Dan:
The application is an off-grid animal rescue facility with a requirement for high reliability. We recently acquired a second generator and a Kohler RDT transfer switch. The RDT will automatically transfer to either of two inputs based on where AC is detected. However the RDT logic is not capable of transferring the start signal if one generator fails to start. I looked at the Atkinson web site but I did not see anything that was quite right. It may be that they can create something but then I would miss out on that part of the fun. It’s easy to overlook how complicated it is starting an internal combustion engine. You have to crank until the engine starts, you can’t crank too long, you need to try multiple times, etc. This is why the Trace SW 3-wire start circuitry was so amazing. I sketched out an electro-mechanical solution but I soon realized the logic was a bit too complicated. The inverter will want to attempt the start multiple times before giving up. I’d like to do the same and then switch to starting the second generator after maybe 3 failed attempts at starting Gen 1. It seems I need to code some kind of script to execute this logic. This is where the Control by Web solution seems to be the best fit. I have used their products and they are excellent. If others are interested I can post back when I crack this nut. Thanks everyone for your collective wisdom and comradery! William Miller Miller Solar 17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422 805-438-5600 www.millersolar.com CA Lic. 773985 *From:* Dan Fink [mailto:[email protected]] *Sent:* Saturday, February 22, 2025 9:07 AM *To:* [email protected]; RE-wrenches *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Generator failure alarm William - have you talked to Atkinson in Utah? Last time I talked to them they could configure just about anything for such applications. Dan Fink Owner, Buckville Energy Consulting LLC IREC Certified Instructor for PV and Small Wind Installation NABCEP Certified PV System Inspector NABCEP PV Associate d <[email protected]>[email protected] 970-672-4342 On Fri, Feb 21, 2025 at 1:54 PM William Miller via RE-wrenches < [email protected]> wrote: Colleagues: Is anyone aware of an off-the-shelf device that will give me a contact closure if a generator is called and does not produce AC after a set amount of time? I am sure I could design and build one but before I do I’d like to see if there is a ready-made version. I hope I am not making a pest of myself asking so many questions… Thanks in advance. William Miller _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org List Address: [email protected] Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the other: https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: http://www.members.re-wrenches.org
_______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org List Address: [email protected] Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the other: https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: http://www.members.re-wrenches.org
