Generator Auto start

bigred · August 16, 2015, 03:05:50 PM

Guy's ,the auto start generator on my coach does not seem to be working.How can I verify that it is not working .I have a 17.5 generator with two Xantrex inverters .The literature say's that my system has this feature ,but that is basically all it say's about it The only other thing that is mentioned is in the Xantrex literature is for a Link 1000 and a Link2000 That is available ,but neither of these look's like anything on my coach .The only thing that I have is a thing in the bedroom that say's it is an Extralink.Found a small owners manual for it in the literature but it say's absolutely nothing about what it is used for.I had assumed that it had somthing to do with the TV'S since a remote that came with the motor home seem's to switch it on or off but am now wondering if this is the controller for the auto start .Just about the time I think I have a handle on this thing ,something else comes up!!

luvrbus · August 16, 2015, 03:13:18 PM

Even with inverters having the auto start feature you need to make sure the generator is equipped for auto start they don't cost much 150 bucks for a module could be the module died

thomasinnv · August 16, 2015, 06:44:18 PM

Clifford is right. Just because the inverter has the option does not mean it is installed. There is a AGS module that connects to the xanbus system and to the generator wire harness. I just bought a new AGS module for mine @ just under 150. If you do not see an option for the AGS in the menu on the control panel then it is most likely not installed.

bigred · August 17, 2015, 05:51:08 AM

Guy's :I would agree with you but I have a button that says generator auto start AND the CountryCcoach literature says that that the coach has this.I have tried having the Auto On button on and killing the power to see if the Genset would come on .It didn't ! I guess the next step will be to pull the cover of the breaker box in the generator compartment ,right?? Is that the normal place for the module you folks mention???The ffolks at CC can't help much on this thing because they say that they can't get their hand's on the literature for any thing older than ,I believe they said 1996.Mine is a 94.

bobofthenorth · August 17, 2015, 05:54:31 AM

This is probably irrelevant but the Generac backup for our village water system won't autostart unless it's control panel has a valid date and time in it.

luvrbus · August 17, 2015, 06:14:26 AM

Bring the menu up and check the programing for the inverter before worrying about the module

thomasinnv · August 17, 2015, 08:09:25 AM

The module being discussed is not part of the generator, it is an external module connected between the generator and the inverter network system. There are several parameters that must be properly programmed in order for it to operate properly. If you have a manual for your inverter system it should tell you how to access the programming.

thomasinnv · August 17, 2015, 08:37:01 AM

Oh, one more thing, usually the AGS would be configured to start at a certain battery voltage. In some cases it may be configured to start under a certain load condition, or the activation of a thermostat. Just shutting off the shore power would not activate it. What model inverter and control panel you have?

Boomer · August 17, 2015, 08:46:36 AM

Yes you program the auto start feature at the inverter remote panel, as well as the other inverter features. Somewhere behind a panel either in the coach or bay will be the remote start module if the coach has one. Link is a battery monitor, do you have a round digital battery state guage, that is the Link.

thomasinnv · August 17, 2015, 08:57:09 AM

The exception would be the 458. They have a stand alone ags system with its own module and remote panel. To give any acurite help we really need to know the model of the inverter.

bigred · August 17, 2015, 10:06:42 AM

I will Get the info on the inverter(s).

bigred · August 17, 2015, 10:08:39 AM

I will Get the info on the inverter(s).I am almost certain that they are the 458's

thomasinnv · August 17, 2015, 01:48:24 PM

If they are 458 then you will have a control box and an AGS remote panel. The panel should say "autogenstart" on it. It is configured to start the gen when battery voltage drops to 11.5 and stays there for several minutes. It may or may not be activated by a thermostat, only way to know for sure is to find the module and see which wires are being used in the harness.

bigred · August 17, 2015, 04:01:42 PM

Just came from out there .Actually the inverters are EMS2800'S .I wanted to try a couple of things to make sure I wasn't doing something stupid .like leaving a switch off or a cb turned off .When but every thing seems to be as it should be .When I push the "GENERATOR AUTO START" it changes from yellow to green the Generator On lite lights .It seems to do every thing except start .If I use the "GENERATOR OFF/ON " switch ,the generator goes through it diagnostic's and fires up and runs like a sewing machine.Think I may be missing something simple .At least I hope so.When I find this little module,how do I determine if it is bad??

thomasinnv · August 17, 2015, 06:12:54 PM

Ooohhh, I truly do feel for ya then. The old first generation heart interfaces like you have are obsolete, no longer supported or repaired. If it ain't broke don't fix it. Afaik there was no generator auto start for that system, so what ever you have there is going to be a stand alone system. Anybodies guess as to what you have. Trace the wires from the control panel, or from the generator to find the control box and determine what you have there.

On another note, if you ever have trouble with those inverters the replacement is usually the 458, and much rewiring is involved.