Date: Tue, 2 Jan 2007 13:21:19 +0000
Reply-To: dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Re: AC/DC and I'm not talking sex...
In-Reply-To: <6FE4309C-3312-4CC3-A2E8-9821F3F1ED2F@mac.com>
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Kim,
I just returned from a wonderful Florida vacation so I will have to make this response a quick one. The first requirement for an auto start set up is that the generator has to be electric start. Then it needs to be controlled with a simple on-off switch. In other words, the starter is energized and then automatically turned off engine starts, also a safety to stop trying to start if the engines fails to start in some reasonable time. Now for the battery sensing, this is also easy but keep in mind that once the charge is started, you can't just use voltage to determine charge end so you need some means to signal charging end or just use a predetermined time period. Remember that proper battery charging can be a 6 - 8 hour task. Do you really want a generator self starting at 3 AM?
Larger RV and boats use auto start generators. Especially as some are going all electric including house style refrigerators and electric stoves. All to get away from the restrictions and hazards of propane. These often use complex controllers that even have time clocks to avoid night time generator operation.
Onan makes a small generator in a box that attaches to the trailer hitch. That should all the power you need and can be configured for an auto strt controller.
Dennis
----- Original Message -----
From: Kim Brennan
Date: Monday, January 1, 2007 12:37 am
Subject: AC/DC and I'm not talking sex...
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> There have been quite a few threads over the years regarding AC
> converters and attempts to run microwaves, or whatever off the
> auxillary battery. Overall, the general consensus is, if you want
> that type of power get a small Honda generator (i.e. a quiet
> generator).
> Periodically, Dennis, or someone else puts in how the large RVs
> do it
> (series of golf cart batteries.
>
> Okay. Fine.
>
> What I'd like is an autostart generator (but quiet like the Hondas)
> that will sense when my auxillary battery is getting low and
> automatically start up to recharge it....and then, when it is
> charged, shut down. Called it a hybrid generator. :)
>
> Okay, I'm likely dreaming that this small generator would be portable
> and self starting (with appropriate signal capability.) It's Friday
> somewhere, right? (Well, New Year's Day, at least somewhere....)
>
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