DIY Portable Generator remote start Part 2

[@vernonvaughn9919]

Great work. My generator is a Firman Tri Fuel T08071 10KW. The wiring is different. However I just assembled and programmed the unit exactly as you instructed and it ran the script perfectly. I will eventually figure out the wiring connections. I appreciate the time you spent on preparing a video that can be followed. Someone else did a video using another unit , but I think he deliberately omitted some aspects. Literally no one can duplicate what he did from what he showed because he provided no wiring connection information. Your video and instructions were great even for a dummy to follow. Thanks again.

[@oliverjose8553]

Hello, wondering how is your setup? Is it still running good? I’m curious and really interested in this project. Im on the process of finishing this now.

[@vernonvaughn9919]

@@oliverjose8553 Sorry Oliver, I have not taken the generator out of the box. It is sitting in the garage just as it was delivered. I am busy with my greenhouse and other projects. We do not have blackouts here much, only 3 in the past 18 years. I tested the program from JPG23 and it worked well. When I finally connect and have the generator working, I will post the information. Thanks.

[@nathan-gc1mh]

As many times as you used "ground" as your common (3 times) going back to your board you could have used a 4 conductor cable. 1 wire (ground) would jump between your commons and the other 3 would be used as each relays n/o n/c. May solve some of your "runaway) issues with undersized conductor

[@kayfrancis2106]

I really miss your generator video with the gecko visitor. So does my autistic son

[@JPG23]

I was going to edit a part that was flagged, but I will make it available asap for you and your son. Enjoy

[@kayfrancis2106]

Thank you so much! ❤

[@killykilroy]

Don't forget to put a trickle charger on the battery. Eventually the arduino will suck the battery dry, eventhough it might take a long while.

[@cpcamera8493]

You got me thinking of this and what a great project to do with one of my young kids... One question I have - do you see any issues when the engine is already warmed up after a few hours and having the choke on and off with the cycle instead of just off with a warm engine after fueling or needing to interrupt ? I'm guessing no way to have a choice of actuating it or not ... Nonetheless Excellent write up !

[@TunnelVisionJP]

Without in-line relays from the cat6 wires are you worried as all about wire load being too high, say if it’s cold and the choke actuator need more power to open/close? General question. If it gets stuck for example.

[@JPG23]

Not at all as those wires are not carrying a current load beyond their capacity. That's a great point to consider though

[@jaydenmeise8853]

And how would you wire it up if you had a key start with the rotary key

[@JPG23]

You'd have to view the schematic to find the circuits to interrupt with the relays

[@chrislutes2882]

Great idea! One thing to be careful of is that there is no sensing of engine condition at all. The use of a single loop that runs through the starter and choke engagement every time it gets power and the the long delay for runtime is functional, but not robust. If the wireless switch blinks, even for a moment while it is running, it is going to run the startup sequence all over again with the engine still running. Also, this depends on the engine being VERY repeatable in the start timing. As it ages, fuel changes, hot or cold, the timing of an engine start could change without the code being able to compensate. A big upgrade would be to put a hall sensor in the flywheel housing that detects engine RPM as the flywheel magnet passes by. Or a wire looped around the spark plug wire to act as an antenna would do the job without having to take the flywheel housing off. Something like this would work, just omit the LEDs for the timing light: www.instructables.com/Timing-Light-and-Tachometer-With-Arduino/ Write an interrupt function for RPM sensing and if (engineRPM > 2000 RPM) { engineRunning=true; }. Set a time flag when the engine run speed condition is reached, disengage the starter, and you're golden. Check for engine running each time through the loop and if not, set engineRunning=false. If you want to go further, you can check to see if a run is commanded but engineRunning==false, initiate a start sequence after waiting 10 secs or so. Instead of putting the start sequence in the loop that runs continuously, build a void coldStart and a void hotStart function with while loops that crank for, say, 10 seconds looking for the RPM to jump before stopping cranking or timing out to let the starter cool. The coldStart would have choke, the hotStart would not use choke unless it failed to start, then try a coldStart once more before timing out and throwing an error LED and/or alarm. A DS18B20 clamped to a lower part of the crankcase could sense if the engine was warm or cold and make a decision on which start sequence to attempt first. If you are running on propane or NG, put an electric prime solenoid in the fuel circuit and have the start sequence engage the prime solenoid until engineRunning==true. Also, the use of an ESP8266 or ESp32 dev board would give wifi monitoring and control. Just a couple ideas. Great start to the project!

[@tlutrick956]

So @chrislutes2882 brings up points that I'm reviewing. I want to do something like this to autostart my generator when my inverter/battery keys off a loss of grid power to charge up the batteries. I'd like to know whether the generator is running and any additional safety factors. Thoughts?

[@Anakinmanakin]

Did you use any additional commands to instruct the Arduino to perform the script based on a key press from your RF transmitter. If so they weren't listed in the script provided in the description what were you able to use to get this to execute based on key press or presses?

[@JPG23]

The Arduino begins running the script as soon as it's powered

[@Anakinmanakin]

@@JPG23 Yea that's what I just remembered about Arduinos, I mostly mod with RPI's and totally forgot that Arduino will execute its instructions once loaded its been a while. If you use the remote to terminate power to the Arduino will that kill the Gen or will it keep running? On a side note did you ever plan on putting in a electronic fuel cutoff valve controlled by the relay board and write instructions in the arduino so that you can run the fuel out of the generator to prevent stale build up in the carb?

[@andrewsickler2946]

With the extra circuit, could a timer be set to switch power onto the 240v outlet 1 minute after it starts and cut power off before it shuts off to preserve the inverter?

[@JPG23]

You could do that, but you would have to use the spare Arduino relay to operate a contactor

[@bradflood7112]

I am in the process of this now. I have everything connected but I see no status lights come on the relay shield. Any advice will be appreciated.

[@JPG23]

Make sure the Arduino code is entered as per the instructions in the description

[@bradflood7112]

@@JPG23 Thanks for the response. I input the code prior to making the connections on the generator. I will reset the Arduino and try the code again

[@jimgresham5529]

Hello, I plan to get this 8750 in the near future and want to start a shed for it. Could you tell me the generator lenght and width without the wheel kit. Mucho thanks.

[@tlouzn]

Hello, I love the 'unique' upgrade, my word. it's great! I wonder who can do it for me in my beloved country South Africa. It's really nice to remote start like that but how long did it take you to workout? Wow!

[@JPG23]

Thank you for watching and for your comment. It was a process of examining the schematics for my particular generator and finding the circuits that needed to be intervened by the arduino. It was initially a meticulous process, but quite simple to put into practice. Best of luck

[@frederickmack9655]

How did you get the retainer to stay on top of the choke lever? Did you attach it to the lever?

[@JPG23]

I drilled a hole through the center of the choke lever and used the included hardware to attach the rod

[@frederickmack9655]

@@JPG23 Thanks for the quick response. One more question, what type of wire did you use to extend both actuator wires?

[@JPG23]

@@frederickmack9655 I used some automotive 12 awg wire

[@frederickmack9655]

@@JPG23 I am trying to do this to my Ford Generator and needed some help with the wiring. If I send you a picture of how the wiring is setup, could you tell me which wires go where?

[@JPG23]

@@frederickmack9655 I can certainly try, feel free to post a link to the image

[@nwmi493]

Hi, great videos on this. just subbed. Can a script be written to start the countdown when input voltage is seen or lost? ie if mains power is lost (DC input from AC power supply) the generator will start, and shut down when input voltage reappears? Any interest in helping me write a script for that function? Id be really interested in getting help to figure that out. Thanks

[@JPG23]

Thanks for watching and commenting. Absolutely, that was my initial goal; however, I'm not very experienced in writing scripts. Initially I wanted to build an ATS system, but that would require "if" statements that I'm completely unfamiliar with. I did try playing with the code to do this to no avail. I'd like to have an if statement listening to a voltage meter that is measuring the generator output as such: "5 seconds after initiating the script if power is not present, re-attempt the starting sequence, and if power is present, initiate the 8 hour countdown". As for a "line side" voltmeter, that would also be very convenient as I could then use the spare relay to operate a contactor to work as a "diy ats", but I believe I've expended all of my Arduino knowledge on this project.

[@nwmi493]

@@JPG23 thanks for the reply. i poked around on youtube and there are some channels that are very good. there is a voltage sensor on amazon for pennies BUT its only meant for turning out a value reading such as a potentiometer translated into numerical value by the arduino. the if/else code is talked about but i have to agree, its easy to get lost. the old saying still rings true today; trash in, trash out.

[@nwmi493]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYOxpZiaYrOaiK8 maybe there is a way to run the start script instead of turning on and off the leds.. OR maybe use the output of the LED to power 2nd arduino that has the start script on it.

[@davem3power1]

Great video

[@JPG23]

Thank you, and thanks for watching

[@davem3power1]

@@JPG23 just received all the parts and starting building tonight. Will keep you posted!! thanks!

[@JPG23]

@@davem3power1 Awesome! Don't hesitate to ask any questions

[@JPG23]

@Darlington okorodudu I will work on getting one added to the video description for download, and I will let you know once I've done so

[@772777777777777]

@@JPG23 have you upload the schematic

[@bradflood7112]

@JPG23 I now have power to the Arduino as well as working status lights. I have the code entered exactly as stated in the description. Now when I hit the remote it powers on choke closes and it attempts to crank. Before it can ever start and run it shuts down then the choke opens. It basically cranks for a few seconds and shuts itself down before the choke opens and it can try to run. I appreciate any help.

[@JPG23]

Sorry to hear that, please rewatch 17:06-20:36 where I review the wiring just to make sure all the wiring is correct. Thanks. At a later point, I will make an update video and I will possibly be using the 4th relay for a second ground as I've experienced a few "runaways" since I'm only using one of the grounds from the ignition switch.

[@bradflood7112]

@@JPG23 My connections are just as yours. I can still crank and use the generator by the oem starter switch. I guess I will wait for an updated video. Thanks for your reply

[@JPG23]

@@bradflood7112 ok, I will make it a point to throughly review all connections on the update video, should be sometime in January when it's cold and I can haul the generator back into the garage. Thanks for staying tuned

[@bradflood7112]

@@JPG23 Thank you and look forward to the updated video

[@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast]

Please remember that portable generators can be dangerous if not used properly. Just making sure everyone is using their portable generators carefully. And especially please keep your children safe when you’re using portable generators so they don’t get electrocuted or hurt. Just a safety reminder. Thank you. Stay safe

[@oliverjose8553]

Hello. I just did this project and everything went well. My only issue is the arduino keeps on doing a loop. The script keeps repeating after 10seconds. Once i press the remote start it will activate the choke, start the engine then release the choke and the generator will run for about 10 seconds then the arduino will do the whole process again even though the generator is still running. Any suggestions on what went wrong? I copy pasted the script using the IDE and upload it to my arduino uno already but keeps doing this.

[@JPG23]

Something similar happened to me early on and it was the Rx module causing the error. I ordered a new one and it solved the issue

[@oliverjose8553]

You mean the wireless remote? Which one did you actually get and i will tey to order it too.

[@JPG23]

@@oliverjose8553 yes, but the part that goes with the Arduino. I ordered the same one again and it's still working fine

[@oliverjose8553]

Did you mean you ordered KEYESTUDIO 4 Channel Relay Shield 5V when you say “part that goes with arduino”? And it fixed the issue? Thanks!

[@JPG23]

@@oliverjose8553 No, sorry for the confusion, I replaced the remote receiver module

[@frankrb1]

Thanks for the idea! kzbin.inforjSl3Qaj9Rw kzbin.infoR-sXN3EoAp8 I used Visuino for the programing , and with my setup i can still use the manual switch for staring if i want to.