which auto start generator to buy - What is my shopping list?

[cortijo]

My battteries are about 5 years old and after a very sunny day they are showing 24v only 2 hours after sundown. ( the generator is now running)
So it looks as if I need new batteries.

I agree with Chris Olson.
It is better to get a system which uses occasional generator use rather than spending an astronomical amount on batteries.

I have spent ages reading websites about this and all the info about autochoke, petrol, diesel, starter motors etc and it makes my head spin.
I just want a shopping list from someone who understands it all. (or who has already done it)

I have a Victron 24 volt 2000 watts inverter which has a relay which could trigger the generator
but to be honest I would rather just buy a plug and play system without using the relay of the inverter because the documentation of the victron inverter is confusing and I don't actually know where to plug in the wires.

I already have an auto switch which cuts out the inverter if the generator is on.

I would like to buy a generator of about 1000 watts and a device which will stop and start the generator based on the voltage.

So what would be my shopping list so I can just order it, get it home, plug the generator into the charger and attach a voltage sensor thingy to the battery which will turn the generator on and off.

I would be happy to pay up to $1500.

What is my shopping list?

[Mike90250]

.....

I would like to buy a generator of about 1000 watts and a device which will stop and start .....

I would be happy to pay up to $1500.

What is my shopping list?

Not happening for $1500. Or even $3000
I don't know of ANY small ( less than 3Kw ) generators with electric start.

Autostart generator
Autostart relay
Automatic transfer switch (you may have this already, or it may not qualify as a real transfer relay)
Battery charger to run off the genset to charge the batteries. A good size charger will require about 1500 watts of generator.

[cortijo]

Not happening for $1500. Or even $3000
I don't know of ANY small ( less than 3Kw ) generators with electric start.

Autostart generator
Autostart relay
Automatic transfer switch (you may have this already, or it may not qualify as a real transfer relay)
Battery charger to run off the genset to charge the batteries. A good size charger will require about 1500 watts of generator.

I have just spent the last couple of hours researching auto start generators.
There are hundreds for less than $1000 and many of them are less than 2000 watts.
Here are some examples

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/portable-generator-remote-start

I have a 30 amp tudor charger which I am very happy with.
Even with a 2000 watt it only charges the batteries at about 15 amps.
(it seems that batteries don't like to be charged too fast)

I normally us a 900/500 watt dual generator.
If I have a power cut I put a jam jar full of petrol in it and it goes for 90 minutes or so.
The first 20 minutes on 900 watts then onto 500 watts.
That will see me through for the next few hours by which time I am in bed.

Having a big generator is just a waste of petrol.

I was hoping that someone who knows what they are talking about and has maybe done the same thing could help me with what to buy.

I have seen a:
Schneider Electric Conext XW+ & SW Automatic Generator Start (Xanbus)
Which can be used to switch on and off a generator. It is only $141

That looks perfect but which generator does it work with?

I asked on a Spanish forum and the first person to answer says that I need a 5000 watt generator.
Nonsense.




.

[russ]

I have just spent the last couple of hours researching auto start generators.
There are hundreds for less than $1000 and many of them are less than 2000 watts.

I was hoping that someone who knows what they are talking about and has maybe done the same thing could help me with what to buy.

I asked on a Spanish forum and the first person to answer says that I need a 5000 watt generator. Nonsense.

Since you know everything why are you asking?

Be nice or be gone.

[cortijo]

Since you know everything why are you asking?

Be nice or be gone.

I don't mean to offend anyone.
I am a destination expert on trip advisor and I spend a lot of my time helping people.
In areas where I am an expert I am willing to help other people.

I am fully conversant with the unpleasant ungrateful people who ask questions on forums but I am not one of them.

I am asking this question because I would like some advice.
I am very grateful for the replies so far but I would respectfully like to disagree that it is not possible to buy a generator for less than $3000.

If you don't mind I would prefer to disregard the idea that I would have to spend more than $3000.

[Mike90250]

The ebay generators you linked to are REMOTE start, not auto-start. VERY different things.

Some remote start systems can be wired to a $200 auto-start module tied to the inverter, but many of the ones you listed will not be able to easily converted to remote start.

[cortijo]

It looks like I may have found what I am looking for although it is a very powerful.

There is a generator specially designed to work with victron inverters for around $1000.

I have spoken to someone who has one and he says it is good.

It is made by a Spanish company.
I don't know if they do export but as I live in Spain it is OK for me.

There is info on this page.

http://www.genergy.es/en/gasolinegeneratorguardiansc6.html

[Olberg]

6kW seems a bit overkill.
I’m also in search for something similar.
My research so far points to Honda. Perhaps a EU30 genset.
and http://www.remotemonitoringsystems.c...or_project.php

All the best
/Olberg

[Amy@altE]

Any generator that has a 3-wire start/stop can be controlled with a Magnum ME-AGS-S stand-alone gen start for a 12 or 24V system. It turns on based on volts or temperature (it was initially designed for RV use, so can turn on when it gets hot to run the air conditioner, you don't need to use that feature). It has a run time hours setting to turn the genny off after x hours.

[cortijo]

6kW seems a bit overkill.
I’m also in search for something similar.
My research so far points to Honda. Perhaps a EU30 genset.
and http://www.remotemonitoringsystems.c...or_project.php

All the best
/Olberg

I suppose it would not be to difficult to just make an electronic hand to press the remote control button using a solenoid or even get some sort of raspberry pi module to send an rf signal to the generator.
There are a few internet pages talking about this possibility for example

http://www.stavros.io/posts/how-remote-control-rf-devices-raspberry-pi/

If this were possible you could use a generator like in this video. (it has autochoke and can be started with a key fob button)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gerrM5Ck3Do

Why do manufacturers only have autostart on massive generators big enough to supply a village?

[cortijo]

Any generator that has a 3-wire start/stop can be controlled with a Magnum ME-AGS-S stand-alone gen start for a 12 or 24V system. It turns on based on volts or temperature (it was initially designed for RV use, so can turn on when it gets hot to run the air conditioner, you don't need to use that feature). It has a run time hours setting to turn the genny off after x hours.

That would be very interesting.
Could you recommend any specific generators which have a 3-wire start/stop?

Would the Honda Eu2000 work with a Magnum ME-AGS-S?

[Mike90250]

...
Would the Honda Eu2000 work with a Magnum ME-AGS-S?

No, the eu2000 has rope starter only.