Community Forums

bdpreece · 06-22-2010, 09:54 AM

Woke up in the middle of the night wondering about the auto start feature on my generator. Since the coach is in storage and I know there are parasitic drains on the battery; what happens when the generator senses the batteries are low and starts up? Will it just run till it exhausts all it's fuel. Never had this feature before and have not found anything on it in my books yet but there is a lot to read.

bullydogs1 · 06-22-2010, 10:45 AM

It runs for a time (default is 2 hours) then stops and checks conditions again and either restarts the generator or leaves it off until the next time needed.

Flagelpater · 06-22-2010, 10:53 AM

FWIW It should be limited to above 1/4 tank of fuel by an elevated fuel pickup.

dapperphil · 06-22-2010, 04:35 PM

bdpreece,

I always turn auto gen start off except when I when I really need it. If you are in an enclosed storage facility and the Gen comes on you could have a problem with carbon monoxide. Just something to think about.

bdpreece · 06-22-2010, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dapperphil

bdpreece,

I always turn auto gen start off except when I when I really need it. If you are in an enclosed storage facility and the Gen comes on you could have a problem with carbon monoxide. Just something to think about.

I have not read all the manuals yet but you can be sure if I can disable it I will be doing so.

dapperphil · 06-22-2010, 04:54 PM

bdpreece,

It will be one of the selections when you are setting up your inverter.

Good luck
Phil

bullydogs1 · 06-22-2010, 05:00 PM

Hopefully you have a Magnum panel..push the AGS button and the first thing displayed is status...turn wheel for disable, then push the wheel to set it...and disabled...I enable/disable mine as we need it...

Gary - K7GLD · 06-22-2010, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flagelpater

FWIW It should be limited to above 1/4 tank of fuel by an elevated fuel pickup.

SO, what does the generator do in the case of no fuel - stop trying, or keep endlessly grinding the starter trying to start?

bdpreece · 06-22-2010, 08:39 PM

Ahh the possibilities I see are scary . Since I always store with a full tank it might just run out 75 gal of diesel before it just keeps trying to start till it runs the battery dead. Glad I shut down all the power. I do have the Magnum system so I will try the disable function since I really don't like shutting everything completely off and having to reset it all.

Flagelpater · 06-22-2010, 08:46 PM

FWIW I believe the starter circuit allows 3 or 4 attempts to start, then it quits.

nodine · 06-23-2010, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdpreece

Ahh the possibilities I see are scary . Since I always store with a full tank it might just run out 75 gal of diesel before it just keeps trying to start till it runs the battery dead. Glad I shut down all the power. I do have the Magnum system so I will try the disable function since I really don't like shutting everything completely off and having to reset it all.

If you store your motorhome you should leave this feature off. If you leave your motorhome for a day trip while camped in a campground with hookups this feature can prevent the death of your pets from heat. If the campground power fails and the inside temp reaches the set point on the AGS the gen will start and run the air conditioners. If you are dry camping it is useful to keep the batteries from deep discharging while you are away.

Don't turn the AGS on unless you need it.

Bob