Schneider SW4048 generator input question

[Sunking]

Thanks Mike. The prewired box transformer Sunking has recommended looks to be a better and safer option for me. I have looked at them before but assumed they only output at 50hz for European devices.

Any transformer rated for 50 Hz will work on 60 Hz. However a 60 Hz transformer may not work on 50Hz unless derated. The reason has to do with permeability of the magnetic core. The lower in frequency you go, the bigger and heavier core must be. That is why airplanes and ships use 400 Hz system because the generators and transformer are much smaller and lighter. Exact same reason and principle Switch Mode take 50/60 Hz, convert to 16,000 Hz, and then step up of down the voltage. They can use a 1 pound transformer to do the same work a 50 pound transformer would take operating at 50/60 Hz.

[hammick]

[QUOTE=Sunking;n304705][QUOTE=hammick;n304702]

No that is NOT what I am saying. You have a 45 amp battery charger at 48 amps. With 120 volts you will be limited to roughly 22 amps of max charge current assuming 1500 watt generator, and 45 amps with 240 volt 3000 watt input. Your AC input is 12 amps max. At 120 volts is 120 x 12 = 1440 watts, or 2880 watts @ 240 VAC. You cannot input 24 amps @ 120 volts to get 2880 watts.

No disrespect is intended but you are getting in way over your head. You do not understand the basic fundamentals and we cannot teach you what you need to know over a Forum. What it takes to get where you need to be is a 2 year technical degree and 5 years OJT is the minimum requirement to do this on your own. It is not something we can teach you here.

To use your 4048 is intended to be used in a home premises wiring system using 240/120 wiring. To do that really requires a minimum 3 Kva 240/120 generator just to run the battery charger. If you want to run both charger and supply power to your home while charging requires a larger generator. You are trying to cut corners to make the system do things it is not intended to do

Wow Sunking I don't think I have a seen a single post where you didn't criticize the person even if you did give them some good advice. I realize that my SW4048 is limited to 50% of it's max charging amps with a 120v generator no matter how big the generator is. I'm just trying to figure out what my generator needs are so I can make informed purchases. My equipment is 1,100 miles from my main home so I can't step out in the garage and test stuff.

I have a 48v solar off grid solar system that works great and I installed 100% of the equipment and wiring myself (except for the panels). I also did all of the electric wiring and plumbing in my place and it's all to code. I ask a lot of questions and I have received a lot of good help here.

What I don't do is come here and brag about my post college degree and how smart I am. I use this great forum to learn and give what limited advice I have.

Where I built there is only one solar companies to choose from; the guy that put my panels up. I was quoted twice what I spent for a 810kw system with Outback equipment. I have a 1,710kw system with the Schneider equipment that I wanted. I'm extremely happy with how it turned out and I know how it works and how to use the equipment.

I really appreciate your advice but I'd rather pass on it and hear from other forum members if you are going to be a di_k about it. I really don't think asking generator charging questions means I'm over my head.

[Mike90250]

Sizing the genset - what size is you r PV array, and how long does it take to charge the battery bank ?

[inetdog]

[QUOTE=hammick;n304715][QUOTE=Sunking;n304705]

Where I built there is only one solar companies to choose from; the guy that put my panels up. I was quoted twice what I spent for a 810kw system with Outback equipment. I have a 1,710kw system with the Schneider equipment that I wanted. I'm extremely happy with how it turned out and I know how it works and how to use the equipment.

I really appreciate your advice but I'd rather pass on it and hear from other forum members if you are going to be a di_k about it. I really don't think asking generator charging questions means I'm over my head.

Just as writing kW when you mean W does not necessarily mean that you are over your head. It is just an indication.
We all make mistakes, it is just the ratio and the consequences that are significant.

[hammick]

Just as writing kW when you mean W does not necessarily mean that you are over your head. It is just an indication.
We all make mistakes, it is just the ratio and the consequences that are significant.

Sorry I was taking it straight from the quote the guy gave me: 810 kW solar-PV array, 4,000 watt 120/240 Estimated to produce 2.7 kWhs/day

I do know that my array is 1,710 watts (285w panels x 6) or 1.71kw

I also know the dangers of working around batteries, my inverter and electricity in general.

I'm getting the feeling that you guys want to keep this a site for installers only and that's fine.

[hammick]

Sizing the genset - what size is you r PV array, and how long does it take to charge the battery bank ?

I only have about eight days of experience with my fully installed system. My array is 1.71kw and at the end of January - beginning of February I had no problem getting the batteries fully charged from 80% SOC by 3:00 p.m. (assuming a sunny day). Obviously I will have much better solar production in the summer when we are mostly there. I am hoping to get by with my nice quiet inverters. A single 1,600w inverter for light opportunity charging or parallel two for 3,000 watts.

I have a 240v 3,500w generator but it is loud and thirsty. Down the road if we build a house I will probably get the cat daddy fuel injected Honda but for now I'm trying to stop the bleeding on my budget.

[inetdog]

... but for now I'm trying to stop the bleeding on my budget.

Please just don't try to stop your budget from bleeding by cauterizing it with a fire.
DIYers are welcome on this forum, as well as those who do not want to Do it but just understand it.
But when a DIY post goes from asking questions to proudly displaying dangerous systems it gets muddier.

[hammick]

Please just don't try to stop your budget from bleeding by cauterizing it with a fire.
DIYers are welcome on this forum, as well as those who do not want to Do it but just understand it.
But when a DIY post goes from asking questions to proudly displaying dangerous systems it gets muddier.

What is dangerous about my system? Seriously, I would really like to know.

My question in this thread is about generator charging and the budget part about not wanting to spend 4k at this time on a Honda generator.

The only thing I can think of that could be considered dangerous about my system is that my battery cables are not fused and I'm taking care of that in a couple weeks. Schneider says it's not necessary but I'm taking the advice I received here.

[Sunking]

What is dangerous about my system? Seriously, I would really like to know..

That is the problem, you have been told and it is not sinking in. It took me 3 days to get you to understand what size fuse you needed. That sends RED FLAGS. But I will honor your request. No more help from me unless you pay for it.

Here is a good example. You keep asking what size generator do you need. Answer is simple, at least as large as your 4048 Inverter is. Your genny has two jobs. Supply your connected loads, and CHARGE YOUR BATTERY Figure it out yourself. How is your ATS wired up?

[hammick]

That is the problem, you have been told and it is not sinking in. It took me 3 days to get you to understand what size fuse you needed.

Your problem is you only hear what you want to hear and don't read posts fully. You just start criticizing. If I hired you to install my system and you acted like that in person I would have sent you packing. I suspect that you only do it on the forums though.

Take my generator circuit tripping post for example. You just starting bashing me and talking about how I don't know how to wire a circuit. All I did was replace a cracked receptacle. I didn't wire anything and my post was crystal clear about that. I figured out the problem and fixed it. Stupid mistake but lesson learned and it won't happen again. Should I have flown you in to fix my generator that I bought cheap and broken so I could fix it myself?

I do appreciate your advice on the fuses. Truly I do. But I was asking detailed questions because Schneider and Midnight Solar spec a bigger breaker and Schneider said I didn't need fuses. I didn't stop there. I wanted to make absolutely sure my system was safe so I started asking questions. You seemed interested in answering them so I asked more details. I wanted to make absolutely sure I had the right size. Didn't want fuses blowing.

I don't have an auto transfer switch because I am off grid and my generator wires directly to my inverter in front of a 30a breaker like it is supposed to. Again, you don't listen or read and just criticize. Also I don't want or need my generator to support any significant loads. I want to use a small inverter when needed for opportunity charging that is quiet and sips fuel. We will only be using small loads if any when opportunity charging. We aren't there much at all in the winter. I was just asking a simple question about charging amps. Nothing dangerous. Nothing you should be criticizing.

If I find I need more generator I have a nice loud and thirsty 240v genny that is sized the same as my inverter.

Oh and I don't want to hear about how stupid I am for being off grid. We are six miles from power and the estimate to run it to our place is over 200k. I can't imagine how many new members you have driven away after their first post.

So we are agreed. No more advice from Sunking. That includes jumping into my threads with your relentless criticism.

[inetdog]

If you feel that strongly about it, your can enjoy a gentler experience by using the feature of the Forum that allows you to ignore posts by selected members.
You might not get as much information that way, but certainly less drama.

[Mike90250]

I only have about eight days of experience with my fully installed system. My array is 1.71kw and at the end of January - beginning of February I had no problem getting the batteries fully charged from 80% SOC by 3:00 p.m. (assuming a sunny day). Obviously I will have much better solar production in the summer when we are mostly there. I am hoping to get by with my nice quiet inverters. A single 1,600w inverter for light opportunity charging or parallel two for 3,000 watts.

I have a 240v 3,500w generator but it is loud and thirsty. Down the road if we build a house I will probably get the cat daddy fuel injected Honda but for now I'm trying to stop the bleeding on my budget.

OK. That tells me that a 2Kw generator (which in the fine print can only sustain 1600watts would take several hours to recharge the batteries, You may not need a bigger generator, but a 3Kw rated (2400w sustained) would not be bad. You will need the step-up transformer to get the inverter to charge batteries from the generator,

[hammick]

OK. That tells me that a 2Kw generator (which in the fine print can only sustain 1600watts would take several hours to recharge the batteries, You may not need a bigger generator, but a 3Kw rated (2400w sustained) would not be bad. You will need the step-up transformer to get the inverter to charge batteries from the generator,

Thanks Mike. I need to spend some time with my system and take notes on charging amps during bulk charging with and without loads.

So I spoke with Schneider and confirmed some vague stuff in the manual. Max DC charging of the SW4048 is 45a and 50% if only using a 120v generator (so 22.5a). These figures are max assuming no loads. So if I have no loads I should see 22.5a charging amps from my 1600w inverter and if I used two of them in parallel for 3000w I would still only see 22.5a unless I use a step up transformer to feed both L1 and L2.

I'm thinking the 1600w inverter will be fine for cloudy days assuming I don't go below 80% SOC and I keep my daytime loads to a minimum.

[hammick]

If you feel that strongly about it, your can enjoy a gentler experience by using the feature of the Forum that allows you to ignore posts by selected members.
You might not get as much information that way, but certainly less drama.

No worries. I think we've come to an understanding.

[hammick]

FYI for anyone looking at the type of step-up transformer mentioned in post number six keep in mind they will run a US 240v appliance (like a well pump) but they have the European 220v which is 220v to neutral. So you cannot get two legs of 120v to hook to a breaker panel out of one of these auto-transformers. At least this is what I have been told by a few people that sell them.