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Old 02-07-2014, 12:42 AM   #1
DonandBonnie
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Power outages & generators

In the past week the power in the whole campground went out twice. The duration was short term and wasn't really an issue for us, but we got to thinking what would happen if we had a long failure while we were out and the dogs were inside on a hot day. I know several people who have emergency generators in their stick homes that have an interlock to start and stop automatically with power interruptions. Is there any such interlock available for the built in generator in the Montana?
 
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Old 02-07-2014, 02:50 AM   #2
jlb27537
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Yes there is.

http://www.cumminsonan.com/autostart/
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Old 02-07-2014, 04:16 AM   #3
Art-n-Marge
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Does this only work with Cummins/Onan (The diagram only shows their brand? Does anyone have one (what brand of generator and does it work? How long does it take for the autostart after shore power failure?

Maybe a similar product is available with other generators. I already have an expensive Honda portable setup. I have used it twice for 1 to 2 hours because of campground mishaps, but I was Home and able to setup the Hondas up and fire them up because we got some warning. I wonder if this feature is avaiable and securable for a portable setup (I doubt I'd be going anywhere during this time so the only dog needing A/C would be me) and not having to get up for this would be nice.
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Old 02-11-2014, 05:27 AM   #4
uhftx
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You could find something that would work. But your generators must be electric start. Nothing on the market will work with pull cords.

If you had a built-in generator. Then all the transfer switching is there for you already.

IF not then You can buy a transfer switch aftermarket.


You could do something with a couple of time delay relays and a shore power sense circuit to automatically start a generator. You'll have to also sense when the generator starts and not have it continously cranking the starter motor. You could sense the stator winding voltage or the voltage from the generators internal alternator to stop the start sequence.

There are a host of other considerations to make. Like low oil shutdown, Thermal overload and many, many others to ponder.

Then there is issue of when breaking down camp. Is the generator going to automatically start everytime you intentionally disconnect shore power?

Don't play with electricity it can be terminal.


You may need a licensed electrician to do this work.

Speaking of work,

I'm not a licensed electrican but here is what I was fixing last week.

A Radar modulator,
negative 120KV DC at 4amps isolated from earth.
Within this is a +32KV DC bias supply
Within this is a -1KV AC screen grid circuit
Within this is a +500V DC control grid circuit.
Plus the normal 5V 15V dc logic control circuits.

The problem was within the 1KV screen circuit and another beam switch vacuum tube.

Oh ya and this is all (except for the 120KV stuff)contained in a tank full of oil about the width of the wheel wells of our trucks.

Earth ground is at the top of an eleven foot tall vacuum tube.

What does it do. Its a fast 1000 x per second high speed switch for the 120KV DC circuit that supplies the final amplifier Klystrons.

So I know how deadly electricity can be.

I've never claimed to know more than anyone else, either.



Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Art-n-Marge

Does this only work with Cummins/Onan (The diagram only shows their brand? Does anyone have one (what brand of generator and does it work? How long does it take for the autostart after shore power failure?

Maybe a similar product is available with other generators. I already have an expensive Honda portable setup. I have used it twice for 1 to 2 hours because of campground mishaps, but I was Home and able to setup the Hondas up and fire them up because we got some warning. I wonder if this feature is avaiable and securable for a portable setup (I doubt I'd be going anywhere during this time so the only dog needing A/C would be me) and not having to get up for this would be nice.
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Old 02-12-2014, 10:05 AM   #5
jcurtis934
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I haven't even thought about gen-sets since trading in our diesel pusher, which was Cummins/Onan and always worked like a charm.
'uhftx' - sounds like you are an ex-military radar tech. I was on the computer side of things in the Sage environment and got to see the radar techs work with their high power sets a lot. John
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Old 02-12-2014, 01:58 PM   #6
Hooker
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Our Onan can be set to auto start based on lack of AC power (it goes off) or when the batteries discharge to a certain point. When properly programed it will also shut it's self off at designated times for CG Quiet Hours.
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Old 02-13-2014, 01:49 AM   #7
K0LCB
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If you have they time and money, almost anything can be arranged. Several manufacturers offer auto start up on gensets. They add weight and take storage space. And most generators require fuel and maintenance.
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