Getting Automatic Generator Start with a Honeywell 22kW Gen and an OutBack Power Mate3

Aareglur_offgrid
Aareglur_offgrid Registered Users Posts: 1 ✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
Hello! We have an off-grid system with solar and use the OutBack Pre-wired Power Center with an OutBack Power Mate3. We recently invested in a home standby generator - the Honeywell 22kW Air-cooled Generator (powered with a Generac engine). We wired the gen for a 2-wire start and have the Mate3 programmed to start the gen when the batteries get below a certain SOC. However, the generator won't auto start; we've been having to manual start it every time. The generator does successfully then charge our batteries after manually starting the generator and "turning on" the generator from the Generator Screen in the Mate3.
Is there something we are missing? Is there a separate component to get the AGS to work? Or should the Mate3 work for that function? The generator came with a transfer switch, which we did not install since we are off-grid and NOT grid-tied. Do we need to install the transfer switch in order for the Mate3 to communicate to the gen to turn on?

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  • Ralph Day
    Ralph Day Solar Expert Posts: 1,022 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
    I think you're doing it the best way possible already.  AGS scares me silly.  Just starting and stopping my generator gives peace of mind.  No chance of running while away and not watching things, running out of fuel, coolant or engine oil etc.
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  • stillchillin
    stillchillin Registered Users Posts: 59 ✭✭✭
    #3
    I have a generac stand by for my off grid system. I ran 220v to the terminals that power the battery charger for the generator maybe labeled L1 & L2 I installed a rib relay in the circuit and wired the circuit through the normally closed contacts. When my AGS calls for the generator to run it energizes the relay, opens the circuit, the generator thinks I have lost power and it starts. hope this helps. No transfer switch required. Stillchillin
    18- 235 W Kyocera panel, 12- 4-KS-25PS Rolls 1350 Ah, Magnum MS4448PAE, ME RC50, ME AGS, Outback FM 80, Generac 8KW LP generator, 6.5 Honda Portable generator
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  • moorestead_offgrid
    moorestead_offgrid Registered Users, Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 1 ✭
    #4
    We have a Honeywell 10kw generator and the Solark 15kw inverter. We cannot get the auto start to work as well. I'm following the thought that it is due to looking for grid power on and off which we will not have due to being off grid. Any ideas?
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  • JRHill
    JRHill Registered Users Posts: 353 ✭✭✭
    edited September 2 #5
    A lot more detail is needed as to how you have it wired and what you want. Having a genset fire up in a lose of power is much different than using batteries as a trigger parameter. The two wire start line from the generator is either an open or a closed circuit (usually ?). From the generator if you hold/touch the two wires together you are closing the circuit and the generator will start and run until the wires are separated. From the equipment side a voltmeter is helpful and if the generator is supposed to run there will be virtually zero ohms and when its supposed to shut down the connection will open.

    Some auxiliary options like for an AGS on the equipment side may be open or closed. Some may provide, say, 12vdc or nothing. You need to know what the generator wants and what the equipment delivers. If you get it wrong it may really wreck your day. $$$. It may not be so simple as to connecting two wires.

    Most of the confusion is programming the equipment**. Don't forget to add an inline fuse on the two wire, JIC. They are cheap. For AGS simple is better. So begin with something simple like a voltage parameter. When you get that to work, then disable that parameter and try SOC. When that works choose one of the two. I kind'of dislike SOC because that assumes your battery monitor actually knows the SOC. Battery monitors drift so unless it is set up correctly then your AGS will not behave correctly.

    ** I don't have SolArc stuff and I'm not going to read its manual. So do the tests above and if crossing the wires works its probably programming. Maybe someone else with that platform will jump in to help.

    BTW, make sure there is an easy way to disconnect the autostart if you are changing the gen oil, etc. Ask me how I know....
    Off Grid. Two systems: 1) 2925w panels, OB VFXR3648, FM80, FNDC, Victron BMV-712, Mate3s, 240 xformer, four SimpliPHI 3.8; 2) 780w, Morningstar 30a, Grundfos switch, controller and AC/DC pump, 8 T105. Honda EU7000is w/AGS. Champion 3100. HF 4550, Miller Bobcat.
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