Using a generator with solar power..power surge

[janet l]

Hello - we are new to the solar/off the grid way of life. We recently (yesterday) installed a new bank of batteries (24 volt system; 4 - 6 volt batteries) In the past, we have used our honda generator to run the water pump. We did that this morning and managed to send a surge through our house, blowing out the tv and microwave. Was this caused due to a fully charged solar system, something we didn't have til now? Thanks!!

[Sunking]

What you are saying does not make any sense. What does running a generator producing 120 VAc have to do with a 24 volt battery system?

Are you saying you connected the generator output to an inverter output?

[janet l]

surge

Let me rephrase - a surge of electricitry came through our system, knocking out our tv and microwave. I'm wondering if this occurred because we turned the generator on (it's connected to the solar batteries as the back up) when the battteries were fully charged. I'm assuming this was our mistake.

[Sunking]

Has nothing to do with it. I assume you have a 24 volt battery charger connected to the batteries.

[Mike90250]

Generators and chargers are used all the time in off grid systems. I have provisions for 3 generators and 2 chargers. Should not be having troubles from a proper install. Things need to be grounded, and transfer switches / relays configured properly.

[john p]

Mabe its just me But I cant work out if the generator output is 24v dc? or 120v ac??? All that is stated is that normally the generator powers the pump. ac/?dc?? but today the generator output was connected to fully charged batteries???. if the 12v ac was connected to the batteries im sure that would give an interesting result ??? especially if that went to the input of an inverter????