SW inverter and generator cycling in and out [RE-wrenches]

[allan]

Steve,
    Yes, I have observed it several times, but have usually attributed it to
generator output ratings set by the generator companies' marketing
departments, rather than the design engineers.  The cheaper the gennie, the
greater the discrepancy between rating and usable amps.
    I suspect you're asking for answers beyond this obvious issue, but I
haven't seen the same with the Onans and Kohlers.
Allan @+E
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Willey, Backwoods Solar <steve at backwoodssolar.com>
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Date: Monday, December 18, 2000 9:46 AM
Subject: SW inverter and generator cycling in and out [RE-wrenches]


>Commonly the battery charger overloads a generator as it slowly ramps up
the
>charge amps in many steps.  As it does the generator load increases, the
rpm
>drops and, if loaded too heavily, the inverter dumps the generator input
and
>the generator speeds up again.  After the set delay the process repeats.
>The cure is first trying to increase the generator RPM to just within the
>inverter's upper limit unloaded, so that there is more margin before it
goes
>beyond the lower limit.  Then go to SW menu item number 11, and to "Set Gen
>AC2 amps AC" and reduce the AC-2 amp limits from the default 30 on the 4024
>down to about 10 amps. After it is charging with stability at this lower
>rate you increase it a few amps at a time and wait to see what happens.
>When you reach the amp setting that causes the generator rpm to again go so
>low as to drop the charger out, back off a little and it is fixed.
>
>Now a big question that Trace could not answer: It seems that the AC in #2
>amps so set must often be set to about half of what the generator be rated
>for, even generators wired for full power on a single leg.  The engine lugs
>down with Trace setting (and Trace meter INPUT AMPS AC) reading about half
>of what the generator should produce before overloading the engine.  Also a
>clamp on external meter will show more amps actually entering than the
>setting or the Trace meter.  Customers have reported this several times,
and
>I have owned two generators where this discrepancy is observed.  Any one
>have like experiences or explanation?
>Steve Willey   www.backwoodssolar.com
>Backwoods Solar Electric Systems
>
>
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