[RE-wrenches] Generator choice for Sunny Island

Fri Jun 23 15:46:51 PDT 2017

I did a few projects for Yosemite. Then I used the EU6500i which is now
the EU7000i. Never had anyone ask. and that you will find is the issue. In
my county of Mariposa they will issue a certificate of occupancy on a
house running a generator for final approval. Pretty lax about it all. If
I go across the county line into Tuolumne everything is hard to do. Geeze
an offgrid generator...Use Honda or design so that you don't need one :)

Dave Angelini / Offgrid Solar

> Hi Gary and All â€“
>
>
>
> We looked into the EcoGen unit, but the 6kW is discontinued and the 15kW
> EcoGen is not rated to be sold in California. Bummer.
>
>
>
> Speaking of California, do any of you know about the CARB compliance
> issues
> on selecting a generator for an offgrid renewable project? We had one
> generator rep tell us that only a Tier 4F CARB generators are legal for
> use
> with offgrid in California, but I canâ€™t find anything online to clarify.
> Since this project is in the National Parks, we need to make sure we
> donâ€™t
> have any compliance issues. If anyone knows anything about what kind of
> CARB compliance is or isnâ€™t required, Iâ€™d love to hear about it.
>
>
>
> Cheers!
>
>
>
> August
>
>
>
> *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On
> Behalf Of *Gary Willett
> *Sent:* Friday, June 16, 2017 7:58 AM
> *To:* re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Generator choice for Sunny Island
>
>
>
> AUGUST:
>
> The Generac EcoGen is dual-fuel capable (NG or LP), comes in 6kW and 15kW
> versions, is 2-wire start, can be field-configured for either 120V or
> 240V.
> It's not "portable" as it does not have wheels. It's transportable though
> based on its footprint and weight. Also, it was specifically designed and
> warranteed  for off-grid applications.
>
> Regards,
>
> Gary Willett PE
> Icarus Engineering LLC
>
> On 6/16/17 9:36 AM, Kevin Pegg wrote:
>
> You could use a 2 -> 3 wire converter such as the Atkinson GSCM module
> that
> will take the 2 wire output from the SI and convert to 3-wire to control a
> gasoline generator such as the Honda EU7000 series, or Cummins/Onan makes
> a
> good line of gasoline generators. It may be very hard to find a gas
> generator that has 2 wire native remote start. That is more common with
> larger propane or diesel generators.
>
>
>
> Kevin
>
>
>
> *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
> <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org>] *On Behalf Of *August Goers
> *Sent:* June-16-17 7:22 AM
> *To:* RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Generator choice for Sunny Island
>
>
>
> 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. Iâ€™m looking through the usual genny suppliers and
> nothing has presented itself so far. Anyway, Iâ€™ll keep looking and will
> check out Chrisâ€™ suggestion on the nexus controller and Generac propane
> unit as well.
>
>
>
> FYI, here is a link to what the portal is like. Itâ€™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
> 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. Weâ€™re AC coupling
> the
> Sunny Island with a Sunny Boy PV inverter. So, weâ€™ll be installing a
> Outback PSX-240 autoformer to bump the Sunny Islandâ€™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 Installerâ„¢
>
> 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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Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar
"we go where powerlines don't"
http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/
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