How to make load come from battery vs generator

[palehorse]

So in the absence of CTs and gen peak shaving this is the only option on the solark settings.

 

[Checkthisout]

What the hell is peak shaving?

Is that akin to gen assist on a Victron Multiplus?

 

[Oldphile]

What the hell is peak shaving?

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]

It limits the power from the AC source and calls upon the battery to assist powering the loads.

Ah.

So yeah, same thing as power assist and input current limit on the Multiplus.

 

[Oldphile]

So in the absence of CTs and gen peak shaving this is the only option on the solark settings.

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]

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

 

[Tulex]

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.

 

[palehorse]

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

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]

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.

 

[Oldphile]

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.

Sol-Ark can switch from Charging to Supplying Power.

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]

This is the functionality that Sol-Ark says they no longer support.

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.

 

[Oldphile]

Yes, they do claim that it functions on the grid port.

 

[DIYrich]

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.

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]

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.

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?