[RE-wrenches] Midnite AIO Generator Functionality

[Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar]

All sounds wrong to me. Call Outback.

Typically there is a AC bypass mechanical switch that allows the gen to 
bypass the inverter and power loads.

Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar
"we go where powerlines don't"
    [1]https://offgridsolar1.com/ [2]  [1]
e-mail  offgridsolar at sti.net
text 209 813 0060

On 2025-05-12 9:29 am, Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches wrote:

> Maybe I'm missing something, but it seems like there is a flaw in the 
> logic for how generator integration works with this product. Unlike 
> some of the other AIOs, you can't put the generator on the Grid input 
> in an off-grid scenario. You have to use the Generator smart load 
> breaker, which isn't a dedicated generator input, but a programmable 
> circuit. This is problematic because it seemingly has a normally open 
> internal relay that closes only when the inverter is ON. At least, 
> that's how it seems to work in my limited experience.
> 
> Why is this a problem? If the battery capacity drops below the low 
> voltage cutoff, the inverter turns off. You have to turn the inverter 
> ON for the generator relay to close so you can charge the battery, but 
> since the battery is too low, the inverter won't turn on. You would 
> have to reprogram the inverter to drop the cutoff voltage/SOC below the 
> current battery state. For people who do not want to use AGS, or if AGS 
> fails to start the generator for any reason, getting the generator to 
> charge the battery manually is no easy task.
> 
> Moreover, turning the generator on manually when the inverter is in an 
> OFF state will not pass power to the loads, and will not turn the 
> inverter ON automatically. You have to get the inverter turned ON 
> somehow so that the generator power can pass through to the loads. And 
> since the startup sequence for this inverter is very quirky, 
> non-intuitive, and unreliable, that makes the problem even worse. I'm 
> not sure if you can even turn the inverter ON when there is generator 
> input and the battery is too low. I don't think you can because the 
> relay is open and the inverter doesn't even see generator voltage when 
> it is in an OFF state.
> 
> This seems like a serious oversight and a reason to go with one of the 
> other AIOs on the market. I believe the Sol-Ark 15K and EG4 18kPV will 
> both immediately power loads and start charging when the generator is 
> on, regardless of whether the generator is connected to the Grid or 
> Generator input. Any AC input immediately passes through to the loads. 
> This is because those inverters stay "on" when a low battery condition 
> is met, and they simply stop using the battery to invert power if the 
> battery conditions do not allow it, based on the settings.
> 
> The logic of the Midnite AIOs turning "off" when battery cutoff is met 
> and opening the generator relay doesn't make sense to me. Am I wrong 
> about how this works?
> 
> Jason Szumlanski
> Principal Solar Designer
> Florida Solar Design Group
> 
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Links:
------
[1] http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/
[2] https://offgridsolar1.com/
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