Trace/Kohler light flicker [RE-wrenches]

[Joe Schwartz, Home Power]

<x-flowed>Travis,

>Joe,
>
>Go to menu 11 and check the the voltage input window.  It might need to be
>widened to catch the voltage variances as loads come and go. Is this a
>Kohler powered 3600 RPM unit?

I don't have a clue where this inverter is installed but the inverter 
isn't jumping off-line during charging. So the voltage input window 
is probably OK.

>
>A Dual 5548 setup has over 7 kW worth of battery charging capability.
>Combine that with a few loads in the house and you are eating up all 8.5 kW
>of that Kohler. This is probably really pulling the voltage down, maybe just
>on one leg.  Dual set ups have a habit of one inverter dropping into float
>as the other stays on bulk.  It at that time where it all falls apart.
>Since the voltage is going to equal ~240 the generator will compensate by
>taking the unloaded (less loaded) leg's voltage up while the loaded leg
>voltage goes down. For example 135+105 still = 240 but outside of what the
>SW will accept in default settings.  Check the Max AC 2 amps (assuming
>that's where the generator is fed into) and turn that down gradually to see
>if that solves the problem.  The customer might even have to plug a large
>load (500+watts) on the unloaded leg to balance out the gennie.  Don't
>laugh, "been there, done that".
>
>This can be easily verified if the "flickering" correspond with the "AC1 in
>Good" led going from solid to flashing.  Watch the menu 4 input voltage as
>this happens also.  I bet one is heading past 135 while the other drops to
>under 110.
>
>The Kohler tech's I've met are really sharp.  If they bless the unit its
>probably OK.  I have them commission our bigger (over 100 kW) units but
>rarely have them out on units under 20 kW.

Thanks for yer input Travis,

Joe

>
>Travis Creswell
>
>
>---------
>
>  >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.
>
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-------------

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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The archive of previous messages: 
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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

___________________________________________________________
T O P I C A  http://www.topica.com/t/17
Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics

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