converting 120v only generator to 120/240

t00ls
Solar Expert Posts: 252 ✭✭✭
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
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
Comments
-
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 -
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 , -
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
Categories
- All Categories
- 222 Forum & Website
- 130 Solar Forum News and Announcements
- 1.3K Solar News, Reviews, & Product Announcements
- 192 Solar Information links & sources, event announcements
- 888 Solar Product Reviews & Opinions
- 254 Solar Skeptics, Hype, & Scams Corner
- 22.4K Solar Electric Power, Wind Power & Balance of System
- 3.5K General Solar Power Topics
- 6.7K Solar Beginners Corner
- 1K PV Installers Forum - NEC, Wiring, Installation
- 2.1K Advanced Solar Electric Technical Forum
- 5.5K Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems
- 426 Caravan, Recreational Vehicle, and Marine Power Systems
- 1.1K Grid Tie and Grid Interactive Systems
- 652 Solar Water Pumping
- 815 Wind Power Generation
- 624 Energy Use & Conservation
- 611 Discussion Forums/Café
- 304 In the Weeds--Member's Choice
- 75 Construction
- 124 New Battery Technologies
- 108 Old Battery Tech Discussions
- 3.8K Solar News - Automatic Feed
- 3.8K Solar Energy News RSS Feed