Using small generator to charge batteries
Hello everyone, greetings from South Africa!
A 5kva Sunsynk inverter (SUNSYNK-5K-SG01LP1) and a 5kva Sunsynk battery (SUN-BATT-5.32) are being installed at my residence. The system will also comprise 8x455 watt solar panels. At present, I am using an 8kva AC petrol generator (with voltage regulation) which provides electricity to my residence through a manual transfer switch which isolates the AC generator supply from the grid.
My question is, can I use my generator to charge my Sunsynk batteries? For instance, during prolonged loadshedding when there is not sufficient sunlight to charge the batteries using the solar panels, this would be useful as a backup. I would assume, the solar panels would need to be isolated from the inverter during such a procedure? If this can be done, what is your advice for installation and use etc such that equipment warranties are not voided?
My installer seems to think this cannot/should not be done.
Kind regards,
Ian
Hi Rohann,
Here is Sunsynk's reply to my question:
Hi Ian
A 5kva Sunsynk inverter (SUNSYNK-5K-SG01LP1) and a 5kva Sunsynk battery (SUN-BATT-5.32) are being installed at my residence.
The system will also comprise 8x455 watt solar panels.
At present, I am using an 8kva AC petrol generator (with voltage regulation) which provides electricity to my residence through a manual transfer switch which isolates the AC generator supply from the grid.
My question is, can I use my generator to charge my Sunsynk batteries? Yes you can, just make sure that the LOAD that the inverter is running + the Power for Charging does not overload the Genereator.
For instance, during prolonged loadshedding when their not sufficient sunlight to charge the batteries using the solar panels, this would be useful as a backup.
I would assume, the solar panels would need to be isolated from the inverter during such a procedure? Not if you have the CT’s installed between the changeover switch and the inverters point of connection, and enabled zero export.
If this can be done, what is your advice for installation and use etc such that equipment warranties are not voided/
If this is how your installation will work out. Note that the inverter will only see GRID power. You don’t need to set any of the generator settings as they only apply to when the generator gets connected to the GEN port of the inverter. Not the position of the CT between the DB and the Change Over switch. Make sure you generator idle below 52Hz and adjust your GRID connect settings as below.