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IWally's avatar
IWally
Explorer
May 28, 2013

automatic start / stop switch for generators - options?

Trying to figure out a generator solution. Primary need is to insure that AC continues to run while dog remains in camper alone. However leaving a generator running continuously when we are not there doesn't seem .. optimal. Also would prefer to run gen on propane.

So there's the Onan 3600 for ~$3500 plus the "Energy Command" (EC-30W) auto-start unit for $500 +$60 for wiring harness. Good but expensive and heavy.

Or maybe the Yamaha EF30iSEB for $2568 @ uscarb.com converted to tri-fuel but no auto-failover/start/stop options that I can find.

Any other options for out there I've missed?

Also - I have pre-wiring for an Onan genset - would this make EC-30 (non wireless) easy to install?
  • IWally's avatar
    IWally
    Explorer
    May 30, 2013
    Ha! Often thought that one feature of the "perfect" dog RV would have doors/windows that pop open at a pre-set temp. Interesting to find it in the k-9 patrol world.
  • mlts22's avatar
    mlts22
    Explorer
    May 30, 2013
    At police/K-9 patrol shops, they have a pager alarm designed for making sure that the vehicle temperature stays tolerable for animals. Some have the option of popping the door open if the temperature gets too high.
  • Dutch_12078's avatar
    Dutch_12078
    Explorer II
    May 30, 2013
    robatthelake wrote:
    I don't have any animals ,but have often wondered what is so special about those "Auto Start" units.
    It seems to me to be fairly straight forward to wire a normal Programmable Thermostat into the Remote Switch wiring harness to automatically start and stop the 7 KW Onan Diesel Generator in My Rig. A couple of relays ,and a decent Thermostat should do the job nicely.

    The auto start units are designed to handle shore power outages, high temps, low batteries, and accommodate quiet hours, along with dealing with multiple start cycles, etc. That would be difficult to duplicate with a thermostat and a couple of relays.
  • robatthelake's avatar
    robatthelake
    Explorer
    May 30, 2013
    I don't have any animals ,but have often wondered what is so special about those "Auto Start" units.
    It seems to me to be fairly straight forward to wire a normal Programmable Thermostat into the Remote Switch wiring harness to automatically start and stop the 7 KW Onan Diesel Generator in My Rig. A couple of relays ,and a decent Thermostat should do the job nicely.
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    May 29, 2013
    Z-Peller wrote:
    If it were that bad, if circumstances permitted, you could also leave the dogs in their kennels in the truck, engine running, with its air conditioning on.


    I know a guy that did this for his dog and idled a Duramax for 2 hrs with a/c on. Idling that long clogged the DPF filter and left his vehicle in limp mode. He had to take it to a GM dealer to unclog it..$$.....just sayin....


    That's his fault for having a Diesel! I could do that with the gas Chev no problem :) Wouldn't though.

    We just accept that we can't do some things because of the dogs.
  • Z-Peller's avatar
    Z-Peller
    Explorer
    May 29, 2013
    If it were that bad, if circumstances permitted, you could also leave the dogs in their kennels in the truck, engine running, with its air conditioning on.


    I know a guy that did this for his dog and idled a Duramax for 2 hrs with a/c on. Idling that long clogged the DPF filter and left his vehicle in limp mode. He had to take it to a GM dealer to unclog it..$$.....just sayin....
  • RLS7201's avatar
    RLS7201
    Explorer II
    May 29, 2013
    IWally wrote:
    Richard - Thanks for the Magnum link. Have you used it?

    iw


    Yes I have use the Magnum network unit. I set up a 2850 watt solar farm with a Outback80 charge controller, Magnum 4000 watt split phase inverter charger, Magnum auto start controller, Kubota 11K watt generator & 1200+ AH battery bank. The auto start was flaws less. The stand alone unit works exactly the same. The only thing that I didn't care for was the shut down routine. Both units shut down the generator based on time and not temperature or voltage. I think the Onan system works the same way.

    Richard
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    May 29, 2013
    We would never leave the gen running while away that long. Nothing to do with dogs. IMO too many things could happen where it quit, breaker pops, who knows? Might be different with a MH and an installed gen, no idea.

    If you don't like to leave the truck running with the air on while you are away from it, in a restaurant say, perhaps some of those places have enough parking you could take the rig itself. Now you could nip out and check on things often enough the dog will be ok.
    Back to the campground afterwards.

    Some places might have a dog-sitting service you can use.
  • IWally's avatar
    IWally
    Explorer
    May 29, 2013
    Richard - Thanks for the Magnum link. Have you used it?

    iw
  • IWally's avatar
    IWally
    Explorer
    May 29, 2013
    Maybe this is the question:
    Do you turn on your generator on and leave the site for a 3 hours?

    Honestly I don't have one, could be something people do all the time.

    I was surprised to learn that fail-over and auto-start/stop switches were not common options on these things. Guess it's just me.

    -------------------
    We do have a fantastic fan but with my big long haired dog I have been in situations where it can't really do the job because the air outside is too hot and it's not always possible to get a shady spot. I'm also looking at getting a temperature alarm to back up whatever else I do. We also travel with a kiddy pool for outdoor cool-downs while we're in camp.

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