Community Forums

FLavionics · 03-21-2019, 09:47 AM

Just started playing with the AGS and the menu has start and stop voltage selections that also include "Auto" Does anyone use the auto or what voltages do you prefer? I understand flooded batteries should not be drawn down less than 50% or 12.2V with no load. So I would think under load it may be acceptable to set the start voltage at a bit lower then 12.2V

Crasher · 03-21-2019, 10:16 AM

I set ours to start @12.1 volts and let it run for two hours. I also have it set to start if the AC calls for power.

FLavionics · 03-21-2019, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crasher

I set ours to start @12.1 volts and let it run for two hours. I also have it set to start if the AC calls for power.

Do you use the auto stop feature at all? What are the batteries up to after two hours? How often does this cycle occur?

530ktm · 03-21-2019, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLavionics

Just started playing with the AGS and the menu has start and stop voltage selections that also include "Auto" Does anyone use the auto or what voltages do you prefer? I understand flooded batteries should not be drawn down less than 50% or 12.2V with no load. So I would think under load it may be acceptable to set the start voltage at a bit lower then 12.2V

I have mine set at 12.1 just in case volts get that low when we are not there. I let it run then for 1.5 hours and batteries are pretty much at a full charge at that time. I have 6 Trojan 6 volt GC batteries so my voltage is usually pretty stable. Normally when boondocking I will charge for 1.5 hours in the morning and the same in the evening.

dan-nickie · 03-21-2019, 11:05 AM

Never heard of the auto stop feature. I do the same as others, 12.1 or 12.2 and run for 2 hours.

FLavionics · 03-21-2019, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan-nickie

Never heard of the auto stop feature. I do the same as others, 12.1 or 12.2 and run for 2 hours.

Do you have a means to shut the Gen off using Time instead of Voltage or is the stop command manual? I don't believe I can set a time interval with mine.

If you are not at the coach to shut it off manually then what?

FLavionics · 03-21-2019, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan-nickie

Never heard of the auto stop feature. I do the same as others, 12.1 or 12.2 and run for 2 hours.

I believe the "Auto" stop is just the default voltage for shutdown but not sure what the voltage is. I would guess 12.6 V since that is a fully charged battery.

twinboat · 03-21-2019, 12:28 PM

If there is such a thing as auto stop voltage, it would need to be set at 14.8 volts. That would be about 80% charged.

Set at 12.6 would have it shutting off in a few minutes. Thats the beginning of charging.

FLavionics · 03-21-2019, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

If there is such a thing as auto stop voltage, it would need to be set at 14.8 volts. That would be about 80% charged.

Set at 12.6 would have it shutting off in a few minutes. Thats the beginning of charging.

Oooops, Forgot about the charging voltage. I was thinking a no load voltage.

Crasher · 03-21-2019, 01:41 PM

I have six 300 amp lifelines for a total of 900 amps. After two hours of charging, they are not fully charged, as that takes quite a long time. It will start out charging @130 amps and begin tapering back with time. The voltage rarely gets down to 12.1. I use the auto genstart for the AC because of a pet in the coach while we are gone in the mountains. It will start for the AC and remain on as long as needed to maintain 72* inside. Of course, the batteries are also being charged too.

hypoxia · 03-21-2019, 02:28 PM

Mine turns on at 11.7 volts or 71% SOC (State Of Charge) and shuts off at Float or 93% SOC whichever comes first. I sometimes use the temperature to turn it on but rarely. It also runs from 7:30 PM- 10:00 PM boonie camping.

FLavionics · 03-22-2019, 07:52 AM

I would like to get the most out of my batteries and reduce the amount of time the generator Cycles. Starting the generator at 12.2 or 12.1 doesn't seem fair to the batteries as this voltage is not a no load scenario. So the question is how do we determine what the no load voltage is and what would be a suitable load voltage to start the generator. I guess the best thing to do would be to experiment and when the voltage under load gets to 12.1 remove the load and see what the volts comes up to on the batteries.

hypoxia · 03-22-2019, 08:22 AM

I don't get too hung up on a specific number just the lowest voltage the generator starts at without any trouble.

Crasher · 03-22-2019, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hypoxia

Mine turns on at 11.7 volts or 71% SOC (State Of Charge) and shuts off at Float or 93% SOC whichever comes first. I sometimes use the temperature to turn it on but rarely. It also runs from 7:30 PM- 10:00 PM boonie camping.

Not sure where you came to that conclusion, but 12.1 -12.2 is considered 50% SOC on a resting battery. Anything below 11.8 volts resting is considered discharged. A 71% SOC would be near 12.4 volts.