[RE-wrenches] generator

[Mick Abraham]

As a check, Larry might disconnect the Generac machine from the Outback
system and everything else, then with machine not running, check for
continuity from the neutral (wide) slot on the GFI receptacle and the metal
frame of the generator.

If there is continuity, the neutral is bonded to ground at the
generator...and is probably also bonded to ground at the first disconnect in
the home. That would explain the GFI trip-out.

I would then suggest to find and remove the bond from generator neutral to
chassis, especially if this machine is hard-wired into the Outback system
then there is a bond elsewhere so two bonds are not needed.

Jolliness,

Mick Abraham, Proprietor
www.abrahamsolar.com

Voice: 970-731-4675


On Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 9:49 AM, Larry Brown <sunmountain at netstep.net>wrote:

> Dave,
>
> The original setup was an 1800 watt Homelite generator with two non GFI
> receptacles, no twist lock receptacle
> The client had the generator from building their house
> It was wired through a fused disconnect to the VFX3524
> All worked fine
> They tried the same set up with the new Generac 8000 watt inverter
> They plugged into a 20 amp GFI receptacle on the generator and it kept
> popping the GFI breaker
> I did lower the Battery charger AC amps and the AC amps in but it seemed to
> make no difference
>
> Larry
>
>
>
> On Nov 10, 2009, at 8:22 PM, David Palumbo wrote:
>
>  Larry,
>>
>> Are you sure it is not a simple overload situation? Have you tried
>> reprogramming the VFX with a Mate to lower critical values (AC Amps In,
>> and
>> Battery charger AC amps)?
>>
>> Seems strange a 8kW generator to have a 20A breaker protect a load like a
>> generator (unless you were plugged into that outlet). How do you have the
>> output wired?
>>
>> Dave
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
>> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Larry
>> Brown
>> Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 7:11 PM
>> To: RE-wrenches
>> Subject: [RE-wrenches] generator
>>
>> Fellow Wrenches,
>>
>> On an off the grid system we did for a client a year or two back, we
>> installed an Outback VFX3524 mounted on a Midnight Solar E Panel.
>> They had a manual pull Homelight generator as back up.  All worked well.
>> Recently the client upgraded to an electric start 8000 watt Generac
>> generator.
>> Now every time they start the new generator, the GFI 20 amp
>> receptacle on the generator pops.
>> There is probably a redundant neutral to ground bond that is causing
>> this but I am uncertain on the best approach to remedy this condition
>> Any recommendations or experience on how to get the generator to
>> interface with the system?
>>
>> Thanks
>> Larry
>>
>> Larry Brown
>> Sun Mountain
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