We've got an Onan 10kw QD in our coach & I'm thinking about adding an auto start - to prevent batteries from running down (when camping at the track) & in case we lose shore power from a pedestal breaker trip or source issuesWe travel with our large Old English Sheep Dog & sometimes have to leave her (we try not to do it for very long)....hence the need for Air Conditioning.The Onan EC-30W solution is expensive (650 bucks).Ive found a solution from Magnum Energy (ME-AGS-S) that is only 250 bucks and does all that i need.Im looking for feed back on what solutions anyone is using & their opinions on them.

Hi,Magnum makes top quality units. I own their hybrid inverter.

I have the Magnum ME-AGS-N network version.If you have a Magnum inverter, you can network an ME-AGS-N to the inverter. I also have a Magnum ARC control panel, so all the inverter & AGS parameters can be set in one place. Very handy.

Maybe if we had some more details What equipment you have currently installedWhat functionality are you looking forLow voltage starting Wireless Remote controlSmart phone controlled Integration with existing equipment Hundred of options If you have Morningstar solar equipment their Relay Driver does a great job as a genset starter plus almost anything else you can think of - high/low temp/voltage triggers etc..

I have the ME-AGS-S. It does a great job of starting my QD5500. Also starts generator when temperature get above 80° in motorhome. Easy to install and setup on a QD. If you have a Magnum network get the N model.

KJINTF wrote:Maybe if we had some more details What equipment you have currently installedWhat functionality are you looking forLow voltage starting Wireless Remote controlSmart phone controlled Integration with existing equipment Hundred of options If you have Morningstar solar equipment their Relay Driver does a great job as a genset starter plus almost anything else you can think of - high/low temp/voltage triggers etc..pretty sure i identified why i wanted the autostart in my post but ill say it again - Air Conditioning for the dog, in case the shore power fails.Keep batteries from being run down (while dry camping at the race track).We have a small xantrex (stand along) inverter, no frills, no network or display connection. It will not integrate to anything no do i care to replace it or swap it out. We are in Texas so we run the generator going down the road to keep the dog cool.The only 120vac appliace we might need it for is the TV (and we don't watch much TV) or the coffee maker....and if i NEED either of those we start the generator.Wireless is not necessarily important - I'm not willing to pay for cell integration or subscription fees & other wireless connections could suffer interference or distance limitations...i want it to work reliably w/out fail (I've read several owners who had wireless communication issues with their onan ec-30w and a loss of communications).

What's Available: Auto Gen Start | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

bshpilot
Explorer
Jul 30, 2014
Kiwi_too wrote:

Generator Joe has the EC 30W for $499.

good info - although i had a hell of a time finding anything about the EC-30W on their website (which is horrendous)....because they've changed the name to "EC 30W" (instead of EC-30W).

Im money ahead w/ PPL because the harness is cheaper too.
AllegroD
Nomad
Jul 30, 2014
bshpilot wrote:
I see that PPL has the EC-30W listed for $524 (but they list the it as "unavailable at this time". They even have the wiring harness on sale to.

Called PPL, theyre not sure why the unit is listed as unavailable - they should have the item and parts in 2 or 3 days.

at least PPL is local to me & has been good about support & returns.

Generator Joe has the EC 30W for $499.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jul 30, 2014
Unavailable at this time is a great way of saying, "Incoming Warranty reject units are of a greater quantity than sales shipments".
bshpilot
Explorer
Jul 30, 2014
I see that PPL has the EC-30W listed for $524 (but they list the it as "unavailable at this time". They even have the wiring harness on sale to.

Called PPL, theyre not sure why the unit is listed as unavailable - they should have the item and parts in 2 or 3 days.

at least PPL is local to me & has been good about support & returns.
ronfisherman
Moderator
Jul 30, 2014
Before I installed the ME-AGS-S. I had a RidgeCreek AGS It worked very well for the features you want. It has the same features as a Magnum without silent hours.
Here is one on EBAY. RidgeCreek AGS.
Master Tech has a wiring manual. You will have to scroll down to the RidgeCreek section of document. Pages 19-20.
I sold mine to a fellow Super C owner.
bshpilot
Explorer
Jul 30, 2014
ronfisherman wrote:

I do not see anything for starting generator if temperature in RV is above a preset temperature.

there are some REALLY sophisticated systems that will do it - they trigger off the thermostat/demand (even when shore power is not available)....i think the EC-30W does it too (starts the gen if the remote sees a temp of what ever the user configured it for.

the secret is to set the RV A/C on w/ thermostat set to the temp you want, then the autostart also has a temp setting to start the generator....all this is only necessary if the shore power becomes unavailable.

phays wrote:
Have you looked at the Onan EC-30W wireless module. About $600

EC-30W

I am familiar with it - 600 bucks seems pricey to me....and some have reported that the wireless signal (on the remote/sync) has been susceptible to signal loss

loss of wireless signal between the remote & the gen makes me nervous.
phays
Explorer
Jul 30, 2014
Have you looked at the Onan EC-30W wireless module. About $600

EC-30W
ronfisherman
Moderator
Jul 29, 2014
bshpilot wrote:
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
http://pdf.wholesalesolar.com/inverter%20pdf%20folder/AtikinsonGSCM.pdf

potentially more wiring that I'm interested in doing....but i cant decide that completely cause i cant figure out how much that thing costs !

I do not see anything for starting generator if temperature in RV is above a preset temperature.
cjoseph
Explorer
Jul 29, 2014
I was interested too. Couldn't find a price on that site. Found it here.

some other site with price
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jul 29, 2014
Guess you gotta call or write. I paid over 100 dollars 30 years ago for a used cigar box size auto gen start. You are in for a steep learning curve I'm afraid to say.