©
2014 Magnum Energy, Inc.
Page 63
Using an AGS Module: Setup
Why would I use Gen Run Amps?
This feature is designed to prevent the battery from being
heavily discharged by monitoring the battery current used to power the inverter loads (shown in
AC amps). When the AC current exceeds the
Start Gen AC Amps
setting, a generator autostart is
initiated. After the generator connects to the inverter, the current from the generator is now used
to run the loads instead of the battery current. This feature is useful when there is occasionally a
large load or combinations of loads that the inverter is able to run, but by doing so would quickly
deplete the battery bank (large loads might be motors, well pumps, A/C units, or freezers).
Info:
The Gen Run Amps feature is not designed to turn on the generator to power
loads above the capacity of the inverter. If attempting to run loads above the inverter
capacity, the inverter may overload and shut down before the generator can autostart
and power the heavy load through the inverter.
Where should I set Gen Run Amps?
Typically, the generator autostarts when the AC load
amps is >70-75% of the inverter’s AC current output rating
¹
. This keeps the inverter from run-
ning too large a load and the batteries from cycling unnecessarily. Set
Stop Gen AC Amps
just
below the start amps to ensure the large load has turned off. Set the
Start Amps Delay
time so
surge loads don’t trigger a false start, and set a long enough
Stop Amps Delay
time setting to
ensure the load has turned off.
Example:
In this scenario, most AC loads typically do not exceed 20A when in Inverter mode.
When a freezer or well pump starts, the load exceeds 30A so the battery voltage starts to quickly
drop. Instead of cycling the batteries to a low voltage, set
Start Gen AC Amps
to
25A
with a
60
-second delay (using the
Start Amps Delay
menu). Set the
Stop Gen AC Amps
menu to
20A
with a
60
-second delay (using the
Stop Amps Delay
menu). After 60 seconds of detecting a larger
than 25A load on the inverter, the generator autostarts and powers the loads and recharges the
batteries. Once the AC amps load drops below 20A for 60 seconds, the generator will turn off.
SETUP: 04D Gen Run SOC Menu
This menu autostarts/stops the generator based on the SOC (State of Charge) reading from the
attached battery monitor (BMK required), as shown on the
METER: 05B Battery SOC
display. This
is considered the best overall method for using AGS settings to autostart/stop your generator.
Since the ME-BMK already uses voltage, time, and current to determine the true SOC of the bat-
teries, there is little guesswork or calculating needed to determine what settings to use.
• Set Start Gen SOC
– This menu sets the SOC level for autostarting the generator.
Default setting:
OFF
Range:
OFF, 20-99%
• Set Stop Gen SOC
– This menu sets the SOC level for autostopping the generator.
Default setting:
90%
Range:
21-100%
Info:
There is no start or stop delay time needed since the ME-BMK already displays an
accurate state of charge of the batteries.
Info:
The optional Battery Monitor Kit (ME-BMK or ME-BMK-NS) must be installed and
enabled to use the Gen Run SOC autostart/autostop feature.
Info:
When using this feature, the gen autostarts and runs until the battery bank has
reached the
Stop Gen SOC
setting or the AGS’s
SETUP: 04F Max Gen Run Time
setting
is met, whichever occurs
fi
rst. Ensure the charger never leaves the Bulk/Absorption
charge mode. This is done by ensuring the
SETUP: 03D Absorb Done
selection is “
SOC
”
and the setting is
≥
the
Stop Gen SOC
setting; and, either set the
04F Max Gen Run
Time
setting to
OFF
, or set it long enough to ensure the generator is able to run until
the battery is fully charged. If the charger is allowed to exit the Bulk/Absorption charge
mode (i.e., go to Float/Silent), the battery SOC may never reach 100%.
Note
¹
– For a 4000 watt inverter, set Start Gen AC Amps at 25A.
