What you want was once a Sol-Ark feature. Sol-Ark no longer supports Gen Peak Shaving I confirmed this with Sol-Ark and asked that they bring it back. Gen Power Limit only reduces battery charging current when the limit is reached. Gen Peak Saving would reverse the inverter to have batteries supply the loads.
How to make load come from battery vs generator
- Thread starter palehorse
- Start date
That's interesting. I'll ask to see if that is still the case with the latest firmware.
The feature isn't available on the Sol-Ark screen, but it is on PowerView. I don't know if selecting it on PowerView would actually engage Gen Peak Shaving. Sol-Ark said it's not supported, they didn't actually say it's gone.
I have an option for peak shaving just not gen peak shaving. Peak shaving was only listed for grid and it required CTs. I dont use PowerView anymore but do you have a screen shot of that? I can mention it to them as well. If you end up testing it please do share.
Still waiting forever for Solark to move onto US based servers through their own app.
Edit - sorry i meant to reply with quote to keep it clean.
Still waiting forever for Solark to move onto US based servers through their own app.
Edit - sorry i meant to reply with quote to keep it clean.
Checkthisout
Solar Wizard
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What the hell is peak shaving?
Is that akin to gen assist on a Victron Multiplus?
Is that akin to gen assist on a Victron Multiplus?
It limits the power from the AC source and calls upon the battery to assist powering the loads.
Checkthisout
Solar Wizard
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Correct, but I suspect Sol-Ark just deleted the selection from the GUI, not the functionality. Sol-Ark tech support told me to wait and see if the selection is available in the new MySolArk monitoring app that should be available in May.
Checkthisout
Solar Wizard
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So op, are you worried about overloading the Gen because you are charging and supplying loads at the same time or does your base load exceed what your generator can supply?
I guess that's where I'm not clear
I guess that's where I'm not clear
Tulex
Solar Wizard
Keep in mind that if you go with a chargeverter, you get to use that port for something else. Either a critical load panel, or AC coupling.
In the current setup, the generator supplies the house first then the batteries. In the event 2 large loads kick in (dryer running and AC or stove) the generator will trip as it can't supply the load. But the batteries can. I have a Honda EU7000is inverter and a Generac XT8000e. The generac can supply multiple loads but again its more about the fact that it feeds the house rather than just the batteries.
Seems like others have said the capability used to exist but not so much now.
DIYrich
Solar Wizard
Have you tried setting the Gen Limit power to something like 80% of the Generator? When a surge happens, there may be enough headroom for the generator to surge, and not exceed its capacity before the Sol-Ark can switch from Charging to Supplying Power.
Otherwise, get a Chargeverter and charge the batteries directly.
Otherwise, get a Chargeverter and charge the batteries directly.
This is the functionality that Sol-Ark says they no longer support. If loads + charger exceeds the Gen Limit setting the inverter will curtail charging, it will not reverse and help power the loads.
DIYrich
Solar Wizard
Yes, but I would try it anyway.
If it doesn't work on gen port, then try putting on the grid port.
It may be that the function is "not supported" because the SA can't switch from charging to supplying AC fast enough without overloading the generator. If you leave enough surge capacity in the generator, it may work.
Grid port may be a little more forgiving since the SA has to be able to go from charging from grid to grid down in 4ms.
DIYrich
Solar Wizard
Put large loads on a sub-panel. When running off generator, turn off the sub-panel. If you want to run something off the sub-panel, turn off the generator, and then turn on the sub-panel.
Brucey
Solar Wizard
They may have taken it away from the gen port but it's apparently still available on the grid port, so can you connect your gen to that?
