Caveat: I'm a hobbyist with knowledge of general AGS functions, specific systems I work with and incomplete knowledge of most other systems.
Okay, so you have this from RCinFLA which provides some info on the inverter outputs:
Pretty well explained in manual. RY7 is Run switch, RY8 is starter crank if you need separate starter control. Descriptions start pg 50 in revB manual. Picture of physical power board on page 13. Each relay has three spade lugs for NO, NC, and common pole of contact. You will be using NO and Common lugs to relays, until run is kill switch in which you will use NC, common for that function.
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1)My first question is, is it possible for me to wire the two control wires into a generators' panel? It seems every AGS I see has pretty much the same parameter set up heading as my inverters. And, supposedly, these two wires are meant to trigger certain points in the genny's starting system
It depends on the generator and the inverter. In the US most generators are not built to take a simple two-wire input from the inverter and convert that to start/run/stop operation. Standby generators often incorporate this capability but the vast majority of others do not.
The AGS modules take the relatively simple signal from the inverter (12v in the case of Outback, closing the circuit in most other cases, I'm not clear on the outputs of your Trace inverter) to begin a sequence of commands that start the generator, e.g. the Atkins AGS module on my Westinghouse generator takes the closing of the circuit provided by the Victron inverter to: a) close a circuit that turns the generator switch on b) wait five seconds to close the circuit of the start button for a duration of 1 second c) monitor the output of the generator to ensure that it's running and d) if the generator isn't running it re-closes the circuit for the start button for a duration of 1 second. It will do this five times if it doesn't get a signal that the generator is producing AC voltage of the correct Hz.
That's a general overview. You need to find the manual for your generator to fully understand how the Trace SW5548 generator outputs work. I found this Trace manual and it includes 10 pages (p. 70 - 80) of information on two and three wire generator controls.
2)If everything is controlled from the inverter/charger, why would an auto generator start be necessary? I have the manuals for the inverters, but Trace is now defunct, so there's nobody to call and ask.
It's true that the inverter controls the operation of the generator control outputs but those outputs
may be inadequate to start a generator thus requiring an AGS module.
3) I have a Miller Bobcat Welder/11kw generator with a Kohler engine which if I remember right is a 19hp, and it runs on LP. Would I be able to set that up as my back up generator, controlled by my master inverter?
Very likely the answer is yes. When a human walks up to that generator they do a few things to start it. That could be flipping a switch, turning a key, closing the choke, etc. All these things can usually be automated and initiated by the simple inverter output.
The folks at Miller may have some direct info for you but this also may be a non-standard application for their products so they may not have good info.
And if that is possible, how would I set up an automatic choke for that, or is it even possible? With the dual inverters I'm hoping to use both legs of the 240v side of the generator and get a faster charge. (Sorry, 3 questions).
There are a number of ways to actuate a choke and it's most likely possibly with your generator. Some folks buy an
AGS with an auto-choke module and install it when available. Others have built their own using electro-mechanical levers that are actuated by the AGS in the starting sequence. Does your welder run on propane or gasoline? Some propane motors do not require a choke.
What I'd really like to do is plant my welder in the shop I'm building, plum the gas line to it, and run the control wires to the generator in the shop to kill two birds with one stone. Of course, I'll have to run power lines from the shop to the house, but since I've got a 300' run from the arrays to the house, I'm looking at buying heavy wire by the spool, almost. I've oversized our system so that it will need minimal back up from the genny, so I can use the welder in the shop when I need it for projects, too. Thanks for any info, good or bad, that you can give me on this. Lee
This is roughly how my system is arranged (minus the welder and the 300' run). Depending on the amperage of the current running from the gen to the house the wire AWG may get expensive although 4 or 6 wag may cover your needs. I used 6 AWG wire for a 50' run to support 50 amps AC.
I've seen some of your other posts on this and it looks like you've been on this project for awhile. It can take some time to figure it all out but it doesn't sound like you're after anything that can't be accomplished.
HTH.
