[RE-wrenches] Generator failure alarm

[William Bryce]

Control By Web for the win! 100% reliable and easy to configure.

On Sat, Feb 22, 2025 at 2:03 PM William Miller via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> 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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