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Charging with gen problem

Started by Solar noob, October 23, 2018, 08:11:44 PM

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Kent0

I have a couple other ideas regarding the tripped GFCI:
1) Most portable generators have the neutral and ground connected together and can cause any GFCI in the house to trip. The Honda 2000i inverter output generator is an exception; there is no neutral/ground connection.
2) The output waveform of many small non-inverter output generators contain lots of harmonic components that can cause havoc with many items, including GFCI devices and arcfault protection.

ClassicCrazy

I also have a Honda EU 2000 generator.  If I don't control the input current with a setting on the Outback inverter it will overload .
I think there were two different issues mentioned in this topic - one was a GFI tripping in an outlet in the house, and the other was the generator getting overloaded. 

Larry
system 1
Classic 150 , 5s3p  Kyocera 135watt , 12s Soneil 2v 540amp lead crystal 24v pack , Outback 3524 inverter
 5s 135w Kyocero , 3s3p 270w Kyocera   Classic 150 ,8s2p  Kyocera 225w to Hawkes Bay Jakiper 48v 20kwh  ,Gobel 16 kwh  lifepo4 Outback VFX 3648  8s2p 380w Rec pv EG4 6000XP

Solar noob

I dont know how many amps the inverter is set for to charge the batteries, how do you find it ???

ClassicCrazy

Look in the manual - should show a setpoint for AC input amps from the generator  or possibly DC charging amps from the inverter.
I don't know Magnum.

Larry
system 1
Classic 150 , 5s3p  Kyocera 135watt , 12s Soneil 2v 540amp lead crystal 24v pack , Outback 3524 inverter
 5s 135w Kyocero , 3s3p 270w Kyocera   Classic 150 ,8s2p  Kyocera 225w to Hawkes Bay Jakiper 48v 20kwh  ,Gobel 16 kwh  lifepo4 Outback VFX 3648  8s2p 380w Rec pv EG4 6000XP

Kent0

The Magnum MS-PAE inverter has a 0 to 100% setting for the charger that should be adjusted so that the charger cannot charge the batteries too fast. There is also an ac input limit that needs to be set so that the combination of charger and loads won't overload the generator. The ac input limit can't control the loads so it can't prevent the loads from overloading the generator. When you switch generators, you only need to change the ac input limit. Refer to the manual for the inverter and controller for more information.

Solar noob

lots of homework, thanks for the help !!

Solar noob

just curious,is it imperative to equalize with a generator or is it just fine to equalize using your panels ???? I've watched a lot of youtube videos on the midnight classic controller but have never seen or heard mention of equalizing using a generator ??

mike90045

Generally, solar is unable to Complete an EQ cycle in a day.   So you start the bulk and Absorb on your generator at 6am, and by 11, you let the PV finish the Absorb and start the EQ at noon for a couple hours

Or the lazy way of extending your absorb time for a couple days, and see if that accomplishes the same result.
http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar

Classic 200| 2Kw PV, 160Voc | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph )| Listeroid 6/1, st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | midnight ePanel & 4 SPDs | 48V, 800A NiFe battery bank | MS-TS-MPPT60 w/3Kw PV