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aopsahl7 avatar image
aopsahl7 asked

Onan P4500IDF Auto Start/Stop With Cerbo GX (Elevation Module)

All -

I have been working with my friends at AM Solar on a little bit of a square hole round peg problem.

I have an off grid cabin with all Victron equipment and some panels on the roof. I cannot add more solar due to restrictions, but I want to have a small generator that can boost back up the batteries if we get a big snow storm etc.

I am well aware of the fact that there are generators out there that are designed for this, but due to budget and low power needs I have selected the Cummins P400iDF (portable) to be my generator. With that said, I want to auto/start/stop with the CERBO.

My plan is to use the Elevation AGS, which has been proven to work with the Cerbo. However, wiring it to this particular generator is where I am looking for more information. I believe @Cleaver has figured this out and I would love his/her help as well as any others. Here is the schematic of the Elevation unit as well as the schematic for the generator.


Screenshot 2023-04-26 at 2.31.45 PM.png


Screenshot 2023-04-26 at 5.31.20 PM.png


Screenshot 2023-04-26 at 5.30.46 PM.png

cerbo gxgenerator auto start
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5 Answers
Paul B avatar image
Paul B answered ·

you maybe able to do this with just using the cerbo relay one the picture MAY WORK, this will depend if there are any issues with keeping the buttons pressed all the time. I am guessing that pin 5 on the switch is the stop command. you would have to unplug the cerbo plug if you wanted to do a manual start at the generator.

1682559283508.png


1682559283508.png (353.8 KiB)
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cleaver avatar image cleaver commented ·
I tried that. it didn't work for me. But try turning the switch on and just holding button.

I added to my comment below what I had to do to wire the remote start. It allows the generator to stay in sync with cerbo.

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aopsahl7 avatar image
aopsahl7 answered ·

Thanks Paul. I see what you are thinking. I have no idea if the start switch being held during all operation would be a problem or not.

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Paul B avatar image Paul B commented ·
you should be able to test that - it will work or it wont, so test and see if you hear any funny (bad) nosies ie starter holding in etc. if all seems ok give it a go
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aopsahl7 avatar image
aopsahl7 answered ·

Seems reasonable to me. Voltage coming out of the Cerbo relay is 12v yes? Going to simulate with a 12v source before taking up to the cabin.

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Paul B avatar image Paul B commented ·
no voltage coming out of the relay it depends on what you connect to the common, terminal
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cleaver avatar image
cleaver answered ·

I will post what all I added to the generator and the relays I used for the momentary pulse for push button start.

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aopsahl7 avatar image aopsahl7 commented ·
THANK YOU!
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cleaver avatar image
cleaver answered ·

528T wiring.pdf

Here is the 528T wiring


528t-wiring.pdf (101.3 KiB)
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