EC-30W Auto Generator Install

[69RoadRunner]

I posted this on another forum, so for some, this will look familiar.

I installed the Cummins Onan EC-30W wireless auto generator start this weekend. It's an easy installation, but, when I have time (ha!), I'll need to make some wiring changes.

I do some dry camping at some car shows where it gets pretty hot. This will prevent me from having to run the generator all the time.

Pictures are below. You have to buy the appropriate wiring harness in addition to the EC-30W. The wiring harness is essentially a splitter so that both the switch on the dash and the EC-30W module can be connected to the generator.

Unplug the harness near the front of the generator and plug in the new harness to the existing harness on the generator side. Plug the dash switch end into the new harness and plug in the EC-30W.

Next run the purple wire to the back of the generator. There's a 12v+ terminal (next to a ground terminal). Connect the purple wire to this terminal to supply power.

Finally, mount the EC-30W somewhere. I used double-sided tape to attach it to the firewall. To be safe, I also used 2 short sheet metal screws. I was worried I might hit something with a screw.

I only had a chance to check if it would start the generator manually. I'll check programming it when it gets warm enough.

[69RoadRunner]

Now for the issues. Newmar has the generator start from the engine batteries, so I need to change the wiring for the sensor that determines if the batteries are low. This isn't a big deal right now. Since the places I dry camp are hot, I'll be running the generator enough to keep things cool to keep the batteries charged.

Next, the control module appears to always be on. I don't want it draining the battery while it's in storage. So, I unplugged the purple power wire. I should get a switch for it.

Finally, I should run the purple wire through one of the plastic protective covers for an existing wiring harness.

[jcthorne]

What does the EC30W display on the remote unit? Does it display generator/shore power volts? The onan sheet show it displays battery voltage. Anything else?

[69RoadRunner]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcthorne What does the EC30W display on the remote unit? Does it display generator/shore power volts? The onan sheet show it displays battery voltage. Anything else?

I didn't have time to program or play with it before I had to get the motorhome back to storage and finish other chores.

It displays the temperature where you have the remote unit. It tells you if it's running (I think I can usually hear it ).

You can have it notify you when service is due based on hours since last service.

It does display battery voltage. You can program it to start when batteries get to a certain point. It's smart enough to top off the batteries if needed before quiet hours that you program.

My problem is I think I'm reading chassis batteries, not house batteries since the generator starts off of chassis batteries.

[Cruzer]

Note that some coaches with lots of metal in the firewall (Winnebago and Tiffin in particular) have had issues with the ability of the EC-30W to communicate between the unit and the remote (it's wireless).

Onan now has a new version that allows the receiver to be mounted farther away from the generator - inside the coach dash area or whatever. They also have this wiring harness available for previous EC-30W customers who have communication problems. I have the hard-wired EC-30 so it doesn't apply to me.

[69RoadRunner]

I have read that. I only put tested the remote unit near the front of the motorhome, and it had a good signal. I didn't have time to test it further back. I will keep that in mind!

[JoeT]

69Roadrunner - When the EC-30W starts the generator for air conditioning, do you have a smooth transition back to inverter power when the generator shuts down? I have about a 5 second period with no power after it shuts down. This doesn't happen when starting and stopping due to low batteries. Only when calling for air conditioning.

[69RoadRunner]

I don't know. I haven't had a chance to actually use it. We won't have our first drycamping trip until July.

[David K]

Roadrunner --- if you do have "intermitten" problems with the remote not keeping in contact with the control module, there is an additional harness that will allow you to move the control module inside of the coach. I had to do this as the metal firewall on my Winnebago was interferring with the reception and I would get this "re-establishing communication" message quite frequently and then the remote sending unit would eventually "freeze" up and I would have to remove all power from it to get everything going again. I ordered the additional harness directly from the Onan division that manufacturers the wireless unit. Their phone number is 574-262-4611 and the part number is 004-00160. The cost on that part number is $10.50 -- a small cost considering the total cost of the wireless module and the wiring harness that you buy to integrate it into the generator harness.