Friends:
While I’d like to think I have seen everything, I came across this scenario recently that surprised me: We replace an existing FX system that had a generator component. Since the FX inverter can only provide 12 volts for generator start, and we did not see a relay in the power room, we assumed there was a 12 volt coil relay in the generator room. Turns out this was not the case. Generators use the cranking battery voltage (B+) to power control circuits. The B+ to start control relays is completed by a contact closure. In this case, there was no relay. Instead the original installer use the 12 volts from the FX inverters to provide substitute B+ to the generator control circuitry. The end result is we burned up the Radian control board. Apparently the FX inverter had enough 12 volt capability to make this work, but the Radians did not. When we began troubleshooting, our first clue something was wrong was that there was no relay. Our second clue was that one of the12 volt start leads was grounded. We also burned up a relay in the generator. I hope this little cautionary tale helps one of you avoid a burned up control board someday, somewhere. This problem was a big headache. William PS: Here is a web page <http://www.millersolar.com/MillerSolar/Portfolio/Inverters/battery_iinverters/TT-Radian/TT_Radian.html> on this particular installation. On this project we incorporated some of the GSLC wiring innovations discussed in this forum. Wm [image: Gradient Cap_mini] Lic 773985 millersolar.com <http://www.millersolar.com/> 805-438-5600
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