[RE-wrenches] Sol-Ark 15K Gen on Grid Terminal (with GTBB)

Thu Jul 3 13:33:06 PDT 2025

That might be their recommendation, but it doesn't stop someone from
manually starting the generator when the utility is down. Their wiring
diagram leave a lot to be desired in terms of how program the system in
this configuration.

Even if they strongly recommend that in webinars, it still isn't clear to
me if Grid Sell is automatically disabled when the 2-wire start relay is
closed. Honestly, I wouldn't trust the answer from a random tech support
agent, especially with various firmwares floating around.

This is just another example of poorly documented and ambiguous operational
control that plagues all of the all-in-one inverters.

Jason Szumlanski
Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group
NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP)
Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956
Florida Certified Electrical Contractor EC13013208

On Thu, Jul 3, 2025, 4:14 PM Lloyd Hoffstatter <
lloyd at sunstruckconsulting.com> wrote:

> Sol-Ark strongly recommends only using a line side generator under
> inverter 2 wire control and with AC coupled inverters off, per several
> webinars.
> Best regards,
> Lloyd
>
> I’m lLlCOGet Outlook fo <https://aka.ms/o0ukef>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> on behalf
> of Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> *Sent:* Thursday, July 3, 2025 3:10:07 PM
> *To:* RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> *Cc:* Jason Szumlanski <jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Sol-Ark 15K Gen on Grid Terminal (with GTBB)
>
> This guy wants the smart load capability, too.
>
>
> Jason
>
>
>
> On Thu, Jul 3, 2025 at 8:42 AM Jay via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
> It’s got generator input terminals.
> Why not use them for the generator?
>
>
> On Jul 3, 2025, at 5:05 AM, Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
> 
> The attached wiring diagram from the manual shows both a generator and
> grid connected to the Sol-Ark Grid input with a transfer switch to select
> between grid and generator.
>
> Question: If you program the inverter for GEN on Grid Input and allow Grid
> Sell, how would the inverter know what the input source is and prevent
> selling to the generator inadvertently?
>
> I suppose if it is an automatic transfer switch and the two wire start is
> called for, the inverter might stop grid selling when calling for the
> generator (but I'm not sure if that's the case). In any case, that's not a
> failsafe solution because the generator could be started and selected
> manually with the transfer switch and the inverter would not know it.
>
> I have someone insisting that Sol-Ark supports this configuration with
> Grid Sell enabled. I can't imagine that is the case. At a minimum, it would
> be bad practice.
>
> In my opinion, the interface should disallow Grid Sell altogether when GEN
> on Grid Input is selected. Maybe it's already doing that internally, but it
> isn't clear at all from the interface or the manual.
>
> Of course, the Off-Grid section of the manual does tell you to not use the
> Grid Sell option.
>
>
> Jason Szumlanski
> Florida Solar Design Group
>
>
> <Screenshot_20250703_063315_Drive.jpg>
> _______________________________________________
> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>
> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org
> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__re-2Dwrenches.org&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=p2tHyHEAjVe2zSh4C_236V4KkHnn0z0ynUvWz0mobds&m=mxfPWzvsNzBC4eZdAQ-FGEQj_G8-9tjDnnh0oMPtW91EDTfwSm3KFOL8ZoelkNoJ&s=4FvOSe4NGu37BU4qAvgNlANFr7FWsAOMt48UWtIQUPc&e=>
>
> List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>
> Change listserver email address & settings:
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__lists.re-2Dwrenches.org_options.cgi_re-2Dwrenches-2Dre-2Dwrenches.org&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=p2tHyHEAjVe2zSh4C_236V4KkHnn0z0ynUvWz0mobds&m=mxfPWzvsNzBC4eZdAQ-FGEQj_G8-9tjDnnh0oMPtW91EDTfwSm3KFOL8ZoelkNoJ&s=RHL10Csg2v-ABpYHW42RAqaKG3JoPnrTrYAquabj5_I&e=>
>
> There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the
> other:
> https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/
> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.mail-2Darchive.com_re-2Dwrenches-40lists.re-2Dwrenches.org_&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=p2tHyHEAjVe2zSh4C_236V4KkHnn0z0ynUvWz0mobds&m=mxfPWzvsNzBC4eZdAQ-FGEQj_G8-9tjDnnh0oMPtW91EDTfwSm3KFOL8ZoelkNoJ&s=3sMiwLKcN4gZazgTSadNd5GjkRjsabVhdoyuUjJCiL8&e=>
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__lists.re-2Dwrenches.org_pipermail_re-2Dwrenches-2Dre-2Dwrenches.org&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=p2tHyHEAjVe2zSh4C_236V4KkHnn0z0ynUvWz0mobds&m=mxfPWzvsNzBC4eZdAQ-FGEQj_G8-9tjDnnh0oMPtW91EDTfwSm3KFOL8ZoelkNoJ&s=9u9k_VQwIOgUqWz14v2L7oIkkF5ScOkfEHJdqA9nJjU&e=>
>
> List rules & etiquette:
> http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.re-2Dwrenches.org_etiquette.htm&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=p2tHyHEAjVe2zSh4C_236V4KkHnn0z0ynUvWz0mobds&m=mxfPWzvsNzBC4eZdAQ-FGEQj_G8-9tjDnnh0oMPtW91EDTfwSm3KFOL8ZoelkNoJ&s=_vhuVccTkS2riSys1DxXCw9M4L-3JYGPePRQp3rKzqQ&e=>
>
> Check out or update participant bios:
> http://www.members.re-wrenches.org
> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.members.re-2Dwrenches.org&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=p2tHyHEAjVe2zSh4C_236V4KkHnn0z0ynUvWz0mobds&m=mxfPWzvsNzBC4eZdAQ-FGEQj_G8-9tjDnnh0oMPtW91EDTfwSm3KFOL8ZoelkNoJ&s=UJIuL9RzbWJzjFwJgJEsVDzW7q8ur9_-cGCeQQDu9bQ&e=>
>
> _______________________________________________
> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>
> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org
> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__re-2Dwrenches.org&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=p2tHyHEAjVe2zSh4C_236V4KkHnn0z0ynUvWz0mobds&m=mxfPWzvsNzBC4eZdAQ-FGEQj_G8-9tjDnnh0oMPtW91EDTfwSm3KFOL8ZoelkNoJ&s=4FvOSe4NGu37BU4qAvgNlANFr7FWsAOMt48UWtIQUPc&e=>
>
> List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>
> Change listserver email address & settings:
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__lists.re-2Dwrenches.org_options.cgi_re-2Dwrenches-2Dre-2Dwrenches.org&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=p2tHyHEAjVe2zSh4C_236V4KkHnn0z0ynUvWz0mobds&m=mxfPWzvsNzBC4eZdAQ-FGEQj_G8-9tjDnnh0oMPtW91EDTfwSm3KFOL8ZoelkNoJ&s=RHL10Csg2v-ABpYHW42RAqaKG3JoPnrTrYAquabj5_I&e=>
>
> There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the
> other:
> https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/
> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.mail-2Darchive.com_re-2Dwrenches-40lists.re-2Dwrenches.org_&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=p2tHyHEAjVe2zSh4C_236V4KkHnn0z0ynUvWz0mobds&m=mxfPWzvsNzBC4eZdAQ-FGEQj_G8-9tjDnnh0oMPtW91EDTfwSm3KFOL8ZoelkNoJ&s=3sMiwLKcN4gZazgTSadNd5GjkRjsabVhdoyuUjJCiL8&e=>
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__lists.re-2Dwrenches.org_pipermail_re-2Dwrenches-2Dre-2Dwrenches.org&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=p2tHyHEAjVe2zSh4C_236V4KkHnn0z0ynUvWz0mobds&m=mxfPWzvsNzBC4eZdAQ-FGEQj_G8-9tjDnnh0oMPtW91EDTfwSm3KFOL8ZoelkNoJ&s=9u9k_VQwIOgUqWz14v2L7oIkkF5ScOkfEHJdqA9nJjU&e=>
>
> List rules & etiquette:
> http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.re-2Dwrenches.org_etiquette.htm&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=p2tHyHEAjVe2zSh4C_236V4KkHnn0z0ynUvWz0mobds&m=mxfPWzvsNzBC4eZdAQ-FGEQj_G8-9tjDnnh0oMPtW91EDTfwSm3KFOL8ZoelkNoJ&s=_vhuVccTkS2riSys1DxXCw9M4L-3JYGPePRQp3rKzqQ&e=>
>
> Check out or update participant bios:
> http://www.members.re-wrenches.org
> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.members.re-2Dwrenches.org&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=p2tHyHEAjVe2zSh4C_236V4KkHnn0z0ynUvWz0mobds&m=mxfPWzvsNzBC4eZdAQ-FGEQj_G8-9tjDnnh0oMPtW91EDTfwSm3KFOL8ZoelkNoJ&s=UJIuL9RzbWJzjFwJgJEsVDzW7q8ur9_-cGCeQQDu9bQ&e=>
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org/attachments/20250703/e74e7478/attachment.htm>