Sol-ark damaged by small generator?

[hautions11]

I have heard that the 15k can be damaged by the use of smaller generators due to surges from quick loads etc. ( highest Sol-ark failure rate is associated with small generator issues) I also heard that Sol-ark recommends a 22k minimum generator. In reading lots of threads it appears a lot of you are running small under 10k generators as back up.

I do have a 30 KWh battery bank for a bit of load buffering, but what is the bottom line? Thx

 

[SunDave]

I have never heard that, but I'm new to the game.

I noticed that my 7kWh continuous generator would trip easier when putting power "through" the sol-ark than when I used it stand-alone. However, I just worked around the minor inconvenience by only using it to charge the battery, rather than running it when doing laundry and other high draw tasks.

Works pretty well. I just avoid the quick loads now when using the small generator. The inverter must just pull a lot of power quickly, tripping the generator when it otherwise wouldn't have. That's my guess.

If I was fully off-grid, I would get a better generator for sure. I like the one I have though, the 8750 harbor freight inverter. Good for the money.

 

[Oldphile]

2.4 Integrating a Generator
Generators Smaller than 19.2kW → On “GEN” Terminal
1. Supports 120/240V generators only.
2. Connect the generator output to the “GEN” input terminal of the Sol-Ark. You must select the
correct grid type before connecting the generator.
3. A THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) of less than 15% is preferred.
4. “GEN” terminal DOES NOT support 120/208V 3-Phase generators.


Generators Bigger than 19.2kW → On “GRID” Terminal
1. Supports 220V Single phase, 120/240V Split phase, 120/208V 3-Phase (2 of 3 phases). The correct
grid type must be selected before connecting the generator.
2. Off-Grid systems with whole-home generators on ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch) or manual
transfer switch connected to the
“GRID” input, require selecting “? GEN Connect to Grid Input”.
a. Home Screen → → “Limiter” → “Other” → “? GEN Connect to Grid Input” → “OK”
3. An Off-Grid system should NOT use “Grid sell”. CT sensors on generator lines are only needed if
using “Grid Peak Shaving” to peak-shave the generator.

I don't see any reference to a 22KW generator.

 

[Luthj]

Do you happen to have a source from where you heard this info?

A crap generator could damage the inverter in the same way it could damage any connected device. I am not aware of any minimum gen size for the sol ark 15k.

 

[hautions11]

I heard all of this from another Sol-ark owner. I read the under 19.2k info in the manual, saw lots of people on the forum running smaller generators and could not find a solid reference to the 22k minimum. He told me he got the recommendation from Sol-ark. I think the real world uses a lot of smaller generator. I have a ES 6500 inverter generator that is pretty clean. I am debating using a chargeverter directly to the battery to avoid inverter issues, but it sounds like I do not have to.

 

[DIYrich]

Using the limit feature, the sol-ark can draw a pretty stable load from the generator. I still would go the chargeverter route.

 

[robby]

Using the limit feature, the sol-ark can draw a pretty stable load from the generator. I still would go the chargeverter route.

I am just wondering why use the EG4 charger?
It seems like the all of the Generator integration is already in the Sol-Ark.
I have never heard of a 22KWh requirement, I have heard of 12KWh being required but maybe that changed..

 

[LydMekk]

I would run a Gen->EG4 Chargeverter to charge the battery bank and not run loads directly from the genny.
Much cleaner power this way and no overloading the gen.

 

[DIYrich]

I am just wondering why use the EG4 charger?
It seems like the all of the Generator integration is already in the Sol-Ark.
I have never heard of a 22KWh requirement, I have heard of 12KWh being required but maybe that changed..

I can use a cheap $400 generator to recharge the battery. The CV cleans up the power from the cheap dirty generator. Sol-ark is good if you have a good stand-by auto start generator. If you are going cheap with Plan C, CV is the way to go.

 

[dougbert]

same here on an external charger

get 2 chargeverters and use them to charge the battery directly from the generator and totally bypass the solark

in my build thread, post #1 I layout my schematic what I have done, down a page or 2

and here for some pictures

 

[Crowz]

I am just wondering why use the EG4 charger?
It seems like the all of the Generator integration is already in the Sol-Ark.
I have never heard of a 22KWh requirement, I have heard of 12KWh being required but maybe that changed..

Few reasons actually.

The chargeverter will handle really dirty generators (output wise) where most inverters won't.

If the generator goes bananas you lose a $400 chargeverter and not a god awful expensive inverter.

You can run multiple chargeverters which means you have spares AND you can run multiple generators at once.

The chargeverter can even be run from an inverter that's mounted in a vehicle (handy for my stuff)

 

[dougbert]

I am just wondering why use the EG4 charger?

It seems like the all of the Generator integration is already in the Sol-Ark.
I have never heard of a 22KWh requirement, I have heard of 12KWh being required but maybe that changed..

the rule of thumb is TWICE the inverter size

it has to run the house loads in BYPASS mode, while at the same time the inverter/charger is in charger mode charging the battery

 

[SunDave]

Using the limit feature, the sol-ark can draw a pretty stable load from the generator. I still would go the chargeverter route.

Hi Rich, I can set the amp limit for charging, but it seems it will still default to pulling loads from the generator as well. That's why I started limiting gen charging time to low loads time.

Chargeverter is a possible work-around for sure, and frees up the gen port for other input, or a smart load shed.

Dave

 

[hautions11]

OK this makes a lot of sense. My Honda produces very clean power, but it is just for grid down situations in winter, cloudy, rainy, snowy. while building the house I have a dedicated line from a generator pad to the utility room. A CV could mount right next to the battery rack. I do like the simplicity of that set-up.

 

[SunDave]

the rule of thumb is TWICE the inverter size

it has to run the house loads in BYPASS mode, while at the same time the inverter/charger is in charger mode charging the battery

Hi dougbert,

The bypass explanation makes a lot of sense. It is charging the battery, so the inverter can't simultaneously charge, AND pull power from the battery at the same time. The generator has all of the work to do. If someone runs into this problem, you could get a huge generator, like you say 2x the size of the inverter, or just limit charging to times when you are not pulling big loads, and set the gen charge number to allow for some headroom. In my case, charge at 4kW and keep 3kW on standby for minimal usage while charging.

 

[dougbert]

Hi dougbert,

The bypass explanation makes a lot of sense. It is charging the battery, so the inverter can't simultaneously charge, AND pull power from the battery at the same time. The generator has all of the work to do. If someone runs into this problem, you could get a huge generator, like you say 2x the size of the inverter, or just limit charging to times when you are not pulling big loads, and set the gen charge number to allow for some headroom. In my case, charge at 4kW and keep 3kW on standby for minimal usage while charging.

yep, options
the tech today is orders of magnitude of where it was just a few years ago - wonderful time to "play"

 

[hautions11]

Why get 2 CV's?

 

[dougbert]

Why get 2 CV's?

my system/battery can receive 10kw

I run the CVs at 3kw each
my generator is a 8kw, but gets by at 6300 watt on propane at 5500ft
I can run the generator at 75% and fill the battery quickly, saving fuel

 

[dougbert]

and watch this video

 

[Steve_S]

SolArk like most other Top Tier products should also be able to limit the draw from the GenSet by controlling the Max Charge Amp Output. Now if the Genset can only provide say 120V/40A that is your input limit, what exactly that is for charging @ 48V in Amps I'm not sure. But if the Inverter demands more & the genset can't deliver it, all sorts of nasty starts to happen.

I happen to run 24V Battery. Charger @ 80A is pulling 120V/23-25A (floats due to passthrough). The Inverter Genny handles the surge demands really well (it maxes at 4650W). My system will take the Passthrough and if its not enough the Inverter will make up the difference even while charging concurrently. Not All Inverter/Charger can do that though, Samlex is one of those that does, a Big Point when I was looking at them.

Hope it helps a bit.