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Will generator work with Growatt?

Does anyone know if the Predator invertor generator 3500w will work to directly plug into the Growatt 3000w 24v model? Or is it better to have separate battery charger? Thanks in advance.
Yes it will work. I have a cheapo champion “inverter” genie and it has worked for some time. Just remember if your bity little generator won’t do it with your pass through maxed out or whatever, just reduce your charging amps with setting 2 until you’re not tripping the generator.

I’ll second @marex on using a second charger in conjunction with the growatt, it makes no difference. I’ve done it a few times.
 
I have a similar issue.
I have a offgrid house and I've just purchased a new generator, which will push out 12KW. I have two Growatt inverters (5KW each), my problem is I don't want to max out on the generator feeding the house and charging the batteries at the same time. So, I backed down the amps on the parallel growatt's to 10amps each to be inline with max generator KW's. My question is, can I utilize the old generator to power a 48V charger to my batteries at the same time the Growatt is charging the batteries?

The reason for this I still have the old generator which runs at 6KW. so I was considering to hook this up to a voltage relay to auto start and run a separate 48V charger. The plan is to start the old 6KW generator at a low voltage of 45V, then if the batteries continue to deplete the second generator (12KW) will start ~43V and power the house while charging the batteries via the Growatt at the same time as the 6KW is charging.

Could this create a back feed issue?
 
Assuming Lipo4 from the low voltage numbers. Output Voltage from the two charge sources would need to be very close. I had two SCC charging batteries if output voltage was 0.1 volt different the lower one moved no amps. Other than that should work fine. I have charged with two SCC and generator at the same time.
 
My generator charges my 2 lithium 24v 100ah ampere batteries through my 24v 3000k growatt. I have a 3500 predator from harbor freight. Just gotta remember to change the oil often if your running it a lot like i do. Hope this helps.
 
Has any one experienced a similar problem with the growatt dry contacts closing as it should when voltage low but as power is introduced to the inverter from the generator it opens the contacts and stops the generator. If so, please let me know the fix. Thanks
 
Has any one experienced a similar problem with the growatt dry contacts closing as it should when voltage low but as power is introduced to the inverter from the generator it opens the contacts and stops the generator. If so, please let me know the fix. Thanks

Can you share your settings of 01, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 24? I assume you want the dry contacts to start and run the generator when the battery is low, charge the battery, then shut off?

The dry contacts operate on a combination of these settings, and I think we can find what needs to be adjusted to make it do what you want.
 
Thank you for such a quick reply! Yes on low voltage I want the generator to start charge and run the house. It starts but as soon as it receives power from the generator it stops. I shut off tge generator breaker and tested and the contacts remained closed, only when it receives power does it shut off the generator.
Settings below
01 sol
11 20A
12 45V
13 50V
14 C50
 
I'm following with interest, as I don't want a dedicated back up or diesel generator. I have a cheap hyundai 3500 peak, 2800 running remote start inverter gen. I have to admit it has been a little tank. We have built 3 cabins with it as our only power source for work, 1/3 hp well pump, and other power. I'm now considering 1 of the 2 below, as I have propane roughed in for a gen, and wall heater to our solar shed, from our big tank.

The 4500 uses .44 gallon per hour +- @50% load
The 9000 has 120 and 240v, and uses 1 gallon per hour +- @50% load
I am trying to determine the real minimum load that I might be able to get away with. I'm not there yet, but I think I can rig up the 9000 to use slightly more than the 4500, in best case scenario with less load required, and still have the extra power, and 240 for a small welder when I need it.

My #1 priority is using the least amount of LP as possible, while having adequate back up, but the extra power would be nice. I'm going to do some math but I might buy them both, test real world then sell the one I don't want. If Lp consumption can be brought within 20% +- it will be the 9000.

FYI 2 friends have similar units to the 4500, sold as Westinghouse. Based on their experience, I think I'll avoid it.


 
Thank you for such a quick reply! Yes on low voltage I want the generator to start charge and run the house. It starts but as soon as it receives power from the generator it stops. I shut off tge generator breaker and tested and the contacts remained closed, only when it receives power does it shut off the generator.
Settings below
01 sol
11 20A
12 45V
13 50V
14 C50

50v is pretty low in setting 13. When the generator starts and battery charging begins, the voltage of the battery will go above 50v right away with most types. What battery chemistry are you using, and what are your settings for 5, 19, 20, 21? A few proper adjustments will resolve your issue. Also, I assume setting 24 is set to "dis" - right?
 
I'm following with interest, as I don't want a dedicated back up or diesel generator. I have a cheap hyundai 3500 peak, 2800 running remote start inverter gen. I have to admit it has been a little tank. We have built 3 cabins with it as our only power source for work, 1/3 hp well pump, and other power. I'm now considering 1 of the 2 below, as I have propane roughed in for a gen, and wall heater to our solar shed, from our big tank.

The 4500 uses .44 gallon per hour +- @50% load
The 9000 has 120 and 240v, and uses 1 gallon per hour +- @50% load
I am trying to determine the real minimum load that I might be able to get away with. I'm not there yet, but I think I can rig up the 9000 to use slightly more than the 4500, in best case scenario with less load required, and still have the extra power, and 240 for a small welder when I need it.

My #1 priority is using the least amount of LP as possible, while having adequate back up, but the extra power would be nice. I'm going to do some math but I might buy them both, test real world then sell the one I don't want. If Lp consumption can be brought within 20% +- it will be the 9000.

FYI 2 friends have similar units to the 4500, sold as Westinghouse. Based on their experience, I think I'll avoid it.


I’m not sure what kind of system that you have. I have a 48v 3500w all in one unit. I use it in a travel trailer so incoming power is limited to 30 amps 120v. I am able to use a predator 3500 (3000 continuous watts)! By setting the charge rate low and limiting my loads or limiting my loads to 800 watts till the batteries are charged I can use it with no problem.
I don’t know how far north you are but starting a lp generator in subzero weather (Fahrenheit) is virtually impossible and smaller lp tanks can “freeze” in similar temperatures causing other problems. Just thought I would let you know in case you live in a climate cold enough and haven’t done anything with lp in those temps.
 
Thanks Bobert. The generator will be inside and warm, exhausted outside. I have a 500 gallon tank, full and ready to go. everything is roughed in. We've been using 20 to 100lb tanks for many years
 
Thanks Bobert. The generator will be inside and warm, exhausted outside. I have a 500 gallon tank, full and ready to go. everything is roughed in. We've been using 20 to 100lb tanks for many years
Good deal I was hoping you had a setup like that.
 
My generator charges my 2 lithium 24v 100ah ampere batteries through my 24v 3000k growatt. I have a 3500 predator from harbor freight. Just gotta remember to change the oil often if your running it a lot like i do. Hope this helps.
i have the same generator (the quiet predator 3500) but will be using it will the growatt 48v 3000. do you have to physically turn on the generator or can the inverter trigger the electric start? also are there any setting to the ac charging amount or anything that youd recommend?
 
i have the same generator (the quiet predator 3500) but will be using it will the growatt 48v 3000. do you have to physically turn on the generator or can the inverter trigger the electric start? also are there any setting to the ac charging amount or anything that youd recommend?
Most AIO units that I know of have a relay that can trigger automatic start on a generator however the predator 3500 inverter generator does not have auto start. There is an aftermarket remote start available but I don’t know if it is practical be modified to operate off PV a relay instead of a fob or not.
 
I think there's a real advantage to using a dedicated charger hooked to the generator rather than running through the inverter. If you use the inverter you have to set the charging amps low enough so that the loads + the charger don't stall the generator and with changing loads there are times when you could be putting more power back into the batteries but can't unless you change the charging parameters.

With a separate charger you can maximize the charging amps and fill the batteries up probably faster and with less wear & tear on the ginny and maybe use a little less fuel to boot.
 
I'm trying to use an Ecoflow DeltaPro Europe Edition as generator for Growatt SPF5000 48v.
- DeltaPro can output 3600W at 230V/15A.
- Growatt has a 3KW PV solar string but no batteries
- I don't want to invest in a dedicated set of batteries for Growatt
- I want to use DeltaPro battery/PV charging as Utility for Growatt

When i'm connecting DeltaPro AC-out to Growat AC-in is working fine.
But the minute I'm adding a 1KW/2KW consumer on Growatt AC-out ... Growatt is overloading the DeltaPro.

I've tried multiple combinations for settings:
01 : SOL/SUB
02 : 10A/20A
03 : APL/UPS/GEN
11 : 10A/15A

Any suggestions are appreciated.
Thank you.
 
I'm trying to use an Ecoflow DeltaPro Europe Edition as generator for Growatt SPF5000 48v.
- DeltaPro can output 3600W at 230V/15A.
- Growatt has a 3KW PV solar string but no batteries
- I don't want to invest in a dedicated set of batteries for Growatt
- I want to use DeltaPro battery/PV charging as Utility for Growatt

When i'm connecting DeltaPro AC-out to Growat AC-in is working fine.
But the minute I'm adding a 1KW/2KW consumer on Growatt AC-out ... Growatt is overloading the DeltaPro.

I've tried multiple combinations for settings:
01 : SOL/SUB
02 : 10A/20A
03 : APL/UPS/GEN
11 : 10A/15A

Any suggestions are appreciated.
Thank you.
I’m not sure what you are trying to accomplish. Why don’t you use the eco directly to power your load?
 
DeltaPro is a portable grid-centric back-up solution with week solar charging potential.
I'm using it as a backup with success, but it has many limitations.
What I need now is a solid off-grid solution with a more capable solar charging potential.

Let's talk more about solving technical problem i'm facing, rather than questioning ideas.
What i'm trying to accomplish is very clear : using DeltaPro as Utilily for Growatt SPF5000 ES
Why ? Because of many personal reason that I consider having value for me.
 
DeltaPro is a portable grid-centric back-up solution with week solar charging potential.
I'm using it as a backup with success, but it has many limitations.
What I need now is a solid off-grid solution with a more capable solar charging potential.

Let's talk more about solving technical problem i'm facing, rather than questioning ideas.
What i'm trying to accomplish is very clear : using DeltaPro as Utilily for Growatt SPF5000 ES
Why ? Because of many personal reason that I consider having value for me.
One problem is that your growatt is designed for nearly twice the amperage than what the eco flow can provide. I would suggest that to get it working you connect it to grid power at the amperage specification listed in the manual and then experiment with the settings till you find what is causing the unexpected power consumption. Remember an AIO only passes through ac power it doesn’t subsidize it so without a battery you will be either running completely off of the solar or completely off of the ac. I suspect that in order for the inverter to work “directly” from solar it must have some sort of a capacitor involved that may be overwhelming your eco flow. If there is a setting that prevents this you will still have to factor in the power consumption of the growatt itself when it switches to ac. The reason I was questioning what you are trying to accomplish is that I was wondering if it is even technically possible to do what you want with an AIO because of how they are designed to handle ac power.
 
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