GSC300

Auto Start Engine Controller

Installation and User Manual for the GSC300 Auto Start Engine Controller

Full Version
File: GSC300rev2.4.doc Dec. 08, 2005

Thank You For Purchasing This DynaGen Product Please Read Manual Before Installing Unit

Receipt of Shipment and Warranty Return Information

Upon receipt of shipment, carefully remove the unit from the shipping container and thoroughly examine the unit for shipping damage. In case of damage, immediately contact the carrier and request that an inspection report be filed prior to contacting DynaGen. All returned items are to be shipped prepaid and include a Return Material Authorization (RMA) number issued by DynaGen. RMA forms are available by contacting DynaGen Technical Support through the contact methods listed below.

Limited Warranty
DynaGen will repair or replace any GSC300 controller which proves to be defective under normal and proper use within Three Years from the date of shipment. This constitutes the only warranty and no other warranty shall be implied.

We welcome your comments and suggestions. Please contact us at: DynaGen Technologies Inc. Phone: 1-888-396-2436 (902) 562 0133 Fax: (902) 567 0633 Email: [email protected] WEB SITE: www.dynagen.ca

Operating & Installation Manual for the GSC300 Engine Controller

SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE GSC300

Operating Voltage: Operating Temperature: Physical Dimensions: Actual Unit Weight: Enclosure: 7 to 30VDC continuous, with zero volts cranking dropout protection -40 to +85C 4.5"(H) x 5.5"(W) x 1.25"(D) 0.458 lbs High Impact Resistant, Injection Molded Plastic Enclosure

Front Panel Indications

-High intensity LEDs with regulated brightness LCD Display: -Ultra-bright, Backlight LCD display with optimum viewing angle of 0 to -25 from perpendicular -Display Size (mm): 8 (W) x 32 (H) x 12.8 (D) x 16 characters

Adjustments
Warm-up: Cool-Down: Crank Disconnect: Overspeed: Crank Rest: Delay on Start: Crank Tries: Oil Bypass: Low Battery Indication: 0 - 200 seconds (After Oil Bypass Feature) 0 - 255 seconds 12 to 140Hz (Generator Output Version) 44 to 300Hz (Magnetic Pick-up Version) 60 - 4156Hz (Generator Output Version) 300 - 8492Hz (Magnetic Pick-up Version) 3 - 32 seconds 0 59 seconds 1 to 10 15 55 seconds 7 35 VDC

Operating & Installation Manual for the GSC300 Engine Controller

Timer adjustments
Glow Plug/Preheat: Energize To Stop (ETS): 0 - 255 seconds Energizes for 15 seconds on failures, or energizes until 5 seconds after engine speed goes to zero upon removing power from Start/Stop terminal or removing the unit from manual mode using the front panel buttons.

Inputs
Speed Sensing: -Optional Generator Output Speed Sensing or Magnetic Pick-Up Model (Specified by customer at time of order)

Maximum Input Voltage: Minimum Input Voltage:

300Vrms 0.7Vrms(Generator Output Sensing), 0.1Vrms(Magnetic Pick-Up version)

-60Hz Rejection Filter Included -Loss of Speed Signal Included

Sender/Failure Inputs:

-Oil Pressure, Coolant Temperature, Fuel Level/Auxiliary Input -Accepts standard industry low impedance (0-500 ohm) sender inputs (VDO, Stewart-Warner, Datcom, Murphy, etc.) -Data entry available for custom sender inputs -Can be configured to accept a switched gauge failure through the PC interface -Failure points adjustable

Operating & Installation Manual for the GSC300 Engine Controller

Protection
-Three on-board replaceable 40A fuses protect Fuel, Crank, and Timer Outputs -Reverse polarity protected -Short circuit & overload protection on annunciation outputs -Inputs are electrostatic discharge protected -Maximum power supply surge before damage: 1500V for 250us

Outputs
-All outputs positive switched (sourcing)

-Fuel, Crank, and Timer Outputs: -Annunciation Outputs:

40A each, using standard 40A automotive relays 300mA individually, 350mA combined

Connections
-Removable terminal block for annunciation outputs and low power connections -0.25" spade terminals for quick connections on all other connections

Programming
-Intuitive windows based software interface utilizing the parallel port of your PC -Option of programming through 3-button interface (limited parameter adjustment) on the front panel or the PC Interface that has full parameter programming ability. -Needs no power to program using the PC Interface uses power from parallel port of PC
-Specifications May Change Without Notification

Operating & Installation Manual for the GSC300 Engine Controller

GSC300 Product Number Identification

The GSC300 series product numbering scheme provides significant information pertaining to a specific model. The Product Number Identification Table (see Table 1) provides the required interpretation information. An example is offered to initially simplify the process.

A product number GSC300-X-XX-XX would consist of a combination of information from the following table.
TABLE1: IDENTIFICATION TABLE
Position 1-6 Series GSC300=GSC300 Position 8 Speed Range L=Low H=High Position 10-11 DC Voltage 12=12VDC 24=24VDC Position 13-14 Labeling LS=Standard LX=Customized

Example: The product number GSC300-L-12-LS would be described as follows: A GSC300 series automatic engine controller configured for a 12 VDC system. The controller is factory configured for low speed range (generator speed range) which includes standard labeling. A GSC300 serial number would be displayed as:

GSC300-L-12-LS-00000

Operating & Installation Manual for the GSC300 Engine Controller

WIRING INSTALLATION GUIDELINES Danger: Never work on the engine while its power is on. This controller does not generate a warning signal prior to automatic engine start. Warning signs should be placed on engine equipment indicating this important safety measure.
INSTRUCTIONS Following these instructions will help avoid common installation problems during wiring and setup. Battery must be disconnected before any wiring connections are made. Wire length from the engine to the controller should not exceed 6 meters (20 feet). Wiring size and type should be as specified below. Use stranded wire, since solid wire has a tendency to crack, break and loosen over time. TYPES AND SIZES Terminal 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Wire Size (AWG) 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 Current max. 40A 40A 40A 40A 40A 40A 40A 40A 100mA 100mA 300mA 300mA 300mA 300mA 300mA 300mA 100mA 300mA 7mA 7mA 7mA 7mA Function Fuel Output Terminal Auto(Battery +) Terminal Connection Auto(Battery +) Terminal Connection Crank Output Terminal Ground Terminal Connection Ground Terminal Connection Preheat/ETS Terminal Preheat/ETS Terminal Speed Signal Connection Speed Signal Connection Overcrank Output Overspeed Output High Temp Output Low Oil Output Low Battery Output Engine Run Output Not in Auto Output General Failure Output Start/Stop Input Oil Pressure Sender/Switch Input Temperature Sender/Switch Input Fuel Level/Auxiliary Sender/Switch Input

Operating & Installation Manual for the GSC300 Engine Controller

WIRING GUIDELINES
1. DO NOT use wire smaller than 18 AWG. 2. IMPORTANT: The connections supplying DC power to the GSC300 panel should preferably run directly
from the battery posts with no splices or other connections. Avoid using chassis (aluminum or iron engine parts), as return conductor for battery negative voltage. Copper wiring is recommended. Failure to follow the above may result in erratic operation due to large voltage drops across wiring connections. A small fuse should be placed at the battery terminal to provide 12 volts to the Remote Start Contacts to ensure that a short along this line will not cause any damage. 3. DO NOT exceed the maximum rated current and voltage on each of the controller outputs. Do not exceed 40A each for the Fuel Output, Crank Output or Preheat Output. Do not exceed 300mA individually, or 350mA combined, for the General Fault Output or Annunciation Outputs.

4. DO NOT short Crank Output or Fuel Output to ground. This will cause damage to the unit. 5. To verify the operation of engine controller outputs, measure voltage (i.e. meter in volts) when outputs
should be ON.

6. To verify the operation of the Preheat Output, measure the resistance between the Preheat terminals when
the Preheat Output should be ON. At this time there should be a closed circuit. When the output is supposed to be OFF there should be an open circuit between the terminals.

Operating & Installation Manual for the GSC300 Engine Controller

GSC300 12/24VDC SYSTEM OPERATION

The GSC300 controller is designed to operate in either 12 or 24 VDC system voltages. When operating in 12VDC systems the fuel, crank and preheat/ets relays need to be the proper 12VDC relay type. When operating in 24VDC systems these relays need to be the proper 24VDC relay type. Contact the factory if relays are required. Approved relays for 12 or 24VDC system operation are as follows:

AZETTLER AZ973-1C-12DC for 12VDC operation AZETTLER AZ973-1C-24DC for 24VDC operation

Operating & Installation Manual for the GSC300 Engine Controller

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TERMINAL DESCRIPTION
Term # 1 Description Fuel Output provides 40A maximum. Fuel Output closes to +12/24 VDC when start signal is actuated, and opens when either an engine failure is detected or when Cool-Down period has ended. Auto Terminal. Connection point on the unit for +V Battery power connection Auto Terminal. Connection point on the unit for +V Battery power connection Crank Output provides 40A maximum. Crank Output closes to +12/24VDC during cranking, and opens when the engine has started, or during Crank Rest. Battery Ground connection for the controller module. A good ground connection, directly from the battery, is required for proper operation. Battery Ground connection for the controller module. A good ground connection, directly from the battery, is required for proper operation. Preheat/ETS Output closes to terminal 8 during Preheat or ETS period. (Dry contacts between terminals 7 & 8) Preheat/ETS Output closes to terminal 8 during Preheat or ETS period. (Dry contacts between terminals 7 & 8) Speed 1. Speed Signal Input for Crank Disconnect, Engine Run, and Overspeed sensing. 300 VAC max. input voltage. Speed 2. Speed Signal Input for Crank Disconnect, Engine Run, and Overspeed sensing. 300 VAC max. input voltage. Overcrank Annunciation Output closes to +12/24VDC on Overcrank Failure. 300mA max. Overspeed Annunciation Output closes to +12/24VDC on Overspeed Failure. 300mA max. High Temp Output closes to +12/24VDC upon High Temp Failure. 300mA max. Low Oil Output closes to +12/24VDC upon Low Oil Failure. 300mA max. Low Battery Output closes to +12/24VDC on Low Battery Condition. 300mA max. Engine Run Output closes to +12/24VDC on Engine Run Condition. 300mA max. Not In Auto Output closes to +12/24VDC when unit is not in auto. 300mA max. General Failure Output closes to +12/24VDC on a General Failure. 300mA max. Start Stop Input. Apply +12/24VDC to this terminal while unit is in Auto Mode to start engine. Remove +12/24VDC to stop engine or enter Cool-Down mode. Oil pressure sender/switch. This oil pressure sender/switch can be N.O. or N.C., meaning that for N.O., ground is a failure while +Vbatt is Engine OK, for N.C., ground means engine OK, and +Vbatt means failure. The operation (failure point) of the output in response to the sender can be set using the PC Interface. Temperature sender/switch. For proper operation, this input must be connected to ground via a sender/switch. The operation (failure point) of the output in response to the sender can be set using the PC Interface. Fuel Level/Auxiliary Failure Input. For proper operation, this input must be connected to ground via a sender/switch. The operation (failure point) of the output in response to the sender can be set using the PC Interface.

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

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Operating & Installation Manual for the GSC300 Engine Controller

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Wiring Connection Diagram

Operating & Installation Manual for the GSC300 Engine Controller

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Back Panel Layout

Operating & Installation Manual for the GSC300 Engine Controller

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CONTROLLER OVERVIEW
The GSC300 Features the Following Functions: 1. Controller Programming Adjustability 2. General Fault Conditions 3. Not In Auto 4. Low Battery Voltage Alarm 5. Oil Pressure Input 6. Coolant Temperature Input 7. Fuel Level/Auxiliary Input 8. Speed Signal Sensing 9. Adjustable Input Programming 10. Magnetic Pick-Up Capability Option

1: CONTROLLER PROGRAMMING ADJUSTABILITY: Adjustable Parameter Ranges:

Crank Disconnect: 12 to 140Hz (Generator Output Version) 44 to 300Hz (Magnetic Pick-up Version) 60 - 4156Hz (Generator Output Version) -OR DISABLED BY PC INTERFACE 300 - 8492Hz (Magnetic Pick-up Version) -OR DISABLED BY PC INTERFACE 1 to 10 3 to 32 seconds

Overspeed:

Crank Tries: Crank/Rest:

NOTE: If the engine speed seen by the controller does not go to zero during Crank Rest, the controller will wait until the speed goes to zero before re-initiating the cranking sequence.

2: GENERAL FAULT CONDITIONS: The following scenarios can cause the unit to enter the
general fault condition: Low Fuel/Auxiliary Failure (XTR_FAIL) Low Oil High Coolant Temperature Overcrank Overspeed Loss of Speed (SPDLOSS) The General Fault output is rated 300mA Max.

Operating & Installation Manual for the GSC300 Engine Controller

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3: NOT IN AUTO: When the controller is in the OFF Mode, the NOT IN AUTO LED will illuminate and
the NOT IN AUTO Output will close to +Vbatt, indicating the controller is not in the AUTO Mode. The LCD display will read OFF, however the backlight on the LCD display will not be ON. NOTE: + Battery must be permanently connected to the AUTO terminal for the NOT IN AUTO condition and LED indications to function properly.

4: LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE ALARM: In the event the battery voltage drops below the user
defined set point which can be between 7 and 35VDC, the engine controller displays a Low Battery Condition. The Low Battery Voltage condition can occur when the controller is in the AUTO or MANUAL/TEST Mode, but will only occur in the running state or while in standby in AUTO. The LCD display will show the message: LOW_BATT

5: LOW OIL INPUT: The Low Oil Input can accept data from a sender or signal from a N.O. or N.C. type
switch. N.O. means that ground would be a failure, +5V would be Engine OK. N.C. means that ground would be Engine OK, and +5V would be a failure. The operation of the oil input is set in PSI by the PC Interface and is the only input which has selectable operation in this manner. Note: The oil input failure is disabled during the Oil Bypass time.

6: HIGH TEMPERATURE INPUT: For proper operation this must be of the standard N.O. type where
with a switch or sender, a ground would be seen as a failure, and a +5V would be seen as Engine OK. This can be used with a sender or switch and when using a sender the failure point in degree Fahrenheit can be adjusted using the PC Interface.

7: FUEL LEVEL/AUXILIARY INPUT: For proper operation while using a switch, the switch must
be the N.O. type which closes to ground upon failure. If this input is used as a sender, no failure will be indicated. The sender option is solely for Fuel Level/Auxiliary Level Display on the LCD.

8: SPEED SIGNAL SENSITIVITY: The controller will accept to a maximum of 300 VAC, 60 Hz from
direct generator output for speed sensing. The following values are minimal recommended voltages for speed signal sensing: 20 HZ - .075 V (75mV) 60 HZ - .6V (600mV)

9: HOUR METER: The controller can display a log of generator run times. Run times will be displayed on
the controllers display screen. The display represents both hours and minutes in the form 123456:7. The last digit on the hour meter will represent the time in 1/10 of an hour. Each increment would represent 6 minutes. For example if the hour meter displays 000010:5 than the generator had ran for 10 hours and 30 minutes. Please note that although the hour meter displays time in hours and minutes, it will record up to the nearest second. If the generator was operated for only 3 minutes, the display may not increment but this time would be stored and added to the next generator run time.

10: MAGNETIC PICK-UP CAPABILITY OPTION: The Magnetic Pick-Up Capability Option can
be provided on the GSC300 upon request. Frequency will not be displayed on the LCD if this option is chosen.

Operating & Installation Manual for the GSC300 Engine Controller

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LED LAYOUT

Front View of GSC300

Operating & Installation Manual for the GSC300 Engine Controller

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LED INDICATIONS
FRONT PANEL LED INDICATIONS LED Appearance Not in Auto LED is ON. No LEDs ON Steady Low Oil LED Flashing Low Oil LED Steady High Temperature LED Steady Overcrank LED Steady Overspeed LED Flashing Overspeed LED Was Engine Cranking? Was Engine Running? Condition/Failure Unit is in OFF state. OFF, no +12/24VDC to Auto terminal. Low Oil Pressure Failure Auxiliary Input Failure Over Temperature Failure Engine would not start after specified Crank tries. Speed Signal present above Overspeed setting No speed signal available while Cranking The speed signal was Zero while running. The engine has stalled, or the speed signal has been lost. Engine Controller is in running mode of operation. Crank Rest period. Cranking will resume soon.

Steady Engine Running LED Flashing Engine Running LED

Operating & Installation Manual for the GSC300 Engine Controller

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Programming The GSC300 Settings

Using the Front Panel Interface:
The following table shows the LEDs that correspond to the various settings of the various parameters. To enter the controller into Program Mode, you need to turn the small switch at the bottom edge of the controller to the program position. This Mode Switch can be set using a ballpoint pen or such to allow the controller to be put into Program Mode. The first three LEDs (3, 2 & 1) correspond to which parameter is being adjusted, and the next three (6, 5 & 4) LEDs show the setting for that particular parameter. The picture on the next page shows the LED numbering and the location of the Mode Switch.

Parameter
Crank Tries Crank Time Rest Time Preheat Time Cool-Down Preheat/ETS/ Warm-Up Warm-Up

LED's 3, 2 & 1

LED's 6, 5 & 4

1 5 0 0 0
Preheat

2 10 5 5 32
ETS

3 15 10 10 64
Warm-Up

4 20 15 15 96 N/A 84

5 25 20 20 128 N/A 112

6 30 25 25 160 N/A 140

7 35 30 30 192 N/A 168

8 40 35 35 224 N/A 196

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To scroll through the parameters simply press the Auto button on the front panel of the GSC300. To scroll through the range of values for that parameter simply press the Manual Start button. To set the value into the controllers memory, press the OFF button. In this manner the settings of the controller can be adjusted by simply using the three buttons on the front panel of the controller. Be sure to press the OFF button when you have selected the parameter value wanted. By not pressing the off button to set the value, the value of that parameter will not be stored into memory and remain at its previous setting.

Operating & Installation Manual for the GSC300 Engine Controller

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Numbering Of LEDs and Location of Mode Switch

Programming Using the PC Interface

The GSC300 can also be programmed using the PC interface. Detailed instructions on the PC interface are included with the GSC300 Configurator software. A sample interface screen is illustrated on the following page.

Operating & Installation Manual for the GSC300 Engine Controller

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Sample Screen From PC Interface

Operating & Installation Manual for the GSC300 Engine Controller

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TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDELINES
TROUBLE
Unit does not operate when powered to test mode

POSSIBLE CAUSE
Power leads to unit are reversed Bad ground connection from engine to controller unit. Improper speed range

SUGGESTED ACTION
Confirm correct wiring for ground and +bat, and re-attempt testing. Run wire directly from battery - to the ground terminal #11on controller unit. Check to ensure that the speed sensing wires of the controller are connected to the generator output. Clean terminals and re-charge battery Refer to engine control wiring section and check crank connections Run wire directly from battery - to the ground terminal #5 & 6, on controller unit. Check wiring, in line fuse and slave relay. Replace fuse, relay and re-test controller again Check fuel level, add fuel if necessary Refer to engine control wiring section and check ignition connections Check fuel relay and replace if damaged. Check wiring for proper connections.

Engine starts and immediately goes into Overspeed shutdown Engine does not crank

Battery is low or terminals are dirty Crank circuitry wiring improperly connected Bad ground connection from engine to controller Crank relay damaged. Or on board fuse is blown Out of fuel Ignition control wiring not installed properly Fuel relay damaged Oil/Temp/Auxiliary input wiring improperly connected.

Engine cranks but does not start

Engine starts but shuts down after Oil BypassTM period due to low oil/high temp/Aux input Fault LED works OK, but general fault output does not activate Flashing Overspeed LED

Fault (short or overload) on general fault output. Speed signal improperly connected, missing, or damaged. Crank output damaged, not working Starter or starter solenoid damaged

Check for fault, once fault is corrected then output operation resumes. Check speed signal wiring; replace damaged speed signal source. Check wiring and replace controller if necessary Replace/repair damaged starter or starter solenoid. Check oil switch wiring and switch to make sure the switch is closing when there is no oil pressure Install a small step down transformer between the speed sensing wires and the generator output. If the neutral from the generator output is not grounded, attach it to ground Install sender with proper range specifications. Re-adjust Oil Bypass and/or Warm-Up timing.

Flashing Run LED & Solid Oil LED Solid Oil LED immediately on start-up, without engine actually cranking or starting.

Oil switch not closed as it should be False speed signal being detected by controller. This problem can sometimes occur in installations where there is AC power from inverters near generator output lines connected to the speed signal cable.

Display Parameter for Temperature, Oil or Fuel displayed as >>> or <<< Warm-Up Feature appears longer then time setting.

Parameter is >>> ABOVE or <<< BELOW specified manufacturer sender range. Warm-Up Feature time setting does not begin until the Oil Bypass Time has expired.

Operating & Installation Manual for the GSC300 Engine Controller

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TECHNICAL NOTES ON FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Controller Memory Clear Time
The GSC300 needs 10 seconds for its memory to clear. When the power to the controller is turned off and then back on again without waiting a few seconds to clear the memory, a loss of speed will be indicated by the GSC300 because the controller remains in run mode and senses that the generator has stopped. This would be indicated by a Flashing Overspeed LED. By leaving the GSC300 OFF for 10 seconds before it is returned to the Auto setting the memory will be cleared and it will function as intended.

2. Step-Down Transformer Use On Speed Sensing Cable With Inverter Systems

In some applications engine controllers are used on generators where there is no utility connection and inverters are used to provide AC power instead of a utility. Inverters can produce harmonics that can cause small AC signals to appear on wires that are near any power lines being fed by the inverter. If the generator output wires are located close to a line being powered by an inverter, a small AC signal can appear on the generator output lines when the inverter is on. This signal can cause the engine controller to react as if the generator is running if the speed sensing wires are connected to the generator output lines. This small AC signal can cause the controller to appear to have a Low Oil Failure when the remote start contacts are closed or the controller is put in the manual/test mode. The controller may think the generator is already running and immediately check to make sure there is oil pressure. Since the engine really hasnt started yet, there is no oil pressure and the controller sees a low oil fault. This is seen as the Oil LED turning on solid even before the engine starts to engage the starter. Without this false speed signal the controller will not look for oil pressure until the engine has started to run and the crank disengages if oil verification is disabled. Simply installing a small transformer between the generator output and the speed sensing terminals on the controller can eliminate this false speed signal. This transformer should be rated for 120 or 240 volts on the input or primary coil (depending on the generator output voltage you are using for speed sensing), and have an output voltage of around 12VAC on the secondary of the transformer. The two wires from the secondary of the transformer are connected to the two wires of the speed sensing terminals on the GSC300 controller. The step-down transformer acts to reduce the false speed signal on the line to a level that the engine controller will not recognize as the engine running. A common size transformer that would serve this purpose would be 24VA.

Operating & Installation Manual for the GSC300 Engine Controller