GenAutoStart
I know there are systems out there to deal with this.. Xantrex makes a wonderful system should I need to replace my inverter and spend $2k that would be my first choice.
We full timed dry camped for 2 years in my 1992 Winnie here in upstate NY. We survived 100 degree summers and -20 degree winters and cooked and took showers in our motorhome with minimal outside support.
As you would expect power is the main issue.
Battery and generator management..a pita!
I see people talking about Arduinos and RPi systems but has anyone actually done it? I didn't think so!
I opted not to go that route because we do not have stable internet 100% of the time. I also do not want to take the time to learn a new program language. At my age I'm trying to forget stuff. J/k.
My approach is to use dedicated programmable delayed relays.
The reason is like me my rig is old school. The a/c is not relay operated, the genny already has safeguards built in and starts every time on the second try, and finally the inverter knows how to charge and not charge the batteries.
To complicate things I need to "set it and forget it" making my parameters greater than the pre-built systems can handle. I need the auto start to manage mains failure, quiet hours, battery voltage, 12 volt load, cooling and electric heating.
The parts just arrived ($50). My phase 1 is to get the genny to genny to attempt to start 3x.
Before I get too far into it, I thought I would get some input.
Update..I changed my thinking I'm going the arduino route. Parts are on the way..
Update: I built the arduino hardware and tested it. Started installing the control wiring and working out the software bugs.
We full timed dry camped for 2 years in my 1992 Winnie here in upstate NY. We survived 100 degree summers and -20 degree winters and cooked and took showers in our motorhome with minimal outside support.
As you would expect power is the main issue.
Battery and generator management..a pita!
I see people talking about Arduinos and RPi systems but has anyone actually done it? I didn't think so!
I opted not to go that route because we do not have stable internet 100% of the time. I also do not want to take the time to learn a new program language. At my age I'm trying to forget stuff. J/k.
My approach is to use dedicated programmable delayed relays.
The reason is like me my rig is old school. The a/c is not relay operated, the genny already has safeguards built in and starts every time on the second try, and finally the inverter knows how to charge and not charge the batteries.
To complicate things I need to "set it and forget it" making my parameters greater than the pre-built systems can handle. I need the auto start to manage mains failure, quiet hours, battery voltage, 12 volt load, cooling and electric heating.
The parts just arrived ($50). My phase 1 is to get the genny to genny to attempt to start 3x.
Before I get too far into it, I thought I would get some input.
Update..I changed my thinking I'm going the arduino route. Parts are on the way..
Update: I built the arduino hardware and tested it. Started installing the control wiring and working out the software bugs.