Morning

I recently upgraded my Inverter from an Axpert clone (5kVA). In the past, I was able to use the generator as an AC source.

 

I have checked that setting 3 is on APL (Appliance) for a wider voltage input range

I also checked the frequency and voltage on the generator. I have set the frequency closer to 50Hz (from 52) and adjusted the voltage to 235

With these settings, the Kodak inverter will not use the generator as AC source

I have noted the following firmware:

 

U1  69.01

U2 112.14

What else do I need to check?

Could it be firmware related?

Has anyone else successfully used a generator as a AC source for a Kodak 7.2OG inverter?

Thanks in advance

 

Kenneth

Edited July 4, 20223 yr by Kenneth99
Message was incomplete

6 hours ago, Kenneth99 said:

What else do I need to check?

Try a load on the generator, before you connect the generator to AC-in. About 200-600 W. You might have to adjust the frequency again. This may stabilise the mechanical system enough to satisfy the inverter. You can probably remove the load after the inverter accepts it and loads it on its own.

6 hours ago, Kenneth99 said:

Could it be firmware related?

I doubt it. Though 69.01 does sound pretty early. 

Thanks for the photo of U2 112 14. I've never seen that before. Now my life is complete

If the load trick doesn't work, really the next step is a better generator, preferably one with an inverter inside. These generate crystal-locked 50.000 Hz gorgeous sine waves that the inverters will accept. Of course, there is the small matter of cost...

The really small, cheap generators will have little chance of connecting to an Axpert by any name (Kodak 7.2OG is an Axpert MAX 7.2 kW). I have several firmwares for this model, but none in the 69.xx range. It's possible that the 45.xx and 90.xx are beta firmwares, and the 69.xx are meant to be "release" versions. 112.14 sounds pretty recent, though perhaps it's really 12.14 with a one stuck in front. If I remember I'll have a quick dig. What is the manufacturing month, per the small sticker on the side with 1-12 and one number blacked out?

Evening Coulomb

The inverter was manufactured in February of this year (02/2022)

 

on a side note, I recall reading about firmware which did not write to the EEPROM, particularly when changing the AC charge rate (2A, 10A, 20A etc). Were you perhaps involved with it?

 

Thanks again for the advice so far

 

Kenneth

Thanks for this thread. I've had my system for 16 months now and never needed the Generator. However, yesterday the power did NOT come back after a 2PM-4PM stint, so was concerned we won't make it through the night.

I tried the Generator as AC input, but the inverter never switched over to it, despite showing 220V/50Hz clearly in the display of the "AC".

I'll try the Load trick on the Generator a little later today and revert with the outcome of the experiment.

Morning
 

We have load shedding at the moment and wanted to try using the generator again using a load on the generator before allowing the inverter to use the generator as a supply

I had to re-adjust the frequency (speed) with the "pre-load" and it worked.

I now have peace of mind as the generator is my last resort to at least re-charge the batteries

 

Thanks @Coulomb for the suggestion.

20 hours ago, Kenneth99 said:

I recall reading about firmware which did not write to the EEPROM, particularly when changing the AC charge rate (2A, 10A, 20A etc). Were you perhaps involved with it?

Yes, though I was not the primary author of that part of it. That was my colleague Weber. It's called Dynamic Charge and Load Control. You are not restricted to the usual coarse setting values, it can be any value from 0-max in one amp increments.

On 2022/07/05 at 10:00 AM, Kenneth99 said:

Morning
 

We have load shedding at the moment and wanted to try using the generator again using a load on the generator before allowing the inverter to use the generator as a supply

I had to re-adjust the frequency (speed) with the "pre-load" and it worked.

I now have peace of mind as the generator is my last resort to at least re-charge the batteries

 

Thanks @Coulomb for the suggestion.

I did my Pre-load experiment and for some reason the Kodak inverter doesn't want to jump over to the generator for supply. The mains supply was off, unit set to UTILITY and the batteries were nice and low but still it wouldn't make the switch.

I am hoping to borrow a near-silent type inverter generator from a work colleague soon to see whether the Kodak is more appreciative of the power from that generator.

On 2022/07/25 at 2:01 PM, Vetplant said:

I did my Pre-load experiment and for some reason the Kodak inverter doesn't want to jump over to the generator for supply. The mains supply was off, unit set to UTILITY and the batteries were nice and low but still it wouldn't make the switch.

I am hoping to borrow a near-silent type inverter generator from a work colleague soon to see whether the Kodak is more appreciative of the power from that generator.

I sold my generator and bought an inverter generator. 

The generator is my last resort and only really for a small base load and to get the batteries charged

Hi Kenneth.

And this inverter generator is accepted?

But your previous generator also worked, or did it give problems later on?

On 2022/07/25 at 2:01 PM, Vetplant said:

I did my Pre-load experiment and for some reason the Kodak inverter doesn't want to jump over to the generator for supply. The mains supply was off, unit set to UTILITY and the batteries were nice and low but still it wouldn't make the switch.

I am hoping to borrow a near-silent type inverter generator from a work colleague soon to see whether the Kodak is more appreciative of the power from that generator.

Finally got around to testing an inverter-generator on the KODAK and VOILA: All is happy and the Kodak accepts and draws power from this Inverter-Generator.

Now, I need to find someone to buy my old 5kW Generator to then enable the purchase of an inverter generator, hopefully I get enough for it to invest in a near-silent generator.

On 2022/07/04 at 5:18 PM, Kenneth99 said:

Could it be firmware related?

There is a small chance. And someone has recently uploaded main firmware version 61.05 for the Axpert Max 1 7.2kW, '28099 processor. Hex file (.inv) is dated 17/Feb/2023. So you could try that out.

But as noted above, Axperts are notoriously picky about generator waveform quality.

 

I have the same problem with the 10KW Kodac inverter not accepting power from my 5kw diesel generator.

53 minutes ago, Herbster said:

I have the same problem with the 10KW Kodac inverter not accepting power from my 5kw diesel generator.

Below is copied from Kodak OG series manual for gen spesifications.

OG Series Generator compatibility
When installing a Kodak OG series inverter. There might be cases where the inverter is installed in an area 
with no grid connection or such a poor grid connection that it is not even viable. This application note is to 
assist with choosing the correct generator for your installation.
The above specifications will need to be followed for the inverter to allow the generator to connect. 
It is always useful to have a power analyser to analyse the power from the generator to make sure it is 
compatible.
The following points might resolve the inverter not accepting the generator.
Ensure the cable used between the inverter and generator is large enough to carry the current being 
pulled by the inverter.
Keep the cable as short as possible – this will reduce the voltage drop from generator to inverter.
It is very important to ensure that your generator and inverter shares the same earth. The systems need to 
be earthed according to the SANS standard.
The generator should ideally have a frequency of 50-52hz when there is no load. If it is lower or higher than 
this then the governor will need to be adjusted. To adjust it you will require, usually, a Phillips screwdriver.
The screw will need to be turned clockwise or anti-clockwise depending on if you want to increase or 
decrease the frequency of the generator. The governor typically looks like the image below.
A compatible generator will have to follow the below specifications:
• The generator must be 150% larger than inverter.
• Must have an AVR.
• Generator waveform THD: < 10%
• Generator Vrms range: 110 ~ 270Vac
• Generator voltage crest factor (Vpeak/Vrms): < 1.6
• Generator peak voltage: <380V (for 3 phase system)
• Frequency range: 45Hz ~ 63Hz
• Frequency slew rate: <0.3Hz/sec
If you find that the inverter does not accept the generator it is best to ensure your settings on the inverter 
is correct:
• Program 03 = APL
 

2 hours ago, Herbster said:

I have the same problem with the 10KW Kodac inverter not accepting power from my 5kw diesel generator.

Although as per guidelines the genny should be 150% larger than inverter when trying to get the genny accepted try loads only up to 2kW as it would help to keep the speed within accepted Hz=speed. As pointed out these inverters are very fuzzy with the quality of the genny supply.