| Author | Message | ||
| Jim Wilkerson (Wagwar)
Registered Member Username: Wagwar Post Number: 41 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 12.158.159.58 Rating: N/A |
Given a Power Tech 6.6 diesel gen with remote start inside the coach and a Trace SW4024MC2 inverter that is supposed to support automatically starting the gen when battery voltage gets too low: In general terms what additional electrical setup is needed to make this work? Thanks, | ||
| Jim and Myrna Lawrence (Daffycanuck)
Registered Member Username: Daffycanuck Post Number: 64 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 69.19.14.16  Rating: N/A |
I believe the Trace only supports an ignition start generator. It has no support for the glow plugs. I built an additional module that is activated by the inverter. A signal is sent from the inverter to the module which in turn activates a timed electric current to the glow plugs which is followed by the start signal. This system worked good until my Kabota 3 cyl diesel became hard to start. I now bypass the module and manually start. | ||
| Sean Welsh (Sean)
Registered Member Username: Sean Post Number: 1042 Registered: 1-2003 Posted From: 67.142.130.11  Rating: N/A |
Not true at all. The SW series supports both 2-wire and 3-wire start generators, and has fully adjustable glow plug settings.
You will need an automatic transfer switch, because the SW series does not switch the neutral as required, nor will it switch a second hot lead, and you will almost certainly need a 120/240 setup in your coach. With the usual way the SW is wired to the ATS, you will need to take a best guess for crank seconds -- there will be no way for the SW to detect generator start until the transfer switch has closed. Also, due to both shore and generator being wired, through the ATS, to a single input, which must be AC2, you will not be able to use the Set Shore Amps function on the main settings page. There are ways around both of these limitations, but is very complicated: http://ourodyssey.us/bus-e-ats.html -Sean http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com | ||
| Jim and Myrna Lawrence (Daffycanuck)
Registered Member Username: Daffycanuck Post Number: 67 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 69.19.14.23 Rating: N/A |
Sorry Sean....guess I don't know the inverter I've been using (13 years).....and the trace 4024 I HAVE does NOT support the glow plugs.... I spent many hours building a support module so it would. Jim | ||
| Sean Welsh (Sean)
Registered Member Username: Sean Post Number: 1047 Registered: 1-2003 Posted From: 67.142.130.11 Rating: N/A |
Jim, Do you have the SW4024-MC2, as does the OP, or do you have one of the several other Xantrex products that also sport the "4024" model number? If you have an SW4024-MC2, the glow plug setting is on Menu 13 (Gen Starting Details) on the first line item, "Set RY7 Function" which has two choices, "Glowstop" and "Run." Setting this option to "Glowstop" enables the glow plug feature, and the relay will operate to the "closed" position for the predefined glow period prior to cranking, and also when the generator is to be stopped. In order for this function to work, the generator needs to be set up such that a single momentary switch operates both the glow plugs as well as the shutdown function. This is the way many so-called "three-wire" generators are set up. I would be very surprised if you have a Trace SW4024 that is old enough not to have this setting, but if you do, it is not an -MC2. Also, you could get this feature by upgrading the software ROM. FWIW. -Sean http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com | ||
| Jim Wilkerson (Wagwar)
Registered Member Username: Wagwar Post Number: 42 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 12.158.159.60 Rating: N/A |
Sean, I don't have the bus at my home yet. However, when I was there I wrote down all of the names, numbers, serials, models, etc. Of all equipment that I could. The inverter is definitely a TRACE, big decals, etc on the side and has a plate with a stamp next to the SW4024-MC2 code. I can place a pic online if helpful. I also believe the date code is 08/98 but I can't currently find that specific info (where did I writ that down?). In addition to the genset listed, the bus also has an ES350 (magnetic?) Automatic Transfer Switch Single Phase 240/120 VAC (Nominal) 2 Pole, 50 Amp per pole - Elkhart Supply Corp. Perhaps that will clarify. Obviously, I can't just go check the menu or the ROM ver. Hopefully very soon! Regards, | ||
| Jim Wilkerson (Wagwar)
Registered Member Username: Wagwar Post Number: 43 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 12.158.159.60 Rating: N/A |
Just a minor correction: that date code I listed for the TRACE ENGINEERING SW4024-MC2 is not correct. That date was for the Aqua-Hot system. I'll see if I can find a date for the TRACE. | ||
| Sean Welsh (Sean)
Registered Member Username: Sean Post Number: 1055 Registered: 1-2003 Posted From: 67.142.130.45 Rating: N/A |
Jim W, I'm certain your Trace has the proper settings for glow plugs. I apologize for the confusion; my last post was directed towards Jim L., who claims his Trace does not have glow plug settings. He might be correct if it is an old enough software release. -Sean http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com | ||
| Jim Wilkerson (Wagwar)
Registered Member Username: Wagwar Post Number: 45 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 12.158.159.60 Rating: N/A |
Thanks Sean, I've read (and reread and reread!) your post on the ATS in Odysssey (actually your whole electrical design). I've wired street rods, houses and the like, so I'm not a total rookie electrically, but I must admit that one is over my head right now! So, it would appear that I'm going to need help implementing the gen. auto start on my bus. Several of your other ATS 'requirements' sound like very valuable capabilities too. At this point, at least I know that it can be done and that's good enough for the moment. Regards, Jim |