House Batteries and Generator Running By themselves!

[eenie34@hotmail.com]

I have a Fourwinds 23U that is acting very strange. When I drive down the road the generator comes on all by itself. When it is parked at my storage unit I keep getting calls that my generator is running. When I get there the house batteries are in use(radio is on) and the generator is running. This has happened at least 6 times in the last month. Service company doesn't really know what to do - they want to replace a wire in the generator( at least 4 hours labor) thinking this will take care of it. My question is how are the house batteries turning on by themselves? i figure the generator is turning on when the house batteries get too low. Does anybody have any ideas? HELP!

 

[Trksr]

Do you have the optional AGS? (Automatic generator start)

 

[eenie34@hotmail.com]

Generator issues

Yes it does

 

[16ACE27]

Then turn it off/disable it. Depending on the model they will start the generator based on either ambient internal temperature or house battery voltage.

In addition, you need to store your RV with the USE/STORE switch in STORE (or house batteries disconnected) to minimize the drain on your house batteries, BUT they will likely still drain in a week or two unless you install a physical battery disconnect at the batteries themselves.

 

[eenie34@hotmail.com]

I always store my RV with the house batteries in the storage mode it is popping on by itself.

 

[16ACE27]

I always store my RV with the house batteries in the storage mode it is popping on by itself.

What is "popping on by itself"?

The generator? We've already established that is done by the AGS system.
The generator "sees" the house battery voltage independent of the status of the USE/STORE switch.

 

[eenie34@hotmail.com]

The radio is on every time I go to turn the generator off. How could the house batteries turn the radio on without me leaving the batteries in Use mode?

 

[16ACE27]

The radio is on every time I go to turn the generator off. How could the house batteries turn the radio on without me leaving the batteries in Use mode?

The generator turns on:
The generator powers the 120 VAC house panel
The house panel power the 120 VAC to 12 VDC converter/charger
The Converter/Charger powers the 12 VDC buss
The radio is powered from the 12 VDC buss

Does it make sense now?

 

[eenie34@hotmail.com]

Yes I could somewhat understand the process though this is definitely not my forte. The service company wants to replace a wire in the generator to the tune oF four hours labor. They say my extended warranty will not cover wiring.

 

[16ACE27]

I don't understand why a wire has to be replaced to turn off the AGS feature.

 

[eenie34@hotmail.com]

If I disconnect the AGS won’t I have problems down the road?

 

[16ACE27]

If I disconnect the AGS won’t I have problems down the road?

I don't have AGS so I can't give you specifics but it is my understanding that the AGS can be programmed and turned on/off by a control panel.

 

[eenie34@hotmail.com]

Just talked to the service manager this model does not have an AGS, they don’t think the wiring harness will help the problem they are stumped. they are going to look at a receptacle that they put in thinking maybe it pinched a wire.

 

[GTM41261]

Sure sounds like a auto start system.

 

[16ACE27]

Sure sounds like a auto start system.

Or a ghost in the machine

 

[The_Breeze]

Or a ghost in the machine

Gremlins. Just don't get them wet.

 

[jtyphoid]

Just talked to the service manager this model does not have an AGS, they don’t think the wiring harness will help the problem they are stumped. they are going to look at a receptacle that they put in thinking maybe it pinched a wire.

I found sale ads for 2014 and 2019 Four Winds 23U that claim to have automatic generator start. The service manager may not be correct about yours not having it. Your symptoms sure sound like an AGS is turned on.

Regarding the radio, I vaguely recall that the one in my Aria might have been set to automatically turn on when power was applied. Dig into the settings of your radio and see if yours has a setting like that.

 

[cavie]

I always store my RV with the house batteries in the storage mode it is popping on by itself.

Install a disconnect switch directly on the battery. Buy at any auto parts store. https://www.harborfreight.com/batte...Bj7xnvVIyf2gGDTT366iUmQn226E8rnRoCECoQAvD_BwE

 

[Tanman-DUTCH]

it sounds to me to be a voltage problem on the batteries. Maybe one or both batteries are bad or going bad. When the AGM detects a lower than normal operating voltage it turns the genset on to recharge the batteries so you will have battery power when needed.

I cannot speak for your system but I bet it is similar in some manners to mine and others. I can go into the power system into the program section and set the AGM voltage to whatever voltage I want my generator to automatically start such as 12.9 volts or 12.5 volts. If the batteries get too low there is not enough juice to start the generator so ergo the auto start for the genset.

remember when your unit is just parked and setting the battery slowly discharges and you probably have a parasitic drain from smoke and propane detectors. Make sure your batteries are good at an auto parts store who will check them for free.

good luck and let us know how you come out

 

[PopFla]

What year is your 23U ? Did you buy it new or used ? Do you have an owner's manual ? (If not, do a Google search and download one.) Also, go to https://www.thormotorcoach.com/owners/ and click on the Owners Resource box. Enter the VIN of your coach, and you'll be able to download info about everything that was built into your coach, as well as plumbing and electrical diagrams.

It definitely sounds like you have an AGS that is doing what it's designed for.