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Portable 2 Wire AutoStart Generator Options

Officient

New Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2024
Messages
28
Location
Athol, ID
I've been searching far and wide for a portable duel fuel generator that has the 2 Wire AutoStart function. For some reason, the only models I can find are available in the UK and Australia, nothing in the US. The only US options seem to be full home backup pedestal generators. I'm planning to use the generator in an off-grid setup with the new Chargeverter GC, and would prefer to avoid modifying a brand new generator to take advantage of the Chargeverter GC's AutoStart/Kill feature based on battery depletion levels.

Hoping some folks in this community have some recommendations of options I have missed?
 
I've been searching far and wide for a portable duel fuel generator that has the 2 Wire AutoStart function. For some reason, the only models I can find are available in the UK and Australia, nothing in the US. The only US options seem to be full home backup pedestal generators. I'm planning to use the generator in an off-grid setup with the new Chargeverter GC, and would prefer to avoid modifying a brand new generator to take advantage of the Chargeverter GC's AutoStart/Kill feature based on battery depletion levels.

Hoping some folks in this community have some recommendations of options I have missed?
can't help you on the genset front, but the Magnum standalone AGS (Auto generator starter)


can start 2 wire, 3 wire even a couple of whacked out configurations i have never seen before.

I know it sucks to need to buy other items but sometimes that's the breaks.
 
I don't believe you've missed much. Two-wire auto start function is not a common feature in generators sold in the US, esp. in the portable category. AGS in the US typically requires an intermediary between the trigger and the generator. This is an AGS module. The need seems so obvious, right? But it's not embraced in a meaningful way.

See more here:
 
Thank you for all the input. I'll have to take this into consideration. The other thing I'm noticing is that if you plan to use propane as a fuel source, portable generators don't seem to have a managed valve shut-off where a full home backup pedestal generator (Generac, Kohler, or Honeywell) may have this feature. Does this sound accurate? I can't see this clearly explained anywhere.
 
Thank you for all the input. I'll have to take this into consideration. The other thing I'm noticing is that if you plan to use propane as a fuel source, portable generators don't seem to have a managed valve shut-off where a full home backup pedestal generator (Generac, Kohler, or Honeywell) may have this feature. Does this sound accurate? I can't see this clearly explained anywhere.
That's how I see it. Plus portable generators have a manual choke that you'll need to manage as well.

If you go with a Honda then you should check these folks.

 
That's how I see it. Plus portable generators have a manual choke that you'll need to manage as well.

If a portable generator has a remote start (key fob) it has an automatic choke. The auto-choke function deploys for starting whether on propane or gasoline (at least with the Champion, Westinghouse and Genmax generators I've used).

Thank you for all the input. I'll have to take this into consideration. The other thing I'm noticing is that if you plan to use propane as a fuel source, portable generators don't seem to have a managed valve shut-off where a full home backup pedestal generator (Generac, Kohler, or Honeywell) may have this feature. Does this sound accurate? I can't see this clearly explained anywhere.
I'm not sure what you mean by "managed valve shut-off". They do have a propane shutoff valve that is operated automatically, not by the user, unlike the gasoline valve which is typically manually operated by the user.

Here's a long thread on a failing propane solenoid:
 
When I was considering starting my Onan Generator with my Victron CCGX, I discovered a module that I almost purchased (I later decided to just start the generator manually - with the switch).

Atkinson electronics GSCM

It was really interesting.

It seems to do all the things that would be wanted and needed for an auto start.
 
I use the Atkinson GSCM with a dual fuel open frame generator and Victron Cerbo to trigger it. It works pretty well. For more complex generators such as diesels that need glow plugs and a fuel pump triggered an AGS such as a Deep Sea will work well. More details here:
 
I've been searching far and wide for a portable duel fuel generator that has the 2 Wire AutoStart function. For some reason, the only models I can find are available in the UK and Australia, nothing in the US. The only US options seem to be full home backup pedestal generators. I'm planning to use the generator in an off-grid setup with the new Chargeverter GC, and would prefer to avoid modifying a brand new generator to take advantage of the Chargeverter GC's AutoStart/Kill feature based on battery depletion levels.

Hoping some folks in this community have some recommendations of options I have missed?
I hope you found something that works, I bought this: https://atkinsonelectronics.com/gscm-wifi/ and got it working with my Westinghouse iGen11000DFc genset. Is pretty slick and works with tons of generators. I did a quick video of my setup so forum members searching for this can have a US based resource, Abner (sales guy) is super helpful.

 
That's how I see it. Plus portable generators have a manual choke that you'll need to manage as well.

If you go with a Honda then you should check these folks.

These "Generator-Line" 2-wire remote start conversions for Honda generators are great. We got the propane version for our H3000is (comes without choke actuator but with a 4 second crank time). The beauty of this conversion is that it just plugs into the existing wiring harness. It also bypasses the "ON" position which allows the generator to be left ready for remote start, without the power drain of having the ignition draining the battery down through the factory wired "ON" switch which is what otherwise happens if the switch is left "ON".
 
Little late to the thread.

I have a Westinghouse WGen 7500 and it is connected to my inverter thru a Adkinson Generator Start Control Module. Mine wires into the SMART Switch Outlet (their auto transfer switch)
They have a unit that will use the wireless remote key fob on the newer generators.

My generator is still portable, and works automatically thru the dry contacts.
 
Little late to the thread.

I have a Westinghouse WGen 7500 and it is connected to my inverter thru a Adkinson Generator Start Control Module. Mine wires into the SMART Switch Outlet (their auto transfer switch)
They have a unit that will use the wireless remote key fob on the newer generators.

My generator is still portable, and works automatically thru the dry contacts.
I have the same generator fueled from a 500 gallon propane tank using an Atkinson GSCM triggered by a Victron Cerbo. I also used the 7-pin Smart Switch outlet on the generator to connect to the ATKINSON GSCM. It's a pretty slick arrangement that doesn't disturb the stock wiring on the generator and allows for an easy disconnect. I'm at about 1 1/2 years of nearly flawless operation. The GSCM module can go into an error mode that requires an on-site manual reset. That hasn't happened for me in about 9 months but it never happened in many years on the DeepSea AGS that starts my diesel generator.
 
Some new products I'm seeing could be off the shelf options, the ATS feature on some dual fuel generators from Westinghouse seems like they could be wired up to start the generator only if in an off grid setup. Genmax (not the best rep), has a two wire start option on a inverter generator that has a claimed THD <3%.

Westinghouse Configs:
Westinghouse ATS - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082BWF6C...6b34731aad181&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
- with -
Westinghouse Inverter Gen with ATS Port - https://www.amazon.com/Westinghouse...ator-Electric/dp/B0CQMZZ47V/ref=sr_1_1?sr=8-1

OR

Westinghouse ATS - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082BWF6C...6b34731aad181&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
- with-
Westinghouse Dirty Gen with ATS Port - https://www.amazon.com/Westinghouse...LKBG/ref=pd_bxgy_d_sccl_1/146-1010283-0408542

Genmax Config:
Genmax Inverter Gen with Auto-Start Port - https://www.amazon.com/GENMAX-Gener...on-GM10500XiT/dp/B0DNT3Q8NT/ref=sr_1_4?sr=8-4

Curious on what folks think of these potential options, especially if there's anyone that's tried them.
 
These "Generator-Line" 2-wire remote start conversions for Honda generators are great. We got the propane version for our H3000is (comes without choke actuator but with a 4 second crank time). The beauty of this conversion is that it just plugs into the existing wiring harness. It also bypasses the "ON" position which allows the generator to be left ready for remote start, without the power drain of having the ignition draining the battery down through the factory wired "ON" switch which is what otherwise happens if the switch is left "ON".
Which propane conversion kit did you use?
 
Which propane conversion kit did you use?
I used the Nash Fuels kit. Would I go with them again? Probably not, since their documentation is totally generic and was not developed for each specific generator kit that they offer.

Also, their "load block" variable orifice for adjusting the mixture is a totally crude hack, a steel bolt threaded into a brass NPT tee. It results in a way too coarse adjustment range that is consequentially really hard to tune. Their documentation on how to tune the mixture is also almost useless. Much better to replace their "load block" with a 1/2" NPT needle valve so that you can actually adjust the mixture precisely.

However, I went with the Nash Fuel's "tri-fuel kit" because they also sold all the other stuff I needed to safely automate my remote installation (12 V propane shutoff solenoid valves, solenoid electrically primed Garretson regulators, vacuum safety switches to shut off propane solenoid valve in event of uncommanded engine stop etc.). You would probably be better off to get a kit elsewhere and just order these specialty items from Nash Fuels, although their shipping department was really slow in getting my kit out the door (making me think that they don't actually have those additional bits in stock).

On the plus side, Nash Fuels have kits available for most generators. They have a range of kits for each, for some generators there is a choice of kits with nice billet machined Al propane venturis or 3d plastic printed propane venturis. I went with the 5/8" thick plastic one because it is thinner than their Al one and most of the H3000's have no room for the larger venturi. The plastic one will probably last forever anyways given there is little stress on the material.

Once you figure it out, installation could be pretty simple despite their absolutely useless instructions / documentation. As result of the confusingly vague instructions and illegible and irrelevant drawings, I made several assembly mistakes (initially put the venturi inside the carb and screwed up the choke by unnecessarily removing the carb, mixing up the carb washers as well as a result - the metal washer goes only on one side of the carb or the choke mechanism won't work properly since the washers are different thickness). They give you extension nuts that work pretty well to extend the carb studs by the needed 5/8".

All you really need to do is take the air cleaner off, put venturi on carb (using extended nuts) and replace air cleaner (using spacer and extended 6mm bolt - which wasn't the right length in the kit so I had to buy another one of the right length).

Generator runs pretty well on either gas or propane now, but it took me a while to get all the bugs worked out.

For best starting on propane, switch the stock plug to the equivalent NGK Iridium model (the iridium plugs identifiers end with IEX) or better yet, the NGK Rhodium model and reduce the gap by about 10% (I am running mine on 0.022" instead of 0.026") since propane is harder to ignite (but burns hotter so you can go to a one step cooler plug than stock).
 
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