Maverick1023
The Great Lakes state
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Can an existing genset be upgraded to auto turn on in case of a campground power failure? I have a Onan 7.5 diesel genset.
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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There are several ways this can be done. One of the easiest is a remote control system for a inverter that can also start the generator on demand.
It is commonly done on all electric RV's with a generator just like yours so it can power the refrigerator all the time. As the batteries are depleted, the generator is started to recharge them. May have time limits, so the generator will not start at 2 in the morning if programmed that way.
Trace inverters have the abliity to start a generator with it's remote control units - if the correct options are there. Sometimes it requires a differant inverter remote control panel to do what you want to do. Other times it is a matter of just connecing the exsisting remote inverter control panel to the generator start/stop switches.
Usually if there is a power failure at a campground, it is not critical to get the generator running right away. If you do have a critical load, such as medical equipment, you could use a inverter to power the load until power is restored, or use the inverter to power the equipment until power is restored or the generator is started on low battery voltage.
If you want to run the air conditioners to keep the animals cool while there might be a campground power outage, then you would need a control that starts the generator on power failure. That is possible with a couple of relays. One relay would turn on the generator as soon as it is energized, and the other relay would keep the second relay from energizing as long as it sees 120 volts to it's coil.
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ronfisherman
SE Michigan
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There are a couple of add on Generator Auto starts. Here is a thread on the subject. Add generator auto start capability.
I purchased the Ridgecreek AGS. This model does not have a time set. Easy install next to manual start panel in MH.
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smkettner
Southern California
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http://www.bestconverter.com/Xantrex-Automatic-Generator-Start-_c_121.html
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OldF**t
Crossville, TN
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Anyone know where to get the Onan EC-30 autostart system other than from your local Onan dealer (don't have one close)?
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ronfisherman
SE Michigan
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How about this one. Energy Command™remote Control. Not sure it includes all that is needed.
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OldF**t
Crossville, TN
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Yes that's the correct model. Thanks for the link. If I had googled for "onan energy command" instead of "onan ec-30" I would have had better luck . Looks like I will have to get to a dealer though to get the correct wiring harness and the optional transformer to start the genny after a power failure.
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ronfisherman
SE Michigan
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OldF**t wrote:Yes that's the correct model. Thanks for the link. If I had googled for "onan energy command" instead of "onan ec-30" I would have had better luck . Looks like I will have to get to a dealer though to get the correct wiring harness and the optional transformer to start the genny after a power failure.
I believe you can get just as good a system with the Magnum or Ridgecreek AGS systems linked above. They will include all the wiring and instructions to install either one of them.
PS. I used onan ec-30 to find the site. It was 3 or 4 pages back.
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Maverick1023
The Great Lakes state
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Thanks for all the great relies. I followed ronfisherman's link and read the description and the fact it could take up to 8 hours for an upgrade  The only feature I need is the auto on/off if shore power is lost. So, next question, does anyone know if it is less expensive to upgrade to just that feature? BTW, my generator start switch is between the radio and the main dashboard and the EC30 panel would therefore need to be located somewhere else if I went that way.
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ronfisherman
SE Michigan
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The system that I have only works on low battery voltage or high heat. I believe they assume your MH has a Inverter to run 120 volts until low volts or temperature settings are met.
Took me about 2 hours to install the Ridgecreek unit.
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