Generators??

Hi adri Thanks for this. 220v 3pin on front panel

Sockets are sa sockets (3pin)

Is this "VOV" you mention?.picture of my alternator The center tap everyone mentions i assume is the green and yellow wire on the side (earth)

Hi pvdw22 Some guys say that you can modify the wiring on alternator easilly to convert to voo

Thank you!! Ill ensure this is followed

Thanks. Can anyone recommend an electrician with generator knowledge in the pretoria/jhb area? Im definitely not going to try and connect myself,but get the feeling that the electrician that did the initial install didnt solve for the above. So would prefer to use someone else

Someone emailed me this response..thoughts? : What you are essentially doing is creating a Star point by earthing both generator earth and generator neutral together. Then you take a wire from the combined generator neutral earth to an approved earth spike hit into some nice moist soil. You then take another wire from the generator earth spike and bond / connect it to the main AC house earth wire. ie you are making the incoming supply earth to be at the same potential as the generator earth/neutral supply which is 0 volts.Thus your generator only has 220v output and not 110v and 220 volt output.From your generator, you must take your live, neutral and earth into your change over switch. Then according to the article, you won't have a problem switching over. That is how I interpret the article.

Thanks Adri Dont really understand how to check what you are referring to.... nor what floating live and neutral means. Wish i did though! These are how all small generstors in south africa are wired it seems. Someone must be familiar with this setup? Any comment re isolation transformer Hi Bobster Not interested in solar as the investment at the moment doesnt justify,hence the generator as i can take it with me when i sell the property

https://www.ee.co.za/article/safe-use-alternative-power-supplies.html#.XgrbtxaxWEc

Dont know. Thats what i see people calling it I assume voltage zero voltage. Ie voltage on live. Zero on earth,voltage on neutral All the small gennies put out their voltage on live and neutral ( 110v each ) iso 220v on live and nothing on neutral

Hi all. Im looking for advice on setting up my generator to my db. We have constant power outs due to cable theft so i need a solution For starters. Im not an electrician at all. I had an electrician install a transfer switch from the gen to my db with a welding plug + a light showing when mains power has returned. Ie the typical setup most people have. So no backfeed risk I have a honda eg6500cx. Ie a 5.5 kva petrol genset. I assume its VOV as neutral and live is "hot" with 110v each. Ive been reading up on this issue as these cannot be connected to a db legally due to VOV nature ( the electrician failed to mention this... ). Now i cant find a 5.5kva VOO generator in south africa and fitting a large diesel genset to overcome this is not affordable nor wise as its overkill for my needs. A diesel genset idling with 10% load comes with its own issues As i understand it the issues are as follows with a vov gen: 1 - EL wont trip as its only getting 110v via live if one does not bind the E and N 2 - cant bind the N and E as this would make the appliances "earthed" ie risk of shock when touching fridge or the generator Can someone that really knows this topic please guide me on the following in non electrician terms, ie how can i safely connect the gen 1 - what is the risk other than EL not working with my current setup 2 - ive read one can install an isolation transformer between the gen and the db connection that effectively changes the feed from VOV gen side to VOO load side? Is this right? Will this solve the safety issue? 3 - some articles say just remove the center tap ie the gen alternator can be modified to make it VOO. Can this one be modified? Who can do this in gauteng? The alternator is 2 pole and the earth does not have the yellow link wire posted in some threads 4 - some say when you bond the N and E that the EL will work but then just install an earth spike. Some say just install and earth spike and use as is. 5 - failing all the above can one change.the alternator to one that is VOO? I know basically anything can connect.to a gx390 honda. Which alternator is VOO that is available in SA that would fit? And where can this be done in jhb? Thank you for the time. Advice will be greatly appreciated