Airstream Touring Coach Interstate 19 2023 Auto Generator Start User Manual

Table of Contents

Airstream Touring Coach Interstate 19 2023 Automatic Generator Start (AGS) User Manual

Automatic Generator Start (AGS)

Your touring coach is equipped with an Automatic Generator Start System (AGS) which provides an optional automatic control of your onboard generator The purpose of an AGS system is to automatically start (and run) the generator when the 12 volt electrical system (house batteries) drops to a pre-determined level. The AGS can be enabled to monitor the house battery bank and when it reaches a certain level, the generator will automatically start, sending a charge to your batteries. This protects the system so that your batteries will not go down farther. Once the batteries receive a sufficient amount of charge, the generator will automatically turn off. If you are in a location for an extended period of time, this can help protect battery bank when shore power is not available. You may also have the ability to set predetermined times so that it will not start during the night or during posted quite times in a campground. Once enabled, AGS will remain enabled until the Sprinter Ignition is cycled or the generator is manually operated. Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a highly poisonous gas. Moving Parts and electricity can cause severe personal injury or death.

To reduce exposure to these hazards, always disable AGS before

Sleeping in the vehicle, unless equipped with a working Carbon Monoxide detector
Parking vehicle in a garage or confined space
Parking vehicle for storage
Servicing generators, batteries or other electrical appliances
Fueling vehicle

WARNING
Exposure to carbon monoxide, moving parts, and electricity hazards are possible due to the unexpected starting of the generator while in Auto Start mode.

120-Volt Power
When you’re plugged into shoreline power or starting your generator, a 120-volt current is fed to an Automatic Switch Over Box. Power from the box runs to the 120-volt circuit breakers on the Energy Management System

NOTE
Make sure to read, understand, and follow all electrical component owner’s manuals provided in the owner’s packet before operating the touring coach. Observe all operating instructions and Warnings as well as all recommended maintenance schedules and procedures.

120-Volt Automatic Switch Over Box
The switchover box automatically switches the 120-volt feed to the Energy Management System Module from shoreline to generator and back as you choose which way to power the touring coach. You simply decide whether to plug into a 120-volt shoreline or start the generator and the box will do the rest. If the generator is accidentally started while plugged into the shoreline the box will sense the generator incoming power, contact points inside the box will switch cutting the shoreline connection, and establishing the generator connection. This protects the system from a possible overload from dual power sources.

Generator/City Power

To Energy Management System module main breaker
From generator c. From shoreline

When plugged into shoreline power, the current path is from C to A.
When you start your generator, the points switch and the power flow is from B to A. Stopping the generator releases the points back to shoreline feed.
If you’re plugged into the shoreline and you start the generator, the points still switch since the generator has the priority, so the current flow is still B to A.

NOTE
Make sure to read and understand all electrical Component owner’s manuals provided in the owner’s Packet before operating the touring coach. Observe all operating instructions and Warnings as well as all recommended maintenance schedules and procedures.

Battery Disconnect Switches

The battery disconnect switch located by the entry door is used to separate the 12-volt distribution panel from the converter charging system. When connected to an external AC power source, the 12-volt distribution panel will receive power from the converter and the touring coach will function normally. The batteries will be charged through the converter charging system regardless of if the battery disconnect switch is in the ON/OFF position.
If the touring coach is NOT plugged into an external AC power source and the switch is turned to OFF the batteries are disconnected and the 12-volt distribution panel will not receive power from the converter. The converter will not charge the batteries with the switch in the OFF position with no shoreline power present. The OFF position is intended for storage of the touring coach or when power conservation is desired. The solar panels will charge the batteries regardless of the battery disconnect switch position. Likewise, if ON or OFF, the generator will charge the batteries.

NOTE
As a safety precaution, the electric gas shut-off solenoid closes automatically when 12-volt power is disconnected, cutting gas to appliances. It will reopen when power is restored.

Manual Disconnect Switch

The manual disconnect switch, located behind the sofa and accessed through the rear door, is used to turn off the power from the battery to the 12-volt distribution panel. Push the knob in before manually rotating it to the ON/OFF position. The manual disconnect switch can be used to completely disable the main disconnect switch by over-rotating the switch in the ON/OFF positions till a click is heard. The disable OFF feature is useful for long-term storage of the vehicle where the main disconnect switch could be turned on and the batteries accidentally drained. Likewise, the Disable ON feature is useful while camping when the main disconnect switch could be turned off cutting power to appliances. The holding tank heat pads, rear lounge motor, solar panel, and generator are not connected to the 12-volt distribution panel and are wired directly in through the thermal breakers. The main disconnect will not disable these systems.

DC-DC Battery Converter
The DC-DC Battery Converter is located under the driver’s seat. It is designed as a powerful gateway that only allows a maximum of 40 amps to pass between the vehicle’s alternator and the coach’s converter.

Protecting the Charging System
The DC-DC Battery Converter monitors the house battery system to determine if the batteries are being charged. The charging can be accomplished through the inverter/converter or the vehicle’s alternator.

NOTE
In the event the engine battery is depleted, Sprinter recommends using a trickle charge only when charging the battery. When jumping the engine battery, do not use a power boost. Read and follow battery charging procedures in the Sprinter Owner’s manual.

Inverter/Charger

Your touring couch has a DC to AC Xantrex inverter. The remote control module for the inverter is in the rear roof locker above the TV (shown above).
The inverter converts 12-VDC to 120-VAC to power outlets and entertainment systems that operate on 120-VAC. The inverter must be on to use outlets unless connected to a generator or shoreline power. The inverter will draw a small amount of power when turned off; however, the power consumption will be even greater if left on. Turn the inverter off if you are not using outlets to conserve battery power.

NOTE
Airstream calibrates all settings at the factory and recommends adjustments not be made.

NOTE
Overloading the inverter will cause an automatic shutoff to activate. Removing the load will allow the inverter to reset.

WARNING
An extensive owner’s manual for the Inverter/Charger is provided in the Airstream Owner’s Packet. Make sure to read, understand, and follow all information, notes, Cautions, and Warnings in the manual before operating the Inverter/Charger.

Converter
The Airstream converter system enables you to use the 12-volt lights and equipment whether operating on self-contained battery power or hooked up to 120-volt city power. The 12-volt light bulbs give off the same light as regular household bulbs, so when operating on self-contained battery power, everything works normally except the 120-volt convenience outlets and 120-volt appliances.

CAUTION
When operating with city power, make very certain that the service is 120 volt, not 240 volt. The converter system is a transformer designed to maintain constant output voltages regardless of the variances that occur in city power systems. The design eliminates the need for complex electronic sensing systems to charge the batteries, minimizing the possibility of failures and greatly increasing its overall reliability.

In some older parks and other locations where three-pronged outlets are not available, certain precautions to ensure proper grounding and polarity must be taken.

These precautions are listed below:

Attach the three-pronged plug to a two-pronged adapter. The third conductor line of this adapter has a short wire lead that must be grounded.
For proper grounding, connect the short ground lead to a grounded outlet box or to a cold water pipe. When no water pipe is available, drive a metal rod two feet into the ground and attach the ground lug to it, thus providing the unit with proper grounding.

NOTE
When the three-pronged plug can be used, there will be no problems with proper polarity or grounding with a properly-wired shoreline outlet.

120-Volt System

City Power
When your touring coach is hooked up to external AC power, the converter system automatically charges the touring coach batteries regardless of the battery disconnect switch position. The speed and degree of charge depend on how much power is used for lights and appliances, as only the surplus goes to charging the battery. If you are making an extended stay you should keep your touring coach hooked up to external AC power, if it is available.
While you are connected to external AC power, the wiring is protected by circuit breakers in the breaker panel. The circuit breaker panel for the 120-volt system is located in the power center. In the event of a failure of a 120-volt circuit, first, check your touring coach circuit breakers and the breaker for the outlet into which your touring coach shoreline cord is plugged. If a breaker continues to trip after you have reset it several times, your circuit may be overloaded with appliances or there may be a short in the circuit. Try lessening the load on the circuit. Perhaps an electric griddle, hair dryer, or electric heater can be turned off. If that does not solve the problem, consult an Airstream Service Center.

The 120-volt electrical system provides power to operate the A/C, converter, and 120-volt receptacles for portable appliances. The power is carded through the 120-volt city power flexible cord to the 120-volt distribution panel and then is distributed to each appliance or receptacle. Exterior 120-volt outlets are located on the curbside. All wire, components, and wiring methods conform to federal and state requirements.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
Most states require touring coaches with exterior 120-volt receptacles and receptacles close to a water source, such as a faucet, to have a GFCI. When properly installed, the GFCI circuit breaker provides reliable overload and short-circuit protection, plus protection from ground faults that might result from contact with a HOT load wire and ground. The system incorporates GFCI breakers that implement an auto self-test functionality. When turned off, these breakers require external AC or generator power to be present before they can be turned back on. If power is present from one of these sources, and the breaker refuses to stay on consult an electrician or certified RV technician.

Each GFCI circuit breaker is calibrated to trip with a ground current of 5 mA or more. Since most people can feel as little as 2 mA, a distinct shock may be felt if the need for protection exists. However, the shock should be of such a short duration that the effects would be reduced to less than the normally dangerous level. However, persons with acute heart problems or other conditions that can make a person particularly susceptible to electric shock may still be seriously injured.
While the GFCI circuit breaker affords a high degree of protection, there is no substitute for the knowledge that electricity can be dangerous when carelessly handled or used without reasonable caution.

WARNING
The GFCI circuit breaker will NOT reduce shock hazard if contact is made between a HOT load wire and a neutral wire or two HOT load wires. GFCI circuit breakers provide protection only to the circuit to which it is connected. It does NOT provide protection to any other circuit.

GFCI Breaker Test
Perform this test on the GFCI circuit breaker each month and record the date.

With handle A in the “ON” position, press PUSH TO TEST button B.
Handle A should move to the TRIP position, indicating that the GFCI breaker has opened the circuit.
To restore power move handle A to “OFF” and then to “ON“.

If the device remains on when the Test button is pushed, the GFCI is not working properly or has been incorrectly installed (wired improperly). If your GFCI is not working properly, call a qualified, certified electrician who can assess the situation, rewire the GFCI if necessary, or replace the unit.

Reference Links

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