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Good day pls need some advice before I installed my Kodak 7.2kw "Voltronics max" recently I used a 5.5kw Ryobi Generator to power my entire house during loadsheding normaly 4x fridges TV 2x gysers normally switches on and of with thermostat 2x 1.1kw pool pumps on timers without a problem I try to connect the gen to the AC input of the inverter to use as backup when utility power is not charging  the baterys.I test it and the result was that the gen load switch trip when inverter are switched on.Did I connect something wrong or must I rather use a separate 48v charger directly to baterys or do I go back using the connection to my house DB if I need power after my system baterys are dead.Thanx

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Posted
17 hours ago, Wurm said:

I test it and the result was that the gen load switch trip when inverter are switched on.

That's odd. Often the inverter will refuse to connect to the generator because its output is not stable enough. But that would not trip anything.

My guess is that your "gen load switch" has an earth leakage function, and it's too sensitive for the inverter. All inverters have small capacitive leakage to earth, so usually you don't want earth leakage before the inverter, or if you must, it should be a high current trip (e.g. 100-300 mA instead of the usual 30 mA).

I'm guessing it's not easy to change that breaker.

Presuming you didn't make a mistake with the wiring (pretty simple, except perhaps for earth to neutral linking), then as you say your main options are a separate 48 V battery charger, or manually bypassing the inverter when the battery runs low. It's a matter of convenience versus cost.

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Posted

Hi Coulomb the wiring from my gen is simple I use 3 core with  4mm strands from gen to a 63A change over switch.The Earth is connect to the new installed DB for inverter N block and live and neutral go to the inverter I can try to disconnect the switch on Gen and bypass it or fit a 100-300ma switch.What is going to happen when Utility "Escom" Came on with my gen running. Normally when I have used the direct connection to my home I switch the mains off an if I didn't do that the switch on gen will shut off  like you say a earthleacage to protect the gen.

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Posted
5 hours ago, Wurm said:

I use 3 core with  4mm strands from gen to a 63A change over switch.

Right. So the inverter sees either the  generator output or the grid, never both, correct?

5 hours ago, Wurm said:

What is going to happen when Utility "Escom" Came on with my gen running.

Nothing at all, if it's wired as I presume above. You will be able to switch back to Escom once it's back. But there will be nothing to alert you to that fact (that Escom is back).

5 hours ago, Wurm said:

Normally when I have used the direct connection to my home I switch the mains off

I don't understand what you mean by "direct connection to my home". You can't just plug the generator into your home with Escom still connected, if that's what it means.

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Posted

Hi Coulomb yes the switch i installed for Gen is a 2 way change over but I only use one of the points course there are already a change over switch for inverter and grid.

What I ment about direct connection before I invest in a inverter I used the gen for blackouts a change over switch was installed between the earthleacage to my house loads and the mains so when I have a loadsheding I I switches off the mains plug my gen to the change over switch input soc and start the gen.My garage had his own feed from the grid so I have a 220v siren notice me when grid is active again.

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