Generator Update [RE-wrenches]

[Allan Sindelar]

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Ray,
Re the Kohler: we'll know soon what's up. A newly transplanted offgrid
client contacted us looking for an inverter to use with his newly-purchased
generator to run his trailer and housebuilding project. The generator is a
Kohler 12RES. I immediately told him of the issues that had been discussed
in the previous thread about small Kohlers. I printed out the whole thread,
of which I had saved the key posts, and gave it to him. I explained that we
had stopped selling Kohlers because their smaller units just weren't
appropriate for offgrid backup charging any more. He had also purchased a
240V AC well pump, so we designed a PS2/VFX3648/X240 system with a
Tri-Metric monitor and a single "temporary" string of 8 T-105s. We'll finish
the installation next week, after the propane co has set an LPG tank and run
the line to the generator.

The 12RES installation manual claims (this is from memory) 192 AC input
watts for the battery charger (which I assume is continuous), plus a
carburetor heater and something else -a block heater?- for a total draw of
340 watts from grid AC.

Here's what I predict:
1. The gas company will hook up the generator and it'll start and run just
fine. The generator starting battery will go dead in about two days. We'll
figure out the continuous draw, change that jumper to allow the controller
to power down eventually, and figure out what it'll take to make this system
work.
2. I have warned him not to use his RV 5th-wheel trailer's onboard battery
charger or keep the trailer plugged into the power system as if on RV-park
hookups, which it's designed for. We'll see how quickly this lesson is
learned.
3. He will add PV to the system much sooner than he originally planned, as
he lives for awhile with this arrangement. The system we are installing is
purposely designed to grow into a full home system once he has a home with a
load profile and more educated user. The golf carts are intended to be a
quickly-used-up-and-recycled "starter set", his cheapest storage medium for
the short term.

I'll let this list know if we learn any good solutions to the Kohler issue.

Re the inverter-generators: Subaru's 5100 model, which I believe is rated at
4300 watts continuous, is now available in an inverter configuration. I
found the same unit to be cheaper under the "Baldor" name. And I think Honda
has a model out that's larger than 3kW. Yamaha is also supposed to be
releasing a 4kW version, but we haven't received anything from them yet.

Allan at Positive Energy

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ray Walters" <walters at taosnet.com>


Hi All;

I know we discussed that Kohlers were not good for off grid anymore
because of the continuous draw of its controller. Folks suggested the
Coleman Powerstations. Now a year or so later are the power stations
holding up? Any long term concerns? Also have the Kohlers changed so
they are off grid compatible again? Any other brands people are having
good luck with? I'm using Yamaha and I like the inverter-generator line;
does anyone make inverter generators in 5 Kw or higher models.
How do you all feel about selling carbon fuel based products as a RE
company?

Thanks in advance for your responses,

Ray Walters

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