Tiffin owners, is this true

[Huskerblue]

This blogger states his 2017 Allegro 32SA has a 2000 watt inverter that feeds all the 120 receptacles and microwave and that if the batteries run low the 7.0 generator automatically kicks on. Is this true? I haven't seen this anywhere else. Perhaps he has done some aftermarket mods? Thanks, we're looking at moving up from our 13 year old 26.5 Lazy Daze as we approach retirement and look to be on the road for longer periods of time.

Dave

https://openroadscapes.com/blog/2017/4/10/the-inevitable-ab-comparison-part-2-camping-review

[Mr_Mark1]

hostage wrote:

BobGed wrote:
Three or four years ago we were at a RV park in Santee, just outside of San Diego, connected to shorepower. We left for the day to go to the beach and watch our grandson surf.

When we got back around 7:00PM our generator was running because I had the auto start feature activated. I came to find out that sometime around 11:00AM Santee experienced a brown out.

If someone has the auto start feature I just can't imagine a valid reason not to active it. :h

I guess if for some reason it was a must the AC ran while u were out? otherwise what difference would it make for a few hours as in your case

The way our auto generator start is set-up, I have two options. I can set select 'armed' which means the generator will come on when batteries reach 30%. Or, I can select 'no shore power' and the generator will come on immediately the second shore power is interrupted.

I check on the motorhome several times a day (OK, every couple of hours) as I can connect to the motorhome with my iphone. I can control most functions remotely.

The other evening, I noticed that the electric was off and the inverters were 'inverting'. I called the storage facility as they were just about to close. The lady answered and I asked about the power outage and she said they were replacing the emergency lights through-out the building.

She asked me if I was at the motorhome since I knew about the outage, I told her my motorhome tells me if the power is out. (Actually, I have to connect to find out the status, it doesn't call me). 😄

The only reason I wouldn't 'engage' the auto start is if was in an enclosed garage without venting. Our storage garage is vented. Otherwise, I wouldn't want to kill the batteries if I didn't have to.

Safe travels,
MM.

[hostage]

BobGed wrote:
Three or four years ago we were at a RV park in Santee, just outside of San Diego, connected to shorepower. We left for the day to go to the beach and watch our grandson surf.

When we got back around 7:00PM our generator was running because I had the auto start feature activated. I came to find out that sometime around 11:00AM Santee experienced a brown out.

If someone has the auto start feature I just can't imagine a valid reason not to active it. :h

I guess if for some reason it was a must the AC ran while u were out? otherwise what difference would it make for a few hours as in your case

[BobGed]

Three or four years ago we were at a RV park in Santee, just outside of San Diego, connected to shorepower. We left for the day to go to the beach and watch our grandson surf.

When we got back around 7:00PM our generator was running because I had the auto start feature activated. I came to find out that sometime around 11:00AM Santee experienced a brown out.

If someone has the auto start feature I just can't imagine a valid reason not to active it. :h

[Roger_in_VERMON]

We have a 2001 Holiday Rambler it has an energy management system. You can program the generator to come on when the batteries gets low. I decided to turn off that feature because I always keep our MH plugged in to an electrical outlet.

[tropical36]

Huskerblue wrote:
This blogger states his 2017 Allegro 32SA has a 2000 watt inverter that feeds all the 120 receptacles and microwave and that if the batteries run low the 7.0 generator automatically kicks on. Is this true? I haven't seen this anywhere else. Perhaps he has done some aftermarket mods? Thanks, we're looking at moving up from our 13 year old 26.5 Lazy Daze as we approach retirement and look to be on the road for longer periods of time.

Dave

https://openroadscapes.com/blog/2017/4/10/the-inevitable-ab-comparison-part-2-camping-review

Our inverter feeds all the outlets, except for the block heater and one behind the fridge and we just use the other one for running the fridge on it, when going down the road and for short stops.
The genset can be programmed for auto start or on a schedule, but I choose to leave it in manual and start it myself if an when needed.

[neilnbe]

My 05 has that feature. It's part of the inverter control. Would be easy enough to add though and definitely wouldn't be a determining factor to buy one manufacturer over another. If you have an inverter already check the control panel, it may just be disabled. I disabled mine as I don't want it randomly turning on if I'm not using the coach (I plug it into shore power when home). I just turn it on when I need it. Mine also works off temp. if it gets too warm then it will fire the generator so the AC can turn on. Again mines an 05 so it's not new technology.

[msmith1199]

Huskerblue wrote:
Inverters are common yes, however I note that most descriptions on coaches I have reviewed indicate that few plugs are hot, generally only those around the entertainment center.

I'm sure the $500k coaches don't have this limiting issue but I choose not to spend that much on a coach.

My Tropical is almost 14 years old and has the 2000 watt inverter. The only outlet that is not supplied by the inverter is the Refrigerator. The A/C's, and the electric side of the water heater don't get power from the inverter either. Otherwise ever other outlet gets power.

[msmith1199]

dougrainer wrote:
I am always confused when people ask these simple type questions on a Forum. It is a SIMPLE request, WHY not just call Tiffin or your Tiffin dealer and ask the question? Now, one thing you need to understand is NOT ALL Tiffins have this feature. So, you need to make sure your specific model has the Auto Gen-Start feature. The Phaeton/AllegroBus/Zephyr do have this as standard. But the other models, it is not always added as an option. You may have to specify it. Doug

Seems to me like it's easier to ask the question here than calling a Tiffin dealer. I think this is exactly what the forum is for. People should not be required to determined if their question is too simple for the forum or not.

[MrWizard]

Our Safari came with a 1000w inverter (it has been replaced because of necessity)

It is wired to (4) outlets, making them hot so the time

Two in the bedroom, one in the kitchen, one up front in what was the TV cabinet

I added a fifth outlet for the fridge

[Mr_Mark1]

I know this is off topic but somewhat Tiffin related.... but I gotta tell it as it left me scratching my head. :S

I became acquainted with a guy who had interest in a Prevost product. He drove a fairly new Tiffin Zephyr. He had a small accident and dropped the coach off at Marathon coach in Coburg, OR, for repair. REALLY! ?????

Marathon is a Prevost converter. Why they took it in I'm not quite sure but they did. This guy got upset that they didn't do the work. How could they, Tiffin's use a different type of fiberglass as Prevosts are Kevlar and Stainless (depending on the model).

A non-Prevost coach does not belong at a Prevost center. Guaranteed to have frustrations on both sides. :h

I thought is was funny.

MM.

[dougrainer]

crasster wrote:

dougrainer wrote:
I am always confused when people ask these simple type questions on a Forum. It is a SIMPLE request, WHY not just call Tiffin or your Tiffin dealer and ask the question? Now, one thing you need to understand is NOT ALL Tiffins have this feature. So, you need to make sure your specific model has the Auto Gen-Start feature. The Phaeton/AllegroBus/Zephyr do have this as standard. But the other models, it is not always added as an option. You may have to specify it. Doug

I have a simple answer.

"Thank you for calling Tiffin"
"We appreciate your calling"
"Press 1 if you are a dealer"
"Press 2 if you know your party's extension"
"Press 3 if you'd like information on our new Phaeton"
"Press 4 for warranty status check"
"Press 5 for all other questions"

Then you pull the cell phone away. Hit the dialpad, press 5.

"Please hold"
*Insert 7.23 minutes of bad music here*

Call is answered.

"Hi this is soandso with Tiffin support"
"Can I get your name and number in case we get disconnected...."

Then you convey your personal data.

"Okay what can I help you with today".

Give them your problem and hope they know the answer. You'll probably be transferred. Then your cheek hangs up the smartphone.


Look, it's not that their support is bad. People would rather just ask other owners and not commit the time for phone calls.

Plus it's more antisocial and fun on a forum.

You cannot reason with people that have no clue. Your BS post shows you have never called Tiffin. WHY would you call Tiffin when you don't OWN a Tiffin? As others have posted on these Forums, Tiffin is the easiest company to call and actually talk to someone. Doug

[Huskerblue]

Inverters are common yes, however I note that most descriptions on coaches I have reviewed indicate that few plugs are hot, generally only those around the entertainment center.

I'm sure the $500k coaches don't have this limiting issue but I choose not to spend that much on a coach.

[wa8yxm]

Both inverters and Auto-Generator Start are at the very least OPTIONS on nearly every (if not every) Class A motor home. Save for the very top end, and on those they are "Standard".. Tiffin is ... Well a very High end product. not sure if it is the Very top, but it's dang close.

Ask when you order or when you visit the seller.

[crasster]

dougrainer wrote:
I am always confused when people ask these simple type questions on a Forum. It is a SIMPLE request, WHY not just call Tiffin or your Tiffin dealer and ask the question? Now, one thing you need to understand is NOT ALL Tiffins have this feature. So, you need to make sure your specific model has the Auto Gen-Start feature. The Phaeton/AllegroBus/Zephyr do have this as standard. But the other models, it is not always added as an option. You may have to specify it. Doug

I have a simple answer.

"Thank you for calling Tiffin"
"We appreciate your calling"
"Press 1 if you are a dealer"
"Press 2 if you know your party's extension"
"Press 3 if you'd like information on our new Phaeton"
"Press 4 for warranty status check"
"Press 5 for all other questions"

Then you pull the cell phone away. Hit the dialpad, press 5.

"Please hold"
*Insert 7.23 minutes of bad music here*

Call is answered.

"Hi this is soandso with Tiffin support"
"Can I get your name and number in case we get disconnected...."

Then you convey your personal data.

"Okay what can I help you with today".

Give them your problem and hope they know the answer. You'll probably be transferred. Then your cheek hangs up the smartphone.


Look, it's not that their support is bad. People would rather just ask other owners and not commit the time for phone calls.

Plus it's more antisocial and fun on a forum.

[Bruce_Brown]

The inverter part is as common today as slides - I think it would be harder to find one without an inverter than it would be to find one with it.

And as has been said, auto start is pretty easy to add, regardless of the brand.