[RE-wrenches] Kohler 8.5 RES

[jay peltz]

HI Howie,

That is the word from my genny guy as well.

jay

peltz power
On Jul 10, 2009, at 11:06 AM, Howie Michaelson wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> Not to add to the confusion, but I just emailed my local dealer and  
> here
> is what he had to say about what Dana was told by the factory  
> technician
> and about off-grid warranties:
>
> "The 8.5 res units are configurable to 120/240, 120, and 50 or 60  
> hz. and
> that is done in the controller software, the volt reg has always  
> been in
> the controller any ways. when you re-configure a unit.........you
> physically change how the 4 wires from the windings are tied  
> together to
> create what voltage you are able to put out and, to balance the load  
> on a
> 120 circuit. all you are doing in the software is telling it to look  
> for
> 120 volts so the regulator could regulate it to that value. The  
> reason you
> are reconfiguring anyways is to balance the load on the 120 volt  
> circuit
> and wear the brushes evenly. If you could not re-configure these you  
> would
> just use it as is and have to replace one of the brushes down the  
> road.
>
> There is no warranty on off grid units from any company I know of.
> However, I stand by my systems and file warranties anyways and most  
> often
> they are paid, it is how you file the paperwork."
>
>
> Not sure if he is behind the curve on this issue, but that's his  
> take for
> what it's worth...
>
> Howie
> -- 
> Howie Michaelson
> NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer˙
>
> Sun Catcher, LLC
> Renewable Energy Systems Sales and Service
> VT Solar & Wind Incentive Program Partner
> http://www.SunCatcherVT.com
> (cell) 802-272-0004
> (home) 802-439-6096
>
>
> On Fri, July 10, 2009 12:09 pm, Dana wrote:
>> I just called Kohler for my own curiosity and spoke with the service
> tech. that I have dealt with for 15 years.
>>
>>
>>
>> He said-
>>
>>
>>
>> The 8.5 RMY was reconfigurable if it had the ADC21 controller, but  
>> doing
> so voided the warranty, 3600 RMP air cooled.
>>
>>
>>
>> The new 8.5 ,12, & 18 KW RES are not reconfigurable due to the  
>> voltage
> regulator being built into the generator controller that is a 240 VAC
> sensing controller. 3600RPM & air cooled.
>>
>>
>>
>> You want a RES model, not a RES L or M1 which have a mechanical  
>> governor
> that is loose enough to not stay within the HZ window of most  
> inverters.
>>
>>
>>
>> Kohler is designing an ╲Off Grid╡ model no word on what  
>> is coming.
>>
>>
>>
>> That all for now folks.
>>
>>
>>
>> Dana Orzel
>>
>>
>>
>> Great Solar Works, Inc
>>
>> www.solarwork.com
>>
>> E - dana at solarwork.com
>>
>> V - 970.626.5253
>>
>> F - 970.626.4140
>>
>> C - 970.209.4076
>>
>> ╲I'd put my money on solar energyâ•œ I hope we don't have  
>> to wait 'til
> oil and coal run out before we tackle that.╡
>>
>> ╉Thomas Edison, in conversation with Henry Ford and Harvey  
>> Firestone,
> March 1931
>>
>>
>>
>> From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
>> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Jeff
> Yago Sent: Friday, July 10, 2009 9:40 AM
>> To: RE-wrenches
>> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Kohler 8.5 RES
>>
>>
>>
>> I sure would like to have a final definitive answer on this.  For  
>> years
> we were installing Kohler 8.5 kW units as they were easy for any
> inverter to start and stop with a simple relay, and their output was  
> easy
> for the local Kohler dealer to re-configure for 100% output at 120  
> VAC.
> All they ever charged us extra for was the cost to switch-out the  
> breaker
> since they we going from a 2-pole 240 VAC smaller amp rated breaker  
> that
> came with the unit to a new single pole larger amp rated breaker.
>>
>>
>>
>> Now I am reading these posts that Kohler:
>>
>>
>>
>> A. No longer makes the generator section so you can get 100% output  
>> at
> 120 VAC,
>>
>>
>>
>> B. Yes, you ou can make this simple change-over in the field but  
>> Kohler
> will void the warranty
>>
>>
>>
>> C. DOn't worry, everything is the same and you can order the units
> either way.
>>
>>
>>
>> Some on the list have said their Kohler rep told them one thing,  
>> another
> says something else.  Doesn't anyone on this list know anyone at  
> Kohler
> that really knows what they are talking about and will give us a
> straight answer one way or the other.
>>
>>
>>
>> Or better yet, lets ask for something really crazy, like a product
> manufacturer that actually asks their repeat-order customers what
> features they really need and not this take it or leave it attitude.
>>
>>
>>
>> Jeff Yago
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>  _____
>>
>> Netscape.  Just the Net You Need.
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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