Honda EU2000 Transformer Problem

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  • inetdog
    Super Moderator
    • May 2012
    • 9909

    #46
    The regulation effect comes primarily from core saturation (well, part of the core anyway) and so in their simplest form they produce a distorted (non-sinusoidal) output voltage. A ferro-resonant voltage regulator/stabilizer with sine wave output cost significantly more to manufacture.

    The reliance on core saturation combined with the resonant tank circuit has the unfortunate (for some purposes) side effect that a 1% change in frequency will produce a 2% change in output voltage.
    SunnyBoy 3000 US, 18 BP Solar 175B panels.

    Comment

    • bcroe
      Solar Fanatic
      • Jan 2012
      • 5203

      #47
      Originally posted by inetdog

      The reliance on core saturation combined with the resonant tank circuit has the unfortunate (for some
      purposes) side effect that a 1% change in frequency will produce a 2% change in output voltage.
      No changes in frequency here. Those things put out closer to a square wave, than a sine. A square wave
      is ideal for a rectifier, for DC power supplies & chargers. Bruce Roe

      Comment

      • ChrisOlson
        Solar Fanatic
        • Sep 2013
        • 630

        #48
        Well, turns out the water heater element soft start is not perfect. It still over-grunts the generator every now and then if you hit it just at the wrong time when initially starting up the transformer. The neighbor has been running their backup heat pump with it a couple hours a day to keep the house at a comfortable temp, because they're out of wood for heating and it's still getting down into the 30's at night here. And we got too much mud with the snow melt going on for me to haul them a load of wood right now - I'd never make into their place with a truck until the frost goes out.

        He told me this morning that he had to try it twice yesterday to get it to "take" because it overloaded the inverter on the little generator the first time.
        off-grid in Northern Wisconsin for 14 years

        Comment

        • bcroe
          Solar Fanatic
          • Jan 2012
          • 5203

          #49
          Originally posted by ChrisOlson
          Well, turns out the water heater element soft start is not perfect. It still over-grunts the generator every now and then if you hit it just at the wrong time when initially starting up the transformer.

          he had to try it twice yesterday to get it to "take" because it overloaded the inverter on the little generator the first time.
          Get a much smaller trans. Bruce Roe

          Comment

          • Mike90250
            Moderator
            • May 2009
            • 16020

            #50
            Here's the transformer I use with my champion inverter genset

            20180130_110038_TransformerLabel.png

            next to the worthless subaru genset (gray box, round decal on top)
            20180130_110025.png


            a 115# ebay find with free shipping
            Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | 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

            Comment

            • Mike90250
              Moderator
              • May 2009
              • 16020

              #51
              Originally posted by Mike90250
              4/2014 update
              ....My Honeywell 2KW inverter genset, was running just this last weekend, for a couple 5 hour runs, driving a 3.5KVA step-up transformer I rigged up as an auto-transformer......
              Just plugged in an older eu2000i into the same step-up transformer, didn't bat an eyelash. my XW inverter qualified the power and shifted loads to it, and started charging batteries.
              Likely the quality of the transformer core. my 3.5KVA @ 115# vs outback 30#
              Last edited by Mike90250; 07-17-2018, 11:52 AM.
              Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | 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

              Comment

              • JSchnee21
                Solar Fanatic
                • May 2017
                • 522

                #52
                Feel free to move this to a new thread if that would make more sense.

                For those of us looking to implement a new transformer (auto or otherwise) to phase balance 120V and 240V loads across a 240V split phase genny output (Generac XP6500E) is there a preferred product?

                AC Rated Output Running Watts 6500
                AC Maximum Output Starting Watts 8125
                Rated AC Voltage 120/240 VAC
                Rated AC Frequency 60 Hz
                Rated 120/240 VAC Amperage 54.2/27.0
                Max 120/240 VAC Amperage 67.7/33.9

                Many folks seem to like the Outback PSX-240 (Autoformer with Housing and fan)
                OutBack Power, headquartered in Bellingham, Washington and is the leading designer and manufacturer of advanced power electronics for renewable energy, back-up power and mobile applications. The Company is also a member of The Alpha Technologies -- a global alliance of companies that share a common philosophy: create world-class powering solutions for communication, commercial, industrial and renewable energy markets.


                But I was thinking that this Victron might be as good or better
                Use the Autotransformers for step up, step down and split phase output balancing purposes. Find a Victron Energy dealer near you.


                Any thoughts? ChrisOlson, I know you and your neighbor have the Outback.

                I'm not looking to build something custom. But wiring up cords, etc. as needed is not a problem.

                Currently using extension cords when the power goes out. Hoping to step up to a manual transfer switch at some point like this one:
                Generac-6335
                Buy Generac 6335 Direct. Check the Generac 6335 - 200-Amp Outdoor Power Center (50-Amp Generator) ratings before checking out.


                Obviously cannot run my AC on such a small genny, but want to eliminate the trip and fire hazard of using extension cords and use my existing load center.

                This is just for "emergency" use during prolonged power outages. We lost power for 10 days from hurricane Sandy.

                The generator itself if a gas guzzler and rather load, but it runs like tank. Had some initial issues using it because I was unfortunate enough to get the "new OSHA model" which has GFCI on the 240 outlet.

                -Jonathan

                Comment

                • Mike90250
                  Moderator
                  • May 2009
                  • 16020

                  #53
                  1) Chris Olson no longer on this site. sad

                  2) You want a transformer with a KVA rating of as large or larger than your generator. So a 9KVA rated transformer would work. Smaller would work, but when it saturates at it's full load, power throughput falls off, and heat builds rapidly
                  > AC Maximum Output Starting Watts 8125
                  Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | 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

                  Comment

                  • TKB4
                    Junior Member
                    • Oct 2019
                    • 12

                    #54
                    I also would like to use a small quiet inverter generator like the honda 2000 to charge the solar batteries or generally boost system output. I am considering a system with a Sol-Ark 12 and it only accepts 240 volt generator. What is the easiest and hopefully economic autotransformer to use or modify to covert the 120v to 240v split phase ? When I look on eBay most are step down transformers , can these be wired with secondary as primary if windings not connected?

                    Comment

                    • bcroe
                      Solar Fanatic
                      • Jan 2012
                      • 5203

                      #55
                      A step down transformer works as a step up too. Bruce Roe

                      Comment

                      • Mike90250
                        Moderator
                        • May 2009
                        • 16020

                        #56
                        I've also observed many imported variac style transformers, that can be used as step-up transformers too.
                        variable transformer 3KVA 240VAC
                        Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | 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

                        Comment

                        • TKB4
                          Junior Member
                          • Oct 2019
                          • 12

                          #57
                          I was pretty sure the step down transformers could also be used to step up the voltage but I am wanting to get split phase US standard 240v from 120v generator and I think many of the transformers I saw were European standard step down that would probably give european style single phase output and thus I don't think they would give split phase 240v in reverse. Any suggestions appreciated.

                          Comment

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