OBTW. the FNDC is a dry contact.
db
Dan Brown
Foxfire Energy Corp.
Renewable Energy Systems
(802)-483-2564
www.Foxfire-Energy.com
NABCEP #092907-44
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Interesting gen start problem
From: William Miller <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, December 13, 2018 3:11 pm
To: RE-wrenches <[email protected]>
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 theFX 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.WilliamPS: Here is a web page on this particular installation. On this project we incorporated some of the GSLC wiring innovations discussed in this forum.Wm
Lic 773985
millersolar.com
805-438-5600
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