[RE-wrenches] Outback Voltage Spikes?

[Mike Kocsmiersky]

My vague recollection of a similar problem I saw 10 yrs ago was that the surges and sags of a balancing transformer like the T240 are greater than that of a true isolation transformer.  Whereas the T240 has both primary and secondary sides sharing a neutral, the surge that the generator sees becomes too high.  I recall we fixed this by using a 2400VA acme isolation transformer.  Can’t really remember the engineering explanation, but you may want to explore this avenue.

 

Mike Kocsmiersky

Principal

Spirit Solar Inc.

 

 

 

From: drake.chamberlin at redwoodalliance.org [mailto:drake.chamberlin at redwoodalliance.org] 
Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2019 6:50 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback Voltage Spikes?

 

Hi Jay,

 

The diversion load is AC, and controlled by the Aux output dump load function on the MX 60. The aux output triggers a relay that opens the 1000 W, space heater dump load 

 

Since this is an AC coupled system, the dump load is between the inverter and the Stirling generator, fed from the off grid service panel where the AC coupling takes place. The Stirling puts out close to 1000 W. 

 

When the Stirling is charging batteries, the FET board on the Outback is working hard, turning the AC into DC. When the batteries reach the programmed voltage level, the relay triggers and the power goes to an electric space heater. The inverter has little to do. 

 

A sketch of the setup is attached. 

 

 

The problem  seems to occur when there is a change in the load. It can also be other loads that cause the Stirling to go into high voltage shutdown 

 

Thanks,

 

Drake 


----- Original Message -----

From:

"RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>

 

To:

"RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>

Cc:

 

Sent:

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 08:29:33 -0700

Subject:

Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback Voltage Spikes?


Hi Drake,

Can you explain the diversion load more. 
Dc or ac
Size, Watts
What type of load
How is it turned on, off

My reasoning is that you seem to point to a connection between diversion load and shut down. 

Thx
Jay




> On Mar 19, 2019, at 6:25 AM, drake.chamberlin at redwoodalliance.org wrote:
> 
> Hello Wrenches,
> 
> We have an Outback VFX3648 inverter AC coupled to a Stirling Generator. We use an Outback autotransformer to get the 240 V needed to match the Stirling. The Stirling generator must run continuously, as it is difficult to start up after a shut down.
> 
> The system works flawlessly for many hours. At some point, usually when the dump load kicks on, the generator shuts down on a high voltage error. High voltage is about 264 V. We have never seen voltage that high on the system. 
> 
> We replaced the control board on the inverter, and the output voltage appears very stable. The Stirling people say that the Outback must be putting out high voltage spikes that are so brief that we will not be able to see them with a voltmeter. 
> 
> Can an Outback inverter create such spikes? 
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Drake 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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