[RE-wrenches] Generator choice for Sunny Island

Mon Jul 10 16:54:03 PDT 2017

Nice choice! They had a pretty nice 8KW/240v also that I may use on a job!
 --Dave

> 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 Ã¢â‚¬â€œ
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > 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 canÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t find anything online to
>> clarify.
>> > Since this project is in the National Parks, we need to make sure we
>> > donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t
>> > have any compliance issues. If anyone knows anything about what kind
>> of
>> > CARB compliance is or isnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t required, IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢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. IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢m looking through the usual genny
>> suppliers
>> and
>> > nothing has presented itself so far. Anyway, IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ll keep looking
>> and will
>> > check out ChrisÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ suggestion on the nexus controller and Generac
>> propane
>> > unit as well.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > FYI, here is a link to what the portal is like. ItÃ¢â‚¬â„¢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. WeÃ¢â‚¬â„¢re AC
>> coupling
>> > the
>> > Sunny Island with a Sunny Boy PV inverter. So, weÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ll be
>> installing a
>> > Outback PSX-240 autoformer to bump the Sunny IslandÃ¢â‚¬â„¢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 InstallerÃ¢â€žÂ¢
>> >
>> > 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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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