Gen start

RickAb · 10-15-2018, 02:04 AM

Anyone use they're gen start. Looking to use it when at a Walmart now and then. I set it at 11 volts and gen to run 1hr and inside coach I switched to enable. Is this all I do?

Yvonnemarc · 10-15-2018, 02:23 AM

I wasnt aware the voltage regulator was adjustable? To charge the house battteries the v-reg puts outs near 14V. If you run the gen while you're driving you'll charge the house batteries and they should be fully charged by the time you arrive at the walfart. You could run the gen for short intervals when at walfart but the noise might be intrusive to some. It isn't a campsite and abusing their hospitality may just get the next weary traveler dis-invited.

**16ACE27** · 10-15-2018, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yvonnemarc

I wasnt aware the voltage regulator was adjustable? To charge the house battteries the v-reg puts outs near 14V. If you run the gen while you're driving you'll charge the house batteries and they should be fully charged by the time you arrive at the walfart. You could run the gen for short intervals when at walfart but the noise might be intrusive to some. It isn't a campsite and abusing their hospitality may just get the next weary traveler dis-invited.

He didn't adjust the voltage regulator; he adjusted the Automatic Generator Start voltage.

Yvonnemarc · 10-15-2018, 04:34 AM

I didn't notice the "auto-start" verbiage in the OPs question. Would be nice to have an auto start gen...mine doesn't.

Peterrrr · 10-15-2018, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickAb

Anyone use they're gen start. Looking to use it when at a Walmart now and then. I set it at 11 volts and gen to run 1hr and inside coach I switched to enable. Is this all I do?

11 volts is far too low, it is probably below your Low Battery Cut Off. You want to set it for 12 or 12.1 volts. Not knowing what AGS you have, there would be other settings needed. On my previous Palazzo, at 11.9 there was not enough power in the batteries for it to start the generator.

**16ACE27** · 10-15-2018, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peterrrr

11 volts is far too low, it is probably below your Low Battery Cut Off. You want to set it for 12 or 12.1 volts. Not knowing what AGS you have, there would be other settings needed. On my previous Palazzo, at 11.9 there was not enough power in the batteries for it to start the generator.

There's a big difference between static voltage (no load) and dynamic voltage on the batteries. Setting the start voltage too high will cause a generator start when not needed by simply loading the inverter slightly.

Peterrrr · 10-15-2018, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tfryman

There's a big difference between static voltage (no load) and dynamic voltage on the batteries. Setting the start voltage too high will cause a generator start when not needed by simply loading the inverter slightly.

Agreed. That is why Magnum allows for a gen start based on battery SOC. In the case of my previous Palazzo, I had a battery monitor, but the Magnum remote installed was the RC model(you need the ARC model), which did not allow a SOC gen start. Thus the start had to be based on the voltage. If the voltage was set below 12 then the generator did not have enough power to start. It would just click numerous times and set an error code.

cpmath · 10-15-2018, 01:59 PM

Not sure if this is true, but at the Walmart this morning there was a large sign posted in the front lobby saying generators are not allowed to be running in the parking lots beginning January 1, 2019 due to pollution and noise. It appears it is a nation-wide policy going into effect soon.

TurnerFam · 10-15-2018, 02:26 PM

you'll want to find the settings for your AGS that best work for you, but as a good start, you're close to being on the right track.

I would start this way, though:

- Enable AGS
- VOLTS setting to 12.2
- RUN TIME setting to 30mins
- press the TECH button, scroll to LBCO, set to 11.5 volts
- scroll to TYPE, and set to OTHER(not to RV)
(otherwise, with the setting on RV, the AGS will be turned OFF automatically if you
ever manually crank or turn off the generator on your own...not something you want)
- press the SHORE button, and set to 40amps

- now, press the AGS button again, scroll to TEST, and press the large knob

this should then start the 'TEST' process to start the Generator, where it should then run for about 30 seconds, then automatically shut down.
This shows you that the system is available and working correctly, and will the adhere to your settings.

With the AGS set to 12.2 volts, you should see relatively quickly how the AGS will work. It should crank the generator after the volts have reached this level for a continuous 2 minutes. It should then run for 30 minutes and cut back off automatically, while charging the batteries during this time.

After you find that this works well, you can then start to change the settings to better meet your own comfort levels. Some may not want it to start the generator so often, and others like for it to run more often, for less RUN TIME during each cycle, like me. Others would like it to run to 1 or 2 hours to 'fully' charge the batteries, but that is a very long time for the noise to affect others when you are close to anyone else. I think that 30 minutes is long enough for 4 6v batteries to receive enough charge to give you several more hours of quiet before it may start again, and overnight even less since you are not using many volts during that time. Even cutting down the fridge's temp for overnight limits the amount of time, or starts, the generator will need to run.

The SHORE button tells the Battery CHARGER how many Amps it can make use of during the generator run. Since you want your AGS to start the generator in order to recharge low batteries, you definitely want this at a high number, to make use of as much power as possible.

The LBCO is the backstop, to preserve drawing down the batteries too much, if the generator was not able to be cranked due to low fuel, etc.... just in case. It simply cuts off the Inverter during that time, and restarts it once your batteries are back at 12.0 or so.

The Gritz Carlton · 10-15-2018, 03:12 PM

No one should need to run a generator overnight anywhere unless you require A/C. Then...you should just find a more remote place or stay in a campground...not the public parking lot of a business that's open 24/7. Walmarts are for stealthy overnight naps...not retirement RV communities. Pull in, play dead, then leave the next morning. But to address the question...set the AGS to 12.1.

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