programming outback inverter/charger fyir generator size

andy t

We live off grid in the UK and use an Outback fm80 charge controller to keep our 24v bank of 2v cells charged and power our cabin with an Outback gfx1424e iverter/charger. Now that it is winter we struggle to replace our power usage from the solar. We are careful with how much power we use and in previous winters have used a victron 350w sine wave inverter and really limited our usage and just managed to get through with the solar.

 This winter we would like to use the charging facility on the outback gfx1424e however we are unable to replace our generator at the moment. Our current generator has been sized for our house truck so is smaller than ideal for the gfx1424e. If we purchased the mate display/control unit for the inverter would we be able to programme the iverter to charge from our generator? The user manual seems to suggest we could. The generator is a petrol inverter geny 230v 50hz 900w constant 1000w peak.

 We intend on purchasing a larger 3kva generator next year but for now we need to get through this winter with what we have. 

 Please advise if it would be possible to set the gfx1424e to run from our 900/1000w sine wave geny with using the mate controller to programme the inverter. If so what settings would I need to set? 

westbranch

What is the amp rating of your bank and what are your loads (, as specific as possible) and do they overlap? What are the load(s) that you need generator support for?

Have you read the post on Generator support?   http://forum.solar-electric.com/discussion/17098/demonstration-of-generator-support

mike95490

is Black Cherry still around?

Blackcherry04 said:

Re: Demonstration of Generator Support  ......................
............................
P.S. I ordered a GFX and a Mate 2 today from OutBack..... We'll see how it goes.

andy t

Our daily usage is currently around 2kwh and we would be able to limit use while the batteries are charging. Our bank is 600ah c20.

the main reason for the geny would be for charging on days when we have very little sun rather than supporting large loads.

in the manual for the gfx1424e it says using the mate you can limit generator ac in current to min 2.5amps max 30amps with the default setting being 25amps. But doesn't say what the increments are. Could I set this so it won't overload our small geny with a constant 900w output and a 1000w peak?

BB.

I looked on the web--and could not find any programming details.

Perhaps, somebody with a similar inverter can look at the programming steps and let us know. Or you will have to call Outback support.

From what I recall here, nobody has complained that the gen/ac2 steps were too large.

-Bill

Estragon

I have charged 350ah 48v bank with a little honda eu2009 generator via twin outback inverter/chargers (diesel genny was out of action for a while). The honda barfs at around 12a but limiting the outbacks to around 11a woks fine. Inverter should cut back charging for other loads, but obviously need to keeps pumps etc off.

andy t

Thanks for your responses. Estragon do you know what the increments are when setting the ac gen limit?

Estragon

IIRC settings are one amp increments.