Definitive AC in to DC charge out ratio for Xantrex SW4024

teneagles

I have to rent a generator to equalize my bank, and want to know what to set the AC2 120v input and DC 24v charge out settings at according to the output of the generator I must rent. Depending on when I rent one, I have many different wattages and ac jacks that I end up with. Last time I uses a 3500 watt continuous through a 30 amp twistlock, with a 25 amp rated breaker. But the inverter would throw an error and reset if I set the ac2 in higher that 20 amps, and the DC charge higher than 10 amps. Now a 120vac to 24vdc, 2aca-to-1dca ratio doesn't seem right to me. I have had sweeper battery chargers that would easily deliver 12 amps VDC on a 10 amp vac circuit, 20 amps of VDC on a 15 amp vac circuit, and 30 amps of vdc on a 25 amp vac circuit. So I am perplexed to say the least. The top ac-in setting in the sw4024 is 66 amps, and the charger is rated at 40 with top AC-in. That ratio looks to me to be roughly 1.5aca:1dca.

Carrying that thought through, you would think the internal charger would deliver the same 12-13 amps without causing the gen to bog down too heavily and/or causing the inverter to throw an error, but it does. And since the generator is 3500 watts continuous, a 20 amp draw through a 25 amp circuit with a 30 amp plug and receptacle, shouldn't be causing it to bog down much at all. That's only 2400 of the 3500 rated continuous watts, yet it it does bog it down and throw an error. So either I am both understanding and setting all of this all wrong, or there are other gremlins about that I don't understand.

I have some larger and far more expensive generators I can rent, one 4800 and the other 5600 watts, but I really would like to know my proper ratio info before I decide which one is best to try next.

Thanks in advance...

Zac

Blackcherry04

Re: Definitive AC in to DC charge out ratio for Xantrex SW4024

What are your loads ?? Once the Inverter accepted the ACin it transfered your loads to Pass through, any amps left were used for charging.

SkiDoo55

Re: Definitive AC in to DC charge out ratio for Xantrex SW4024

According to manual max generator support is 24 amp. Kind of curious why a 3500 watt continuous generator would only have a 20 amp c/b on it? Looks like it is really designed to only deliver about 2000 watts continuous. 3500 watt = @ 29 amp which by NEC would need a 40 amp breaker?

Cariboocoot

Re: Definitive AC in to DC charge out ratio for Xantrex SW4024

SkiDoo55 wrote: »

According to manual max generator support is 24 amp. Kind of curious why a 3500 watt continuous generator would only have a 20 amp c/b on it? Looks like it is really designed to only deliver about 2000 watts continuous. 3500 watt = @ 29 amp which by NEC would need a 40 amp breaker?

3500 Watt @ 240 VAC perhaps: 15 Amps.

SkiDoo55

Re: Definitive AC in to DC charge out ratio for Xantrex SW4024

He is talking 120 v in his description?

Cariboocoot

Re: Definitive AC in to DC charge out ratio for Xantrex SW4024

But if the gen is 3500 @ 240 then the 120 legs may only be capable of half that each.

Not enough details.

SkiDoo55

Re: Definitive AC in to DC charge out ratio for Xantrex SW4024

You are correct, I thought his numbers were off too.

Guess the real guestion to OP is we need more specific information on output of generator to inverter, 240 v vs: 120v. Age of inverter (I was looking at new Conext SW4024 specs) so I may not be looking at correct data if older model. Etc.

Checked a couple of generators in that size online and some are only 120v with the specs on the plugs and breakers as he described. Even the Honda in 3000 watt is 120v. Need specifics of generator he is/was using. Would be preferable for OP to rent a generator that was 240vac output to fully use it for charging and load.