Wiring Oversized Generator

jbreezy

We are currently building a new off grid home.  We are moving from another off grid home and are bringing our generator with us.  We have a temporary solar setup right now that was pulled from yet another site and is a 2kW array with a VFX3524 inverter.  We will be expanding to a completely different setup this summer and I'm looking for a temporary solution.  

We have a 10kW 240AC 2 wire start generator.  We have some bigger loads than what the inverter can handle.  I am wondering the best wiring setup is to be able to have the generator start charge batteries and take the load off the house when we are running higher draws.
Thanks  

mike95490

The best setup depends on how your inverter deals with a generator ?   Does it have a internal transfer switch, or do you manually switch from inverter to generator ?

mcgivor

Being that the generator has a significantly larger capacity than the inverter, even if it was capable of accepting an AC input, the input would have to be limited to the inverter's capacity.

Using an auto transfer switch with the generator as the primary source would allow transfer to automatically favor the generator when started. The inverter would remain on but be disconnected from the loads as long as the generator is running , if a search mode is applicable the inverter would go to sleep whilst the generator is running, as soon as the generator is turned off it would transfer to backup or inverter power.

This is something I personally use but not with a generator, I program my prime inverter to " invert block" between certain hours to allow a secondary inverter with less self consumption to carry loads overnight. The theroy of operation is still the same, albeit manual, you choose when to start the generator to run the larger loads. 

jbreezy

I figured that would be the best way thanks for your response.

Saggys

If your Power Distribution Panel has an inverter bypass breaker arrangement  you could also power all of your loads off the generator.