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08-27-2017, 06:37 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 517
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How reliable is auto-gen start?
Our soon to be delivered New Aire has auto-gen start and I'm wondering how reliably it works. We have 4 dogs and while boondocking would like to have the gen start up based on a temp setting to keep the RV and dogs cool. I am thinking when the thermostat hits a set point the gen will start to power the AC and after the AC reaches temperature the gen will shut down. Then the process will repeat as needed.
Do I have the sequence correct with this. For those with auto-gen start do you find it to be reliable, or is in finicky?
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08-27-2017, 06:42 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 772
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NO. We protect our dog with the auto start. Saved her once in Arizona when the power went off.
The system works well but will not shut off when power or temp is restored.
I don't think the New Aire is any different than or 16 Dutch Star.
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08-27-2017, 06:45 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 772
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I also have a Wi-Fi hotspot from Verizon that hooks up to a camera called Blink. Blink will notify me of temp increases and has motion detection for break in. You should check it out.
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08-27-2017, 06:50 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 517
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Quote:
Originally Posted by judgebobk
NO. We protect our dog with the auto start. Saved her once in Arizona when the power went off.
The system works well but will not shut off when power or temp is restored.
I don't think the New Aire is any different than or 16 Dutch Star.
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Does this mean that once the gen starts (via auto gen start) it does not shut off? Meaning, it just keep running even if the the AC units shut off and there is no longer the need for gen power?
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08-27-2017, 06:52 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 517
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Quote:
Originally Posted by judgebobk
I also have a Wi-Fi hotspot from Verizon that hooks up to a camera called Blink. Blink will notify me of temp increases and has motion detection for break in. You should check it out.
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Thanks, I'll have to check that out. I have a Blink camera at home, but I think it is only for motion and not temperature. I have a cellular hotspot on an iPad that I suppose could be used in the same way your Verizon one does.
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08-27-2017, 06:52 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,180
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kwilkins
Our soon to be delivered New Aire has auto-gen start and I'm wondering how reliably it works. We have 4 dogs and while boondocking would like to have the gen start up based on a temp setting to keep the RV and dogs cool. I am thinking when the thermostat hits a set point the gen will start to power the AC and after the AC reaches temperature the gen will shut down. Then the process will repeat as needed.
Do I have the sequence correct with this. For those with auto-gen start do you find it to be reliable, or is in finicky?
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We have the Magnum Energy setup in our 2016 Newmar. The AGS works differently depending on the software revision. Yours should do almost exactly what you describe. It actually will start...run unloaded for about two minutes to warmup...run the air conditioner until it cools down to the set point...then runs about two minutes unloaded to cool down.,,and shuts off.
You do have to remember to arm the AGS before you leave.
__________________
Charlie & Ronni
2016 Ventana 4037
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08-27-2017, 06:55 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 772
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kwilkins
Thanks, I'll have to check that out. I have a Blink camera at home, but I think it is only for motion and not temperature. I have a cellular hotspot on an iPad that I suppose could be used in the same way your Verizon one does.
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Check the blink app. It does have temp alerts. You can also get Temp Stick but Blink works well.
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08-27-2017, 07:02 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Vail, Arizona
Posts: 2,057
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Here's a newbie mistake I made. If you test the auto start by turning your temperature down and let the generator start to power the a/c, then turn the generator off manually, pretty sure the auto start is now disabled. Maybe someone else can confirm. I did just that then left the coach for three weeks and when I returned, the auto start was disabled.
__________________
Bill & Chris Bélanger (KI1Z)
'04 Georgetown XL > '17 4018 DSDP FL > '18 DSDP 4327 K2> ‘21 LA 4551 K3
2018 JL Wrangler Rubicon 2 Door
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08-27-2017, 07:05 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 772
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BBelanger
Here's a newbie mistake I made. If you test the auto start by turning your temperature down and let the generator start to power the a/c, then turn the generator off manually, pretty sure the auto start is now disabled. Maybe someone else can confirm.
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It does not work that way on mine. You can shut it down with the dash switch and it will restart until you use the magnum dial.
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08-27-2017, 07:07 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Vail, Arizona
Posts: 2,057
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Quote:
Originally Posted by judgebobk
It does not work that way on mine. You can shut it down with the dash switch and it will restart until you use the magnum dial.
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Thanks, good to know. I must have done something else to disable it then. Never did test it again.
__________________
Bill & Chris Bélanger (KI1Z)
'04 Georgetown XL > '17 4018 DSDP FL > '18 DSDP 4327 K2> ‘21 LA 4551 K3
2018 JL Wrangler Rubicon 2 Door
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08-27-2017, 07:10 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Bella Vista, Arkansas
Posts: 5,386
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I have been wondering this myself and I was wanting to test it out somehow.
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Raymond, Dee Dee and Sophie (Yorkie)
2023 Chevrolet 2500HD LT 4X4
2024 Grand Design Reflection 296RDTS
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08-27-2017, 07:11 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,180
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kwilkins
Does this mean that once the gen starts (via auto gen start) it does not shut off? Meaning, it just keep running even if the the AC units shut off and there is no longer the need for gen power?
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That depends on why it started. You'll have to see what the silverleaf system lets you set. We don't have Silverleaf, and use the ME-ARC remote to set AGS parameters. The ME-RC remote lets you set a battery level (voltage trigger), and Temperature setting of Ext. Input , (Thermostat trigger).
If started for low battery voltage, the generator will run for the "run time" and then shutdown, unless the low voltage still exists...in which case it will run another cycle. Early revisions of the AGS did the same thing for temperature...but more recent revisions cycle based on the thermostat.
The Advanced remote has many more triggers...hopefully, Silverleaf incorporates some of them. State of Charge, volts, amps, exercise, daily time, quiet time tipoff, etc... it really adds some very handy options. But you'll be covered for the doggies, in any case.
We still use a system we had in our 5th wheel...it allows us to call in for a report...and should shore power fail, or temp get to high...it calls us.
https://campgroundtales.wordpress.com
__________________
Charlie & Ronni
2016 Ventana 4037
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08-27-2017, 07:12 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 772
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Quote:
Originally Posted by reubenray
I have been wondering this myself and I was wanting to test it out somehow.
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Test it by letting it start then stop it manually and then check the magnum dial to see if it's still auto start.
Different software versions may be different.
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08-27-2017, 07:13 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Vail, Arizona
Posts: 2,057
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My system was set to start if the batteries got to 50% charge (12 volts) or if the air conditioners needed to start. So I set it to auto start and turned the thermostat for the air conditioners down.
__________________
Bill & Chris Bélanger (KI1Z)
'04 Georgetown XL > '17 4018 DSDP FL > '18 DSDP 4327 K2> ‘21 LA 4551 K3
2018 JL Wrangler Rubicon 2 Door
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