Connecting Generator with Victron Easysolar 5kVA

[HennieJH]

Recently picked up that when it was over casted and raining for full week,when I started my generator, my inverter (Victron Easysolar) picked up the generator input contactor, but shortly after (few seconds) the contactor dropped out. What would be the reason? Someone told me it is because the generator frequency fluctuates to widely, and the inverter shuts off by dropping out the contactor?

[Jaco De Jongh]

1 hour ago, HennieJH said:

What would be the reason? 

Normally power quality. Does the inverter disconnect from the generator even before you apply any serious loads and or allow for charging. 

[HennieJH]

I  haven't switched of the loads, when Eskom fell away, changed the change over switch to generator, started the generator and switched on the generator cb, inverter took about 30sec, contactor pulled in and then dropped out after approximately 1-2sec, and didn't want to switch in again. 

[___]

It depends somewhat on how the inverter is configured. If it is configured to run on the grid, with ESS, then it will be a lot more picky about the quality of the power, it will wait a minute before connecting to it, and it will disconnect if there is any disturbance. With the Quattros you can choose different LOM (loss of mains) settings for the two inputs, so you might even disable LOM for the generator input. With a Multi, you of course only have one input, so sharing it between grid and generator becomes more problematic.

NRS097 (which I assume is in use?) allows a frequency of between 47Hz and 52Hz, so unless you have a really dodgy generator I would assume it should be sufficient to disable LOM for the relevant input.

Otherwise you must disable the grid code completely and remove the ESS assistant, basically reconfigure the inverter to be a UPS. Then you can force the Multi to accept even wider limits:

You'll need a password to change the grid code. Your installer should have it... otherwise ask around... by PM or so...

 

[HennieJH]

Thanks for the help, the installer keeps the passwords, so I have no access to the settings. Generator I have is practically new, so don't really expect it to act strange. The settings must be the crucks. Will speak to the installer to see if they will consider changing the settings. 

[___]

2 hours ago, HennieJH said:

the installer keeps the passwords

The password is not a state secret. It's usually handed out somewhat freely when you attend a training day, but it is not so free that it can be posted on a public forum. If you need it, just ask me

[HennieJH]

Thanks 

[Lecso]

hi i would need the lom password as i am having a problem that if i switch the solar inverter to island mode it indicates an error. i can send a signal to the inverter to switch to island mode, but in island mode i can't control the power of the inverter. The external tampering is performed by plc