Looking for some advice please!

I have a Mecer Axpert SOL-I-AX-8M 8kW inverter with utility or generator input.

I've chosen to go off grid so we connected the Yamaha generator 2kW (with AVR) to the inverter. The inverter doesn't like it and hiccups every 5 or so seconds - as it would iwhen a biggish load is added.

Looking at the Mecer manual trouble shooting section it suggests "insufficient quality of AC power". Or! Maybe I need to "change output source priority to utility (generator) first".

Then run the generator until it has provided some top up power before change back to solar first.

Hi AMac, the quality of power may be very dirty for the inverter to accept as you have mentioned already. Another well know trick is to change the menu option 3 to APL and not UPS. In APL mode the inverter is less fussy about the quality of the power. However, this all depends on how bad the quality really is in terms of waveform. 

I have only seen this inverter accept power from a 8kW heavy duty Diesel Gene. The smallies unfortunately seem to not have a good waveform. 

7 hours ago, AMac said:

Maybe I need to "change output source priority to utility (generator) first".

Since your generator is rated at only a quarter of the inverter's rated power, I don't think you want utility first output source priority. That will put the inverter into bypass mode, so the generator has to support all the loads. I would use SBU output source priority, so the inverter stays in battery mode, and the AC-in is used only to charge the battery.

I suspect that smaller inverters are more apt to have lower real-world power ratings than claimed as well. Plus the waveform issue.

I think if you are going to be serious about going fully off-grid, you'll need to pony up for a decent generator, perhaps one with an inverter built in, so it generates a good sine wave that the inverter can work with. And for the inevitable (even if rare) run of bad weather, the generator will have to supply most of the load, so it has to be big enough for that contingency.

Hi

Thanks to Steve87 & Coulomb for their comments!

I'll try to change the menu option 3 to APL and not UPS. See what happens.

I never considered the generator as a utility first in this context. I've had it for quite a few years and its given great service all through the Eskom load shedding years.

As an aside 2kW was quite adequate most of the time. All electricals in the house are low energy/latest technology so we coped well - barring boiling a kettle. It can still be used in this way as the wiring arrangement has not been changed- just have to swop the power cable over from the generator to the house & flick a changeover switch on the DB.

I have contemplated a bigger generator (along with its much bigger budget!!). its accommodation could be a problem however. I assumed that the Yamaha with AVR would supply clean power and would be capable of supplying some battery charging power. Equipment supplier did not comment adversely to this idea!