As far as a 5000w air cooled gasoline generator powering a 3500W inverter, bear in mind most air cooled units are rated for peak of 5000W, but continual duty shouldn't exceed 60% of that.
On Mon, Dec 18, 2017 at 10:26 AM, John Blittersdorf < [email protected]> wrote: > When he mentioned the new mate3 he was probably referring to the MATE3s > which I think is just different firmware with additional features. I have > used it on the older FX series. When I first used it, I didn't realize that > the firmware was different until I was looking to see if the mate3 had a > firmware upgrade. > > John > > On Sun, Dec 17, 2017 at 2:46 PM, jay <[email protected]> wrote: > > > A mate 3 will work with any OB model. > > I’ve got one on my 14 year old vfx > > jay > > > > > > > On Dec 17, 2017, at 11:44 AM, Sindelar Solar <[email protected]> > > wrote: > > > > > > Ron, > > > > > > I agree with Jerry here, and will add a bit more. I'll venture that > > neither generator is being seriously hurt, but neither is what's > happening > > good for them. > > > > > > This is a case where more specific info is needed to diagnose the > > problem remotely. VFX or VFXR? Which specific Honda generator? What is > the > > site elevation for deration (looks like you're in BC, so maybe 2,000')? > > > > > > This points out the importance of including a Mate in such a remote > > location, as that's your only diagnostic tool when something goes amiss. > In > > that region with its short cloudy days the loss of generator charging in > > winter could be dangerous or worse. > > > > > > I'm gonna guess that he has the Honda EM 5000is generator. I haven't > > seen or worked with that model, but I'm familiar with the older 3000is. > > These are inverter-based generators. The 3000 was a fair choice with the > > early Outback FX and VFX series, because the 120V output matched the > input > > of the Outback. (The primary issue was overly-fast overload response, > > faster than the FX could control its surge input while charging > batteries. > > The gennie would sometimes pop its output breaker if a pump or fridge > came > > on; if the owner didn't hear the engine speed drop it could run for hours > > without doing anything.) The 5000 is 120/240, with a user-accessible > > *"120/240V Selector Switch: *Choose between using both 120 and 240 Volts, > > or 120 Volts only. This allows for the total generator output to be > > available through any of the 120 volt outlets, limited only by the > capacity > > of the individual outlet." > > > > > > My guess is the customer has accidentally set the switch on 120/240, so > > only one leg is feeding the FX. The FX is set to take the full 120V > output, > > so is overloading the 1/2-output leg. The inverter can't hold acceptable > > voltage and unlatches, then repeats its input sequence. When the load > drops > > out the gennie drops to idle. Have him check this switch first. > > > > > > If not this you may have to do a call, bringing a Mate with you. (I > > don't know if a modern Mate3 will work with the non-R VFX, but an OB tech > > can likely tell you, if you can reach one.) > > > > > > Good luck diagnosing at a distance - I hope that it's just the switch. > > > > > > Allan > > > > > > On 12/16/2017 7:04 PM, Jerry Shafer wrote: > > >> Ron > > >> A 5 k 120/240 genny pushing a 24 volt 3500 watt sounds way over kill > and > > >> only pushing one leg only will result in issues, have not seen them > with > > >> hondas but have with others. No mate means no programming so it might > be > > >> over throttling the little inverter. You did not say anything about > the > > >> batteries so we cant do the math but with the miss match it is not > > >> surprising that there are issues. Is the a PS-1 type panel or anything > > >> besides the inverter. maybe its me but I don't see parts required to > > make > > >> this a safe system. the Gen set issues also fit if there was no proper > > >> programming done. these can be fun to get all fixed up right and doing > > what > > >> they are designed to do. > > >> Jerry > > >> 255 *24 = 6120 / 2 = 3060 / (5000/2) => a 20 amp 120 vac is 2400 with > > this > > >> as an example with not much to go on, with the battery bit IF the > > batteries > > >> were dead they would be charged in just over an hr. and NO l did not > > take > > >> any losses into account but this was with D-8 DCFLA not sealed AGM's > > >> > > >> On Sat, Aug 12, 2017 at 2:32 PM, Ron Young <[email protected] > > > > >> wrote: > > >>> Have a client where I recently installed an Outback VFX3524 inverter > in > > >>> June. He’s using a Honda generator and has recently started having > > issues. > > >>> He has been complaining that the inverter seems to be running hot > but I > > >>> believe this is because he doesn’t have good ventilation around it. > He > > is > > >>> probably also running high on the loads. He doesn’t have a Mate so > > can’t > > >>> identify the error. He is in a remote location and I am currently > > unable to > > >>> travel due to fire restrictions in my area (major BC wildfires). > > >>> > > >>> Here is his recent email: > > >>> -Seems the inverter is recognizing the power in as an issue, and > > throwing > > >>> an error. > > >>> -My existing 5000 Honda generator has been online with the unit since > > you > > >>> installed it. > > >>> -The last few days, when there is very little load, or the unit goes > to > > >>> float, the generator goes into a high rpm. > > >>> -My existing 5000 Honda crapped out on me this morning, and holds a > low > > >>> rpm, not putting out much power. Will run a tool, but still won’t > > hold a > > >>> higher rpm. > > >>> -I borrowed an identical 5000 Honda generator, and it seemed to be > > doing > > >>> fine for about 1.5 hours. > > >>> -Now it’s doing the same thing as the other generator. The inverter > > >>> system throws an error, the generator is taken offline, and the > > generator > > >>> rpm go up. > > >>> -If I manually manipulate the throttle not he generator lower, then > the > > >>> inverter re-engages. > > >>> > > >>> What the heck could this be? I don’t want to fry the borrowed > > generator, > > >>> but we can’t systematically bypass the inverter, and the house > > requires the > > >>> power. > > >>> > > >>> Ron Young > > >>> earthRight - Solareagle > > > > > > *Allan Sindelar* > > > [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> <mailto: > > [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> > > > NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional > > > New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician > > > Founder (Retired), Positive Energy, Inc. > > > *505 780-2738 cell* > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > > > > > List Address: [email protected] > > > > > > Change listserver email address & settings: > > > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > > > > > List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/ > [email protected]. > > org/maillist.html > > > > > > List rules & etiquette: > > > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > > > > > Check out or update participant bios: > > > www.members.re-wrenches.org > > > > _______________________________________________ > > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > > > List Address: [email protected] > > > > Change listserver email address & settings: > > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > > > List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]. > > org/maillist.html > > > > List rules & etiquette: > > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > > > Check out or update participant bios: > > www.members.re-wrenches.org > > > > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: [email protected] > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]. > org/maillist.html > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org > > -- Chris Mason NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™ Solar Design Engineer Generac Generators Industrial technician www.cometsolar.com <http://www.cometenergysystems.com> 264.235.5670 869.662.5670 Skype: netconcepts _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: [email protected] Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
