Community Forums

windsorbill · 05-19-2022, 04:37 PM

Looking for anyone that has installed, or has knowledge about, an auto generator start off of a Victron MultiPlus2 (actually the CerboGX), and can share the details with me.

I recently replaced the original MSW Magnum inverter with the Victron MP2, CerboGX and the touch screen monitor.

vsheetz · 05-19-2022, 04:43 PM

https://www.victronenergy.com/upload...rt_stop-en.pdf

vsheetz · 05-19-2022, 04:44 PM

https://www.cummins.com/generators/m...r-start-system

windsorbill · 05-19-2022, 05:05 PM

Thanks Vince for commenting and the links.

I am familiar with the Victron AGS info. It's a helpful document.

I'm hoping to find someone that has actually done the upgrade.

pvcampbell · 05-19-2022, 06:51 PM

I have. I posted about it here.

windsorbill · 05-19-2022, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pvcampbell

I have. I posted about it here.

Thanks for replying. Glad to see someone here has done it. I did see that post a few weeks ago. That's the direction I was headed.

dssl · 05-19-2022, 07:12 PM

What kind of generator do you have? And what AGS functions are you looking for?

A few years ago I installed an Onan EC30 AGS. It was a bit of work to install, although if you have the Magnum AGS it likely has most of the same wires needed. The user interface to it is awkward to use. I was able to connect the relay from my BMV712, so I can start and stop based on voltages or SOC. I also have one of my thermostats tied in, as well as various other connections.

Magnum now makes a wireless AGS that has a more modern phone interface. It's not as integrated into the electrical system, but is easy to install and looks like a nice product.

I recently upgraded to a MultiplusII, and since my AGS wasn't tied to my inverter it didn't require any changes for my AGS function.

pvcampbell · 05-19-2022, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dssl

Magnum now makes a wireless AGS that has a more modern phone interface. It's not as integrated into the electrical system, but is easy to install and looks like a nice product.

My understanding of the Magnum wireless AGS is that it still requires you to be at the coach to access the unit, as it uses Bluetooth (?). The benefit of the Victron Cerbo GX AGS is that it is internet-based and can be programmed from anywhere, and/or the generator can be manually started from anywhere. I'm in Phoenix, and I've been using this ability when I'm going to the motorhome to work on it. I start the generator an hour or so before I leave home, and the coach is cooled down when I arrive. Haven't used it on a road trip yet, but there will be more great benefits on the road.

windsorbill · 05-19-2022, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dssl

What kind of generator do you have? And what AGS functions are you looking for?

A few years ago I installed an Onan EC30 AGS. It was a bit of work to install, although if you have the Magnum AGS it likely has most of the same wires needed. The user interface to it is awkward to use. I was able to connect the relay from my BMV712, so I can start and stop based on voltages or SOC. I also have one of my thermostats tied in, as well as various other connections.

Magnum now makes a wireless AGS that has a more modern phone interface. It's not as integrated into the electrical system, but is easy to install and looks like a nice product.

I recently upgraded to a MultiplusII, and since my AGS wasn't tied to my inverter it didn't require any changes for my AGS function.

I have a onan QD. My old magnum had the AGS remote box, which can be used with the CerboGX, as I understand it.

With this set up, as long as you have WiFi , you can control everything going through the Cerbo from anywhere. And Bluetooth if you prefer that.

PVCambell did a nice write up that he referenced a little earlier. All the generators makes and models are not connected the same, so you need to look at specific equipment to get it right.

dssl · 05-19-2022, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pvcampbell

My understanding of the Magnum wireless AGS is that it still requires you to be at the coach to access the unit, as it uses Bluetooth (?). The benefit of the Victron Cerbo GX AGS is that it is internet-based and can be programmed from anywhere, and/or the generator can be manually started from anywhere. I'm in Phoenix, and I've been using this ability when I'm going to the motorhome to work on it. I start the generator an hour or so before I leave home, and the coach is cooled down when I arrive. Haven't used it on a road trip yet, but there will be more great benefits on the road.

I didn't look at your previous post very closely at first. Looks like a very nice setup.

parkgt · 07-08-2022, 06:02 PM

From my reading of the various Victron device manuals it appears that a Victron BMV-712 battery monitor can drive a relay based on SOC. That relay output could then trip a timing relay to send the start/stop pulses required to start or stop a Onan genset.

https://www.victronenergy.com/upload...rt_stop-en.pdf

https://www.victronenergy.com/upload...R-DE-ES-SE.pdf

Working through this myself on a lithium/Victron inverter upgrade. I have used the BMV-712 before and really like it. Haven't yet figured out where the pulse signal would wire into the Onan system, maybe at the control panel. The EC-AGS+ documentation is slim with no mention I could find of any inputs.

ptl · 07-08-2022, 06:57 PM

I don't know if this will help but I made a video where I hooked up my Victron color control monitor up the use the automatic generator start function. I have an Onan QD8000 with the EC30 auto start control that came with my motorhome and then I connected the Color control monitor up to my EC30 to use the functionality of the Color control monitor. Here is a link to the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc5iunp-sIA&t=14s

pvcampbell · 07-09-2022, 05:48 AM

If you look at the link above in my post #5, you can see how I used timing relays to use the Victron CerboGX for AGS. It should work in a similar manner using the BMV-712, but the only AGS functionality you would get is low voltage.

You appear to be trumped, though, if you are using the EC-AGS+ device. Cummins' description says it is not compatible with lithium batteries:

"Please note, The EC AGS is compatible with every permanently mounted gas or diesel RV and Commercial mobile generator with the exception of the Onan QD 3200. It is not compatible with our portable generator line. The Auto Generator Start feature for low voltage is not compatible with lithium batteries."

parkgt · 07-09-2022, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pvcampbell

If you look at the link above in my post #5, you can see how I used timing relays to use the Victron CerboGX for AGS. It should work in a similar manner using the BMV-712, but the only AGS functionality you would get is low voltage.

You appear to be trumped, though, if you are using the EC-AGS+ device. Cummins' description says it is not compatible with lithium batteries:

"Please note, The EC AGS is compatible with every permanently mounted gas or diesel RV and Commercial mobile generator with the exception of the Onan QD 3200. It is not compatible with our portable generator line. The Auto Generator Start feature for low voltage is not compatible with lithium batteries."

Thanks for the reply.

The BVM-712 supposedly can trigger on SOC as well as voltage.

In spite of Cummins saying it is not compatible with lithium I don't see how the EC-AGS+ see or cares that the attached generator is supplying power The transfer switch to an inverter setup to charge lithium batteries?