Generator connected to grid circuit - intverter trip F20
Trying to use generator to charge batteries.
Generator was there before solar installed with ATS and works ok to transfer load to generator.
When connecting generator to grid input to Inverters it shows voltage and fequency ok 240 volts 50.1 Hz 34 watts, have set trickle to 30W, but then after about 2 seconds inverters trip Load output and alarm F20 and generator shuts down.
Generator is fully automatic and controls voltage and frequency there are no alarms/trip information shown on generator. I assume this occurs when inverters Parrallel to the generator, F20 is the DC current from battery why does it cause this, at this point I have not set it to charge the batteries?
Any ideas how to solve this?
Thanks David
System
36 panels 19KW
2 x 8KW Hybrid inverters
12 x 4.8kw batteries
That training manual is 4 years old and there are lots of things which are not quite correct.
"In order to help the generator on a sudden surge current, the Sunsynk inverter steps up the charge current to the battery". is one. The statement is correct, but it actually applies to the Aux/Gen port connected to a generator. SS did this to help with the surge current required when the generator starts. When it starts, it will only supply the essential load connected to the "Load" port and will start charging the battery with a very low current. It will then ramp up the charge current so as to allow the generator to compensate. Not very well documented.
This does not happen when you connect a generator to the "Grid" port. If you have Grid connected load, essential load connected to the "Load" port and the timer set to charge the battery from the Grid supply (in this case it will be the generator), the whole load will be dumped on the generator. Many small/cheaper generators are not able to cope with this very well. They will often slow down reducing the frequency and voltage even if it has an AVR as it does not respond fast enough.
I appreciate that this is not solving your issue.
As you point out that you have a very small load and the generator does not sync and the inverter throws a fault.
Here is another test. It is simulating a Grid failure, but not allowing the generator to start.
Disable the generator.
Power up your inverter, Battery and Grid connected.
Once the inverter is stable, disconnect the Grid supply and make sure the battery is supplying the load.
Then turn on the Grid supply and watch the power flow to or from the battery.
Reconnecting the Grid supply would simulate the generator starting.
I did this test on my 8kW inverter and did not observer any unusual battery power flows.