Xantrex Technology 809-0915 manual Two Wire, Three-Wire Onan

Appendix A: Generator Auto Start Requirements and Types

Two Wire

The two-wire type is suitable for generators that are fully automatic. This merely requires two wires to be connected together for the generator to start and run. Separating the wires stops the generator.

Some generators use a momentary two-wire connection for starting and stopping.

Identification

Generators of this type are usually operated with a simple toggle switch or key that turns to on, then off to shut the generator off.

Connection

For this type of generator, the two wires are connected to the normally open and common contacts of Relay 1 (wires 14 and 16). When the AGS receives a command to start the generator, it closes the contacts inside Relay 1, allowing the generator to start. The contacts remain closed for the duration of the generator run and open when the AGS needs the generator to stop.

Three-Wire Onan

The three-wire “Onan” starting type is suitable for generators that are not as automated as the two-wire type. It requires a minimum of three wires: a common wire, a start wire and a stop wire. You may also need to connect the glow plug wires to Relay 1 (wire 14) or Relay 3 (wire 19). If the generator requires independent control of the glow plugs, power may also need to be run to Relay 3 (wire 20).

Identification

Generators of this type are controlled with a three-position switch that is normally in a center (or neutral) position. To start the generator, the switch is pressed and held to the start position until the generator starts. The switch is then released, and it returns to the center position. To stop the generator, the switch is pressed and held to the stop position until the generator stops. Again, releasing the switch returns it to the center position.

Connection

The common wire from the generator should connect to the common connections of both Relay 1 and Relay 2 (wires 16 and 18 respectively). The start wire from the generator connects to the normally open contact of Relay 2 and the generator stop wire connects to the normally open contact of Relay 1.

80 Xanbus Automatic Generator Start (AGS) Owner’s Guide