[RE-wrenches] Generator choice for Sunny Island

[Will White]

What models are you using?

On Fri, Jun 16, 2017 at 2:32 PM, Jerry Shafer <jerrysgarage01 at gmail.com>
wrote:

> 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
>>
>>
>>
>> www.cometsolar.com <http://www.cometenergysystems.com>
>>
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>>
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>>
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-- 
*Will White*
Curriculum Developer

[image: Inline image 3]

e: will at solarenergy.org
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p: 802-272-3092

PV Installation Professional
# 093006-34
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