[RE-wrenches] Help on something strange DC generator

[Kevin Pegg]

Hi Peter,

I had to work on a similar situation but was 24VDC 5 kW with a Yanmar diesel engine. It can be controlled via an AGS module and is tied directly to the DC buss, with appropriate wire sizing and over current protections of course. My situation used a Magnum inverter and the standard ME-AGS module controlled gen start/stop - it worked fine, no reason why it can't be automated. I am not sure what the buffer that was suggested is about but don't see what the point is. It's just another DC input to the batteries like PV or wind. The unit I worked on was constant voltage, so it basically did the bulk / absorption but no float means. Also no way to EQ charge the FLA batteries in that site from gen - had to do that from PV.

It's not a common configuration, DC gens are quite expensive, but I can appreciate the design intent. No switching between inverter / AC power, so client loads always powered from the inverter. One negative is no way to engage generator bypass for AC direct in event of inverter/battery/etc failure.
Kevin Pegg
EA Energy Alternatives Ltd.
37471 Hwy 16 E
Telkwa, BC  V0J 2X2
250-846-9888
Http://www.EnergyAlternatives.ca


From: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> On Behalf Of Peter Giroux via RE-wrenches
Sent: October-09-24 2:19 PM
To: 'RE-wrenches' <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Cc: pgiroux at mindspring.com; 'RE-wrenches' <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Help on something strange

Afternoon wrenchers.

  Have something I have never seen. Visited a prospect last week who has a larger system that was installed wrong. We are looking at fixing it. One of the issues, the customer was told to buy and install a Kohler 6VSG 48 Volt DC generator. The original installer ran the DC outputs into the AC inputs of the inverters. Needless to say, application does not work. It was mentioned to me that these DC Gensets need a "Buffer " between the gen and the battery bank.

  Have reached out to Kohler, no clue, Kohlers top resellers, no clue. Off grid resellers in our industry, no clue.  Anybody here have a clue and the proper way to run / use this generator to safely charge the large battery bank.

Any and all help greatly appreciated.

Thx
Peter Giroux
American Solar & Alternative Energy Solutions inc
Beautiful Norcross Ga
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