AGS Issue: 2010 Paeton 40-QTH AGS Issue

[gjw]

Hi All,

I have a slight AGS issue - need all you good folks help...

Specs: 2010 Phaeton 40-QTH - PowerGlide chassis, upgraded inverter system - I have the Magnum 2012 (?) Pure Sine Wave, vice the modified sine wave... 6 - 6volt batteries - standard with the residential frig, and 10K Onan gen set and 3 A/C units.

Issue: I used to be able to set the AGS unit to come on at 12.2 volts. It has always worked in the past. Now, I can set it, and it tries to come on (engage the gen start circuitry...) and I can hear it try once. What I am noticing is that the signal to start goes to the genset, the genset "attempts" to respond, then just shuts off - it cranks a few times like it is trying to start then just quits. I have tried the AGS test mode with fully charged batteries and a "warm" genset and all works well on the AGS test setting. Then, if I leave the frig on and the batteries drain down to the 12.2 setting - genset tries to start then shuts down. When I look at the AGS setting in the control panel it indicates the AGS start function is OFF vice ENABLED.

Needless to say, I'm stymied, all suggestions welcome - thanks...

Trying to create a laundry list of things to check:
1. Possible bad battery within the 6 battery bank (6 batteries...).
2, Possible bad cell within one (1) of the batteries in the bank.
3. Possible corrosion/bad connection on any of the many battery terminal connections.
4. Bad connection/corrosion on the battery cutoff switch.
5. (I'm leaning a little in this direction) Bad connection/corrosion on the connection to the genset????
Where is the connection to the genset - "exactly" - seems like whenever you have an issue like this you are never in the perfect site with nice, smooth concrete to play on... Connects to the top or bottom of genset???
6. An issue with the AGS/Magnum unit itself??

Let the suggestions come forward, and I'll try to get to as many as time/location permit - I REALLY want to get this fixed - I REALLY appreciate all your help with this issue - thanks again...

[gbaxter]

doesn't sound like an AGS problem as the generator tried to crank and that's all the AGS can do. The AGS simply closes a relay which is connected across the start/stop switch.

I would suspect there is a voltage drop to the generator while cranking at 12.2 volts. I am sure the voltage drop is still there with a fully charged battery but since the voltage starts higher the voltage remains high enough to start the gen.

As for the AGS being in OFF mode it could be a couple of things. Check the "AGS Status" menu and see what it says. If it says "Lockout" then that is from an RVIA Industry requirement. The requirement is to set the AGS to OFF if the generator is manually stopped. Check the AGS "TECH" menu and set the "MODE" to "OTHER" instead of RV and the AGS will always remain ON until you select OFF.

The only other reason it could be OFF is if the 12 volt power to the AGS module (located in the bay next to the inverter) sees low power then it may be resetting which will power up to OFF.

Gary