Inverter to Generator switchover question

[TheJazzMan]

We're boondocking this week in our new Essex at a relatives house and are using the generator and the bank of 8 AGM batteries for power. I have the auto-generator start feature enabled and it has consistantly worked at starting the generator when the batteries reach 11.5 volts. However, if this low point happens when the microwave or a hair dryer is running, the inverter simply shuts off and never starts the generator. When this happens, all the clocks reset to 12:00 and I have to manually start the generator to bring back power and recharge the battery bank. This just doesn't seen right to me. Any tips?

I also find that we have to run the generator (most times it starts itself) in the morning and at night for 2 hours each time. During the day, I'm running two laptops, the refer and I use the microwave for a couple of minutes. At night, we use the microwave for a couple of minutes, a few 12v lights and the TV for 2 hours. I guess I expected to get a little more time off the batteries, especially during the day when I'm not using much power.

BTW: We still love the new Essex!

[RVDude]

You've got a couple of overlapping settings.
You have your AGS cut in set at 11.5VDC which is fine but your inverter DC cut out voltage is probably also set at 11.5VDC. Hence, the AGS cuts in at the same time the inverter itself cuts out. I'd drop that inverter setting down to the min which is probably 10vDC (depending on inverter model). Might as well also drop the inverter AC cut out to lowest as well, something like 80vAC. Or, you can also up the AGS to 12VDC and live with the gen starting for its AGS 2hr run every time you nuke something.

[TheJazzMan]

Where might I find the AGS control box? According to the Magnum website, it should look like this:


I've looked in the bays and around the generator slideout, but can't find it.

[MonacoMama]

Look in your outside compartment where your inverter is located...

MM

[RVDude]

Negative, the settings are accessed using your ePlex display. Press and hold the "prefs" button for several seconds and a new screen will come up where you can scroll down to the inverter settings and the AGS which is the "batt topoff" setting. The exact phrases used may be different in your 2009.

While you are in those settings make sure your battery type/amps are set correctly. In your 8 bank EX you'll have AGMs and the closest total battery capacity amp hours will be 800AH (actual is probably 880AH, check your battery label and multiply by 4) and use 100% charge output for the AGMs.

There is also another super secret menu set for some diagnostic and other functions that can be accessed on the ePlex.

[TheJazzMan]

Quote:

Originally posted by MonacoMama: Look in your outside compartment where your inverter is located... MM

I agree. That would seem like the logical place where it would be mounted. I just crawled into the bay (whacked myself in the forehead with the bay door) and looked all around the inverter. Nothing.

[TheJazzMan]

Quote:

Originally posted by RVDude: Negative, the settings are accessed using your ePlex display. Press and hold the "prefs" button for several seconds and a new screen will come up where you can scroll down to the inverter settings and the AGS which is the "batt topoff" setting. The exact phrases used may be different in your 2009.

Ahhhhh! You would have thought that when I was at Newmar 2 weeks ago going through all the systems, that someone would have mentioned this. I'm going to give it a try, now.

Here are my settings:

Equalize
Battery Type: AGM
Battery Size: 800 amp hr
Charge Amps:100%
Battery Cutout: 11v
VAC Cutout: 80 v
Battery Topoff: 11.6v

I dropped the Battery cutout down to 10v.

Thanks, Jeff!

[RVDude]

Technically, those settings should be set at Newmar and never need changing. The ePlex system is very nifty in that it controls practically everything, but I always worry that if it ever should fail, most of the coach's "livability" will be inop as a result with no way to override!