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grumpytoo · 09-28-2016, 06:01 PM

After dry camping in an National Forest Service remote campground last summer we decided we needed, wanted, an Auto Generator Start System. Since our Bay Star is pretty basic it doesn't have one. I also didn't want to put a lot of money into the project. After some research I selected the Magnum AGS-S. This system is a stand alone system and didn't require any update to my existing electrical system. Our coach does have a 600 watt Magnum inverter, pretty much just runs the TV/Entertainment System, as far as I know.
I purchased the AGS-S on Amazon, there's several suppliers. I installed the AGS-S brain, small box approximately 8" x 5" on the side wall, lower left of drivers seat. I used double faced tape. I installed the AGS-S remote engage/test switch using a homemade bracket screwed into a block of wood already install behind the dash, just to the right of the steering column. I didn't want to make any holes anywhere, if I didn't have to. From the AGS-S brains location it's a very short wire run to the Remote Generator Start Switch in the dash. I used Displacement Connectors (see photo) to attach the wires to the Generator Start Switch. There's a good ground wire, Black, with an open spade connector attached to the top of the Remote Generator Start Switch, I used this for my ground wire. I had to run wire to the positive coach/house battery, this took the longest amount of time. Probably took a couple hours for me, the instructions are good, I sure anyone with basic skills could do it.
There may or may not be any pictures, I uploaded them but don't see them.

mikelm48 · 09-29-2016, 08:22 AM

grumpytoo, I also added the same to my coach this year. I have my switch located at about the same place as yours. I have found that it gets warm behind the dash with the sun on the front of the coach. I have my temp set as high as it goes. Not sure right now when it will start, but I now it is less than mid-80's. The only annoyance I have found so far is that if it is warm inside and I am still on shore power, it will start the generator anyway.

joes2901 · 09-29-2016, 08:49 AM

If the purpose of just the AGS is for AC in warm weather the Dometic thermostat has a connector to signal the AGS to start the generator. It will take some research to figure out the wiring. I did not have my system wired that way because I did not know about it until I related the thermostat 2 years ago.

"007" · 09-29-2016, 11:45 AM

Thanks for looking into this problem grumpytoo, others have complained on the house battery discharge problem so your efforts may help others.
Anything, shore power source, with converter, driving the coach or the GEN running will allow the battery charging system, I believe in your case the B.I.M. System will keep all your batteries charged and with the AGS -S you have installed it will start the GEN to bring the batteries up to full charge by the B.I.M.System.
I am going to add this thread to QT's # 3 BAY STAR Section for fellow BS owners, please add any follow up posts on this subject to this thread, thank you.

KevinH · 03-27-2020, 03:23 PM

I too wanted to install the Magnum AGS-S in my Newmar Bay Star. I have a 2014 3103 model and looking at grumpytoo's pictures it matches my switch. The problem I had was which color wire goes to where. I contacted grumpytoo but he has since sold his Bay Star. After emailing Magnum technical support, here is what works for me. The Newmar remote switch shows the following wire colors starting at the bottom, double Blue, Red, space, Brown, Green and a double Red. The wires I used are the bottom red, brown and green from this remote switch. I ran a white wire ( only color wire I could get at Autozone) from the digital meter at the generator and a red and black from the battery bank. Here is how it is wired to the Magnum controller: pins 1 and 8 are vacant, Pin 2 is the white wire from the digital meter, pin 3 is the red from the + terminal of the battery, pin 4 is the - terminal for the battery, pin 5 is the red wire from the Newmar remote (next to the blue wire) and it is the start signal, pin 6 is the brown wire which is the common, pin 7 is green wire which is the stop signal. Once I figured out this setup the AGS started the generator in the test mode and did everything it was supposed to. I hope that this helps anyone else that is trying to figure out the wiring for the AGS.
Kevin