Sunsynk island mode and generator

[Thys LOW Elektries]

Good day.
Had an interesting one yesterday. A client with an off-grid house was trying to charge the batteries with a generator.
When running the gen as grid-supply the inverter didn't sync with the generator, a frequency problem. The generator was running at 53hz according to the inverter.
Running the gen as gen/aux I can load the batteries at 40A, no problem but the gen-supply trip in the inverter after a spike due to something switching off like a hairdryer, pressure pump, or some other heavy user.
The mechanic will be setting the idling of the gen lower today, hoping that this will sort the frequency problem out. Will go back after the mechanic had worked on the generator.

What meter is best for measuring frequency? I'm also thinking of putting a pilot light in the db that indicates the frequency.

[Justloadit]

What is the size of the generator?
How many cylinders?
Make or model and manufacturer?
Diesel or Petrol?

[Thys LOW Elektries]

6kw petrol mac africa model.
The mechanic changed the timing and the generator now runs at 50 hz. The inverter and client are now very happy
There are 2 Sunsynk inverters in parallel, each 5kw in size
Luckily I did not install the system so the problems he has with the settings are not my headache.

[Isetech]

6 kw petrol generator with 2 x 5 kw = 10 kw, you gonna need to tinker with battery charge rate and loads to get that to work.

They say you shoud use a genrator double the size of the inverter capacity, not half the size

[Thys LOW Elektries]

As they say: "The client knows best!"
I was just asked to get the generator to charge the batteries. I don't agree with the installation, string sizes, and string arrangements though.

[Isetech]

The question I would be asking is where is the qualified elctricians who did the installation, is there an intial COC and a supplimentary COC for the generator and the rest of the backup system.

I would be very weary to work on site like this , I tell you why, I get caught like this on so many installation that I have done in the past, I now put measures in place to make sure it doesnt happen.

If the work is sub standard and you work on site, when something goes wrong, everyone will point fingers at you, why because you were the last person to work on the site and you should have known better.

You are setting yourself up, if the customer decides to sell or if something goes wrong they will ask, why you didnt point out that the installation was non compliant.

I would be creating an email for the customer to attach with my bill pointing out that the installation is non complaint and that you would be happy to quote to correct the non compliant items.

As they say: "The client knows best!"
I was just asked to get the generator to charge the batteries. I don't agree with the installation, string sizes, and string arrangements though.

[Justloadit]

6kw petrol mac africa model.
The mechanic changed the timing and the generator now runs at 50 hz. The inverter and client are now very happy
There are 2 Sunsynk inverters in parallel, each 5kw in size
Luckily I did not install the system so the problems he has with the settings are not my headache.

I assume it is a single cylinder then.
What you will note, is that the Inverter will periodically try switch the load onto the generator incoming feed, then drop out, because either the voltage drops too quickly, or the frequency deviates too much, or the sine wave out the generator is distorted, and the inverter does not like it. You will hear the internal relay kicking in and out, and of course will fail since it is being operated beyond its typical life cycle.

If the installation was done with the possibility of bypassing the inverter direct to the load, then one way to over come this, is that you disconnect the load from the inverter, directly onto the generator, but leave the inverter connected to the generator. The inverter will then charge the batteries, provided the inverter has been set to charge battery from incoming mains with selecting the internal clock times. Alternatively connect the generator to the Generator input on the inverter, not sure if the Sunsync does this, bit the Deye does have this input.

[Thys LOW Elektries]

I got involved because I did the AC wiring for the house and issued a coc for the installations many moons ago, way back then he had a small Axpert system installed in the house, which I did not install.
I do not do PV systems but I get called out to sort the mess out when things don't work.
I had walked away a couple of times already and is not scared to walk away once more.
The client had upgraded his system to two 5kw Sunsynk inverters and four CFE-5100S batteries, he phoned me for help and advice because I did the COC for the house.
I can't take the load of the inverter since the client needs power at the house but running the load from the generator directly can be done via a changeover switch.
Changeover is already installed but at the moment you choose between inverter and generator, it can easily be fixed so that the load and inverter runs from the generator.

Sunsynk recommends using the gen/aux port for the generator since you can control the generator much better this way, which I did.
Maybe it's time to do a Sunsynk course to learn the software and programing side a bit better.

[Isetech]

I wish you luck with trying to find a Sunsynk course. You could sit and watch all the youtube vidoes (make sure you are comfortable and have a pillow ) and download the manuals if you one who likes to read.

You will have to do what most people have done, get hold of a unit, and play with it until you figure it out, its not rocket science, in fact they are very simple to setup (once you know how) there will be the odd challenge when they upgrade the software, but you will need to figure out the changes.

They say 99 % of faults and damaged units are caused by installer error, well it all boilsd done to training, offer the right training and you wont have so many damaged units , you dont need to be a rocket scientist to figure that one out.

Joining groups doesnt help, because I find the so called masters dont like to share infomation, you will find comments like "read the manual", "watch the training videos".

Watch out for the "clever ones" and the so called masters, you just have to look at the pictures posted to see how big this PV problem is going to become as the industry finds it s feet. Boy there are going to be a lot of unhappy property owners when they try sel lthe property, thinking thet got the best of the best. Doing something a million times doesnt make it right.

it's time to do a Sunsynk course to learn the software and programing side a bit better.