Jim:
I am familiar with this case having worked with you on it. The client is an off-grid public school and reliability is very important to avoid disruption of curriculum. Various factors (tree cover on the site, maximum needs occurring during winter, proximity to the ocean creating frequent overcast and environmental constraints) will make it extremely difficult to ever provide enough PV to cover the energy budget. Therefore this system will always rely on generator input. If the generator fails power will go out and school is disrupted. The school needs two generators to provide reliable power. I suggest a second, new generator, appropriately sized is the best solution. With a new generator it is unlikely that generator caused problems will continue. At least you can test with a second generator. At the very least, provisions should be made to install a permanent power feed from the parking lot so a portable backup generator can be quickly deployed. With those provisions, a rental generator will allow you to test the inverters with another genset. I am not in favor of rebuilding generators for critical reliability applications unless the mechanical and electrical systems are both rebuilt. Field repairs are typically less reliable than a new unit. William Miller Solar 17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422 805-438-5600 www.millersolar.com CA Lic. 773985 *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of *Dana Orzel via RE-wrenches *Sent:* Saturday, January 4, 2025 4:47 PM *To:* RE-wrenches *Cc:* Dana Orzel *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Generator Overvoltage Troubleshoot I’ve chimed in on this connection before I have an Onan 20 KW an analog unit - 25 years old and I had it completely rebuilt prior to moving to Idaho and then after a couple of years, the voltage got really unstable. I dealt with ASAP they got me a they got me a replacement new not ORM voltage regulator that has been absolutely perfect Here is their phone number these guys were super super helpful. (717) 274-9396 Dana Orzel C: 208.721.7003 E- d...@solarwork.com On Jan 3, 2025, at 1:52 PM, Darryl Thayer via RE-wrenches < re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote: Here is my two cents I had a similar over voltage. It was caused by the generator. It helped to put a load on the generator, I put on a 500 watt resistance load, it helped but in the end the generator was replaced. Good luck. On Fri, Jan 3, 2025, 8:17 AM Jim Gowdy via RE-wrenches < re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote: Hi all, I need some help with a generator overvoltage troubleshoot. I'm working on an outback offgrid system that consists of 2 x Radian GS8048a, 1 x MATE3S controller, 1 x FM 80 charge controller, 1 x 55kw single phase propane AC cummins generator, about 4kw of solar *not sufficient enough to keep up with the load, and 24 x 4v Rolls batteries series/paralleled to make 48v. The generator was rebuilt and the batteries replaced about a year ago and since then, the generator has been faulting due to overvoltage. I had help and first found that the MATE needed calibrating so that was done, but the generator still was faulting. I found changing the AC Input Charging from 30a to 20a seemed to work. I put a power monitor on the generator output and found that, with the AC Input Charging set at 30a, noticed that there was a voltage spike up to 300+V at about a 70a draw. The generator company put a load bank on and verified the generator may not be at fault and the problem is after the generator. Has anyone encountered a problem like this and have suggestions? I've attached a PDF with a timeline of what I've done for troubleshooting so far. -- Jim with Gowdy Electric Cambria, Ca 93428 business 805 927 2630 cell 805 975 5279 _______________________________________________ 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 _______________________________________________ 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
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