Trace/Kohler light flicker [RE-wrenches]

[Jeffrey Wolfe, Global Resources]

No solution here, but I will tell you that testing a gen on a purely 
resistive load is not really sufficient. Granted that the Trace can have a 
horrid power factor, but the gen should be able to deal with this, up to 
the limits of it's real power (reactive power converted to real power). Not 
to defend Trace, but every generator / inverter interface problem I've ever 
had has been resolved at the generator. These mechanical beasts typically 
need a lot more maintenance than they get.

Question. Did the system ever work correctly? Has the power quality 
degraded over time (more flickering)? This would more strongly indicate a 
gen problem. I would tend to test the gen on a large reactive load (motor) 
and see how it does, separated from the Trace.

Jeff

Jeffery D. Wolfe, P.E.
Global Resource Options, LLP
A Woman-Owned Vermont Limited Liability Partnership
4 Kibling Hill Road
P.O. Box 51
Strafford, VT 05072
802/765-4632
802/765-9983 (Fax)
global at sover.net
www.globalresourceoptions.com


----------
From: 	Joe Schwartz, Home Power[SMTP:joe.schwartz at homepower.com]
Reply To: 	RE-wrenches at topica.com
Sent: 	Tuesday, December 12, 2000 3:16 PM
To: 	RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: 	Trace/Kohler light flicker [RE-wrenches]

Hello wrenches,

I just received this inquiry from a Home Power reader. Any of you
ever run across this situation?  My suggestion was to temporarily
take the Trace out of the loop and run the problematic lighting
circuit/circuits directly off the generator. This should isolate the
problem.

The Trace SW's in charge mode have an awful power factor. Think this
could be messing with the generator voltage regulation?

Thanks,

Joe


ORIGINAL MESSAGE:

Dear Joe:

I am an avid reader of Homepower and read it cover to cover slowly.
Mr. Perez has been extremely helpful with a problem I have had with
an intertie problem I have had with my utility.

I have a Trace Power Panel with 2-SW5548 inverters, 32-Trojan L-16
batteries,  24 Siemens 100 watt panels, and a Kohler 8.5 RMY genset.

  I am having a problem with the genset.  It is set up for 120-240v
operation.  The problem is when the genset is running the lighting
flickers from voltage fluctuation. Every type of light bulb does this
you can even see this if the TV is on.  I have talked to Trace and
they say that when the genset is running it powers the AC loads and
operates as a battery charger.

I recently had a Kohler authorized technician investigate the
problem.  He set up the generator on a resistive load bank and the
generator worked fine.  His diagnosis is that the inverters are
causing the genset voltage regulator to become unstable.  He verified
that with me by showing me the voltage fluctate on an analog and
digital voltmeter.

Have you ever had similar situations?  Is there any possible
solution?  I am very interested in your opinion and think very highly
of the staff at Homepower Magazine.




-------------

Joe Schwartz
Home Power Magazine
PO Box 520, Ashland, OR 97520  USA
email:joe.schwartz at homepower.com
Web: http://www.homepower.com

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To unsubscribe send a message to: 
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To check out the other RE-Wrench participants:
 www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html

Hosted by Home Power magazine: 
 www.homepower.com

For info contact list moderator by email:
 michael.welch at homepower.com

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