Community Forums

rewillia · 03-24-2018, 02:52 AM

I'm curious to learn from others here as to how they use their Auto Gen Start (AGS) features if other than using Newmar's factory default settings for Auto-Charging, Exercising and Climate Zone.

Are you using Newmar's Factory Default settings or have you changed them? If changed, please explain why, what drove you to change the settings for any of the following;

AUTO CHARGING START default 11.8V (12.0V for King Aire)
AUTOCHARGER MAX RUN TIME default 240 minutes.
TOPOFF VOLTS (DV VOLTAGE) default 12.5V
TOP OFF RUN TIME default 45-minutes
CHASSIS START VOLTAGE, default 12.3V
CHASSIS BRIDGE DURATION, default 60 minutes

NealC · 03-24-2018, 05:06 AM

Newmars config is quite basic as is the default hardware. The main AGS use for those with pets is to ensure no loss of house cooling. Not sure what you have in your Essex but my AGS has an EXT INPUT trigger which means the climate control. When armed in auto and ext input set then if the AC is ON and you lose shore power the gen will start to continue cooling.

If you have battery monitor functionality and state of charge data, ie battery percentage vs just voltage then you can program the AGS to start when SOC gets to a set point which recharged the batteries up to a set percentage (SOC). Good for those that have to store their coach or use solar.

Other uses are to exercise the gen monthly.

I know you have a different system than I so I’m not sure how a battery monitor kit comes in to play if you don’t have one or how to add it.

joes2901 · 03-24-2018, 04:43 PM

If you have a Magnum inverter/charger in your Essex then replacing the remote panel with an ME-ARC50, and adding a Battery Monitoring Kit, and Auto Generator Start - Network will enable you to monitor the State Of Charge of your battery bank. When voltage is used turning on the microwave may cause the voltage to drop enough to cause the generator to start. If your batteries are at 80% SOC the use of the microwave would not cause the generator to start.

If you have Xantrex or another brand inverter/charger then you need to shop for similar equipment that works with that brand.

I have had the coffee maker on and turned on the microwave and saw 294 amps coming from the batteries to the inverter. It only lasted for 90 seconds so the power used was only a small % of the 800 AH battery bank. The battery voltage droped to 11.2 volts and would have started the generator if I did not control the AGS by the battery bank's SOC.

C.Martin · 03-25-2018, 07:31 AM

The Essex has Silverleaf. The Gen Start is controlled by the TM-102 Total Coach Controller (pn: JS468) ... Silverleaf provides scripts which can be programmed into the Silverleaf System using OmniScope software.

You'll have to dismiss our Magnum Remote control chatter...not really applicable to a Silverleaf Coach.

Excerpt from Silverleaf...

Description
The TM102 monitors and controls a number of systems in the coach and is controlled with a VMS, HMS, or Omniscope diagnostic tool through the RV-C data network. The TM102 may monitor the tanks systems (fresh, gray, black, lpg), electrical systems (inverter, generator, transfer switch), and many other systems in the coach (tile heat, temperatures, awning, etc.) depending on its configuration. It also is the brain behind the autogenstart system. The TM102 can be configured through the Omniscope diagnostic tool.