Auto Gen Start

[Canadian Glampers]

Can anybody explain to me how this auto gen startthing works.
There is nothing in the owners manual and no help online.
I just need somebody to explain what it’s for, and how it works.
It’s a 2020 Precept 34G.

 

[Paul P.]

It is used to start the generator when "dry camping". There should be a control panel somewhere in your unit (mine is high on the wall inside the bathroom medicine cabinet). There will be controls to set limits on temperature, voltage, etc as to when it will autostart the generator so that when your house batteries get down to a certain voltage or the inside temperature gets over the set temp, then gen will start and charge the batteries and/or your AC's can come on. I have only tried to use mine once and wasn't very successful...the gen would start based on my settings, but then would never shut off on it's own. Since we almost never dry camp, I haven't tried using it anymore. The control panel should have the mfg name on it, which you can then google for more info.

 

[Alante31V]

It is used to start the generator when "dry camping". There should be a control panel somewhere in your unit (mine is high on the wall inside the bathroom medicine cabinet). There will be controls to set limits on temperature, voltage, etc as to when it will autostart the generator so that when your house batteries get down to a certain voltage or the inside temperature gets over the set temp, then gen will start and charge the batteries and/or your AC's can come on. I have only tried to use mine once and wasn't very successful...the gen would start based on my settings, but then would never shut off on it's own. Since we almost never dry camp, I haven't tried using it anymore. The control panel should have the mfg name on it, which you can then google for more info.

Never heard of such. Precept thing? Not sure Alante’s have this.

 

[pconroy]

Is this close to what you have?

https://www.cummins.com/generators/rv-generators/wireless-rv-auto-generator-start-system

 

[Paul P.]

Never heard of such. Precept thing? Not sure Alante’s have this.

I believe they started putting them on gas MH's when they started using residential fridges, but I think they have been used on DP's for a long time. For the op, here is a pic of the auto start control panel on the wall in the bathroom cabinet.

 

[nhake01]

The auto gen start has been in Precepts since at least 2016. Our 2018 has this feature and the generic Precept manual has some simple descriptions on operation. There are sever parameters to set for the auto start. However, the ENABLE switch on the mail control panel must be turned on for the auto start to work. Ours works well. If the gen has started due to any of the presets the gen will not shut down until the ENABLE is cancelled.
On a hot day, if the RV Park/Campground electricity goes out, returning to a cool rig is fantastic!
Love this feature. We have only had one occasion where the gen started...power went out during a bad storm.

 

[Alante31V]

Is this close to what you have?

https://www.cummins.com/generators/rv-generators/wireless-rv-auto-generator-start-system

Ok, these are nice. Alante we just have the poor mans norcold absorption fridge. Lol.

 

[youracman]

To the OP: Here are a couple of paragraphs (mentioned in post 6) from my 2020 Precept 31UL generic manual. The verbiage would likely be the same for your coach..... one would think.

AGS (Automatic Generator Start) The Magnum® Standalone AGS system monitors your battery system or surrounding temperature and starts the generator when the battery requires charging or power is needed to run the air conditioner. The AGS system uses a remote switch setup and does not use the standalone switch provided with the Magnum® system. The AGS startup switches are typically located on a command center panel.

AGS Controller The AGS controller is typically located in a bathroom cabinet, and is used to set the run time hours, start temperature, start voltage, clock and the quiet time. For information on setting these controls, refer to the Magnum® AGS owner manual

The Magnum AGS owner manual can be found here:

https://ressupply.com/documents/magnum/ME-AGS-S_Manual.pdf

I have a lot to learn about my new-to-me coach. From reading the "Auto Start" manufacturers manual, I thought the unit would shut down after the run time set on the controller (there in the bath) was achieved and then restart again when/if the set temperature returned but, based on post #6 it seems like mine also may run til I manually disable it. That'd be OK too, I reckon.

I sure appreciate the Auto Start feature being installed and I intend to use it...... less worry about the grand dog while we are away for the afternoon.

Good times and safe travels to ya.

 

[Mike-NM]

Can anybody explain to me how this auto gen start thing works.

Good video..... https://www.lichtsinn.com/about-us/video-library/how-to-videos/video-auto-gen-setup

 

[jetlag]

Our Pinnacle has it but have never used it

 

[foretm]

Never heard of such. Precept thing? Not sure Alante’s have this.

Not by default, but I added one to my 31V to help with the fur kid while we're out and about. It's in my mods thread.

Not tough at all on the 31V, especially since everything you need is behind the main panel in the hall. I mounted mine in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom. Hardest part was running the wires.

 

[TJW-JAY]

Our '22 Precept 34G has a residential Refer/inverter plus AGM batteries so it is critical, while boondocking to manage the voltage level to not damage the batteries and maintain a safe temp. In the refer. Default settings for genset is to run when battery voltage drops to below 11.5V. We use the genset during hunting season (& boondocking) to run the refer and furnace while we are hunting from 6:00 am until returning from the stands after dark. We set the furnace to 45 deg. And the refer stays at perfect 39 deg. all day. We fire up the generator when we return, if its not already running and it only takes minutes to warm up to a comfortanle temperature. Note that the generator fuel source is the coach's gas tank and the generator will NOT run if the gas tank level is below 1/4. That ensures the coach's gas tank will not be drained by running the generator, so i am sure to keep the gas tank as full as possible when bookdocking and running the AGS.
Our coach can be controlled remotely with my mobile phone, including the AGS and the control panel in the wall of the main hallway records runtime of the genset. So i can see how much time the Genset runs while away. AGS also offers control of time settings, on/off based on time of day and you can set an optional preset "quiet time" for not running the genset. System works great keeping up with the residential refer and protecting the battery life.