Trace/Kohler light flicker [RE-wrenches]

[Joe Schwartz, Home Power]

<x-flowed>Jeff,

>  solution here, but I will tell you that testing a gen on a purely
>resistive load is not really sufficient.

Right. I explained this to the reader in my initial response to his 
email. Seems like testing a genset on a purely resistive load is like 
doing half of a troubleshoot.

>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.

Good thought. I'll don't have this information but I'll check it out.

Thanks Jeff,

Joe

>
>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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-------------

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: 
 RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com

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
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