Chargeverter problem

[Jack Rabbit Off Grid]

Update.

So today I replaced the #12 wire with #8. I even stopped by the electric shop and purchased green so I didn’t have to mess with color tabbing any. I connected the #8 wire nutted strait to the CV where I removed the plug. L1/brown L2/blue ground to yellow/green.

The generator still does the same thing. Con not charge above 70a DC on the Chargeverter.

Voltage and amperage as tested at the CV wire nut connection
Set point 60a DC output
227.4vac input
L1 15.78a
L2 15.71a

Set point 65a DC output
227.1vac input
L1 17.19a
L2 17.10a

Set point 70a DC output
226.9 to 227.2 input
L1 18.48a
L2 18.42a

 

[timselectric]

Update.

So today I replaced the #12 wire with #8. I even stopped by the electric shop and purchased green so I didn’t have to mess with color tabbing any. I connected the #8 wire nutted strait to the CV where I removed the plug. L1/brown L2/blue ground to yellow/green.

The generator still does the same thing. Con not charge above 70a DC on the Chargeverter.

Voltage and amperage as tested at the CV wire nut connection
Set point 60a DC output
227.4vac input
L1 15.78a
L2 15.71a

Set point 65a DC output
227.1vac input
L1 17.19a
L2 17.10a

Set point 70a DC output
226.9 to 227.2 input
L1 18.48a
L2 18.42a

Those numbers look good. I'm guessing that the battery was around 53v.

 

[redalertdt]

Update.

So today I replaced the #12 wire with #8. I even stopped by the electric shop and purchased green so I didn’t have to mess with color tabbing any. I connected the #8 wire nutted strait to the CV where I removed the plug. L1/brown L2/blue ground to yellow/green.

The generator still does the same thing. Con not charge above 70a DC on the Chargeverter.

Voltage and amperage as tested at the CV wire nut connection
Set point 60a DC output
227.4vac input
L1 15.78a
L2 15.71a

Set point 65a DC output
227.1vac input
L1 17.19a
L2 17.10a

Set point 70a DC output
226.9 to 227.2 input
L1 18.48a
L2 18.42a

I just installed one today with a 6500/5000 watt champion generator. The best the generator will do is about 3000 watts before it lugs out and generator cuts out the load. So out of my 5000 running watts I only get about 60% before the generator lugs out. Maybe Champion is a bit too optimistic...?

 

[Jack Rabbit Off Grid]

Those numbers look good. I'm guessing that the battery was around 53v.

Yes about 53.7.

 

[Jack Rabbit Off Grid]

I just installed one today with a 6500/5000 watt champion generator. The best the generator will do is about 3000 watts before it lugs out and generator cuts out the load. So out of my 5000 running watts I only get about 60% before the generator lugs out. Maybe Champion is a bit too optimistic...?

My 8.5kw is rated @ 35.4 amps. It was putting out 37 amps but don’t like it. I only did this for testing for about 30 seconds.

 

[redalertdt]

My 8.5kw is rated @ 35.4 amps. It was putting out 37 amps but don’t like it. I only did this for testing for about 30 seconds.

Do you mean 120v? or 240v? I think the twist lock outlets are usually for 30a @ 240v or 30a @ 120v.

Mine was putting out about 14 amps at 240 volts. so 14a x 240v=3360 watts

 

[Jack Rabbit Off Grid]

Do you mean 120v? or 240v? I think the twist lock outlets are usually for 30a @ 240v or 30a @ 120v.

Mine was putting out about 14 amps at 240 volts. so 14a x 240v=3360 watts

my generator is rated @ 230v but outputs 226-228v.

 

[timselectric]

My 8.5kw is rated @ 35.4 amps. It was putting out 37 amps but don’t like it. I only did this for testing for about 30 seconds.

It was putting out 18.5a.
You are doubling your numbers.

 

[400bird]

Update.

So today I replaced the #12 wire with #8. I even stopped by the electric shop and purchased green so I didn’t have to mess with color tabbing any. I connected the #8 wire nutted strait to the CV where I removed the plug. L1/brown L2/blue ground to yellow/green.

The generator still does the same thing. Con not charge above 70a DC on the Chargeverter.

Voltage and amperage as tested at the CV wire nut connection
Set point 60a DC output
227.4vac input
L1 15.78a
L2 15.71a

Set point 65a DC output
227.1vac input
L1 17.19a
L2 17.10a

Set point 70a DC output
226.9 to 227.2 input
L1 18.48a
L2 18.42a

My 8.5kw is rated @ 35.4 amps. It was putting out 37 amps but don’t like it. I only did this for testing for about 30 seconds.

You never reported actual readings of 37 amps. All the measurements previously were 15-18.4 amps.
You don't add the L1 and L2 amperage measurements, just like you don't add current measurements taken on DC + and DC -

At 18.5 amps you're at about 50% of rated load on the generator.

Did you adjust the voltage and frequency as the manufacturer previously recommended?

 

[Jack Rabbit Off Grid]

It was putting out 18.5a.
You are doubling your numbers.

Ah got it.

 

[LydMekk]

Sounds like the manufacturer of the gennys are padding their numbers.
If the gen is new(ish) I would complain to the seller and get it exchanged.
Prob. for another brand ^^.

 

[Jack Rabbit Off Grid]

You never reported actual readings of 37 amps. All the measurements previously were 15-18.4 amps.
You don't add the L1 and L2 amperage measurements, just like you don't add current measurements taken on DC + and DC -

At 18.5 amps you're at about 50% of rated load on the generator.

Did you adjust the voltage and frequency as the manufacturer previously recommended?

Don’t know why I was trying to add both lines for amps. This is why I’m not an electrician.

Have not adjusted anything yet.

 

[Jack Rabbit Off Grid]

Sounds like the manufacturer of the gennys are padding their numbers.
If the gen is new(ish) I would complain to the seller and get it exchanged.
Prob. for another brand ^^.

13 hours on it.

 

[timselectric]

13 hours on it.

Return it.
It's not living up to it rating.

 

[myles]

You could do what I did this week to mine. I adjusted the hz unloaded to 63. And adjusted the voltage unloaded to 245. Now when it's loaded charging it sits right at 60 hz and 120 per leg dead on. She's happy now.

 

[Jack Rabbit Off Grid]

You could do what I did this week to mine. I adjusted the hz unloaded to 63. And adjusted the voltage unloaded to 245. Now when it's loaded charging it sits right at 60 hz and 120 per leg dead on. She's happy now.

On my list but don’t think it’s my problem.

 

[Jack Rabbit Off Grid]

Return it.
It's not living up to it rating.

With your guys help schooling on the electrical side I now believe it’s a fuel issue. While the generator is new the fuel supply components are not. They were left by a previous owner of another off grid property purchase I flipped a year ago or so. They were on an old 14k generator that was worn out smoked and didn’t run correctly. I now believe part of its problems are now part of my current problems. That whole system got replace by the current owner and I kept all the left overs.

I’m going to buy a new regulator And go though the whole fuel system and see what happens.

Thank you everyone that has been helping me. I will update this post soon as I get all the new fuel components replaced.

 

[Hedges]

I had been thinking power factor, more VA load on inverter than wattage suggests. Except Chargeverter ought to be near 1.0 PF.

Fuel delivery sure could do it. My Bronco II was idling and driving on the streets just fine, but limited above a certain speed on the freeway. Replacing filter fixed it. With hose disconnected you should be able to see if it flows freely. Although if it has a pump, that needs to be operated or bypassed too. My trencher has an electric pump which was easy to replace.

Does the generator have gasoline and carburetor? Easy to bypass all components before that for testing.
Any part of air inlet and exhaust that are also remaining from previous setup?
If an engine gets tilted on its side during transport, oil can saturate air filter, blocking flow.

 

[RCinFLA]

Has anyone measured Chargeverter AC input power factor for 240 vac and 120 vac operation?

Many generators' LED wattage readouts are actually VA, not true watts. Reading out true watts is more involved electronics and would generate more customer complaints of generator not providing its claimed wattage rating.

 

[OffGridInTheCity]

Has anyone measured Chargeverter AC input power factor for 240 vac and 120 vac operation?

It just so happens I use Iotawatt to monitor incoming AC from my Champion 100297 open frame generator -> EG4 Chargeverter. Iotawatt monitoring shows the PF.

Chargeverter set to 100a and during this run showing 99.8a -> 51.9v battery bank....


This iotawatt is showing PF 100% on generator AC input -> Chargerverter. It's ~150ft of 6awg wire from generator to Chargeverter.


Charging watts to the battery... Midnite Classic incoming PV + Batrium shunt showing overall watts to the battery....



5080w of charging / 5618.5w of generator input ~90% efficiency.

Note: Chargeverter display shows 51.9v and Batrium shows 51.28v. That's 51.9 * 99.8a = 5180w vs 51.28v * 99.8a = 5118w. It's about 10ft from Chargeverter to Batrium shunt / main buss - so it's more likely just differences in voltage measurements. In any case, it sure looks like the full 99.8a of charging is getting thru to the battery.