jay peltz wrote:
Hi Kirpal,
I understand and have sure seen lots of "fixed" generators that we not
fixed.
The guy who sells most of the generators I use used to be at Stanford
labs, smart guy.
I agree but I have never seen this type of problem, that is "fixed" by
turning on a few lights.
And to be clear, this isn't to allow the generator to connect, it
connects just fine, but once connected the AC voltage will rise quite
quickly and then once it goes above the max input setpoint the
inverter kicks it out of course.
I just don't understand how turning on a few lights would stop this
from happening?
jay
peltz power
I can sorta see how this pre-loading the generator could work... Maybe...
If the generator is already fairly well loaded down, it's not as
susceptible to having to regulate and change RPMs
so much when another, smaller load like a charger is added to it.
Jay, what do you mean when you say the AC voltage will rise ? You mean
the generator voltage rises when it gets loaded ?
OK then, maybe Kirpal's method might just work for that.
Also, inductors tend to filter better with more current. Remember the
old SW ?? It did the same thing. The more load you gave it, the
smoother the little steps were. Related ?... I have no idea, but it
sounds good to me, that is, if there is an inductor somewhere in the
circuit.
boB
On Dec 29, 2008, at 8:07 PM, Kirpal Khalsa wrote:
Hi Ron, Jay and all.......It is easy to blame the generator because
it is usually the generator causing the problem.........One thing
that we have run into on occasion is that the generator has been
re-adjusted and tuned up but that the generator repair person does
this only at an idle load.....We now always make sure that when our
customers are having their generators tuned up that also included in
the tune up is that the generator is able to hold its voltage and
frequency at a minimum of 3/4 of the rated load capacity........This
has solved a few of our generator connection issues...........just
one idea.....
Might be worth while to test the generator under these parameters as
this would affect the the acceptance by the VFX.....
Cheers,
Kirpal
On Mon, Dec 29, 2008 at 6:14 PM, jay peltz <j...@asis.com
<mailto:j...@asis.com>> wrote:
HI Christopher,
I don't know if this is similar.
I have a stacked 3648 unit, running in parallel at 120v. Being
fed from a 240v generator with a X-240 as stepdown. Generator is
a Onan 8.5kw. ( don't ask why its a long story)
Unit did work OK for about 2 yrs.
When you start the generator, the inverter will connect, AC
voltage will rise until the inverter kicks out the generator and
the cycle repeats.
Now here is where it gets weird, if you turn on a few lights (
could be incandescent or CFL's) and I mean like 150 watts worth,
and then turn on the generator it will work OK. Won't have the
AC spike. But a small motor spike, such as a Rotozip etc will
kick out the generator, and then it starts again.
Turning down the AC input AAC rating doesn't help, unless you
turn it down a lot.
The generator has a new board and was tested out as OK.
If you run the house directly from the generator no problems. You
can run large loads no problem.
If you run the house directly from the inverter all is good.
Only issue is with genny/inv interface.
Of course its a 2.5 hr drive each way.
Do you think this is a related problem?
thanks,
jay
peltz power
On Dec 29, 2008, at 10:41 AM, Christopher Freitas wrote:
Ron –
Tech support is open today and should be able to help you
troubleshoot this in a step-by-step process that will discover
the root problem.
I am a bit confused by the descriptions of the events and have
the following questions and comments:
When you tested just the inverter without the generator running
– you stated that there was a noticeable flicker every 20
seconds – did you also notice that the yellow "AC INPUT" light
would blink and then turn solid momentarily? This usually
indicates that there is a cross connection of the inverter's AC
output with the AC input wiring – which can be caused by many
different problems (nicked or chewed wires, water filled
junction box or conduits, miswiring of a 240VAC load, etc. – or
an internal problem with the inverter). In a nutshell – the
inverter is "seeing" its own AC output at its AC input – so it
connects and then tries to charge from itself – which causes the
AC output voltage to decrease – and then it drops the AC source
for another 20 seconds – over and over…
When the generator was connected to the inverter – was the
varying AC input voltage viewed on a digital test meter or on
the MATE's display? The voltage display on the MATE will vary
until the inverter has actually connected to the generator since
the inverter is not locked onto the frequency of the generator.
The fluctuation of the AC voltage on the MATE is more pronounced
if the frequency of the generator is way off from the 60hz
nominal. Check the voltage and the frequency at the inverter's
AC input terminals with a good quality true-RMS meter with the
generator running but not connected.
e a situation where two (or more) things are going on
simultaneously. My approach would be to continue to isolate
components and run several different tests on all components.
Good luck
Drake
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