automatic start / stop switch for generators - options?

[IWally]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Richard - Thanks for the Magnum link. Have you used it?

iw

[IWally]

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.

[Peg_Leg]

My Yamaha EF3000iSE will run for over 12 hrs on it's 3.4 gal tank. Surely the poor pup would need to go potty by then.

[BFL13]

To run the air you need to close the windows etc, so if it or the gen conks out or fails to start the rig will be sweltering soon with everything closed. I would be nervous leaving. DW would simply refuse to take the chance.

If you leave them under a running Fantastic Fan with plenty of water they should be ok, and with that method you can have open vents and windows too.

It might also depend on the breed of dog what they can take. Better to ask on the RV Pet Forum what people do. They have lots of good ideas over there on such matters.

[RLS7201]

Magnum has an auto start for a lot less than Onan.

Richard

[IWally]

I wonder if anyone has tried to rig one of the Onan "Energy Command" switches to a Honda or Yamaha (with electric start) ?

As to scenario - well a lot of our travel is in the summer and most campgrounds are off the beaten track. So by time you drive out to the .. winery, museum, fair, whatever - that doesn't allow dogs - it's generally a few hours before you get back. Leaving the dog in the truck in a parking lot at a destination with the air conditioner running? .. hmm .. don't know about that.