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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Drake,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>I have just been told by the Kohler rep
that the RES is now 120/240 only and cannot be rewired to 120VAC.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>I just ordered one for off-grid and went
over all of this. There’s no block heater, but there’s an AC carb
heater. I will wire this through a 1-hour mechanical time switch. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Here’s what I wrote in my proposal
to the customer (Magnum MS4024AE, 120/240V, 7,000 foot elevation and cold
winters):<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> I recommend a Kohler 8.5 RES generator for your application
(for specifications, see <a
href="http://www.kohlerpower.com/onlinecatalog/pdf/g4097.pdf">http://www.kohlerpower.com/onlinecatalog/pdf/g4097.pdf</a>;
for dimensions see <a
href="http://www.kohlerpower.com/onlinecatalog/pdf/adv6823.pdf">http://www.kohlerpower.com/onlinecatalog/pdf/adv6823.pdf</a>).
In my estimation, this unit offers the closest combination of attributes to
meet our objective with adequate after-sale support available. This unit is
designed for residential standby power (“RES”) for on-grid
application, and thus has power draw in standby mode that is typically supplied
by the utility grid. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> The unit uses an electronic generator
controller with modest (estimated at 200-700 mA, depending on state of
operation) draw on the starting battery. This controller drops to minimal “sleep”
draw automatically after 48 hours of non-operation. This generator does not
have a starting battery charging coil, but rather uses a separate AC battery
trickle charger to maintain the battery. I will install a 20W PV module and small
charge controller on the generator to keep the starting battery charged. I will
also install the AC charger to operate whenever the generator is running. While
this combined setup has worked successfully for other installers with whom I
have spoken, if this proves insufficient I can later add a switch and relay to
allow the charger to also operate off of inverter AC if ever needed.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> The unit also requires a built-in carburetor heater to
operate during cold weather. This heater is normally controlled by a thermostat
to conservatively come on at or below 40°F, which would mean that it would
operate nearly continuously during <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Taos</st1:City></st1:place>’
winter months, draining the PV system. My solution is to put the carburetor
heater on a manual mechanical one-hour time switch located at the generator;
you will activate the heater through this switch 15-30 minutes before starting
the generator. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Hope this helps.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Allan<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Allan Sindelar<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><a
href="mailto:Allan@positiveenergysolar.com">Allan@positiveenergysolar.com</a></span></font><font
color=black><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer</span></font><font
color=black><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>EE98J Journeyman Electrician</span></font><font
color=black><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Positive Energy, Inc.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>3201 Calle Marie<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><font size=3
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Santa
Fe</span></font></st1:City><font color=black><span style='color:black'>, <st1:State
w:st="on">New Mexico</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">87507</st1:PostalCode></span></font></st1:place><font
color=black><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>505 424-1112<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><a
href="http://www.positiveenergysolar.com">www.positiveenergysolar.com</a></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Hello Wrenches<br>
A client is interested in a Kohler 8.5 RES. Looking at the archives, it
seems likely that these can be rewired for full output at 120 V, and it should
be possible to separate the neutral from the frame ground. Does this seem
correct for this particular unit?<br>
The system is fully off grid. It is unclear to me if anyone has found a
way to stop the power drain of the system electronics without draining the
starter battery?<br>
Thanks,<br>
<font color=black><span style='color:black'><x-sigsep>D</span></font><font
color=blue><span style='color:blue'>rake Chamberlin<br>
<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Athens</st1:place></st1:City> Electric<br>
<br>
</span></font><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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