works this way.

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #16 – April 06, 2020, 11:12:08 am

You could test this to see how it works. Momentarily put 12v to wire coming out of terminal 5 and see if generator starts and continues to run ( you might have to wait a minute after send 12v to it for it to go through its start up sequence to see if starts) . Then if it continues to run see if putting 12v to it again turns it off.

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #17 – April 06, 2020, 11:19:30 am

The engine control board does all the real work. The Dynagen just send a start stop signal. All you need from the dynagen is the wire that hooks into the engine control board.

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #18 – April 06, 2020, 12:16:56 pm

With my Lithium setup I have the auto gen start and stop set by SOC - works very well.

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #19 – April 06, 2020, 12:40:23 pm

In our 2001 and later and perhaps earlier the generator is started and stopped by one push of a momentary switch.

Automatic Generator start/stop [Victron Energy]

The Color Control GX or the battery monitor have relays to send +12v to one side or the other of the relay when it is teiggered. These can be on voltage or SOC or other things. Delays can be set fro short term loads dropping voltage, run times can be set to shut off after time, voltage or a SOC is reached.

A simple timer switch can be set to send a 12v pulse (just like pushing the momentary switch) to start or stop the generator, the relay in the BMV or CCGX provide the 12v signal. The timer converts it to a pulse.

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They make a timer that connects to your phone for easier programming but this is pretty simple to do and one time only.

All that needs to be done is connect in parallel to the generator start switch wiring either under the dash or at the generator and leave the OEM autostart off.

With Lithium batteries a SOC choice is better. If the gen starts and provides power to the charger which is set for whatever battery type you have then it will charge the batteries. If you don't have a transfer switch to power the 120v side of the coach from the generator then something else is needed.

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #20 – April 06, 2020, 01:03:25 pm

Roger my 1999 generator is a momentary switch.

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #21 – April 06, 2020, 01:11:57 pm

Bob do you have the gen with a separate preheat switch? My 97 has that older gen set. I read carefully and did not see where the Victron could be made to operate the needed separate 25 second preheat first then trigger the start circuit.

The later gens have a one button start as far as I know that incorporates the preheat then start within the gen.

On the Victron blog several people asked about this issue and the moderator suggesting purchasing a magnum ME-AGS unit as it had the necessary separate preheat then start built into it internally.

If your gen does not have a separate preheat the info given here about a separate relay should get you going.

The networked magnum ME-AGSN has an included 60' temp sensor wire to allow auto gen start via temps.

With a 10 button control panel and changing the roof airs boards the networked unit can be setup to auto start the gen based on both temps and SOC. And incorporate the aqua hot or a/c's or the heat strips if so equipped.

With pets in the coach I thought the temp incorporation was a benefit.

Newer coaches do have the temp input as I understand it.

The temp input would seem less important in a boat?

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #22 – April 06, 2020, 01:15:13 pm

The 99's have the one button momentary switch that starts the heater then the pump and finally the starter. Bob's is a '99

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #23 – April 06, 2020, 01:22:23 pm

Great

The stand alone unit does incorporate the temp input and includes the temp sensor wiring as far as I have seen.

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Item Weight 2 Automatic Generator Start Controller, MFG# ME-AGS-S, allows Generator to automatically start based on low battery voltage and/or cabin temperature. Compatible with most Generator brands. For use with non-Magnum inverters.

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #24 – April 06, 2020, 01:48:47 pm

That's why I had my auto start off when I go skiing as the generator won't start or start well if I don't cycle the start sequence so I
get my glow plugs hot enough. Calflashbob I have the magnum MS 2812 does it have the temperature sensor.

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