Author Topic: generator auto start  (Read 6327 times)

Cloyd Robinson

  • Guest
generator auto start
« on: January 08, 2021, 11:29:08 PM »
I am trying to set up the autostart for my generator for the first time. I see where I need to look for the < that points at autogensetenable. I set that up and then leave the remote alone. Then I try to test start and just can't get that to work. I notice on the controller in the electrical bay, the green ready LED is never lit. Any ideas as to what I am doing wrong would be wonderful!

Bill Lampkin

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1230
  • Thanked: 359 times
Re: generator auto start
« Reply #1 on: January 09, 2021, 12:42:21 AM »
What make/model inverter do you have? Also, is this original equipment or just newly installed? Do you have all the manuals for your inverter /AGS/ inverter control panel?
2005 Patriot Thunder Lexington, 3 slides
40' tag axle (short wheelbase)
525 hp C13

"Goin where the weather suits my clothes..."

Steve Huber Co-Admin

  • Administrator Group
  • *
  • Posts: 3503
  • Thanked: 2689 times
Re: generator auto start
« Reply #2 on: January 09, 2021, 12:45:15 AM »
Cloyd,
What model AGS  and Inverter do you have?
Steve
Steve
2015-          07 Contessa Bayshore C9,  400 hp
2013-2015: 00 Marquis Tourmaline, C12, 425 hp
2005-2013: 01 Contessa Naples, 3126B, 330 hp

Bill Lampkin

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1230
  • Thanked: 359 times
Re: generator auto start
« Reply #3 on: January 09, 2021, 11:30:38 PM »
From your description of 'no ready light', it sounds like you may have no power to the AGS module (blown fuse or other problem. I think your AGS is from Magnum, there are a ton of set up videos and manuals on their web site.


https://www.magnum-dimensions.com/automatic-generator-start-module
2005 Patriot Thunder Lexington, 3 slides
40' tag axle (short wheelbase)
525 hp C13

"Goin where the weather suits my clothes..."

Cloyd Robinson

  • Guest
Re: generator auto start
« Reply #4 on: January 19, 2021, 08:04:03 PM »
I am always so impressed with the prompt and experienced voices that we can rely on! My inverter is a Magnum Energy MS2012 with the Magnum RE-RC remote. I believe I have all the manuals. It is a stock installation on my 2006 Monterrey. I notice in the manual it says to check the fuse and then turn off and then enable at the dc disconnect. I don't know where the dc disconnect is.

Bill Lampkin

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1230
  • Thanked: 359 times
Re: generator auto start
« Reply #5 on: January 19, 2021, 09:31:56 PM »
Cloyd, For your DC disconnect, try removing the (-) cable from your house batteries for 5  min. Reattach the cable, (watch out for sparks!) then reset your inverter (I'm not familiar with Magnum so check your manual) and enable all via your remote panel. Did you have a bad fuse to the AGS or was the fuse good? Is the AGS green light on now?
2005 Patriot Thunder Lexington, 3 slides
40' tag axle (short wheelbase)
525 hp C13

"Goin where the weather suits my clothes..."

Richard Davis

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 207
  • Thanked: 85 times
Re: generator auto start
« Reply #6 on: January 19, 2021, 10:02:14 PM »
Cloyd
I also have a 2006 Monterey.  While you are checking things out and setting up your auto start, check to see which battery bank your AGS is connected to.  I found that mine was connected to the engine starting battery rather than the house batteries.  That seemed to be a common miss wiring issue with the 2006 coaches.  Your AGS wont do what it is supposed to do if the sense wire is attached to the wrong battery bank.  Nicely enough, the two buss bars for the house batteries and engine starting batteries are there side by side in the Front Run Bay under the drivers seat.  The wires are nicely labeled and it is relatively easy to switch the AGS to the other buss bar.  Good luck in getting your AGS set up the way you want.
Richard   
06 Monterey Ventura IV, C9 400 hp

Steve Huber Co-Admin

  • Administrator Group
  • *
  • Posts: 3503
  • Thanked: 2689 times
Re: generator auto start
« Reply #7 on: January 20, 2021, 12:30:02 AM »
Monaco wired the AGS systems incorrectly (IMHO) in the 07 Contessas and Montereys. The Pats and Marquis were wired correctly. In the 07 Contessa and Montys they wired the AGS sense to the chassis batteries and the generator start voltage to the house batteries, just bass ackwards of the correct wiring. Sounds like this may have been the case on the 06 units also but I don't have diagrams to confirm. Recommend you check your wiring. The fix is written up in Common Problems.
Steve
Steve
2015-          07 Contessa Bayshore C9,  400 hp
2013-2015: 00 Marquis Tourmaline, C12, 425 hp
2005-2013: 01 Contessa Naples, 3126B, 330 hp

Joel Ashley

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2341
  • Thanked: 801 times
  • OSU Class of '73, Oregon Native. RVing 39 years
Re: generator auto start
« Reply #8 on: January 21, 2021, 09:29:45 PM »
Well, you guys just shot my confidence full of holes.  I thought my genset cranked off the chassis and that both terminal busses, that Richard mentions, were chassis.

So I just went out and shut off one and then the other battery mains, and the generator started when either one was on!  Aarrghhh!  And my 2 terminal busses show no AGS on either one, just several genset terminals at the top of TB2 (terminal buss 2); gen ground, gen start, gen run/stop, gen running, gen diagnostics.

But maybe such chaos contributed to why no one, not even BCS, could get my AGS set to work right, so I stopped trying to use it 13 years ago.

Joel
Joel and Lee Rae Ashley
Clackamas, Oregon
36.9 ft. 2006 Monterey Ventura IV, aka"Monty Rae"
C9 400HP Cat

Steve Huber Co-Admin

  • Administrator Group
  • *
  • Posts: 3503
  • Thanked: 2689 times
Re: generator auto start
« Reply #9 on: January 21, 2021, 10:34:08 PM »
Joel,
Suggest you verify the Big Boy solenoid isn't stuck closed. Only way I can see that you would get voltage from both batteries to the geni. Wiring shown on pg 15 of 06 Monti  wiring diagrams in CA or pg 13 of your elec diagram book. You should be able to trace the wire from the AGS controller to a battery source. Where is your AGS controller mounted? Front bay seems to only have chassis voltage available.
Steve
Steve
2015-          07 Contessa Bayshore C9,  400 hp
2013-2015: 00 Marquis Tourmaline, C12, 425 hp
2005-2013: 01 Contessa Naples, 3126B, 330 hp

Steve Huber Co-Admin

  • Administrator Group
  • *
  • Posts: 3503
  • Thanked: 2689 times
Re: generator auto start
« Reply #10 on: January 21, 2021, 11:02:29 PM »
Joel,
Also keep in mind if the BIRD has activated the Big Boy, the batteries are tied together and you'd get the result you observed. Should have mentioned this in previous post.
Steve
Steve
2015-          07 Contessa Bayshore C9,  400 hp
2013-2015: 00 Marquis Tourmaline, C12, 425 hp
2005-2013: 01 Contessa Naples, 3126B, 330 hp

Joel Ashley

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2341
  • Thanked: 801 times
  • OSU Class of '73, Oregon Native. RVing 39 years
Re: generator auto start
« Reply #11 on: January 22, 2021, 12:20:03 AM »
Probably had something to do with the coach being plugged in at the time.  When I unplugged it the genset would only start when the chassis main switch was on.  But also to be considered is that even after being just unplugged my house set read only 12.4v.  I'm waiting for new Fullriver AGM's to come in, and then decent weather for a couple days to paint the tray and install.

The Main 12v DC Distribution page in the diagram book is "simplified" but still takes some doing to follow as lines go in and out of the chassis and house fuse blocks.  It doesn't include the AGS hookup.  When one hasn't actually lived in and used the rig for 4 years it's no wonder one's no longer at his primo re. its systems.  That's why I stay up on threads here... to be at least halfway sharp for when we hit the road again.

Joel

Forgot to answer your query, Steve, re. the AGS controller.  I think that consists of the "satellite" module in the bottom back of the front run bay, whereon you manually set the AGS parameters.  Otherwise settings are made via the Magnum inverter remote over the entry door.
« Last Edit: January 22, 2021, 12:55:58 AM by Joel Ashley »
Joel and Lee Rae Ashley
Clackamas, Oregon
36.9 ft. 2006 Monterey Ventura IV, aka"Monty Rae"
C9 400HP Cat

Bob Disney

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 107
  • Thanked: 30 times
Re: generator auto start
« Reply #12 on: January 22, 2021, 03:03:26 AM »
This may seem overly simplistic or I may have missed this in skimming the thread
Did you check the circuit breaker on the generator
Is really little and easily overlooked
2005 Monterey Ventura IV
(the Beave)
just fits in the 40' shed
400hp C9 Cat
Towing various old Jeeps

Steve Huber Co-Admin

  • Administrator Group
  • *
  • Posts: 3503
  • Thanked: 2689 times
Re: generator auto start
« Reply #13 on: January 22, 2021, 05:26:49 AM »
Joel,
Assuming you have a Magnum inverter, the red wire coming from terminal 3 on the AGS controller unit in the front bay is the Battery Voltage sense wire. It should be connected to a house battery source. Not clear where it would be sensing this as I think only chassis voltage is available in that bay. Suggest you check it out.

Bob,
Joel's issue is what sources the AGS unit and geni start are wired to. The geni CB doesn't come into play.
Steve
Steve
2015-          07 Contessa Bayshore C9,  400 hp
2013-2015: 00 Marquis Tourmaline, C12, 425 hp
2005-2013: 01 Contessa Naples, 3126B, 330 hp

Cloyd Robinson

  • Guest
Re: generator auto start
« Reply #14 on: January 22, 2021, 11:27:26 PM »
Bill, I'm wondering where the inline fuse for the AGS is located? My generator fires up manually and works fine.