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Couple generator to only charge batteries


Tonygee

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Hi All

We have a 10KVA Victron inverter with 2 Solar MD batteries with a capacity of 28KWH. 
 

I also have a 10kva generator that we use occasionally when there is a sustained power outage. 
 

I would like to only use the generator to recharge the batteries whilst the load is carried by the inverter from the batteries. 
 

The main reason for this is the generator can only run for 4 hours at a time and then it needs to be switched off.  I do not want to spend big money on a new diesel system. 
 

if I need to buy a second hybrid inverter in order to only charge the batteries with the generator then I am happy to do so.  
 

My installer says that the way the inverter works is that it supplies the load first and then sends surplus power to the batteries   

Please can you help me understand the best way to achieve this.  

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you have 2 choices

option 1 is to buy a battery charger that's at the right voltage for your batteries (ie 52.3V at 25A) and have that running straight from the genny on it's own circuit. This is what i have, a feed in plug that's outside near the genny and a 15A plug inside next to the inverters. The charger plugs into the genny and only turns on when the genny is running. This then charges the battery at up to 25 amps and the inverters can take what ever they need from the battery's as required as they normally would. This also stops the problem of frequency fluctuation coming through to the appliances and destroying them.

The second choice is to buy a second inverter that supports your battery and inputting from the genny into that. This however will be running without any BMS connection so have to set your inverter correctly. I did have this setup using my old inverter until the inverter finally died completely. It worked well on the 2 or 3 times i actually required it but if i didn't have it i would have just done option 1 like i now have. Why pay more for something with abilities you don't require and only will use every now and then. This also has to be installed onto a wall and cabled in.

Both options are viable. The only draw back is you have to make sure your inverter is not taking more than the amps your putting in through the charger. in my case thou the 25 amps I'm putting in has about 10 amps lost when the hot water is running otherwise most if not all is straight into the batteries.

Hope this helps

Webbie

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