Trace charger [RE-wrenches]

[Jason Fisher, Aurora Energy]

Chuck,

If FETs weren't damaged by generator high voltage running out of fuel like
Tom suggested, a similar thing could have happened by a lightning surge
coming in on generator line (assuming gen is outside).  Are there any
suppressors on the system?

----

Jason Fisher
Aurora Energy
86 Conduit St.
Annapolis, MD 21401
USA

Voice/ Fax: 410-268-3088
email: aurora at toad.net



> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chuck Heath, SunPower [mailto:sunpwr at jps.net]
> Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2000 7:48 AM
> To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> Subject: Trace charger [RE-wrenches]
>
>
> Client reported charger of a SW 4024 (v. 4.01) not working properly. Site
> visit confirmed this. Only charging source is a Kohler 12 RY generator,
> re-wired for 120 VAC (12 kW before altitude derating). Battery is type
> 85-25 two-volt cells, 1270 AH @ 20 hr. discharge rate. System installed
> in 1998.
>
> Symptoms: Trace sees AC-2 Good from Kohler, goes into Bulk charging for
> only 30-35 seconds, then drops out of Bulk and back to inverting for 10
> seconds until cycle repeats. Kohler voltage is a steady 117-118 VAC
> whether under load or not. Trace reports Kohler frequency as rock-solid
> 60 cps.
>
> After nearly 6 hours generator runtime, was able to raise battery voltage
> from 26.8 to 27.2 VDC - not nearly enough. At-rest battery voltage was
> 24.9 VDC. Set Gen Amps AC (Menu #11) and Set Max Charge Amps AC (Menu
> #10) are both at 35 Amps AC. Lower values did not change results, nor did
> changing Set Float Voltage (27.1 VDC) to match Set Bulk Voltage setting
> (Menu #10) of 29.8 VDC.
>
> Bryan at Trace Tech Support (<tracetech at traceengineering.com> and
> telephone extension 2203) recommended switching Kohler output from SW Gen
> Input to SW Grid Input, AC-1.
>
> Did that. Result was the same, except for causing a Generator Start error
> which shut down the Kohler in less than a minute from RY 7. Running the
> Kohler using its "Run" instead of the "Auto" switch position caused the
> same cycling of 30-35 sec. Bulk charging, 10 sec. of inverting, then back
> to Bulk charging. Ambient air temp was 68 upon arrival, 86 degrees F. by
> early afternoon. Trace internal fan worked just fine.
>
> All Trace menu settings were checked at least twice and found to be
> correct.
> Did not try using the default menu settings.
>
> Ideas?
>
> Chuck Heath "Plugging into Sunshine since 1989"
> Big Oak Flat CA
> sunpwr at jps.net
> 209 962-7012
>
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for info contact: <michael.welch at homepower.com>
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