[RE-wrenches] Outback Chargers

[jay peltz]

Hi Matt,

With two systems on the thread right now with pretty much the same problem, I am suspecting a problem with one or more inverters. Most all the Outback inverter issues I've have been have been on stacked systems.
Having installed a lot of these inverters I have yet to see the exact problems cited here.  Usually I've seen it with much smaller generators vs inverter size, but not with what I would call properly oversized units.  And because it is with charger issues, turning down the charge rate, but leaving generator size accurate has proved to be quite successful.  

I would try to run the inverters such that you can test to see how they are each working.  
For the quad stack, try 2 at full tilt, then the other 2 and see if you can find something there, might take some rewiring to test all combos.
For the tri stack, well you get the drift.

jay
peltz power



On Feb 10, 2014, at 5:09 PM, matt at solar-energy-solutions.com wrote:

> Wrenches,
> 
> Based on Kevin's comments about Outback Chargers in the HUP thread I am
> hopeful that some of you well-versed in the off grid world can assist. 
> Particularly I am curious if others can confirm deficiencies with Outback
> chargers and suggest strategies for overcoming these deficiencies.
> 
> I currently have an off grid site with significant charging difficulty. 
> The site has been online around eight years with a quad VFX3648 stack. 
> Around six months ago the client began experiencing more generator issues
> (he had certainly had occasional problems before but engine overruns
> became almost a weekly occurrence which, considering the client is only
> there on the weekends except during hunting season, is not good).  The
> client decided to buy a new generator based on a comment from Outback.
> They suggested his old 15 kW Briggs with mechanical governor should have
> the governor replaced with an electronic governor.  This couldn't be done
> so he bought a new GE 20 kW with electronic governor.  The GE does not
> work with the Outback chargers at all (sounds like immediate overrun) but
> will run the home just fine (and pass-thru Outback with chargers off).
> 
> I am about at the point of asking the client to buy Iotas.  However, we
> have a Honda 6500 that has worked as a backup generator for this system
> and that has worked for other Outback systems we have installed.  The
> Honda no longer works well with this Outback system (routinely disconnects
> after a few minutes charging and won't charge more than a few amps per
> port).  Something has obviously changed for the Honda to no longer work
> well and I am beginning to think that maybe I am missing something else. 
> We have checked grounding and switched around inverters to run off dual
> stacks without any noticeable difference.  The client has tried three
> separate generators at this point and none work very well.  After eight
> years the batteries aren't in great shape but they hold a charge and
> should be capable of more years of service (Surrette YS).  Outback tech
> support seems willing to listen and empathize but incapable of helping me
> identify the issue.
> 
> Any advice is welcome.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Matt
> 
> 
>