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

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!