Iota charger

shockmanshockman Solar Expert Posts: 113 ✭✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
Can someone tell me how big of a Iota charger (12v) can I power off of a IU 1000 Honda generater
4x240w panels,Classic 150 CC, 4x380AHR L16's, antique Trace 12V inverter
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  • mike95490mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,511 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
    my iota is about .6 PF, and a EU1000 is rated at 900W rated (7.5A) cont.   So 600w of iota charger would be about the limit, or about 40A @ 14V     But that would be running the generator at 100% duty cycle.
    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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  • EstragonEstragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #3
    I'd be conservative and go with a 30a. My eu2000 doesn't do surges well and I think the iota charger ramps pretty quickly. Nice little generators but light weight means not much momentum on flywheel etc. to carry surge.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
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  • Marc KurthMarc Kurth Solar Expert Posts: 903 ✭✭✭✭
    edited December 2016 #4
    I have never used anything from Iota, but my eu2000i ramps up perfectly - even from Eco mode with a Xantrex Truecharge 2, 60a charger running at full load.

    One of these days, I hope to have an opportunity to test an Iota 75 amp because some folks claim that it works with the Honda. But........rightly or wrongly, the Iota/Progressive Dynamics/PowerMax class of converters just isn't heavily respected in my narrow world - so I have not been given an opportunity to actually try it - and I am not about to buy them just to test. I would love to hear from trusted members with real hands-on experiences with this!

    Edit to add: Please note that I am not saying anything bad about these products. I am only sharing what I see among my customer base.
    I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life.
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  • EstragonEstragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #5
    My outback ramps up slowly (maybe 4-5 secs) which the Honda handles fine (with current limited). I haven't used my 2x45a Iota chargers much with the Honda but I've unplugged one charger when I do.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
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  • 2manytoyz2manytoyz Solar Expert Posts: 373 ✭✭✭
    #6
    I have a couple of different Iota chargers.  The one on my solar setup is a 75A model.  I was surprised by how poor the power factor was.



    It was drawing almost 14 Amps @ 120VAC when supply close to the 75A @ 12VDC rating.  Ideally, it would only be 7.5A @ 120VAC.  My 2400 Watt Yamaha generator can run this, but not sure about the Honda 2KW, and certainly not the 1000W Honda.
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  • EstragonEstragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #7
    Pretty sure my honda 2kw would fault on 14a often enough to be a pita. I do like it, but it has its limitations.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
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