Magnum Energy ME-RTR Router - Manual (Page 87)

Page 79
©
2014 Magnum Energy, Inc.
Using an AGS Module: Setup
• Set VDC Delay Times (Start Delay) – This setting determines how long the Set Gen Run
DC Volts (Start Volts) parameter must be continuously maintained before autostarting the
generator. This ensures the generator does not nuisance start. By setting a delay, momentary
surges from heavy loads—that can cause the battery voltage to dip—will not start the generator
unnecessarily.
Default setting: Start Delay = 120secs
Range: 0-127 Seconds, then 1-127 Minutes
Where should I set Start Delay? First, determine what loads will be running when the generator
needs to start. The larger the load the shorter the delay time setting. When a large load is applied
to the battery bank the battery voltage will drop quickly, so the delay time should be short to
ensure the batteries are not over-discharged. If you are not sure what loads might be running or
where to set the start time delay, error on the side of setting a shorter time such as the default
of 2 minutes (to protect batteries from over-discharge).
SETUP: 04A Gen Run DC Volts Menu
This menu provides the option to start the generator when the battery voltage gets low, and to
stop the generator either when the battery reaches a higher voltage level, or when the battery
has been fully charged and goes into the Float Charge stage. Using voltage is the most common
method of automatically starting and stopping the generator because it is considered the simplest
and easiest to understand. The 04A Gen Run DC Volts menu also has start and stop delay settings
that minimize nuisance starts/stops to prevent short cycle run times of the generator.
• Set Gen Run DC Volts (Start Volts) – This setting will start the generator when the battery
voltage (on Terminals #3 & #4 of the AGS) decreases to or below this setting continuously for
the duration of the Set VDC Delay Times (Start Delay) setting.
Default settings: Start Volts = 11.5 VDC (12v), 23.0 VDC (24v), 46.0 VDC (48v)
Ranges: OFF, 9.0-15.9 VDC (12v), 18.0-31.8 VDC (24v), 36.0-63.6 VDC (48v)
Where should I set Start Volts? The VDC start voltage must be high enough to not over-
discharge the battery, but low enough to keep from nuisance starting the generator. Typically,
the start volts setting is set based on what is determined to be approximately 50% of the battery
capacity. Since this is an inverter/battery system, and the battery is normally loaded, the VDC
used to determine 50% battery capacity should be set lower than what is shown on typical
battery voltage SOC charts (approximately 11-11.5 in a 12-volt system), which show the battery
at rest (unloaded). A typical start voltage setting would be between 11.0 VDC-11.5 VDC for a
12-volt system.
Info: The Gen Run DC Volts feature uses the voltage as shown on the METER button’s
04B DC Volts to AGS menu to determine when to autostart and autostop the generator.
Info: Using a 12-volt battery as an example, a typical SOC (State of Charge) battery
chart will show that 12.2 VDC is considered 50% SOC. This voltage is a battery “at
rest,” meaning it has no load connected and has been at rest for a minimum of 30 min.
While this voltage is accurate under these at rest conditions, this same voltage with a
load applied means the battery is well above 50% SOC, and should be set much lower.
However, the larger the battery bank the less the voltage will be affected by a load
applied to the battery bank.
Info: When using the 04A Gen Run DC Volts feature, ensure the Set Gen Run DC Volts
(Start Volts) setting is higher than the 02B Low Battery Cut Out (LBCO) Volts setting
(under SETUP/02 Inverter Setup). This prevents the inverter from shutting down before
the generator comes on. The 04A Gen Run DC Volts setting should be high enough to
allow suffi cient time until the generator is allowed to start (i.e., start delay time) and
the inverter is allowed to connect (i.e., warm-up time and AC input delay time). Set
the Set Gen Run DC Volts (Start Volts) setting at least 1-volt higher than the inverter’s
LBCO setting, and then adjust depending on how long it takes the battery voltage to fall
under normal usage conditions.