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12-26-2009, 12:49 PM
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#1
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Registered User
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,142
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Gen Auto Start
Laying in bed last night, I started thinking about the E-Plex energy management in my Essex . 1'st time I put it in storage ,and I think I still had the Gen Auto Start set to come on when the bat's get down to 11.4 volts.
Even if you turn off the 12 volt on the overhead will the gen still run? I know it's tied into my Magnum ME_3112 inverter.
Anybody have an idea?
A K
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12-26-2009, 05:49 PM
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#2
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Moderator Emeritus
Nor'easters Club Workhorse Chassis Owner iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 30,785
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Not sure this is the answer to your question but if you shut off your 12 volts with your battery cut off switch, don't see how your generator will start, it needs that 12v's, at least thats what happens on mine.
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12-26-2009, 06:53 PM
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#3
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Registered User
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,142
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I hope it works that way, but I think I'll run out next week and check it out.
It's always something.
Thanks
A K
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12-26-2009, 07:56 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Fairview TX
Posts: 2,463
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A K, that 11.4 V is quite low. Is that what was recommended by your dealer? My autogenstart will sometimes not start at such a low voltage, so I can't trust it. Remember, those batts are half discharged around 12.0 volts and repeated dips below 50% charge will shorten battery life.
What are others using as a kick-in voltage?
__________________
Slabman
2019 Newmar Ventana 3717
2007 Lexus LX470 Toad
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12-26-2009, 08:55 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 758
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Our coach was set by the Newmar techs while at the factory at 11.4 . It was explained that if the auto gen is set much higher, it will cause a cycling protocol which is not good for the batteries.... something about the charging threshold is so low that they get more and more depleted. One of the electricial gurus will have to chime in for a more scientific answer.
I have left ours at 11.4 and thus far so good.
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01-05-2010, 08:17 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 3,838
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CWG's answer of 11.4/11.5 volts is correct as is not to run your batteries at 12.0 or so. The difference is, never run your battery down much below 12.3, AT A RESTED STATE. While your unit is operating, like running the frig, powering the TV's on inverter (even in the off position) etc. ect., your batteries are not at a rested state. This is paticularly true for all electric rigs. For example: If you were to turn off your electric shore power and run until your inside panel reads 11.5 volts. Now disconnect all loads by turning off the house bank. Wait 1 hour and then test the battery with a multi-meter. Pesto 12.1/12.2 or 12.3.
The key is rested state, not carrying any loads.
__________________
Peter - Doctor of Mixology
KADB 2013
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01-05-2010, 10:03 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Fairview TX
Posts: 2,463
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Interesting....Last night I was dry camping, so was messing with my 11.8 V. cut-in voltage and a minute or so later the auto gen started. So I set it for 11.7 v. cut-in and went to bed. Woke up in the AM to find it dropped through the 11.7 threshold to 11.4V. and reverted to manual start, so it never did start that night. What's that all about?
__________________
Slabman
2019 Newmar Ventana 3717
2007 Lexus LX470 Toad
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01-06-2010, 05:30 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 3,838
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Well, You must have manually stopped the genset when it started the night before. If you manually control the genset in anyway, start it or stop it, it will cancel the "Auto Gen" arm. You must either let it control it totally or re-arm it after manuallly stopping. So, your unit is working perfect.
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Peter - Doctor of Mixology
KADB 2013
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01-06-2010, 06:08 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Freightliner Owners Club
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Location: Fairview TX
Posts: 2,463
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I did manually stop it, but then re-set it to "auto on". Not sure what else I can do to get it to operate properly. Are you saying there's more to it than this?
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Slabman
2019 Newmar Ventana 3717
2007 Lexus LX470 Toad
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01-06-2010, 06:35 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 3,838
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There are several events that cause the auto gen start to disarm, manual control and ignition activation are two. Try it again and I would think it will work as it should. It can not cancel automatically itself.
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Peter - Doctor of Mixology
KADB 2013
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01-06-2010, 07:13 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Fairview TX
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Lug, while I appreciate your sentiments, I have had this issue repeatedly since new. Yes, the ignition switch WILL dis-arm it, so I'm aware of that. I've re-connected the power feed to the Onan30 panel to receive a "beefier" current, something that will not drop when I get a current draw from the generator starter, but so far, no luck. See, if voltage drops suddenly, it will revert back to "manual". So, I believe the key is to find an electrical source that is more reflective of voltage in the battery pack.
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Slabman
2019 Newmar Ventana 3717
2007 Lexus LX470 Toad
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01-06-2010, 01:37 PM
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#12
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Registered User
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,142
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Hell, I can't even change mine. It's in the E-plex computer for auto start and you need a remote for the Magnum inverter , which I don't have. I want to be able to autostart with the inside temp.
Also, mine will run on inverter from about 5 at night to 7 in the morning before it auto starts at 11.4 volts. Works pretty good. That's with Hydro hot and TV's and microwave.
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01-06-2010, 02:13 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 3,838
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Quote:
Originally Posted by slabman
Lug, while I appreciate your sentiments, I have had this issue repeatedly since new. Yes, the ignition switch WILL dis-arm it, so I'm aware of that. I've re-connected the power feed to the Onan30 panel to receive a "beefier" current, something that will not drop when I get a current draw from the generator starter, but so far, no luck. See, if voltage drops suddenly, it will revert back to "manual". So, I believe the key is to find an electrical source that is more reflective of voltage in the battery pack.
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It sounds like yours is not buffering the power sample. There is a buffering (requiring a certain timeframe at a given voltage to react) circuit that allows short surges to be ignored by the auto start. This is built in the control board. Perhaps the board needs to be replaced.
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Peter - Doctor of Mixology
KADB 2013
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01-06-2010, 07:44 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Fairview TX
Posts: 2,463
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Yeah, I've thought about that, but Onan did replace my original Onan 30 panel about 18 months ago and the problem has persisted. But yes, it does seem to malfunction in the way you are describing. Could the SECOND panel also be deficient?
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Slabman
2019 Newmar Ventana 3717
2007 Lexus LX470 Toad
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