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MPP Solar 2424LV + Honda EU3000iS Generator

bwf

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I'm planning to use my honda generator and a battery bank as my main power source in my cabin for now until solar panels are installed at a later time. I want to get the most out of the generator, so I am wondering if I can use the 30A 125V Locking Plug on generator to connect to the MPP 2424. If so, can I just use a cord like this (shorturl.at/psPQ3) plugged into the generator, with the other end cut off and wired directly into the MPP Solar unit?

Generator link: https://powerequipment.honda.com/generators/models/eu3000is
 
The link to the cord is not working for me, but as long as it is 10awg or thicker wire I don't see why not. The manual recommends adding a breaker between AC in and the inverter, but I assume your Honda has a breaker built in.

I plan to do similar with my Ryobi 2000w generator if I run into a long spell of no sun.
 
The link to the cord is not working for me, but as long as it is 10awg or thicker wire I don't see why not. The manual recommends adding a breaker between AC in and the inverter, but I assume your Honda has a breaker built in.

I plan to do similar with my Ryobi 2000w generator if I run into a long spell of no sun.
Sorry about the link. Maybe because it’s Amazon Canada. But yes it is a 10/3 cable. I was thinking the same about the built in breaker in the genny.
Thanks for your help. I will order the cable in hopes it works!
 
Hope it's OK to jump in here.

I am planning a similar off grid system using the LV2424. We have a small cabin with LED lights and a 1500watt microwave. We have run it successfully using only a Honda EU2200 inverter generator. In ECO mode the generator seldom comes of low idle.

The MPP Solar page recommends when using a generator back up with the LV2424 that the generator out put to be 50% greater then the LV2424 inverter..... 3600 watts. Doesn't make sense to me especially if the expected loads are below the inverter's specified out put.

Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with this??

Thanks in advance for your help.

Jim
 
Jim,
Do you have a link to the MPP Solar page mentioned above?
The link to the cord is not working for me, but as long as it is 10awg or thicker wire I don't see why not. The manual recommends adding a breaker between AC in and the inverter, but I assume your Honda has a breaker built in.

I plan to do similar with my Ryobi 2000w generator if I run into a long spell of no sun.
Hi Rich,
Have you setup your generator with the LV yet?
I have a couple of Honda EU2200IC's I am considering doing that also.
Thx
Matt
 
I just tried it once plugged into the AC input on the LV2424 set for 10A. It pulled 1.2kw from the generator to charge the batteries. I didn't have any loads collected though and didn't try the inverter to see if it will pass through to a load. My system is off grid in a garage that I haven't finished setting up yet, so I have only dabbled here and there. As soon as this craptastical weather moves on I should make some progress.
 
Ok, thanks for the quick reply. What kind of weather in Elgin are you having? Is it getting cold yet?
We are living in a polebar in Wyoming, it was -12 this morning when I got up. Here is a link to short video of what we got setup so far, nothing impressive but I'm a newbie too just learning this stuff.
Be safe!
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="
" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Let me know if the video works.
 
Oh, no real weather like you get. We are just not used to sub freezing for extended periods. Some years it is 20-30F and hailing, some years it is 84F. I was walking around outside in shorts and a t-shirt last week. :p

The video says it is private?
 
Very Nice!

My panels are 250w so I went 3S3P. Hopefully I will be able to get some pictures next weekend if the weather clears up.

I have all the pieces, but you are way ahead of me. I am jealous!
 

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Very Nice!

My panels are 250w so I went 3S3P. Hopefully I will be able to get some pictures next weekend if the weather clears up.

I have all the pieces, but you are way ahead of me. I am jealous!
What is the voltage on those panels?
Mine are the T275's at 35v roughly and in the cold I've got up to 86v. That's why I didn't want to push it to 3 series.
Wish I had an extension cord to connect the generator. Had bad solar for a week now and batteries are at 24.4!
Got a foot of snow last night too!
Thanks
 
VOC is 37.6V, but normal is about 30V. Most I have seen is 103v at peak sun last weekend, but the temp was mid 60s. I doubt it would hit the 145v max listed where I am, but maybe (supposed to be 10°F Monday which is insane for here).
 
It may be getting colder the next couple of days here, not sure if the arctic air will get that far south.
My pmax voltage is listed as 35.6, VOC is 44.3.
I found a surge protector to sacrifice for the AC Generator input connection. Tested it with a load, tv etc.., a ok!
Stay warm Rich.
 
Jim,
Do you have a link to the MPP Solar page mentioned above?

Hi Rich,
Have you setup your generator with the LV yet?
I have a couple of Honda EU2200IC's I am considering doing that also.
Thx
Matt
Greetings

Just saw your post, I apologize for the delay.

This link will take you to the MPP Solar page for the MPP LV2424......


Near the bottom of the page in a pink box.....

Using Generator as AC-Input

  • Generator power is recommended to be 50% larger than the inverter rating to reduce chances of overload.
  • Inverter-generator is recommended due to its cleaner output than conventional generators. Unsuitable generator output may be rejected by the inverter.
I sent the company an e-mail. Their response was that the charge controller and the inverter combined have a higher demand than the inverter by itself. So if the generator was charging the batteries and the inverter had draw on it you might need roughly 1.5 times the inverter capacity. Seems sensible.

In my use, we would only use the generator to charge the batteries and disconnect the camp side load so a Honda 2200 should be fine. We'll know come snow melt.

Just FYI.... I ordered the Hybrid unit at the recommendation of MPP Solar as they mentioned the fan is quieter than the white box model.
 
Greetings

Just saw your post, I apologize for the delay.

This link will take you to the MPP Solar page for the MPP LV2424......


Near the bottom of the page in a pink box.....

Using Generator as AC-Input

  • Generator power is recommended to be 50% larger than the inverter rating to reduce chances of overload.
  • Inverter-generator is recommended due to its cleaner output than conventional generators. Unsuitable generator output may be rejected by the inverter.
I sent the company an e-mail. Their response was that the charge controller and the inverter combined have a higher demand than the inverter by itself. So if the generator was charging the batteries and the inverter had draw on it you might need roughly 1.5 times the inverter capacity. Seems sensible.

In my use, we would only use the generator to charge the batteries and disconnect the camp side load so a Honda 2200 should be fine. We'll know come snow melt.

Just FYI.... I ordered the Hybrid unit at the recommendation of MPP Solar as they mentioned the fan is quieter than the white box model.
Thanks Jim,
Got it.
I have the hybrid also and used my honda 2200 with a load and everything works fine!
 
It may be getting colder the next couple of days here, not sure if the arctic air will get that far south.
We got to 6°F :p The media managed to make it a lot bigger a deal that it was. We were cold, and without power for a couple of days, but it wasn't as bad as portrayed. I am sure someone, somewhere in Texas suffered greatly, but overall it wasn't end of the world type stuff. It's already above 50°F today at 9am, so we got our freak storm. Hopefully I can get some work done on the garage tomorrow.
 
Hey Rich,
Glad you are doing well and got power back up and running.
Good SHTF lesson. Now get that backup power going and don't forget to show and tell ;-)
 
Hey Rich,
Glad you are doing well and got power back up and running.
Good SHTF lesson. Now get that backup power going and don't forget to show and tell ;-)
Half assing it today ?
 

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Ran the AC off the hybrid LV2424 today. It powered up fine and the three panels was plenty. 5000 btu window unit. :p Really have fun playing with this setup and I am glad I did it instead of just buying another motorcycle :p
 
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