Advice needed. Which genset for off grid?

[Light in the Dark]

Then that would be 60A as the upper limit. A little extra then about 63 amps. My 802 works fine with the RV and Im sure "can" work for the cabin, but at a longer charge time. But as you say, I dont want to run mad max all the time on the 802. Yes, we manage what we turn on and off and will continue to manage in the cabin. We dont plan on running a cruise ship type power load - just the essentials. The fridge and stove are gas. The biggest load will be the Splendide washer/dryer at 1300W. The Instant Pot is second at 1000W. Heat is a coal stove.

Vince

Based on the wattages you call out, I think the 802 is a better size for what you want to do... considering partial loading on anything other than peak, I believe you will not be able to sufficiently load down the 803 to keep it burning clean and not wetstack on you. Especially considering the ambient temperatures over a large chunk of the year, which will work to quickly cool the machine more than normal in the lower 48.

 

[KTMGuy]

The wife and I are at 4450W total for phone/tablet charging, washer/drier, LED lighting, 40" TV, a Nuwave induction plate, a convection microwave, ceiling fans, Instant pot, etc - still can only guess at the water pump. This is if we use everything everyday.

Time for a beer!

Vince.

 

[rickf]

AND, If you use everything all at the same time. What are the chances of using the induction plate, the convection microwave (on convection at that) AND the instant pot all at the same time? Is the water pump 220 volt? If so it won't be bad and it will be a surge and that is not an issue. If it looks close just turn the dryer off until the cooking is done and turn it back on. You should have a monitor set up to show use for your solar system and that should also tell you where you are at with the generator running. If not you can easily set up a monitor to do just that. Also be sure to balance the load on the two legs for the generator.

 

[justacitizen]

i may be repeating myself. if so please forgive me. a little real world experience but with an 002A. i run my whole house and ranch on one 002A sometimes for weeks at a time. the house is 1500 sqfeet central gas heat,220 volt 1.5 hp submersible well pump running the house and watering 200 cows,electric cloths dryer,dishwasher with heater,convection microwave, refrigerator freezer,ceiling fans lights and assorted household appliances . the 002A will run it all without any problems or turning things off. the kitchen stove central heat and water heater are propane. when things are cycling and the clothes dryer is running on occasion the pump and dryer will hit at the same time. when this happens the load meter registers 75% with no smoke or heating problems. i hope this helps.

 

[DieselAddict]

To as a

Howdy all! New guy here with a question. Im hoping someone has an answer or advice.

Right now Im using the 802A to charge the battery bank on our RV trailer (Arctic Fox) when needed by the 120vac shore line. We have a good solar setup already that I installed last year. When we finally get to our plot of land in Alaska, we will have a cabin built with solar power. Yes, I understand the dark cold winters there. My question is while the 802a is fine for our trailer needs (we use it maybe once a week in bad weather), I dont think it will be a whole cabin type generator, but I could be wrong. We will have a 48v bank of 16 6V batteries (8x in series/parallel for 860Ah with a 4000w 48v inverter/charger. We get along fine using our 3000w inverter in the trailer. Winter there is a 3 hour day, so I will need a genset for part of the winter to charge the bank every 2-3 days.

I plan on keeping the 802, but want another for heavier use and have the 802 as a spare when needed. Should I go up to the next size 803? It seems to be a popular model and not too terribly heavy. I plan on having an insulated vented outbuilding for the genset as it does get to -30* or so .

I thank you for your time, thoughts and advice!

Vince

What is your budget?

Does your inverter parallel with an incoming power feed? I ask that because the XW+ inverter I have does. I can program the inverter to the output capacity of the generator and it will charge my batteries from the generator while passing through any excess power to the house. Also if I put a load on the inverter that exceeds its programmed capacity it will start the generator for supplemental power.

Why I ask this is if you can run in a hybrid system you won't need as much generator as you think. Your peak capacity would be higher since the generator can be used in parallel with the inverter. For my setup I can run happily with even a little MEP831 to charge the 40kw/hr lithium battery bank and provide a few extra watts when needed. I personally don't recommend a 831 for off grid in the middle of nowhere service without plenty of spare parts but could see you easily making a 802 work with no problems at all assuming you could run a hybrid inverter with an efficient battery pack.

 

[KTMGuy]

AND, If you use everything all at the same time. What are the chances of using the induction plate, the convection microwave (on convection at that) AND the instant pot all at the same time? Is the water pump 220 volt? If so it won't be bad and it will be a surge and that is not an issue. If it looks close just turn the dryer off until the cooking is done and turn it back on. You should have a monitor set up to show use for your solar system and that should also tell you where you are at with the generator running. If not you can easily set up a monitor to do just that. Also be sure to balance the load on the two legs for the generator.

Slim to none for running everything at once! We dont use the washer everyday as we have a "wash day" 2 times a week - the Slpendide only uses 1300w. Most likely 220v for the pump using a 1:2 step-up transformer. Why? Because I already have a marine grade 120v:220 v step up transformer from my boat. Its a beaut too.!

Oh, yes to monitors. Heres the one in our RV. I love meters and monitors. Our Magnum 12v 3000w inverter is a Hybrid that can combine the solar and the generator when needed. I would love something similar on the cabin, but the Hybrids only come in 12 and 24v flavors - no 48 volt that Ive seen. My truck is festooned with gauges also. My wife says I overdo things and I agree with her. Always agree with the wife!

Vince

 

[KTMGuy]

i may be repeating myself. if so please forgive me. a little real world experience but with an 002A. i run my whole house and ranch on one 002A sometimes for weeks at a time. the house is 1500 sqfeet central gas heat,220 volt 1.5 hp submersible well pump running the house and watering 200 cows,electric cloths dryer,dishwasher with heater,convection microwave, refrigerator freezer,ceiling fans lights and assorted household appliances . the 002A will run it all without any problems or turning things off. the kitchen stove central heat and water heater are propane. when things are cycling and the clothes dryer is running on occasion the pump and dryer will hit at the same time. when this happens the load meter registers 75% with no smoke or heating problems. i hope this helps.

Hey J! Nothing to forgive. Your list is very interesting and much longer than my list! I would dearly love to know how you do all that on 40 some odd amps

To as a


What is your budget?

Does your inverter parallel with an incoming power feed? I ask that because the XW+ inverter I have does. I can program the inverter to the output capacity of the generator and it will charge my batteries from the generator while passing through any excess power to the house. Also if I put a load on the inverter that exceeds its programmed capacity it will start the generator for supplemental power.

Why I ask this is if you can run in a hybrid system you won't need as much generator as you think. Your peak capacity would be higher since the generator can be used in parallel with the inverter. For my setup I can run happily with even a little MEP831 to charge the 40kw/hr lithium battery bank and provide a few extra watts when needed. I personally don't recommend a 831 for off grid in the middle of nowhere service without plenty of spare parts but could see you easily making a 802 work with no problems at all assuming you could run a hybrid inverter with an efficient battery pack.

As the underground mechanic told Max -- Unlimited. And you'll notice he didnt go over 120mph which is far from unlimited. The reality is whatever we need we can get as this will hopefully be our last home.

Does the hybrid series come in 48V? My battery bank is 48v/860A for the cabin. I run a 12v 3000w Magnum Hybrid in my RV right now with 400A of Battle Born lithiums.

I just brought home a Magnum Energy MS4448PAE MS-PAE Series 4400W 48VDC Pure Sine Inverter Charger from Atlanta today.

Vince

 

[DieselAddict]

Yes it does come in 48v. I'm using the Schneider XW+6848 inverter. I'll be getting a second one to power the workshop on the new property along with its MEP802 partner. I'm using the batteries from electric cars to run the inverters. The 40kw/hr pack is from Chevy Volts and the pack for the new shop is from BMW. The BMW pack as it sits is around 16kw/hr but I may expand it if I need more power in the shop.

The inverters can be run in parallel for more capacity.

 

[KTMGuy]

Yes it does come in 48v. I'm using the Schneider XW+6848 inverter. I'll be getting a second one to power the workshop on the new property along with its MEP802 partner. I'm using the batteries from electric cars to run the inverters. The 40kw/hr pack is from Chevy Volts and the pack for the new shop is from BMW. The BMW pack as it sits is around 16kw/hr but I may expand it if I need more power in the shop.

The inverters can be run in parallel for more capacity.

Looking at the one you have and the others to see the difference. Theres the XW, XW PRO and NA. The one your using is 240vac output and the other 2 are 120/230vac output?. Looks rather nice and has plenty of power at 6800W.

Vince

 

[DieselAddict]

It is split phase so 120/240 output. It can be converted to straight 120v for use in a multi-inverter setup doing either split phase or with 3 of them it will do 3 phase.

 

[rickf]

I am intrigued with the automotive batteries, I am assuming you get these from wrecks or replacements? Where do you source them? And rough cost?

 

[DieselAddict]

You can find them at auto auctions. Now that an economy that has sprung up around repurposing these batteries its hard to get them before the companies that resell them snatch them up. As and example the 40kw/hr of batteries cost around $1,500 because I bought them directly from junk yards but the 12kw/hr of BMW batteries were $1,600 because I had to buy them from a reseller.

You also have to account for the BMS that is required to properly manage lithium batteries. Expect to pay around $1,000 for one of those that can handle a large battery system.

 

[Light in the Dark]

I wish I knew more about this topic... long term I will have a freestanding (not grid tied) battery backup system utilizing hopefully multiple power inputs (renewable and diesel based).

 

[KTMGuy]

It is split phase so 120/240 output. It can be converted to straight 120v for use in a multi-inverter setup doing either split phase or with 3 of them it will do 3 phase.

Thanks K! I drove back down to Atlanta and got an exchange for the Magnum since I didnt open it up yet. Got the Schneider XW+6848 for a little more. I think this will be a better choice in the long run. Thanks again!

Vince.

 

[justacitizen]

Hey J! Nothing to forgive. Your list is very interesting and much longer than my list! I would dearly love to know how you do all that on 40 some odd amps


As the underground mechanic told Max -- Unlimited. And you'll notice he didnt go over 120mph which is far from unlimited. The reality is whatever we need we can get as this will hopefully be our last home.

Does the hybrid series come in 48V? My battery bank is 48v/860A for the cabin. I run a 12v 3000w Magnum Hybrid in my RV right now with 400A of Battle Born lithiums.

I just brought home a Magnum Energy MS4448PAE MS-PAE Series 4400W 48VDC Pure Sine Inverter Charger from Atlanta today.

Vince

the only answer i have is that is works and has for many years. and for many days extended. the one thing that i do is when i bring the gen on line everything is off and i add each load independently until they begin to cycle. remember that everything cycles on and off at random so the main two big loads for me are the well pump and the dryer. even the dryer element cycles on and off and rarely runs for more than about 20 seconds at a time.

 

[DieselAddict]

I wish I knew more about this topic... long term I will have a freestanding (not grid tied) battery backup system utilizing hopefully multiple power inputs (renewable and diesel based).

I'm happy to share how my setup is done. Feel free to ping me off line.

 

[KTMGuy]

the only answer i have is that is works and has for many years. and for many days extended. the one thing that i do is when i bring the gen on line everything is off and i add each load independently until they begin to cycle. remember that everything cycles on and off at random so the main two big loads for me are the well pump and the dryer. even the dryer element cycles on and off and rarely runs for more than about 20 seconds at a time.

Ah! I'll keep that in mind as the water pump and washer/dryer have the biggest loads. Thanks!

 

[justacitizen]

yes. i wouldn't even pretend to know what you need. just trying to show you what an 002A can do so you have more info to make decisions with.

 

[patdufo]

Howdy all! New guy here with a question. Im hoping someone has an answer or advice.

Right now Im using the 802A to charge the battery bank on our RV trailer (Arctic Fox) when needed by the 120vac shore line. We have a good solar setup already that I installed last year. When we finally get to our plot of land in Alaska, we will have a cabin built with solar power. Yes, I understand the dark cold winters there. My question is while the 802a is fine for our trailer needs (we use it maybe once a week in bad weather), I dont think it will be a whole cabin type generator, but I could be wrong. We will have a 48v bank of 16 6V batteries (8x in series/parallel for 860Ah with a 4000w 48v inverter/charger. We get along fine using our 3000w inverter in the trailer. Winter there is a 3 hour day, so I will need a genset for part of the winter to charge the bank every 2-3 days.

I plan on keeping the 802, but want another for heavier use and have the 802 as a spare when needed. Should I go up to the next size 803? It seems to be a popular model and not too terribly heavy. I plan on having an insulated vented outbuilding for the genset as it does get to -30* or so .

I thank you for your time, thoughts and advice!

Vince

If you dont have it allready use a 48v forklift battery!! 1500 cycles and dont have to stay at 50% charge,also a DC gen,I am making a generator now out of a 280 amp niehoff 28v alternator and a honda 13 HP engine or you can buy a MEP-026 28v gen( I used this along side of my old solar system and it charged the whole bank in about an hour using 1 gallon of gas,they also make diesel versions of the DC gen,I used the aims inverter charger(fantastic) pure sinewave with a transfere switch,it can be used in battery mode and set to start a gen at a certain voltage

 

[patdufo]

If you dont have it allready use a 48v forklift battery!! 1500 cycles and dont have to stay at 50% charge,also a DC gen,I am making a generator now out of a 280 amp niehoff 28v alternator and a honda 13 HP engine or you can buy a MEP-026 28v gen( I used this along side of my old solar system and it charged the whole bank in about an hour using 1 gallon of gas,they also make diesel versions of the DC gen,I used the aims inverter charger(fantastic) pure sinewave with a transfere switch,it can be used in battery mode and set to start a gen at a certain voltage

I just found a 48v DC generator that runs on propane or natural gas if you can get them there,7.5 KW I am thinking of it for myself as I am building another sytem,https://www.ebay.com/itm/2743982045...MIzLqGy92o7QIVLYNaBR137AomEAQYCyABEgL36PD_BwE