AutoStart On Generator / Inverter

[KenSmotherma]

We have a Magnum Remote control unit on a Magnum ME Series Inverter...the question I have is with the AutoStrt feature. I have the controller set to enable this feature, but it doesn't work. Does anyone know where I should start to chase this down. It would really be handy if it actually worked.

Thanks in advance for any info!

[radams]

It may be one, or several, of the parameters that must be set for it to actually work. Such as making sure the clock is properly set, quiet times, state of battery charge, etc. You really need to dive into your manual for the specifics of your unit.

[bullheaded]

When I was at Jayco in June for service, I ask about this same thing. I was told that the Onan needs a control uni that they did not usually install.

[bill2011]

Mine works fine and I did not have any special control unit installed. My unit was already set for a default quiet time which was 10PM - 8AM but this can ber changed. In my coach the Onan control monitor is located over the door. I don't have my manual with me here but going by memory I believe the screen will initially read "manual". You press auto and the screen will ask you to hit enter to confirm. At that time "auto" will read on screen. I think you then just hit auto again and "quiet on" will read on screen. That's it and the generator will start as needed to charge batteries and will monitor battery state around 8PM and if needed will start then and shut off before 10PM and until 8AM the following morning. Works great. Every time you start coach engine (and maybe some other events) it will revert again to manual and require setting again.

[4x4crazy]

Bill you may have answered a question for me. I have been able to get the auto mode to work but it doesn't shut down on quiet time. Always wondered why. The dealer didn't know how to make it work either. I will try hitting the mode button one more time to get quiet time to kick in. Thanks.

[sdennislee]

If that doesn't do it for you look for a setting on the remote that allows you to verify communication between the AGS and the generator.

If it shows off that means either you have a break in communication between the EMS remote and the AGS module or between the AGS module and the generator. check all plugs. It can also mean you don't have the AGS module. Most EMS control panels show the AGS but that doesnt mean the optional AGS module is installed.

[Ann n Gene]

Back to the OP. In order for the autogen start to work you HAVE to have the Onan module installed along with the inverter module. My 2007 did NOT have the onan board installed and we put it in, cost about $300 but that enabled us to use all the features of the Onan auto gen start system. My new Entegra came with the Onan board installed, just another advantage of the Entegra Coach.

[slabman]

I think we need to clarify a bit here. I am not aware of TS setting up the Magnum to auto start, so you'll need an Onan 30 control pad. My system has never been very reliable. Initially an Onan service center replaced an insufficiently-sized cable feeding the generator starter. I thought that would do it, but sometimes it'll start properly and then sometimes it won't One time Onan updated the EC30 controller and it still didn't work. It seems like if I don't use it regularly, it "forgets" what it's supposed to do. Very frustrating......

Gene, I think you've got the best answer....buy a new rig!

[4x4crazy]

Slabman I think your right. I find that if it doesn't start on the first revolution it kicks out to manual. Generally I start it up manually the first time then set to auto. That works most times. They replaced my controller several years ago because it wasn't working at all. Happy to have it available if we need it even with it's problems.

[Ann n Gene]

Bob is right, mine NEVER did work very good. I still think the big deal is the battery bank is in the back of the coach and you have such a long run to the genny it is hard to get enough juice after line loss to the genny and it is slow to turn over, therefore kicking the Onan control module back into manual. Entegra has cured that problem with the house battery bank right up front in the front bay on the passenger side, thus a short run to the genny and my auto start works very good. Likely Onan is doing a better job with the board also on the newer units. Well...........maybe not, I had to have a relay replaced on the Onan at 35 hours! just my experience.

LOL @ Bob, well..........it IS nice but it DOES leave a hole in the pocketbook, you could work on a lot of stuff for what it cost!

[slabman]

Gene, I agree. Too much line loss from the rear batteries, methinks. Bishop mentioned to me once that he wanted to run a new, dedicated 12 ga. line from the batts to the Onan 30 panel so it would "see" a good, strong voltage. That would keep it from tripping to "manual" when voltage levels drop while the generator is cranking. So the problem seems to be the voltage the Onan 30 panel sees during this process, not the line loss up to the generator.

Rather than running a dedicated 12ga. wire to this Onan panel, I've always had the intention to direct wire from my nearby Intellitec fuse panels to the Onan 30, but have never gotten around to do this. These Intellitec panels are fed with a large gage wire, so I'd expect minimal voltage drop. I did hot wire this way from another nearby wire in the bath area, but there's still too much voltage drop since the wire is too small. By cracking the generator manually, I was able to test voltages at the Onan panel...something around 11.7 V. as I remember. Voltage drops were even greater at the generator, maybe something like 11.5? Readings at the batteries were minimal, of course.

I think the Onan 30 panel is designed to cause the system to revert to "manual" if excessive voltage drops are present, so the trick is to not allow it to see too much of a voltage drop. One way I've tried to circumvent this problem is to set the Onan to fire up the generator at 12.0 V. instead of something lower. This way I have a fair bit of "juice" in the system and line losses aren't as pronounced as they might be if set lower. And, of course, battery lives are further shortened if you allow voltages to drop below 12.0 before re-generating, so this would help the batteries. But the problem then is the system is firing up way too often, burning up added fuel.

As an aside....do you know what it costs to run these generators these days of $4.00 fuel? Something Like $2.50/hr., so that means if you dry camp, running the generator only 10 hours, you've spent $25.00!!!!! Certainly makes the Walmart overnighter something to re-consider during the summer months, anyway.

That's the scenario as I see it. Guess if my oil wells finally come in as Gene's have, I'll be ready for a new one.

[Ann n Gene]

Bob, I think you have it figured out for sure. Agree on the cost to run genny. We have just about quit boondocking and wal-docking because of it, just as well use somebody else's electricity, water and sewer as quite often we can find Passport parks at much less than the $25 but even if you give full price it is safer, nicer and saves wear and tear, not to mention the people you might meet. Come on Bob, take that padlock off the old wallet and spring for a new one, they are sure nice and actually ride even better than the T.S. if you can believe that.

[outamoney]

Hmmmmm . . . . We pay 250K to 600K for our MH's, and we are complaining about the amount it takes to run the genny! Hmmmmmm . . . . .indeed.

[sdennislee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by outamoney Hmmmmm . . . . We pay 250K to 600K for our MH's, and we are complaining about the amount it takes to run the genny! Hmmmmmm . . . . .indeed.

As I have said before, has to be the only group that would pay $200,000.00 for a rig then park at Walmart for free. I prefer the benefits of full hook ups. I like to rough as long as that means I have all the things that make it comfortable