[RE-wrenches] Generator choice for Sunny Island

Fri Jun 16 11:32:25 PDT 2017

Wrenches
We will only use the cummins gensets customer service has been great,
warranty work has seldom been needed but has been prompt. Cummins quality
appears better then most. They have two wire start, we have these in some
very remote locations which require 100% availabiliy can not aford any call
backs.
Just my two cents.
Jerry

On Jun 16, 2017 7:21 AM, "August Goers" <august at luminalt.com> wrote:

> Thanks for the good feedback folks!
>
>
>
> We are using a Sunny Island setup because we had access to a free Sunny
> Island and Sunny Boy being scrapped from another site. Otherwise I was
> definitely planning on going with a Outback DC coupled system.
>
>
>
> I think the trick here is trying to find a portable generator that has a
> two-wire start option. I’m looking through the usual genny suppliers and
> nothing has presented itself so far. Anyway, I’ll keep looking and will
> check out Chris’ suggestion on the nexus controller and Generac propane
> unit as well.
>
>
>
> FYI, here is a link to what the portal is like. It’s going in National
> Park land by the Golden Gate Bridge so I hope we can pull it together!
> http://www.sharedstudios.com/
>
>
>
> August
>
> Luminalt
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On
> Behalf Of *Chris Mason
> *Sent:* Friday, June 16, 2017 4:56 AM
> *To:* RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Generator choice for Sunny Island
>
>
>
> To my limited mind, the whole 120V sunny island setup is a disaster. Why
> not install a DC coupled 8KW Outback Radian and solve all your problems.
> USe any 240V generator, although finding a 2 wire start gasoline unit may
> be hard. I would use a Nexus controller generac propane generator with
> propane tank, all mounted on the container. I would never design anything
> to use gasoline, it's too dangerous.
>
>
>
> On Fri, Jun 16, 2017 at 7:19 AM, Matthew Sirum <matthewsirum at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> Greetings August,
>
> Great thoughts and comments from Brian!  I would also suggest speaking
> with the generator manufacturers' tech/engineering folks regarding the
> 120VAC configuration and to confirm 2-wire start set up once you have
> a brand and model or two in mind.  Generator parts and service
> availability in the region of the project may also drive brand
> selection.  If you need to maximize the inverter's battery charging
> capabilities (depending on battery system charging requirements) you
> may end up needing to look at generators in the 7.5 kW to 8.0 kW
> capacity range to allow for headroom in generator output loading.
>
> Also; I am curious how you arrived at an AC coupled design for this
> project.  I do not know any of the details or specific projects goals
> you are working with, but I would potentially consider a DC coupled
> system design...  DC/DC charge controller(s) would keep the battery
> system charged (and any DC loads operable) even if the Sunny Island
> and/or Sunny Boy(s) have a failure or is taken offline.  If most of
> the AC loads are 120VAC I would consider keeping the inverter AC
> output circuit 120VAC and install a dedicated transformer solely for
> the 240VAC load....  Or perhaps consider a 120/240VAC inverter model.
> Depending on the overall situation a DC coupled system could be more
> resilient.  The dedicated transformer for the 240VAC load could also
> potentially help make the system more robust.  Also; I have spoken
> with a number of folks who have told me they wish the Sunny Island had
> more/better features for generator integration.  I'd like to hear more
> from those who have plenty of experience designing and installing
> systems with Sunny Islands and generators to learn what the current
> thoughts and issues are.
>
> I hope some of these thoughts may be helpful.
>
> Best regards,
>
> ----MATT
>
> Matthew Sirum
> P.O. Box 1227
> Greenfield, MA 01302-1227  USA
> phone: +1.413.773.0611 <(413)%20773-0611>
> email: MatthewSirum at gmail.com
>
>
> --------  Original Message Below --------
>
> [RE-wrenches] Generator choice for Sunny Island
> August Goers august at luminalt.com
> Thu Jun 15 09:02:41 PDT 2017
>
> Hi Wrenches, especially those of you who work on off-grid projects,
>
> We have an upcoming off-grid project where we will be powering a storage
> container with electronics in it. The loads are mostly 120 volt but there
> is a 240 volt heat pump that might occasionally run. We’re AC coupling the
> Sunny Island with a Sunny Boy PV inverter. So, we’ll be installing a
> Outback PSX-240 autoformer to bump the Sunny Island’s output from 120 to
> 240 volt.
>
> We need to select a generator for backup. We need a two-wire electric start
> (in order to be controlled by the Sunny Island) and preferably a generator
> that is okay just running 120 volt loads since the Sunny Islands input is
> only 120 volt. Something in the 3 kVA -7 kVA range should be fine.
>
> Does anyone have experience or ideas about what kind of two-wire start
> generator we might select?
>
> Thanks,
>
> August
>
> Luminalt
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>
> --
>
> Chris Mason
>
> NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™
>
> Solar Design Engineer
>
> Generac Generators Industrial technician
>
>
>
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>
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