Luke
I agree. Might be best to have it for manual use as customer lives full time on site. That way they can monitor the charge cycle, that is unless they fall asleep. Thx peter From: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org> On Behalf Of Luke Christy via RE-wrenches Sent: Wednesday, October 9, 2024 5:47 PM To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Cc: Luke Christy <sgsrenewab...@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Help on something strange 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 <mailto:sgsrenewab...@gmail.com> On Oct 9, 2024, at 3:18 PM, Peter Giroux via RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org <mailto: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: <mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org> 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/> https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/ <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: <http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm> 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
_______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org List Address: 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
