I think the generator control board was intended for those cheap
electric start get sets (gas, propane/convertible to popane, tri-fuel,
etc) you can get on ebay and other places. Not something like a
commercial Generac, Onan, etc. that have controllers built in.
OTOH, sometimes the included controllers and transfer switches can be
pretty stupid. Like not starting and transferring when utility voltage
sags below 90VAC per leg, and some power supplies wanting 96-100VAC
minimum. Hmm, reminds me of some UPSes.
I had this crazy complicated idea when we were putting in the Generac at
the office. I put in a second transfer switch fed from the first (as a
sub-panel) for critical loads so that we can roll out a backup 7kw
portable if the Generac is/needs to be taken down. I was going to use
the PacketFlux controller for the second switch. And then thinking about
it, I was way, way overthinking it. Instead I simply used a relay with a
240VAC coil fed by the portable gen to make the switch transfer. Yes,
the coil is always energized while the portable is making voltage. But I
have yet to use it. And I have spare relays. I did this because if I
have to roll into the NOC at 2am to bring up the portable because the
Generac didn't start, at least when the portable runs out of gas, the
switch will go back to normal position when the utility is restored.
Good enough. With the PacketFlux controller, I would've had to build a
DC UPS and all kinds of wiring and stuff. And it would probably never be
used. But I bought one anyway while going through my overthinking stage,
and then ended up giving it to Gino.
Chuck brought up another good point for DC applications. A simple
voltage controlled relay and 2-wire start. Which of course assumes a
genset with auto choke and all that. Forrest's controller was designed
to do more complex sequencing. Turn on fuel, choke, crank. Monitor
various conditions. Cool down, shutdown, turn off fuel.
On 12/21/2017 10:19 PM, Adam Moffett wrote:
I might be thinking of this wrongly, so I welcome input.
We got a 16kw Generac Guardian for under $5k. That included a
transfer switch, "cold weather kit" (which is basically a block heater
and battery heater), and a precast base to put it on. I think there
are models as small as 8kw, but I don't have a price for that. I'm
sure it's less than $5k. When we set up propane service the fuel
company provided the tank and we only pay for the fuel.
This starts automatically when the power is off, and turns off when
power comes back on. This is what we want, right? A truck crashed
into a pole one morning, and we lost power for more than 8 hours. That
one incident paid for the Generac. We certainly would have lost $5k
worth of labor and service credits if we were down for that whole
time so this system is worth every penny.
So what is it we're trying to achieve that the above product doesn't
do? I'm happy with my packetflux stuff, but if the generator board
didn't sell, there's probably a reason. If we're just trying to make
it cheaper, isn't that the so-called "race to the bottom"?
Maybe there are points I'm overlooking, so again, I do welcome input.
------ Original Message ------
From: "Dave" <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>>
To: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Sent: 12/21/2017 9:40:02 AM
Subject: Re: [AFMUG] Remote generator start options packetflux?
Forrest,
We had a discussion about this as we now have 4 generators and I
have 3 of your standby controllers taking care of
these sites without issue since we installed them.
Would it be feasible to just remove the Transformers and just give a
link for separate purchase ?
My issue as with many would like to see a box with many inputs to
monitor different things like AC,DC voltages, tempatures
make and brake contacts. Also, the need for active outputs to turn on
off things or just for a cycle with timer.
A nice gui would be ok to be able to log in for manual control or
configuration.
There are some very expensive things out there to do all of this but
I know with a little work it can be done with out much money involved.
I have a very specific need to integrate a 26vDC generator with a
site that is a 48v plant. I have everything installed and connected
but I need some
automation to start and stop when needed.
The generator has a voltage sense on its output to detect if the
battery bank is below 22vdc and if so it will kick on for an amount
of time to restore
charge. The problem with this is there is a 1000W converter between
it and the 48v battery bank.
Anyone with suggestions is welcome
Dave
On 12/21/2017 03:18 AM, Forrest Christian (List Account) wrote:
The short version: I never sold that many, and this particular
product came up in discussions about product liablity insurance.
Not that it was unsafe, just that there was some discomfort with the
fact that I was monitoring the AC power line. To remedy this I
would have either had to redesign to remove the AC monitoring
hardware, or send the whole thing through UL listing. Based on the
volume, I didn't really see any reason to spend a lot of R&D time or
money doing either.
I do expect the functionality in the generator controller will be
able to be replicated as a side effect of planned technology to be
incorporated in an upcoming product.
On Wed, Dec 20, 2017 at 8:23 PM, Lewis Bergman
<[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
Bummer. Guess there was not enough demand or to make variants?
On Wed, Dec 20, 2017, 5:18 PM George Skorup
<[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
Yeahbut Forrest doesn't make the generator control board
anymore.
On 12/20/2017 5:01 PM, Lewis Bergman wrote:
I think packetflux is likely the easiest with the most to
offer our of the box. I know if one other out of the box
solution that cost about 3 times as much. First can not
only start it but he can use his shunt to make sure it is
actually started and producing current.
If you want to do it yourself you could work some coding
and such but it doesn't sound like that is what you want to
do. Arduino, raspberry pi, etc. Could do this but you have
to build it all yourself. Not really fast but fun if you
like that kind of thing.
You would need some electronics knowledge if you don't want
to spend a few days googling. I guess you still have to
know enough to make Google work.
Again, see Forest for his genset setup. I know a lot of
people in this list use it.
On Wed, Dec 20, 2017, 4:39 PM Eric Kuhnke
<[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
assuming you have a generator that does auto-choke and
is wired for electrical remote start, like the small
generac units sold for RV use and similar... where all
you need to do is turn on a relay for 4-5 seconds to
crank a starter, then turn off the relay again.
one of these: http://tinycontrol.pl/en/lan-controller/
<http://tinycontrol.pl/en/lan-controller/>
and one of these:
http://tinycontrol.pl/en/relays-board-10a-v3/
<http://tinycontrol.pl/en/relays-board-10a-v3/>
or a thing like this:
http://denkovi.com/ethernet-relay-card-5-channels-snmp-http-xml-real-time-clock-din-box
<http://denkovi.com/ethernet-relay-card-5-channels-snmp-http-xml-real-time-clock-din-box>
there are quite a few different DIN mount
relay-controllers with basic http interfaces to turn on
and off things. Some support things like receiving an
snmp trap to trigger a relay for automated scripting.
On Wed, Dec 20, 2017 at 2:30 PM, Brandon Yuchasz
<[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
We are looking at adding a remote start to a
generator at an off grid site we have and I am
gathering information on options at this point.
Right now we are all Solar at the site. It’s a new
site and if / when we draw down batteries beyond
where we are comfortable we turn go to the site
turn off the PV and start a generator manually and
run a 48v battery charger on the bank. It’s a
fairly low tech solution right now. We log in turn
off the PV array and a guy goes out and pulls the
rope on the generator and batteries start to
charge. He then leaves and in three hours generator
runs out of fuel and charging stops. Log back in
turn the PV back on and that’s the end of the process.
We are considering a few different options at the
site and I don’t want to complicate this to much by
offering to much information to start. Ill go into
more details later but for now I am looking for a
way to start a (different) propane generator
remotely during the dark months. Most likely once a
week in December and January.
So assuming electric start is an options on the
generator. What options do I have for throwing that
“switch” from the office. I am positive I am not
the first one of us to want to do this.
Thoughts everyone? I want to KISS so when I am not
around others can do this with minimal training.
Thanks,
Brandon
--
*Forrest Christian* /CEO//, PacketFlux Technologies, Inc./
Tel: 406-449-3345 | Address: 3577 Countryside Road, Helena, MT 59602
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> |
http://www.packetflux.com <http://www.packetflux.com/>
<http://www.linkedin.com/in/fwchristian>
<http://facebook.com/packetflux> <http://twitter.com/@packetflux>
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