[RE-wrenches] Outback inverter generator question

[Dan Fink]

For situations like these, unfortunately I've found that it's very handy to
keep a remote each for Outback, Magnum and Conext in the troubleshooting
tool bag. Without a Mate (preferably a Mate 3) you are driving the highway
with a tarp over your windshield, and have to navigate by blinky colored
lights telling you where to exit onto the dirt road.

What blinky light error code is the inverter throwing at him?

I don't understand why clients won't spring for these relatively
inexpensive, essential remotes, but it's the same with battery SOC
monitoring coulomb counters up here off the grid. You just spent $10K on an
offgrid power system, and can't afford a remote (I now call them "inverter
control panels" to clients) or a SOC monitor ("battery control panel")? But
that's how it is, over and over again.

So sorry that you can't get to the site because of the fires, I have been
through that here in Colorado. I'd suggest tinkering with the inverter
charger settings and try lowering the load percentage to the generator, but
without a Mate you can't do that.

I sincerely hope that Tump's suggestion is correct and that your client has
auto-idle turned on with the Honda. My only Honda issue has been the 3kW
"cube" with a magnum inverter, all the 5kW Hondas have been fine with any
inverter brand.

Best regards;


Dan Fink
Professor of Solar Energy Technology, Ecotech Institute
IREC Certified Instructor™ for:
~ PV Installation Professional
~ Small Wind Installer
Executive Director, Buckville Energy
NABCEP Registered Continuing Education Providers™
970.672.4342



On Sun, Aug 13, 2017 at 8:07 AM, Tump <tump at swnl.net> wrote:

> Make sure that the client has the AUTO idle  set to OFF!
>
> On Aug 12, 2017, at 8:32 PM, Ron Young <solareagle at solareagle.com> wrote:
>
> Have a client where I recently installed an Outback VFX3524 inverter in
> June. He’s using a Honda generator and has recently started having issues.
> He has been complaining that the inverter seems to be running hot but I
> believe this is because he doesn’t have good ventilation around it. He is
> probably also running high on the loads. He doesn’t have a Mate so can’t
> identify the error. He is in a remote location and I am currently unable to
> travel due to fire restrictions in my area (major BC wildfires).
>
> Here is his recent email:
> -Seems the inverter is recognizing the power in as an issue, and throwing
> an error.
> -My existing 5000 Honda generator has been online with the unit since you
> installed it.
> -The last few days, when there is very little load, or the unit goes to
> float, the generator goes into a high rpm.
> -My existing 5000 Honda crapped out on me this morning, and holds a low
> rpm, not putting out much power.  Will run a tool, but still won’t hold a
> higher rpm.
> -I borrowed an identical 5000 Honda generator, and it seemed to be doing
> fine for about 1.5 hours.
> -Now it’s doing the same thing as the other generator.  The inverter
> system throws an error, the generator is taken offline, and the generator
> rpm go up.
> -If I manually manipulate the throttle not he generator lower, then the
> inverter re-engages.
>
> What the heck could this be?  I don’t want to fry the borrowed generator,
> but we can’t systematically bypass the inverter, and the house requires the
> power.
>
> Ron Young
> earthRight - Solareagle
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