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Topic: Victron auto generator start (Read 1772 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #25 –
If your generator has the built in start up that only needs a single 12v pulse to initiate or shut down and you have the Victorn equipment it is all there, a bit of wiring and a pulse switch is all you need.

Or do as CaFlashBob suggests and spend a couple hundred bucks for the Magnum gadget to do the same thing. And a $100 bucks for the 10 button thermostat and who knows how much more for the new boards for each of your ACs to get it to start your gen when the temps get to something.  If you are concerned about pets maybe a good thing.  I would like to get that thermostat myself.  Maybe if I have to replace ACs.  We have no pets to worry about.

Or remotely monitor indoor temps, SOC, voltages, solar chargers, inverters, chargers all on your phone in real time and start your generator from anywhere, just say "Alexa, start the generator." and "Alexa, turn on the AC" or "Alexa turn on the heat". Maybe the simplest solution.

Either way works, you get to decide what works best for you
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #26 –
Old guy what auto start do you have?  The available Magnum ME-AGS-N auto start has an adjustable time for the glow plugs to operate.  Default was 25 seconds.  Zero to 160 seconds I think was the range.

Not sure if the auto start is smart enough to self adjust its glow plug preheat by itself?

Do the later gens with auto glow plug activation change their timing based on temps?  Or just the default?  are they adjustable themselves? Internally?

May or may not require the change to a Magnum ME-ARC remote panel versus the ME-RC panel.



"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: Victron auto generator start

Reply #27 –
My '99 started fine in 16 deg. temps at Mammoth with the preheat that was used. I think it is timed as the delay always seems the same hot or cold.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #28 –
The default is 25 seconds I bet internally.  Not sure if it's adjustable.  16 is way different as you know from minus weather.  Which would require oil change in the gen.  Don't ask how I know that. As does the engine.  Cat did not like -32F

The magnum networked is adjustable as I posted

The magnum ME-ags requires nothing.  It comes with a stand alone 60' temp wire.  See the "remote" labeled  area in the picture.

If you leave your 4 or 5 button thermostat's panel on then when the temp starts the gen the function set on its panels starts up after the gen warm up.

No CC change or board change needed. 

Only if you want to complete the system's capabilities to automate both low or high temp uses on top  of SOC would the newer thermostat and/or board changes be needed.

That setup is a dual setback setup with the board changes as far as I know.

The networked unit can operate in a user setup the various heating options.  Aqua hot and/or the heat strips/heat pumps in whatever order wanted or needed.

Then switch to the alternate scenario from hot to cold as weather changes. 

True 4 season setup.  The aqua hot coaches have a temp sensor  in the bays controlled by the bath thermostat that would allow auto heat input from various power sources automatically.

In a remote use without internet WiFi and/or within blue tooth range the voice command would not work.  Needs to be self contained.


"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: Victron auto generator start

Reply #29 –
Quote from: Bob and Julie –
Jack I have both the 220 amp battery protect as well as the bp100. All installed by am solar.

Hey, double-check that neither of those BPs are directly disconnecting the main DC supply line of an inverter and/or that neither one is in any way connected to an inverter/charger or anything else that might permit "reverse current" through them, would you? Both connections are expressly forbidden by Victron, but I've still seen more than a few come out of AM Solar (and many others, to be fair) installations connected in ways that Victron forbids... and this is a big issue because under certain circumstances these forbidden connection methods can cause catastrophic failure of the BP and/or failure or malfunction in surrounding devices.
To reiterate: Victron BatteryProtects must not be used to directly disconnect the main DC line of an inverter, and they must not be connected to an inverter/charger at all, or connected in any other way that may allow reverse current to pass through the device (Vout>Vin).
For reference, the user manual: https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/Manual-Smart-Battery-Protect-12V-24V-65-A-100-A--220-A-EN-NL-FR-SV-DE-PT-ES-IT-TR.pdf
Technical Support Manager and official poker of electronics at Laurel Technologies / Bay Marine Supply. Distribution and expert support of Victron Energy, Sterling Power, Blue Sea, Bussman, and Battle Born products.

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #30 –
One other thing, make sure your charger comes on by default when power is applied.  If not then all is naught.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #31 –
craneman when bringing the coach home the generator starter quit with over cranking, it was -9 F. I found this generator ruff starting
just below freezing so I push the start button and wait 8 seconds push the button to stop and then start and it will start up and run
smooth. In real cold weather I might do it another cycle. The Onan generator I had before would go through the glow plug cycle
at different times depending on the temperature. I called Tech and they said my generator didn't have a temperature sensor so the glowplugs are timed for about 10 seconds. I think I will leave everything the way it is. In the winter I have never needed auto start.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #32 –
Here is the print if it is still needed.
John M.
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #33 –
Old guy the default in the magnum AGSN is 25 seconds.  Glad you figured out a work around. 

I wonder if the internal 10 second could be overrode

Btw the  magnum AGSN will retry up to 4 times automatically if no ac output is detected and sends  the systems  info to the ARC panel automatically.



"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: Victron auto generator start

Reply #34 –
Maybe it could and then it might be on for to long when it is above freezing.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #35 –
Correct I don't have a separate switch for preheat on my unit. So in looking at the diagram that John posted, if the momentary switch both on the dash and at the back bedroom is pressed it goes to a startup sequence, and then the generator starts if everything is correct. Wouldn't splacing into one of those wires be like adding a third switch? And wouldn't that be the relay on the back of the color control?
I'm not sure why the magnum unit would be needed if we already have a module in the co ach for an automatic generator start?
As far as whether or not the BP connect are interrupting the DC current frankly I'm not sure. I'll have to look again. I am solar wired my whole setup, inverter, solar charger, to 300 amp batteries, and all the BMS and other parts in a compartment that used to hold the washer dryer. Some of those wires go back behind the back panel and are impossible to see. In order to do that I would have to completely pull everything out and that is it going to happen. I do have a wiring diagram that's laminated in the coach and maybe that will tell me if it is set up that way. I'd like to think that a.m. solar would not have wired the system up against victron's advice but would be nice to know for sure now.
Sounds like using this feature might be more trouble than it's worth. But I'm still wanting to explore it because there will be times when I'll either coats for several days maybe not plugged in and will want to make sure that the batteries stay topped off. I have enough solar to do that unless it rain for several days or snowed.
Thanks for all that took the trouble and time to post on this. It gives me a lot of food for thought.
Bob
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #36 –
The magnum ME-AGS-S stand-alone unit can auto start your gen without any other system involvement.  Made to work with non magnum systems.

Plus would add a stand alone temp start adjustable on its face. 

See my answer #23.  Click on the google link.  Shows the stand alone unit
"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: Victron auto generator start

Reply #37 –
Bob,
Wouldn't you connect your Victron auto start in place of the BCM-12.  The BCM-12 monitors your batteries and sends a signal to the ES-52 to start the generator.  Your Victron should be able to the same.
John M
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #38 –
Drawing A-6682 rev date 5/25/99 build number 5600 and greater

Until the next revision.

Momentary contact switches latch or release a latching relay.  Any 12v pulse to the A1 side of the latching relay begins the start process or shuts the generator off.  Easy to make this happen from anywhere, even away from your coach.  With the autostart off on the dyna gen then external devices can control run time based on SOC, time or volts.  All the basic functionality exists on the BMV and CCGX.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Victron auto generator start

Reply #39 –
Quote from: John Morales –
Bob,
Wouldn't you connect your Victron auto start in place of the BCM-12.  The BCM-12 monitors your batteries and sends a signal to the ES-52 to start the generator.  Your Victron should be able to the same.
John M
Since it looks like all the wiring goes through the auto start module I would think that it would be best to just wire it through that. But I don't know.
I'm thinking about just trying to run a wire from the back of the color control to the momentary switch above the bed and see if that works. I've also got feelers out to AM solar to see what they think. Right now after staff they say are out due to the Corona virus so getting back to me is going to take some time.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired