BAC Forum
General Boards => Technical Support => Topic started by: Cloyd Robinson on January 08, 2021, 11:29:08 PM
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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!
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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?
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Cloyd,
What model AGS and Inverter do you have?
Steve
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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
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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.
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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?
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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Bill, I'm wondering where the inline fuse for the AGS is located? My generator fires up manually and works fine.
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If you can't find the fuse on the wiring diagram (Coach Assist), my guess is that it would be close to the AGS module. Where that is, I don't know. Maybe check the front run bay for a fuse / circuit breaker.
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Cloyd,
Terminal #3 on the AGS is battery voltage and terminal #4 is Gnd. The green ready LED should flash if you have >8v between the 2 terminals. If you don't, the fuse (5a or less) should be on the red wire between terminal #3 and where it picks up battery voltage. All this is in the front electrical bay.
Steve
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I'm waiting for things to get a little warmer and drier before tracing the power. It would sure be sweet to see that green light come on.
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OK, I have 14 volts on terminal 3 and a good ground on terminal 4 but no green light. Any ideas?
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Could be a bad AGS module; the Magnum manual I looked at on line had a pretty good troubleshooting section if I recall.
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Cloyd,
I'm assuming you have the AGS unit with the dials running along the top of it (ME AGS). If so, the Ready LED (on your right as you look at unit) should be on. If not, turn the unit off, then enable it to reset it, per the manual. The Status LED (on your left) won't light until generator start has been attempted.
If you have the AGS unit that has no dials across the top of the unit (ME AGS-N) the Ready LED should be lit if if power is applied and the temp sensor is connected. If not connected the LED will flash. The Status LED will be Red or Green, depending on generator status.
I loaded the appropriate manuals to Coach Assist this AM.
Since you've verified that 12V is present, the only thoughts that come to mind is to verify that the 12V powering the AGS is from the same battery set as the generator start voltage. If that is OK it would seem you may have a faulty AGS unit. A call to Magnum 425-353-8833 would be my next step.
Steve
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Cloyd,
Ignore my comment about battery hookup. The AGS should be sensing the House battery voltage and the Geni start should be off the Chassis units. As mentioned in an earlier post, Monaco may have wired your coach backwards with AGS sensing Chassis and Geni start from house.
Sorry for the confusion (on my part).
Steve