Kohler 8.5 RES generator [RE-wrenches]

[Brad Bassett]

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I thought all of the RMY generators came without a built in generator 
for the starting battery and came with an AC charger that often failed. 
We always put a small 5 or 10 w PV module on the starting battery. At 
685 ma you might need a bit more than 10w PV though.

Brad



Kirk Herander, VSE wrote:
> 
> Group,
> 
> Have any of you used this generator in an off-grid application. I have 
> and
> there are a few curves to be aware of.
> The generator has a electronic controller. It is quite slick and allows 
> for
> some fancy programming, but requires power(from the starting battery) 
> when
> the generator is off. Athough the service manual states a 250 ma current
> draw, the draw I measured is 685 ma. This will definitely draw the
> recommended starting battery(675 CCA @ 0 degrees) down far enough to 
> prevent
> generator starting. The controller has an internal jumper, that if 
> removed
> will power down the controller after 48 hrs (in auto start mode)(and who
> knows why this time period was selected by the factory), but the battery
> will go dead enough before the power down. So my solution was to 
> parallel 2
> batteries together to ride through this 48 hr time period.
> 
> In addition, there is no alternator/rectifier to charge the battery. 
> Instead
> a 6 amp battery charger is included which must be wired to an AC
> source(grid, inverter, or the generator itself) to keep it charged. I
> measured the ac power draw of the charger at 100 watts(ie. 2400 
> whrs/day).
> Not too practical off an inverter, unless its put on a timer. The old 
> 8.5
> RMY did not have these hassles.
> 
> 
> Vermont Solar Engineering
> Kirk Herander
> North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners
> Certified Solar PV Installer(TM)
> Xantrex Certified Dealer Charter Member
> NYSERDA-eligible installer
> Vermont Solar and Wind Partner
> 
> PO Box 697
> Burlington, VT. 05402
> www.vermontsolar.com
> www.backeastsolar.com
> 800.286.1252 - 802.863.1202
> fax 802.863.7908
> 
> 



Brad Bassett
AEE

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