Community Forums

pogoil · 01-17-2021, 12:36 PM

I have a 1998 CC Concept. I would like to change the auto start settings.
I believe they are set at 11.8. I need to change to 12.2.
It is a 17.5 generator PowerTech.

#5524
Thank you.

IASM · 01-17-2021, 11:29 PM

Just wondering why 12.2?

twinboat · 01-18-2021, 04:12 AM

Batteries voltage sag while under load, so 12.2 volts will bounce up to 12.3 or 12.4 once the load is removed.
That's why auto starts are set to a lower voltage.

If you set it to 12.2 volts, its going to start the generator much to soon and only run for a short time.

vsheetz · 01-18-2021, 04:44 AM

Way to low voltage trigger and the generator won't crank. To low and nuesence starts may occur when a high current item sags the battery voltage. To high and it starts more often than needed. And the start voltage can vary with the type / size of the generator. Also can depend on your goals - backup to shore power failure in storage, dry camping, etc. So - some experimentation may be needed. 12.1 can be a good place to start for dry camping support, a couple tenths higher maybe for powered storage backup. YMMV.

pogoil · 01-18-2021, 10:37 AM

I will test to see if my gen will start at 11.8.
Some suggest 12.2 is about 50 percent discharged. Not sure but I thank you all for the advise.

Smitty77 · 01-18-2021, 12:50 PM

As Vince posted, the voltage you end up setting it to can vary, based upon in my simple terminology 'Under Load' vs 'Resting (Or, Mostly Resting)'. Typically the values on Voltage to SOC level posted, are for 'Resting' batteries...

So while you are using the coach, setting to a lower LBCO/AGS voltage level is something to experiment for you specific coach and power usage. (On our previous Allure, with X4 L16 Lifeline AGM's, I would Drip Brew a 10 Cup pot from battery power. If we're boon docking, I'd set the LBCO value down to 11.7. Then after brewing the coffee, set it back up to 12.2 (Where I found it worked well for me.) I'd find within 30-45 mins after brewing, the voltage would recover back up to usually to a voltage range that represented where the battery bank was. This was still under load, but the coffee brewing would drag it down for a period of time lower then it actually was.

I also personally have AGS turned off, when using the coach. In storage was pretty easy for us, as that coach was stored at home on a 15A feed. And I get text anytime the power to the coach was interrupted. So I could monitor the voltage/SOC on a regular basis.

We have a different coach we're still learning, and it has X6 FullRiver DC260-12 8D's. I asked FullRiver for Voltage to SOC values for at 25A draw (Which is approximately what the coach is drawing with Residential Fridge and TV's, wall warts, etc... So you might want to get a good feel for your Amp draw on average while the coach is in use, and ask your specific Battery Manufacture for Volt to SOC info for when you are using your coach so you can establish the AGS Voltage Level you want things to trigger from. But even then, remember under heavy temporary drawdown (Coffee brewing, Microwave, Hair Dryer - you may want to temporally disable your AGS.).

Best to you, and all,
Smitty

twinboat · 01-18-2021, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pogoil

I will test to see if my gen will start at 11.8.
Some suggest 12.2 is about 50 percent discharged. Not sure but I thank you all for the advise.

12.2 volts is 50%, BUT not under any load.

So, if your setting it for storage with nothing running, that would be a good setting.

If your dry camping, its to high.

pogoil · 01-18-2021, 03:29 PM

All the above advise makes perfect sense to me and I do believe my gen will start at 11.8. Our 22 year old fridge is a power hog when dry camping.
I have 2- 2500 watt inverters and now shut 1 off at bed time and it helps but I think I have to replace the residential fridge with a new more efficient model.

96 Wideglide · 01-18-2021, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsheetz

Way to low voltage trigger and the generator won't crank. To low and nuesence starts may occur when a high current item sags the battery voltage. To high and it starts more often than needed.

This is why I re-wired mine so that the gen get's it's starting power from the chassis bank.

I have my AGS set at 11.7v.