Hi Peter, These DC gensets are typically set up for backup use in telecom applications. I have not worked with the Kohler DC line, but I have worked with Polar equipment. Polar makes a line of DC generators that are considerably more sophisticated and those units are typically connected directly to the DC battery bank, with the genset controller managing battery charging. Charge parameters- absorb, float and start and stop voltages and timers all being user adjustable through a PC-based interface..
The Kohler 6VSG controller does not seem to be as sophisticated or have as much flexibility, but the intent is to have the genset direct- connected to the storage bank and have the genset controller manage battery charging with a programmable start voltage for autostart and a %load current value or stop voltage to stop the generator. Changing these settings seems to require getting Kohler’s SiteTech software, which may be difficult if you’re not a Kohler Service dealer. I think if you were to comfortably use this generator for a modern RE system you would need to find a way to have a third party device monitor battery voltage (and hopefully also charge current) and manage gen start and stop commands through the 2-wire start interface. Perhaps a Midnite Classic controller using their gen start function? Maybe a legacy Magnum AGS device? Others on the forum will probably have good suggestions. Luke Christy Renewable energy consultant NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional™: Solar Gain Services, LLC PO Box 531 Monte Vista, CO 81144 719.588.3044 sgsrenewab...@gmail.com > On Oct 9, 2024, at 3:18 PM, Peter Giroux via RE-wrenches > <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote: > > Afternoon wrenchers. > > Have something I have never seen. Visited a prospect last week who has a > larger system that was installed wrong. We are looking at fixing it. One of > the issues, the customer was told to buy and install a Kohler 6VSG 48 Volt DC > generator. The original installer ran the DC outputs into the AC inputs of > the inverters. Needless to say, application does not work. It was mentioned > to me that these DC Gensets need a “Buffer “ between the gen and the battery > bank. > > Have reached out to Kohler, no clue, Kohlers top resellers, no clue. Off > grid resellers in our industry, no clue. Anybody here have a clue and the > proper way to run / use this generator to safely charge the large battery > bank. > > Any and all help greatly appreciated. > > Thx > Peter Giroux > American Solar & Alternative Energy Solutions inc > Beautiful Norcross Ga > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org > <http://re-wrenches.org/> > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > <mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the > other: > https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/ > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List rules & etiquette: > http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > http://www.members.re-wrenches.org <http://www.members.re-wrenches.org/>
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