Replacing 15kw diesel Gen with Propane - Recommendation & Important Considerations?

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Comments

  • muirhouse
    muirhouse Solar Expert Posts: 82 ✭✭
    Anawa, right, thanks. I will still have the two starter batteries and wiring connections left from the diesel, wiring going to connect right through that box.
  • arby
    arby Solar Expert Posts: 107 ✭✭
    muirhouse said:
    The SG? and your 3648's are 36 amps?

    Specific Gravity--- I think he means that his 8500 puts in 90amps+ when the battery bank is low and will accept this high of a charge rate.
    3310 watts panels, Classic 200 controller, 8 Surette S530's, Xantrex 5548 inverter, Honda EX5500 backup Genny.
  • Anawa
    Anawa Solar Expert Posts: 225 ✭✭✭
    SG refers to battery Specific Gravity that measures state of charge. The 3648 is Ouback's 3600 watt (48 volt) inverter that charges the battery when the generator is running.

    Paul
    in Georgia
    Paul 
    in Georgia

    System 1: PV- 410w Evergreen, Mppt- Blue Sky Solar Boost, Batt - 225ah Deka AGM, 12v led house lighting,
    System 2: PV- 215w Kyocera, PWM - Morningstar PS30, Batt- 225ah Deka GC's, 12v led house lighting, Dankoff 12v water pump,
    System 3: PV- 1.5kw Kyocera, Grundfos 11 SQF well pump, 3000 gal above ground water storage, dom water & irrigation,
    System 4: PV- 6.1kw Kyocera, Mppt- Outback FM80-2ea, Inverter- Outback FX3648-2ea, Batt- 804ah GB traction, Grundfos BMQE booster pump 240v, Mitsibushi mini-splits 240v, 18k and 15k
  • DanS26
    DanS26 Solar Expert Posts: 264 ✭✭✭
    You are wise to be moving to LP.  LP is a bi product of natural gas production.  With the massive switch from coal to gas generation, LP bi product will be in massive supply for the foreseeable future.

    In the Midwest propane tanks are stacked high as people have moved from propane heat to geothermal.  What a mistake.

    Forget the 500 gal tanks, get two or three 1000 gal tanks.  Fill them with $.89 gal propane.....the cheapest energy on earth outside of wood.  Yes that's right $.89/gal vs $5.00/gal two winters ago. Market manipulation just caught up with market correction. 
    23.16kW Kyocera panels; 2 Fronius 7.5kW inverters; Nyle hot water; Steffes ETS; Great Lakes RO; Generac 10kW w/ATS, TED Pro System monitoring
  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    >  Propane seems to give trouble starting in very cold temperatures.

    Well, no, it will start, but as the vapor is drawn off, the propane tank can cool down to the point it gets too cold to vaporize any more gas. The propane and generator companies have charts for how much HP and what size tank is needed for winter temps.
    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 ,

  • inetdog
    inetdog Solar Expert Posts: 3,123 ✭✭✭✭
    mike95490 said:
    >  Propane seems to give trouble starting in very cold temperatures.

    Well, no, it will start, but as the vapor is drawn off, the propane tank can cool down to the point it gets too cold to vaporize any more gas. The propane and generator companies have charts for how much HP and what size tank is needed for winter temps.
    Or you can run liquid propane from the main tank to the generator site and use an evaporator there that can make use of some of the waste heat from the generator once it is running.
    Most if not all bulk propane tanks have an additional outlet connected to a dip tube to supply liquid propane.
    SMA SB 3000, old BP panels.
  • arby
    arby Solar Expert Posts: 107 ✭✭
    mike95490 said:
    >  Propane seems to give trouble starting in very cold temperatures.

    Well, no, it will start, but as the vapor is drawn off, the propane tank can cool down to the point it gets too cold to vaporize any more gas. The propane and generator companies have charts for how much HP and what size tank is needed for winter temps.
      Interesting, My only experience is my honda EX5500 that I converted to propane and found it to be reluctant to start in cold temperatures. I guess i will have to fiddle more with the adjustment.
     
    3310 watts panels, Classic 200 controller, 8 Surette S530's, Xantrex 5548 inverter, Honda EX5500 backup Genny.
  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Don't muck around too much trying to get a conversion working properly,  Conversions don't have the cold start enrichment (choke) that factory carbs have. converted rigs are a compromise.  A dedicated propane engine has a proper propane carb. 
    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 ,

  • muirhouse
    muirhouse Solar Expert Posts: 82 ✭✭
    Looking at Winco (Honda engine, Kohler, and not Generacs)
  • arby
    arby Solar Expert Posts: 107 ✭✭
    mike95490 said:
    Don't muck around too much trying to get a conversion working properly,  Conversions don't have the cold start enrichment (choke) that factory carbs have. converted rigs are a compromise.  A dedicated propane engine has a proper propane carb. 


     I'm not sure you are correct about that.
      The few propane carbs that I have seen are just ordinary carbs with the float bowls, jets, etc. removed and a nozzle that feeds propane into the venturi. They use a vacuum sensitive regulator to regulate fuel demand. I installed a regulator that electronically enriches the mixture on cranking. Turns out that it was overkill and floods the motor causing a quick start and then dying.
    3310 watts panels, Classic 200 controller, 8 Surette S530's, Xantrex 5548 inverter, Honda EX5500 backup Genny.
  • muirhouse
    muirhouse Solar Expert Posts: 82 ✭✭
    I am going to have to use a portable generator, probably max 6 -6.5kw as this is what is most readily available - to use with my two Xantrex 4048 inverters on a temp basis while I look for the larger size. In the past I have simply plugged in a portable during repairs and I am not sure exactly what is happening electrically when I do that. Is the charge strictly a backfeed? Does it charge the my 48 volt battery bank, or just power the house. Does it go through the inverters?
  • Blackcherry04
    Blackcherry04 Solar Expert Posts: 2,490 ✭✭✭
    edited December 2015 #43
    Basics, anything connected to the output of the Inverter has to go through the inverter. The Generator is connected to the Input of the inverter. Once the input power is available and qualified the Inverter makes a transfer to the incoming power ( bypassed ) to the loads. At the same time the transformer reverses and becomes a charger. Systems settings determine the amount of power that is directed to each task.
  • muirhouse
    muirhouse Solar Expert Posts: 82 ✭✭
    Blackcherry, trying to get a grip on whether I can set the max charge rates on the Xantrex inverters and have it affect the input of this (what is looking to be a Dewalt DXGN14000 (honda engine). As I am being told this will be a manual start, stop, NOT controlled by my inverters. If so, then do ANY of the xantrex's inverter settings protect the batteries (like max charge rate)?
  • Blackcherry04
    Blackcherry04 Solar Expert Posts: 2,490 ✭✭✭
    edited December 2015 #45
    Yes, there two settings that effect the amount of power you can use. 1) the ACin is set to your breaker size on the generator. 2) the charge limit is set to a Percentage of the charger size and that limits the amount going to the chargers. It also has power share that will raise and lower the amount of power that the charger will draw from the available power based on the limit set.

    In your case you have a Master and slave and they will follow the settings, but remember it's x2 unless you separate them. You need to read the manual to see how to set them.
  • muirhouse
    muirhouse Solar Expert Posts: 82 ✭✭
    There is a communication cable between these two, I think they are stacked?
  • Blackcherry04
    Blackcherry04 Solar Expert Posts: 2,490 ✭✭✭
    edited December 2015 #47
    Yes, there is a communication cable. They are networked on the Xanbus. I have Outback so it's different, but basically the same. on mine I can still make the chargers have different settings, you may not be able to. Really to keep the legs balanced they should be the same unless your system needs a different setting.

    Start a new thread and someone can help you with the settings. Your system is special and I had no intention of getting to deep into it. There are some guys that know a lot more than I do for your system.
  • Vic
    Vic Solar Expert Posts: 3,207 ✭✭✭✭

    As noted previously,  we use a Stacked pair of the older SW+ 5548 inverters  --  these are 11 years old  (that is,  these are NOT the new Conext SW line).


    When Stacked,  the inverters communicate via the Series Stacking Cable ...   BUT  it appears that the ONLY thing communicated,  is Synchronization of the AC waveform.


    It appears that the Series Stacked inverters (stacked to yield 240 VAC)  are completely independent,  as to Qualification parameters,  Mac AC input currents,  Charger voltage & time settings,   and,  unfortunately,  there is also NO sync of when  and how much current each charger takes from the genset,  when a voltage-regulating charge stage is reached.   This lack of input current sync can upset Inverter gensets,  as the load on the gensset is often ALL on only one leg of the 240 V genset output.


    Even when Series Stacked,  the system is quite happy running on a 120 VAC genset (connected to only one SW inverter).  Using just one inverter/charger in this 120 V genset configuration does NOT create a "Stacking Error" in the system.


    Believe that muirhouse is also using Series Stacking on this SW/SW+ set of inverters.


    Just trying to be clear about the almost complete independence of each inverter/charger,  at least when Series-Stacked.


    FWIW,  based on experiences  here with SW+es.     Vic

    Off Grid - Two systems -- 4 SW+ 5548 Inverters, Surrette 4KS25 1280 AH X2@48V, 11.1 KW STC PV, 4X MidNite Classic 150 w/ WBjrs, Beta KID on S-530s, MX-60s, MN Bkrs/Boxes.  25 KVA Polyphase Kubota diesel,  Honda Eu6500isa,  Eu3000is-es, Eu2000,  Eu1000 gensets.  Thanks Wind-Sun for this great Forum.
  • muirhouse
    muirhouse Solar Expert Posts: 82 ✭✭
    Vic, you are right. So, given that (which I did not know - I thought the Master/Slave lingo meant that the Master dictated and the plus followed, given that itself, it has no generator control settings. Even though I make sure the settings are exactly the same on both. So the best situation is to avoid the inverter generators, yes?
  • Blackcherry04
    Blackcherry04 Solar Expert Posts: 2,490 ✭✭✭
    edited December 2015 #50
    I see what your saying now, I know very little about these old Inverters, there is no remote control, just a cable to connect the sync and everything else in independent of each other. That would be a shot in the dark. I assume you can still adjust everything on their display. The older ones may not have used the percentage and the new 4048's do.
  • muirhouse
    muirhouse Solar Expert Posts: 82 ✭✭
    But, with my old diesel, I have gotten sync errors.  Also I am now confused by the "In your case you have a Master and slave and they will follow the settings, but remember it's x2 unless you separate them." Blackcherry can you clarify.

  • Blackcherry04
    Blackcherry04 Solar Expert Posts: 2,490 ✭✭✭
    On the newer versions they are set up like I explained ( master & slave ), but what Vic said these do not operate like that, they are independent of each other but for the sync. 
  • muirhouse
    muirhouse Solar Expert Posts: 82 ✭✭
    Ok, now I have a 7-8500kw Westinghouse Generator with thick cables but no appropriate male plug to go into my outlet that goes straight to the inverters. Call in to my electrician, and losing power as I write this. This is my backup generator now until the larger propane is delivered and installed.  Backfeeding into inverters is not the question.  Anyone done this? I have done it once with a little Honda, but the plug was a borrowed one (so was the generator) and I am not sure what we used. All kinds of Danger Will Robinson warnings out there on backfeeding, but most are for on grid and 0 inverters setups.

  • Vic
    Vic Solar Expert Posts: 3,207 ✭✭✭✭
    edited December 2015 #54

    Hi muir,


    Generally,  portable gensets  will have several outlets on the control panel.   If one looks closely,  there are almost always a number for the outlet molded into the front body of the outlet ...   L14 -  XX  and similar.


    These larger outlets would usually be a Twist-Lock (r)  type outlet.  You would normally  look for the Mate to that receptacle  --   so the receptacle would have an ' R ' at the end of its part number,  and would want to find that same numbered plug,  but with a ' P '  at its end.

    Here is a link to some examples of some Plugs:

    https://www.platt.com/platt-electric-supply/Nema-Twist-Lock-Switches-and-Receptacles/Nema-Twistlock-Plugs/search.aspx?SectionID=8&GroupID=103&xVoltsAC=240&CatID=998


    The circuit breaker on the gensset that protects that outlet would normally tell you a lot about that receptacle's current rating.


    Good Luck,  Vic

    Off Grid - Two systems -- 4 SW+ 5548 Inverters, Surrette 4KS25 1280 AH X2@48V, 11.1 KW STC PV, 4X MidNite Classic 150 w/ WBjrs, Beta KID on S-530s, MX-60s, MN Bkrs/Boxes.  25 KVA Polyphase Kubota diesel,  Honda Eu6500isa,  Eu3000is-es, Eu2000,  Eu1000 gensets.  Thanks Wind-Sun for this great Forum.
  • muirhouse
    muirhouse Solar Expert Posts: 82 ✭✭
    So, I have the male, that goes into the generator, problem is, it is female on the other end, and needs to be a male. Then we have male to male, and all those warnings! Not sure if my wiring setup gets around all that, give that it goes into the inverters, is grounded, etc.
    That's my concern. Still waiting on my electrician! And trying to learn more while I do. Thanks Vic.
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,422 admin
    Not sure I understand:
    Backfeeding into inverters is not the question.  Anyone done this? I have done it once with a little Honda, but the plug was a borrowed one (so was the generator) and I am not sure what we used.

    If the AC inverter has an AC INPUT connection (120/240/whatever)--Assuming you make the appropriate voltage connection (i.e., 120 VAC, 120/240 split phase+neutral, etc.) and the right size circuit breaker and wiring--You should be OK.

    If, you are planning on connecting to the AC output of an Off Grid Inverter (or even hybrid inverter)--Usually that is a fast path to letting the magic smoke out of much of your equipment.

    Exactly, what AC inverter are you using right now?

    -Bill

    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • vtmaps
    vtmaps Solar Expert Posts: 3,741 ✭✭✭✭
    muirhouse said:
    So, I have the male, that goes into the generator, problem is, it is female on the other end, and needs to be a male. Then we have male to male
    Are you trying to make a male-male cord?  Those are also known as suicide cords.  I'm a bit confused about exactly what it is you want to connect... but even if the connection is OK electrically (and I'm not sure it is), a suicide cord is not the way to do it.

    --vtMaps
    4 X 235watt Samsung, Midnite ePanel, Outback VFX3524 FM60 & mate, 4 Interstate L16, trimetric, Honda eu2000i
  • muirhouse
    muirhouse Solar Expert Posts: 82 ✭✭
    I have two xantrex SW4048sa, They have been controlling the start stop of my 15kw diesel when the batteries reach a certain level that I set in the inverter controls. There is an AC in good reading which when it does the right handshake with the generator (usually dictated by the right hertz frequency being present) begins to cycle appropriately in charging the batteries and float the house. I haven't had to do this in a long time, so I am spoiled and a bit jittery, as the solar has been doing so much of the work and the diesel worked up until March, when I got by with no back up generator needed.
  • muirhouse
    muirhouse Solar Expert Posts: 82 ✭✭
    vtMaps: yes, this is why I am asking, warnings all around. But before I knew that, when the diesel was being repaired, that is what we did. The Honda generator came with a cord, plugged one into the generator, the other into the plug wiring in the generator shed, just a normal outlet but wired into the inverter, and off we went powering the house.  Now that I have my own backup generator my new Westinghouse, and don't have my own cord, just the huge ones with the horizontal Nema plugs, I am trying to figure out what to do about a cord! And still waiting on my electrician.