[RE-wrenches] Outback VFX input voltage cycling

[Christopher Freitas]

Hey Jay - 

 

I have seen this type of problem before - but it was with Kohler
generators and the old SW series.   They use a voltage regulation system
which actually increases the AC output voltage along with the AC load
level - they call it "power boost" and it is intended to offset the
voltage drop in the wiring from the generator to the loads.  Usually
this is a good feature to have - but under some situations it can be a
problem - such as when the inverter and generator are close together and
the Generator's AC output voltage is set close to the limit of the
inverter.  Maybe the larger Onan's have a similar system.  

 

I think that the CFL lights are making a difference at very light load
levels because they really only draw power for a very short time from
the peak of the waveform - which causes the RMS voltage to drop.  Then
as the inverter loads up the generator the voltage rises again and its
dropped.  Even though the CFLs are a small total wattage AC load they
draw power in a very brief instant - so they are more like a 1500 watt
AC load which surges on each cycle for just a very brief instance (less
than 1 millisecond usually - depends on the design of the CFL's power
supply).  Often the AC voltage waveform of an unloaded generator can be
extremely non-sinusoidal without any operating.  Unfortunately this
requires an oscilloscope to check and even then there is not much which
can be done if it is ugly.  

 

I would check the AC voltage on the generator with a hand held true-RMS
meter and also with the MATE with the charger set to "OFF" (via the
MATE).  I would also increase the AC Input Maximum Voltage setting to at
least 140VAC.  Then enable the charger again and watch the AC input
voltage on both the hand held meter and on the MATE itself.  

 

You might be able to have the customer check the AC input voltage level
(with the charger on and off) and adjust the AC input maximum limit over
the phone if that is possible - saving you a trip to the site perhaps.  

 

You also might need to adjust the calibration of the inverter's AC input
measurement - again this is done with the MATE in the "CAL" menu
section. 

 

I hope this helps!

 

Christopher

 

 

Christopher Freitas

Director of Research and Development 

OutBack Power Systems, Inc.

cfreitas at outbackpower.com <mailto:cfreitas at outbackpower.com> 

Tel 360 435 6030

Cell 360 202 4239

19009 62nd Ave NE 

Arlington WA 98223 USA

www.outbackpower.com <http://www.outbackpower.com/> 

 

 


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