[RE-wrenches] Generator failure alarm

[William Miller]

Dan:



The application is an off-grid animal rescue facility with a requirement
for high reliability.  We recently acquired a second generator and a Kohler
RDT transfer switch.  The RDT will automatically transfer to either of two
inputs based on where AC is detected.  However the RDT logic is not capable
of transferring the start signal if one generator fails to start.



I looked at the Atkinson web site but I did not see anything that was quite
right.  It may be that they can create something but then I would miss out
on that part of the fun.



It’s easy to overlook how complicated it is starting an internal combustion
engine.  You have to crank until the engine starts, you can’t crank too
long, you need to try multiple times, etc.  This is why the Trace SW 3-wire
start circuitry was so amazing.



I sketched out an electro-mechanical solution but I soon realized the logic
was a bit too complicated.  The inverter will want to attempt the start
multiple times before giving up.  I’d like to do the same and then switch
to starting the second generator after maybe 3 failed attempts at starting
Gen 1.  It seems I need to code some kind of script to execute this logic.
This is where the Control by Web solution seems to be the best fit.  I have
used their products and they are excellent.



If others are interested I can post back when I crack this nut.



Thanks everyone for your collective wisdom and comradery!



William Miller



Miller Solar

17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422

805-438-5600

www.millersolar.com

CA Lic. 773985





*From:* Dan Fink [mailto:danbob88 at gmail.com]
*Sent:* Saturday, February 22, 2025 9:07 AM
*To:* william at millersolar.com; RE-wrenches
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Generator failure alarm



William - have you talked to Atkinson in Utah? Last time I talked to them
they could configure just about anything for such applications.

Dan Fink

Owner, Buckville Energy Consulting LLC

IREC Certified Instructor for PV and Small Wind Installation

NABCEP Certified PV System Inspector

NABCEP PV Associate

d <dan.fink at greendustrialtraining.com>anbob88 at gmail.com

970-672-4342








On Fri, Feb 21, 2025 at 1:54 PM William Miller via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

Colleagues:



Is anyone aware of an off-the-shelf device that will give me a contact
closure if a generator is called and does not produce AC after a set amount
of time?  I am sure I could design and build one but before I do I’d like
to see if there is a ready-made version.



I hope I am not making a pest of myself asking so many questions…



Thanks in advance.



William Miller

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