Using Servodog and easy light linker to start remote generator

[orneryolbiker]

Hello all, I am considering putting a display on a hilltop about 500 feet away from my house, unfortunately it is across a highway with no way to get power to it. I want to use a servo dog and easy light linker wired to the generator battery so I can program the start and stop, It would need four circuts. 1.Ignition on 2. ignition off 3. Choke, ( going to use a door lock solinoid ) 4. Start. Hope some of you folks can tell me if this would work.

The easy light linker uses 9 volt supply so I can step down the generator battery voltage, and the servo dog can handle both supply power and control power. I would just have to leave the servo dog and linker energised. all the time, I have a 12 volt solar battery charger to keep generator battery charged. I live in Nevada so sunshine isn't a problem.

Any and all ideas on this will be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

I may have posted this in the wrong category....sorry

Edited September 16, 2012 by orneryolbiker

[Max-Paul]

From what I am reading, wonder if you could not do this easier with a DC board? And then all you would have to do is plug the linker into the DC board and it would supply the proper voltage to the linker I think. Never really looked into it though. I do not know what voltage and current requirements are for the Ignition (on and off would be if that output is on or off), Wonder what the current draw is for that solenoid? And I would think a relay will work for the start command.

Also what does that servo board cost? The DC board is just what about 110.00? So, might be a cheaper way to do this.

[Jerry]

Well, at some point you'll have to go over to fill the fuel tank. Just sounds like a lot of $$$ to have a remote start when you'll have to go over and resupply the fuel.

[k6ccc]

The cost of the ServoDog vs the DC board is close enough that it does not really matter. As Max-Paul stated, using a DC board would have the advantage to easier connection to the ELL. It would also allow you 12 channels of DC controller available for your display (or part of it). One thing to keep in mind in either case, depending on the generator and battery, you could have substantial voltage deviations on the 12V bus when the generator is starting. There are fairly easy ways around that, but something to keep in mind.

And Jerry, I can think of lots of reasons that a remote start would make sense in this situation. The largest is the ability of the display to start when the operator is not around. Refueling can be done when it's convenient, whereas starting the generator need to be done prior to show start and generator shutdown after the show ends. Your argument goes out the window if the generator has a reasonable run time. One of the remote generators I deal with has a run time of over 300 hours before the tank needs to be refilled. At 6 hours per evening, that means it could run the entire Christmas show season without refueling.

[Shubb]

Not to twist this all out of proportion but do you have an idea what the total load would be?

If it was a small display with LED's you might get away with a few golf cart batteries and an inverter.

Recharging the batteries might be an issue, unless your solar panels have enough capacity.

Scott

[Max-Paul]

I like the way you think K6CCC. Those 12 channels could control 4 dumb RGB strips if the op should so choose to do so.

[k6ccc]

Maybe I have the advantage that essentially my entire lightscaping is DC, so I think that way...

[orneryolbiker]

Thanks for the ideas. I decided I will use a seperate 12 volt battery for the dc board and run a charge wire from generator along with the solar charger, That should eliminate any voltage spikes. The electricians at the mine I work at are also looking for 2000 feet of weather resistant 4 wire, If I had that no generator would be needed. Everything is L.E.D. so I would have plenty of power. My idea is to put a 25 foot mega tree on top of a 500 foot high rock outcroping on a old telephone pole that is already there. Wish me luck, Also going to be at Vegas Jumpstart training next week. If any of the fellow forum users are going to be there let me know... Thanks again

Edited September 23, 2012 by orneryolbiker