William,
Years ago we tried using the relay in the FNDC with a system of sealed
Outback FX inverters. After a few times call backs about the generator
being left running long after it should have stopped, I discovered that
the problem was indeed caused by the relay in the FNDC. That relay is a
latching type and Outback sends the signal for it to change state only
once; they don't check to see if it actually changed state (apparently
the hardware wasn't set up to allow that); and they don't send a second
signal to improve the chance of a successful operation. You know the
screen in the Mate where they keep a tally of communication errors, not
sure that is comm errors at unfortunate times are the cause or not, but
I suspect it is. Maybe the relay in this FNDC was sluggish because in
the garage temperatures could occasionally got lower than 0°C - the
lower limit of the FNDC. Whatever the cause, we decided that the FNDC
relay was not suitable for starting and stopping a generator. I ended up
re-purposing the FX's external vent fan to control the generator (and
fan) and never had any more trouble. The fan is rarely needed except
while charging batteries with the generator, and the inverter has the
ability to reduce its output if it is too hot.
Kent Osterberg
Blue Mountain Solar
On 9/14/2021 5:56 PM, William Miller wrote:
Friends:
A couple of years ago we installed an all sealed Outback FX system.
All of the FX inverters were equipped with Turbo fans which connect to
the relay in the inverters so those were not available for generator
starting. A senior Outback tech support person (one who has been with
Outback for a long time) told me the relay in the FNDC was not
reliable. Instead it was suggested that I use the relay in an Outback
Extreme charge controller that was part of the system. I never tried
the relay in the FNDC so I don’t have first-hand knowledge if the
relay is reliable or not. Can anyone confirm or debunk this assertion?
Remember the Extreme
<https://outbackpower.com/products/discontinued-products/discontinued-product-documentation/item/flexmax-extreme-technical-documentation>?
It was the precursor to the FlexMax 100. It is discontinued.
William
Miller Solar
17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422
805-438-5600
www.millersolar.com <http://www.millersolar.com/>
CA Lic. 773985
*From:*RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
<mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org>] *On Behalf Of
*Michael Morningstar
*Sent:* Tuesday, September 14, 2021 11:16 AM
*To:* RE-wrenches
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Radian Generator Relay
Actually I’m using the 12V relay to activate a battery vent fan. For
generator starting, I’m using the dry contact relay for two-wire
start. I have the circuit protected by a 2amp fast acting fuse. Fuse
is good.
On Sep 14, 2021, at 11:10 AM, Tuss, Lones <lones.t...@enersys.com
<mailto:lones.t...@enersys.com>> wrote:
Hi Michael
It sound like you are using the 12 volt aux out on the radian to
activate a separate relay.
If so disconnect the relay then check and see if the 12 aux attempts
to go high (12v dc).
If it does it may be a relay issue.
The Radian does have an on board relay you could use that instead of a
discrete relay.
In AGS on the Mate3(s) just select Relay.
I hope this helps sir.
Take Care
*From:*RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
<mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org>>*On Behalf
Of*Michael Morningstar
*Sent:*Tuesday, September 14, 2021 10:55 AM
*To:*RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
<mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>>
*Subject:*[RE-wrenches] Radian Generator Relay
*CAUTION:*This email originated from outside of the Company. Do not
click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and
know the content is safe.
Wrenches,
I’ve got a Radian 8048/Mate 3S that no longer is activating the relay
responsible for generator starting. I’ve power cycled everything and
updated firmware. When I attempt to start the generator via the Mate
3S, the relay does not close.
Any suggestions before I look into replacing the relay/board?
Which board do I order and what is the best source?
Many thanks,
Michael
*Michael Morningstar*
**
/Morningstar Electric/
PO Box 1494
Mount Shasta, California 96067
530-921-0560
CSLB 949635
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*Michael Morningstar*
**/Morningstar Electric/
PO Box 1494
Mount Shasta, California 96067
530-921-0560
CSLB 949635
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