converting 120v only generator to 120/240

t00ls
t00ls Solar Expert Posts: 250 ✭✭✭
edited February 2016 in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
I hhave a chicago electric  3050 watt generator...it was only 120V.....this was a problem with a XW4548. You cant use a 120 gen with a 240 inverter.....at least that what the manual says, and I wasnt going to test it
sure I could buy a new generator that puts out 240V  for $1200...money I didnt have and wont for a while....so I decided the solution instead of leaving leaving the 4548 in a diminished 120V only single phase...I would convert it back to 120/240 split phase and do the same for the generator
these pictures tell the story of how to convert this specific generator

first the factory wiring


and the modified wiring

Im pretty sure the head will be able to handle at least 15A on each line of the 240.....so I dont think there will be an issue there

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Comments

  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,613 admin
    #2
    Yep... Looks good.

    And the XW wired for 120/240 VAC, needs a 120/240 VAC genset.

    You can (as I recall) rewire (and change the firmware) the XW to 120 VAC only and then use a 120 VAC genset. Another option.

    Some other brands of 120/240 VAC inverters can work with a 120 VAC charger (Magnum for one?).

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #3
    It's good (and much better) to modify the genset, then to get into the hardware and firmware of the XW.  
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • t00ls
    t00ls Solar Expert Posts: 250 ✭✭✭
    #4
    BB. said:

    You can (as I recall) rewire (and change the firmware) the XW to 120 VAC only and then use a 120 VAC genset. Another option.

    -Bill

    I did have it converted to 120 only.....just thought it might be better to have 120 on both legs of an existing home

    times were hard , but they are getting better....will be doing some upgrades before to much longer......but until then...got to get by with what I have


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