[RE-wrenches] Generator choice for Sunny Island

Mon Jul 10 15:01:43 PDT 2017

All - update for those of you interested, we are starting the portal
installation tomorrow (with a Sunny Island for better or worse) and ended
up going with a Kohler 14RESA propane generator. This should be 2-wire
start, ok at 100% duty cycle 120 v, and CARB compliant. If all goes as
planned we'll be up and running next week and I'll keep you posted.

http://www.kohlergenerators.com/home-generators/products/14RESA

-August

*August Goers*

Luminalt Energy Corporation

o: 415.641.4000

m: 415.559.1525

www.luminalt.com

On Fri, Jun 23, 2017 at 3:46 PM, Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar <
offgridsolar at sti.net> wrote:

> 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>
> >
> > 264.235.5670
> >
> > 869.662.5670
> >
> > Skype: netconcepts
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> >
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>
> Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar
> "we go where powerlines don't"
> http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/
> e-mail  offgridsolar at sti.net
> text 209 813 0060
>
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