Hi what you are referring to is sometimes called the DT Kluge. I have used it in a couple of ways. The original reason was to use a small, 120 volt, low quality generator to act as an emergency charging scheme for an Outback Bimodal system. (Grid tied where they were having frequent outages and some times of longer duration). I have also used this configuration on small standalone.
I have had good luck with this arrangment, but it is limited, and I have never approached the 3000 watt limit of the MX60 (all of my installations used the MX60 and I have never used the FM series on this connection, however it should work). The advantage is the battery charge regulation is still quite good as it uses the MX/FM control scheme and even the FNDC can be used, to control this charging. If you want to use up to the 6000 watts of the generator, you will need, at least, two charge controllers and two sets of full wave rectifiers, and possibly two transformers. I have never used the full capacity of the MX in this circuit, typically the limit I use is about 30 amps at 48 volts or about 1500 Watts. However I have never pushed the limit. (becarefull), (I have tripped a 30 amp(120v) breaker while charging at less than 20 amps 120 volts, I think this is due to the heating from a rectified sine wave) So it is not so obvious what is happening here. The limit I use of the I will have to send you the diagram, but here is the circuit description as I have used it: The 120 volt output of the generator is sent through an Outback Auto transformer, changing it to 60 volts AC. Then the full wave rectfied sgnal of about 85 volts peak, is connected to a MX60 or FM?? and the output connected as usually done to the battery set. Follow the usual small generator grounding rules. BTW you can still use the MX to charge from the solar array. DT --- On Tue, 4/27/10, Mendocino Solar Service <[email protected]> wrote: > From: Mendocino Solar Service <[email protected]> > Subject: [RE-wrenches] FM60/rectifier for gen charging > To: "RE-wrenches" <[email protected]> > Date: Tuesday, April 27, 2010, 12:32 AM > Hi Wrenches, > > If I may, I'd like to forward this from a Wrench formerly > on the list, now semi-retired: > > "I know this subject has been discussed, but I couldn't > find the archive. I'd like to know pros and cons of using > the Outback FM 60 or FM 80 as a charger - using a 7000 watt > (6000 prime) generator as the power source. If I use a > 6000w step down transformer, can I get all 6000 watts (3000 > watts per leg) into one rectifier? If not, > I guess I will need two FM 60 or FM 80's ( one for > each leg of the generator). I'm not sure a > 6000 watt step down transformer is still available. > > "I would like to have a parts list, and a source for the > parts. A wiring diagram would also be helpful. > Thanks, Eric" > > Bruce Erickson > Mendocino Solar Service > PO Box 1252 > Mendocino, CA 95460 > 707-937-1701 > > > > > _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: [email protected] Options & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
