Kohler 8.5 RES generator [RE-wrenches]

Tue Nov 23 10:54:32 PST 2004

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  Travis, etc.,

  This situation should illustrate the problems in using generators designed 
to be used in utility back-up installations, not as prime-power units. Maybe 
you could avoid these pitfalls by talking to Kohler engineers about making a 
different build available for off-grid installations, you know; like they 
used to make them?

  Like I keep saying over and over again (but nobody listens! ;-) 
LISTER/PETTER! Or even the commercial version of the Generac with the 4 
cylinder Ford industrial engine - (the same one that Kohler used to use by 
the way).

  I formerly used a lot of Kohlers in my jobs. They were great units BEFORE 
they made the stupid decision to become competitive with all the other high 
RPM, air cooled, cheapies on the market, just like Onan did.

  Having said this, even Lister has made some really dumb design decisions 
with their starting system. Their "top of the line" digital display LCD 
draws about 500 miliamps, that's the back-light!, which kills the battery in 
about 6 days without a supplemental charging source.

  What ever happened to all the old gensets that worked?!

  Matt T
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: "Travis Creswell, Ozark Solar" <ozsolar at ipa.net>
  To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
  Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2004 5:25 AM
  Subject: RE: Kohler 8.5 RES generator [RE-wrenches]

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  Hello Kirk,

  I was just preparing to post to the group about my recent experience with 
a
  12 RES.  We seriously underestimated the power requirements of the
  controller and failed to note that it's only source of recharging the
  starter battery was the on board AC battery charger.  This resulted in an
  emergency service call for the customer.  The starter battery was ruined.

  We already had planned on installing a small solar panel to maintain the
  battery but after your post we are going to install a larger one so we
  actually charge the battery.  We've already removed the jumper so the
  controller can power down in 48 hrs.  We also intend to wire the on board
  battery charger directly to the output of the generator so it runs when 
the
  generator is running.

  Where did you put the 2nd starting battery?  There's no room for a 2nd
  battery in 12 RES.  The manual mentions the controller can be run from 24
  volts.  My customer has a 24v volt battery bank and I wondered about 
running
  the controller from it.

  Other than this controller issue we are very happy with this generator. 
We
  can't comment on its durability yet but it's performance exceeded our
  expectations.

  Take care,
  Travis Creswell
  Ozark Energy Services, Inc.

  -----Original Message-----
  From: Kirk Herander [mailto:kirk at vtsolar.com]
  Sent: Monday, November 22, 2004 3:50 PM
  To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
  Cc: jwblevins at kinsleypower.com
  Subject: Kohler 8.5 RES generator [RE-wrenches]

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  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

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