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Auto Start Gen, Not making A/C power
The last 2 times my Gen has auto started, it starts, runs a short time, then shuts down due to temp getting up to 200 degrees. No A/C power, just the AC in 2 keeps blinking but never goes solid. After checking, I found the squirell cage fan over the radiator was not working. I understand that it gets its power directly from the Gen circuit breaker box on the Gen itself.
I shut everything down, and manually start the Gen, and AC in 2 blinks, red light blinks, then AC in 2 goes solid, and everything works, including the cooling fan? It has done this same thing twice. I go to bed, with the Gen on Auto on Inverter 1. Turn on one cruise air. When the Gen starts, the above happens. No breakers are tripped on the Gen, or Inverters. But, the Breakers on the lighted Vantare panel are flashing green and red.
It seems that when the Gen starts on its own, the A/C power does not come in from Generator.
The last time, I turned both Vantare Emergency bypass switches from Normal to Gen, and back to Normal, with all power off, then cranked the Gen manually, and everthing worked fine.???
What am I doing wrong?
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5 Replies
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The AC 2 In Good light in the inverter remote panel for Inverter #1 ONLY will flash, indicating it is going to start the generator based on battery need. Look at the AC 2 IN Good for the “other inverter” (lower remote) and see if it is flashing and then solid green. Also, at that moment, look at the “Meters Menu” for AC 2 Volts and Hertz. The inverters will not synch up with voltages outside the 105-140 range, or if frequency is outside the +/- 2 hertz of 60. Manually starting the generator should make absolutely no difference as to whether or not the output is “good” enough for the inverters.
Remember: only the top inverter is wired to start the generator (i.e. Inverter #1). If the lower remote panel (Inverter #2) is the one you are trying to use to autostart the gen, you WILL see the AC 2 IN Good light flash, but never get past that because it is flashing only to tell you it is trying to start the generator, not that you have AC present from the generator. It will give the RED Error light because it thinks it was a “failed start attempt” and go through another cycle. Scrolling down through the Error Causes menu you will see a YES next to Generator Start Error in this case.
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This is aimed mostly at newer owners of Vantare coaches, but also can apply to more experienced owners of not only Vantare, but Vogue and Parliament. Ben and Rick are with Parliament and what was formerly Coach Worx. As you can see from Ben’s posts he needs to be your go-to guy when you need technical help, especially because his and Rick’s area of expertise is unmatched on these coaches.
Over the years Ben and Rick have gone to rallies and instead of relaxing they wear themselves our providing support to owners and they participate on forums as you are seeing. Ben, thanks for all the help you have provided, not only the recent help here, but all the help over the years.
Rick also needs a big thank you because he also has a lot of coach knowledge and I think if you have the need for help you will be well served by Rick also.
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Ditto, thanks a bunch Ben & Rick.
Keep in mind this dynamic duo will be at our Rally in Branson and we look forward to their participation at the first PC Rally.
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Thanks Ben, I am aware of only #1 starting the Gen. I’ll check the meters. What voltage should the Gen see before it cranks on Auto?
Thanks for your support!
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Started the Generator today’s manually, and then started it through the #1 Inverter. Starting it through the inverter, the AC2 light flashes and never goes solid, no A/C power, even after several minutes, then the Generator tries to shut down.
Then, started it manually, no AC in 2 lights at all, Inverter yellow light on steady inverting.
I went outside to the gen, and started it there, and checked the voltage at the Generator breaker, and it was only reading 15.4 volts. On both sides of the breaker.
Anyone have any ideas as to what to check? It seems to work at times, and other times not, which may lead to a bad relay or something. Hoping its not inside the Stator or something.
Attached below is picture of inside the control box on Gen. It’s a 17.5 Powertech.
Thanks
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