Generator wiring help for portable propane generator

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Andyk
Andyk Registered Users Posts: 3
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
New to the forum, looks great!

I'm looking for a bit of help/advice on the best way to shut off a propane generator with a Magnum Auto Start. The generator is a "Home depot special" a 7000 Sportsman propane with electric start. The starting bit should be simple enough, it's the turning off I was looking for ideas on. I would imagine I could get a solenoid valve for the gas line maybe to hold open from the 12vdc running volts of the generator when its on, after that when the generator is getting its shut-off signal is where i'm a bit stuck?!
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
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    Re: Generator wiring help for portable propane generator
    Andyk wrote: »
    New to the forum, looks great!

    I'm looking for a bit of help/advice on the best way to shut off a propane generator with a Magnum Auto Start. The generator is a "Home depot special" a 7000 Sportsman propane with electric start. The starting bit should be simple enough, it's the turning off I was looking for ideas on. I would imagine I could get a solenoid valve for the gas line maybe to hold open from the 12vdc running volts of the generator when its on, after that when the generator is getting its shut-off signal is where i'm a bit stuck?!
    Powering your solenoid from the 12V charger won't work, it will never be allowed to start, the charger will never produce 12V at cranking speed. You may need a relay or 3 to energize the solenoid from the starter battery, and then switch to the charge circuit.

    How do you normally shut of the generator while on propane ?

    hint - you may find millivolt gas valves to be less expensive and more common than 12V valves. How you would regulate and wire it is the issue.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • Andyk
    Andyk Registered Users Posts: 3
    #3
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    Re: Generator wiring help for portable propane generator

    Thanks Mike, the only way to shut it off is by physically turning the gas valve on the generator. This was the electric valve I was looking at which I was going to stick on the generator intake: http://www.electricsolenoidvalves.com/1-2-12v-dc-electric-brass-solenoid-valve/
    So you reckon relays from the battery is the way to go? I'll look into various relays.
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #4
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    Re: Generator wiring help for portable propane generator
    Andyk wrote: »
    Thanks Mike, the only way to shut it off is by physically turning the gas valve on the generator. This was the electric valve I was looking at which I was going to stick on the generator intake: http://www.electricsolenoidvalves.com/1-2-12v-dc-electric-brass-solenoid-valve/
    So you reckon relays from the battery is the way to go? I'll look into various relays.

    You have to figure out a safe way to get fuel to the generator when starting it, kill it if it fails to start, flow when it runs, and stop it. Going to take some figuring on how to deal with a no-start condition to not flood the generator compartment with gas fumes if the engine cranks and does not start.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • CDN_VT
    CDN_VT Solar Expert Posts: 492 ✭✭✭
    #5
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    Re: Generator wiring help for portable propane generator

    You need a lock off propane valve from impco to control LPG (plumbs into intake for vacuum source to turn on) & then use a DPST switching relay to feed 0V while starting & running & on shut down to ground out the coil primary feed .

    VT
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