Hey Arbee!Guda, as you may realize, you're likely to pay more per watt for an invertor type generator than not, but in addition to the invertor type producing a more stable sine wave when it's current is tested on an oscilloscope, another factor to consider is that inverter generators are much better capable of using less fuel when taxed less by appliances...not so with conventional generators.
Oh okay I see. Thank you!1. The SF-5 (5KW) & SF-10 (10KW) were gas Army Gen's in 1967, the larger generators like 45KW were diesel. My opening comments were only to comment on efficiency, I can't remember the amount of fuel used. I wanted to point out that if you are selecting a backup generator for bad weather or emergencies to charge your batteries that under sizing it or oversizing it would lower your efficiency.
Interesting. Great info, thank you.Standard gensets are PSW by design (usually). It's just the THD and subharmonics to watch, also keeping the frequency in range as the loads change. For off-grid purposes, the advantages of the inverter generators are basically lost IMHO. Typically (not always but most of the time) the bottom line is you want the genset to turn on, charge the batteries as quickly as possible (within reason), and shut off again.
110 amps is a huge generator & wire. 110amp AC wire gotta be hugeSo max charge rate + average loads + 25% = Genset KW
Before the fire (propane generator) I ran one every night. I really hated it but I was stuck. I had 3 20 gal tanks to run them. One exploded. I burned my hands up pulling the other 2 out. I like diesel now. Gas & propane are just to volatile for me now.Around here, propane is less than half of gasoline or diesel so we always either convert or buy propane gensets with electric start. I'm going to be testing a Mebay DC30D soon to handle the dry contact from the inverters.
I can completely understand your reservation with propane. Sounds like a terrible experience!Before the fire (propane generator) I ran one every night. I really hated it but I was stuck. I had 3 20 gal tanks to run them. One exploded. I burned my hands up pulling the other 2 out. I like diesel now. Gas & propane are just to volatile for me now.
If I'm understanding you correctly that's 110A @ 48V DC. That's basically 5.4KW or ~22A @ 240V. 10AWG would handle that easily depending on the run. Realistically though you'd be looking at an 8AWG or a 6AWG depending on loads and total run length. Either way shouldn't cost a fortune.110 amps is a huge generator & wire. 110amp AC wire gotta be huge
Just a thought for the future: As long as you have an electric start generator of any kind, you typically can add an auto-gen start unit such as the Mebay DC20D MKII or DC30D. That will allow you to have a 2-wire or dry contact start from the inverter for automatic on/off operation. The gensets that include that functionality by default are few and far between (Generac Guardian) etc while also costing a mini fortune compare to a decent electric start genset with an auto-gen start unit added.Well, my AIO has variable charging. 10amp up to 110 amps at 10 amp intervals. To me ideal is not having a generator until I can get a high end model that works with the AIO automatically. But, having the correct battery, rest of my pv deployed & wind turbine will make it so I almost never, if not never need a generator. So, I want to get all that done before I pull the trigger on a expensive generator.
Thanks man. Its a new year & its going to be awesome.I can completely understand your reservation with propane. Sounds like a terrible experience!
Hum, forgive my lack of specs. I am not sure how the AIO works. But, it takes AC for non solar charging. I am pretty sure it will take 110amps at 120V. I think. Its been a few since I fooled with the AC charging settings. But, I seam to remember it going that high. No idea how I'd wire for that.If I'm understanding you correctly that's 110A @ 48V DC. That's basically 5.4KW or ~22A @ 240V. 10AWG would handle that easily depending on the run. Realistically though you'd be looking at an 8AWG or a 6AWG depending on loads and total run length. Either way shouldn't cost a fortune.
Oh wow. Thats pretty sweet.Just a thought for the future: As long as you have an electric start generator of any kind, you typically can add an auto-gen start unit such as the Mebay DC20D MKII or DC30D. That will allow you to have a 2-wire or dry contact start from the inverter for automatic on/off operation. The gensets that include that functionality by default are few and far between (Generac Guardian) etc while also costing a mini fortune compare to a decent electric start genset with an auto-gen start unit added.
What's the model of your inverter? 110A @ 120V input would be 13.2KW. That's crazy high for a single inverter. That's more than 2 SMA SI6048's or a single 15KW Quattro's charging capacity.Hum, forgive my lack of specs. I am not sure how the AIO works. But, it takes AC for non solar charging. I am pretty sure it will take 110amps at 120V. I think. Its been a few since I fooled with the AC charging settings. But, I seam to remember it going that high. No idea how I'd wire for that.
4/0 is rated for ~230A (varies based on several specs). Seems odd that you would need that size wire for charging at 10A. No matter the voltage, 10A could be carried by a 12 or 14 gauge wire. Unless you are saying that you are converting it from a lower voltage/higher current somewhere along the way and in that case you need the larger wire for the lower voltage stage.I am in the process of making it so my truck can charge my AIO at 10amp. I wanted 20amp but the wiring would all have to be beefed up to 4/0 & thats crazy a lot. I still have to upgrade the alternator wire to get 10amp safely. I'm going to replace that with 4/0. Still trying to figure out what connector to use to connect to the alternator. Might just be a weird lug.
Sounds like a plan (no need for a genset). If you do get a diesel for backup, the lower end/cheapest auto-gen start units are usually designed/programmed for diesels out of the gate. With heater control and all. They are actually a little more difficult to configure for any type of gas generator (usually).I'd prefer a diesel generator. The type that is installed. Like heavy equipment type. For some reason my backhoe starts no problem in the cold, but not my Powerstroke. Not sure if one what I am talking about has to run a block heater or not. But I might never need it. Wind & solar is great where I am. Huge solar farms all around. No big wind turbines around, but tons of little ones. I had one I lost in the fire, it blew like crazy all the time. With a new battery & a wind turbine ($5000) I literally might never need a generator.
What's the model of your inverter? 110A @ 120V input would be 13.2KW. That's crazy high for a single inverter. That's more than 2 SMA SI6048's or a single 15KW Quattro's charging capacity.
I need to go up to 4/0 as my alternator is 250a. I need to 4/0 from alternator to truck battery ASAP. I think I have 1/0 from the truck battery to the system in the back. Currently its like 8awg-10awg. Thats fine for what the truck needs but the inverters can draw more power than even the 1/0 can handle.4/0 is rated for ~230A (varies based on several specs). Seems odd that you would need that size wire for charging at 10A. No matter the voltage, 10A could be carried by a 12 or 14 gauge wire. Unless you are saying that you are converting it from a lower voltage/higher current somewhere along the way and in that case you need the larger wire for the lower voltage stage.
I am making a video about the whole build. Its started off with me needing power, living in motel everything a mess after fire. Foolishly I bought this. Well long story short it was a lemon & under powered poo. You might be able to see some wiring specks on their site. So there is a entire system that I am building another system on top of. I am adding bells, whistles & the kitchen sink.Would you be interested in sharing your wiring configuration/schematic for charging with your truck? I'm just a little curious but no worries if not.
A plan I hope to avoid. Wind & solar with the correct battery. Literally might never need any fuel burning to make power.Sounds like a plan (no need for a genset). If you do get a diesel for backup, the lower end/cheapest auto-gen start units are usually designed/programmed for diesels out of the gate. With heater control and all. They are actually a little more difficult to configure for any type of gas generator (usually).