Xantrex 3012 and AGS install
Hi,
I just finished up an install of a new Xantrex 3012 and AGS to replace an old inverter that stopped working. The only issue I ran into was connecting the AGS to the correct wires, and finding the information wasn't that easy, so I thought I would just post some info. here in case others are looking for it.
Let me start with what I found and what I did in this process:
I discovered that the people that installed my old inverter had put the inverter on one leg of my 50 amp panel and moved both my A/C's and hot water heater to the other leg. That explains why the circuit breaker on my generator would trip if I forgot to turn off the water heater. That was one major thing I fixed in this project.
After reading all of the installation docs, I decided to put a sub-panel in the RV specifically for the inverter loads. I found all of the circuits I wanted on the inverter and pulled new wires to the sub-panel. I redistributed the loads in the main panel so that they were evenly loading my generator as it should have been in the first place. I then added two 30 amp breakers to feed the inverter. The inverter then powers the sub-panel.
All of that went well, and where I ran into a little frustration was trying to get the AGS to work properly. All I really needed was the correct wires from the switch I replaced as it turns out, but figuring that out took a little work. The AGS actually only needed 6 of the 20 wires on it connected to work properly. I had everything hooked up, and the AGS would start the generator, but wouldn't stop it. I knew something was not right, but wasn't sure what the problem was exactly. One thing that frustrated me what that the AGS manual doesn't give any instructions on connecting specific generators other than to tell you which wires they want connected to the AGS. No wire colors or anything. That was annoying. Well, after reading, digging, talking to Onan and getting a service manual, I figured it out. I had to start and stop wires reversed. The reason it started was because the AGS was doing what it was supposed to and sending a preheat/prime signal to the stop wire. Since I had the start on that, it was starting the generator, and since the stop was on the start wire, it wouldn't stop the generator. Once I switched them, it worked perfectly.
A couple of things I learned in this process about the wiring and switches:
1. Neither Onan, nor Xantrex can tell you the wire colors from the switch because that is done by the RV manufacturer. So, you just have to figure this out or call your manufacturer. Mine is out of business as luck would have it. (Carriage)
2. The way to figure it out, assuming you see the ground wire and the other two wires on the switch, is to touch one of the other two wires to the common. Whichever one starts the generator is the start wire, and the other will be the stop wire. The reason it was a little confusing just looking at the switch is that the switch actually connects the wire opposite the markings on the switch. In other words, the wire under Start on the switch is the stop wire and vice versa.
3. The other wire you need is a wire that is only hot when when the generator is running. That should be marked as a + on the top of the switch for your generator. That connects to the violet wire on the AGS harness.
Hopefully that wasn't too confusing of a message and that it will help someone else doing this in the future.
Regards,
Rusty
I just finished up an install of a new Xantrex 3012 and AGS to replace an old inverter that stopped working. The only issue I ran into was connecting the AGS to the correct wires, and finding the information wasn't that easy, so I thought I would just post some info. here in case others are looking for it.
Let me start with what I found and what I did in this process:
I discovered that the people that installed my old inverter had put the inverter on one leg of my 50 amp panel and moved both my A/C's and hot water heater to the other leg. That explains why the circuit breaker on my generator would trip if I forgot to turn off the water heater. That was one major thing I fixed in this project.
After reading all of the installation docs, I decided to put a sub-panel in the RV specifically for the inverter loads. I found all of the circuits I wanted on the inverter and pulled new wires to the sub-panel. I redistributed the loads in the main panel so that they were evenly loading my generator as it should have been in the first place. I then added two 30 amp breakers to feed the inverter. The inverter then powers the sub-panel.
All of that went well, and where I ran into a little frustration was trying to get the AGS to work properly. All I really needed was the correct wires from the switch I replaced as it turns out, but figuring that out took a little work. The AGS actually only needed 6 of the 20 wires on it connected to work properly. I had everything hooked up, and the AGS would start the generator, but wouldn't stop it. I knew something was not right, but wasn't sure what the problem was exactly. One thing that frustrated me what that the AGS manual doesn't give any instructions on connecting specific generators other than to tell you which wires they want connected to the AGS. No wire colors or anything. That was annoying. Well, after reading, digging, talking to Onan and getting a service manual, I figured it out. I had to start and stop wires reversed. The reason it started was because the AGS was doing what it was supposed to and sending a preheat/prime signal to the stop wire. Since I had the start on that, it was starting the generator, and since the stop was on the start wire, it wouldn't stop the generator. Once I switched them, it worked perfectly.
A couple of things I learned in this process about the wiring and switches:
1. Neither Onan, nor Xantrex can tell you the wire colors from the switch because that is done by the RV manufacturer. So, you just have to figure this out or call your manufacturer. Mine is out of business as luck would have it. (Carriage)
2. The way to figure it out, assuming you see the ground wire and the other two wires on the switch, is to touch one of the other two wires to the common. Whichever one starts the generator is the start wire, and the other will be the stop wire. The reason it was a little confusing just looking at the switch is that the switch actually connects the wire opposite the markings on the switch. In other words, the wire under Start on the switch is the stop wire and vice versa.
3. The other wire you need is a wire that is only hot when when the generator is running. That should be marked as a + on the top of the switch for your generator. That connects to the violet wire on the AGS harness.
Hopefully that wasn't too confusing of a message and that it will help someone else doing this in the future.
Regards,
Rusty
