For “boondocking” should I get a standard Travato with 12v AGM batteries, upgrade to 12v lithium batteries, or get the “L” with the Volta Pure 3 48v system?

The administrators of the TOWB group have compiled the thoughts of a number of Travato owners with different battery systems and upgrades. This document should be helpful in trying to decide what battery system is best for your use case.

Travato Battery Systems Guide

Can I add an “auto start” to my generator in my Travato?

Yes, since in 2021 Cummins has offered this feature for sale and aftermarket installation.

https://www.cummins.com/generators/motorhome-and-rv/wireless-rv-auto-generator-start-system

Here is Daniel Senie’s writeup on his installation:

I’ve been asked if I’d write up something about the Cummins generator auto-start that came out last summer, and which works with the generator in the Travato G and K units. This system will work with the new QG2800i generator, but should also work with the older, noisier, QG2800. We have the QG2800i in our 2019G as we had the generator swapped out in April 2021.
The new system consists of four parts: the module itself, a bluetooth temperature sensor to mount inside your van, a Y adapter wiring harness and a harness to connect coach and chassis battery power, and ground to the module and Y adapter. Also part of the system is an app for your iPhone or Android device to talk to the module.
The module is water-tight, so placing it under the van, secured somewhere, is fine. Placement requires it be within range of the cabling length of the Y harness and the other wiring harness. The best you’ll do is just ahead of the rear axle. Do not mount it farther back (we did, and the Bluetooth signal wasn’t strong enough, so I moved it forward and it works nicely now).
The Y cable/harness connects between the generator and the cabling coming from the OnePlace. The harness allows a second device, this EC-AGS+, to also control the generator. The OnePlace still works, and the new module will see when the generator is started or stopped by the OnePlace, so you don’t lose any existing functionality.
I mentioned both chassis and house battery power. These are sensing cables. The unit doesn’t really do anything with the chassis voltage other than display it in the app. The house battery voltage can be used to trigger the generator to auto-start. The Bluetooth temperature sensor sends its temperature reading to the module, and that can be used to trigger auto-start as well.
The auto-start will only work when the van is stationary (the module contains an accelerometer to ensure this). That’s for automatic start. The unit will very definitely let you start the generator via the app while the van is in motion. Indeed, this is the main reason we installed this thing, not for the auto-start. In the summertime, if it is really hot out, we sometimes run the generator while driving and run the roof A/C. We have Bluetooth control of the A/C, so with this module, whichever of us is in the passenger seat can start the generator, then the A/C while we are driving along. Similarly, there are times when we’re driving along and drive into a torrential rainstorm. It isn’t good for the generator to be running in these conditions, as it’d ingest a lot of moisture. Being able to shut the generator down without having to pull off the road and go hit the stop button is a big plus.
I will warn you that installing this module requires a lot of work under the van. You’ll need additional wire, wire loom, waterproof butt splice crimp connectors, fuse holders and fuses for the battery connections, a heat gun to activate the heat shrink of the butt connectors, safety glasses (the underside of the van will grace your face with road grime, and dirt), screwdrivers and whatnot. I picked up the power connections in the junction box under the van. Opening that up is a guaranteed way to get a face full of dirt. Depending on your body shape, driving the right rear tire up on three levels of lego blocks might be a good idea.
One final tidbit: if you’ve changed your Travato over to lithium ion batteries, the module will not autostart based on voltage, as it will not really understand when the voltage has gotten too low. Lithium batteries tend to have nice, high voltage almost to the moment they’re out of juice and shut off. This part of the auto-start functionality is really only for AGM batteries.
Happy to answer questions if you’ve got any. Roger Bohnke had Cummins install this module at GNR last year. You can do this yourself if you’re comfortable around electricity, and PLEASE make sure you add fuses on the connections to the batteries.
Link to the Cummins page where you can buy the product is below. Make sure you order the Gas version, not the diesel!

How can I find the fault codes on my generator?

There is a Start/Stop/Prime switch on the generator itself behind the access panel. Press Start there. If you see 3 flashes from the switch, that’s a service code fault. Press Stop/Prime on the control switch once to have the actual 2 digit service fault code flash. It’s 2 sets of blinks with a pause in between. You need to count the blinks to get a two digit number.. Then look up that code in the Troubleshooting section of the Cummins Onan Generator HGJBB Operator Manual section 6.2 “Fault Codes”.

Will I run out of gas if I run the generator or the Volta high idle manual or auto start cycle.

No you won’t. The generator runs on gas from the same tank that the engine uses, however, it stops sending fuel to the generator at about the same time the red light shows up on the dashboard telling you that you only have about 4 gallons of gas left.  That way, you can’t completely run out of gas for the engine when using the generator.

Here’s a good-to-know fact:

The traditional “noisy” generator used in the Travato from 2014 – 2021  (The QG2800) uses about 0.4 gallons/hour at half load and 0.5 at full.

The new “quiet” generator used in the Travato since 2021 ( The QG2800i)  uses:  No load — 0.14 Gal/h. Half load — 0.21 Gal/h. Full load — 0.46 Gal/h.

So, for example, if you run it for 8 hours overnight to have air conditioning while sleeping you would use about 4 gallons of gas.

NOTES:

For the Volta Pure 3 equipped Travato, the one hour manual or auto high idle cycle will also use approximately 1/2 gallon of gas per hour.

When do I need to perform maintenance on the generator?

You perform generator maintenance per the schedule in the Onan Generator Manual.

Generator Maintenance Schedule

Can I change the oil in the generator myself?

Yes, you can if you follow these instructions.  (The document has instructions for the original Onan 2800 generator in the Travato.  There are some differences for the new “quiet” Onan 2800i, introduced late in the 2021 model year.)

Travato Generator Oil Change

NOTE:   In 2021 Cummins updated their oil viscosity recommendations so that 10W30 (with a lightly larger operating range) is recommended for gas and lp generators and 10w40 for diesels.   10w30 is generally easier to find.

I started my generator but I can’t get anything to run . . what am I doing wrong?

Once the generator is up and running you need to wait for it to come “online” before you can run things. Keep your eye on the PCS (Power Control System) and when the status buttons light up you are ready to go! This may take several minutes. Some people like to start the generator while driving so that by the time they stop they can run the appliances – especially helpful when it’s really hot and you want to run the air conditioner.

How do I start the generator?

With the OnePlace monitor (LCD display and buttons):

  • Press and release the start button

Yes, that’s it. The OnePlace will send the signal to prime the fuel pump, wait a bit, then start the generator.

With the older panel (LED lights for levels, no LCD display):

Hold down the start button for about 5 seconds until you hear it running, and then release. If it is really cold you may have to hold it down a little longer, and may have to try a few times.

Should the generator work in cold temps?

Your generator should work fine in freezing temps. If you are having trouble running it, there is a “choke setting” that may need adjusting.

Also, some owners have reported difficulty getting their generators started at high elevations.

How do you exercise the generator?

For details on this, please read the Onan owner’s manual.

In a nutshell, Onan recommends running the generator at least once a month for two hours to “exercise” it. This needs to be done “under load”. Owners tend to use the Truma Combi on EL2 or the roof air conditioner to provide the load.

Does my generator need monthly exercise?

Yes, your generator needs to be run periodically or it will not be happy. Every month you should run the generator for two hours. There should be a load on the generator, which can be the roof air conditioner in the summer or the Truma heating system in the winter.  (NOTE:  It is okay to run the generator when you are driving.)

Or, as TOWB Admin Scott Baldassari said:

“Run it when driving,
Run it while parked,
Run it in sunshine,
Run it while dark.
Run it whenever
It doesn’t really care,
Just make sure you run it,
. . . or pay for repair.”

How often does my Onan 2800 generator need oil changes?

The manufacturer of the generator says the first oil change should occur at 20 hours. That is considered the break-in period. After that, oil changes should be done once a year or every 150 hours of operation, whichever comes first.