Alternative Technology Assn Forums

1. 

   wlb
   Member

   Does anyone have any experience using a Trace/Xantrex SW3024 inverter/charger with a generator?

   I have been using a Trace DR2424 for over 10 years and the battery charger works very well with my 4kVA Lister. However, this is not the case with the SW3024. The batteries are the same, the generator is the same, the inverter's load is the same, but the charger won't lock on and hold the AC input.

   I suspect that it is a frequency synchronization problem, but I need to investigate more thoroughly to determine what is actually happening. This leaves me using the SW as an inverter and the DR as a the battery charger on low solar input days.

   The SW is a grid-tie capable inverter, therefore mains frequency sychronization is important, however in an off-grid application like mine synchronization is not really important.

   I suspect that my problem is one of unnecessary equipment complexity for my situation.
   Does anyone know if automatic syncing can be disabled? I suspect it isn't possible as a normal option or the manual would mention it, but can it be done by "surgery"?

   It's a longshot but worth asking.

   Posted Friday 9 Sep 2011 @ 5:54:37 am from IP #
2. 

   wlb
   Member

   I've now spent quite a bit of time watching what the chargers do, while taking readings.

   The old DR2424 will take the input from the 4kVA generator and put 50A to 55A into the batteries during the bulk charging phase, while supplying the house with sufficient feed-through 240Vac.
   The generator's output is a steady 244V and when loaded up by the DR2424 during battery charging it drops to a steady 237V.

   On the other hand, when I use the SW3024 and limit its battery charging current to 50A it drops the generator to 226V during the bulk charging phase.

   The problem arises when the SW3024 enters the absorption phase and the current starts to be backed off. When this happens the current may have been reduced to 30A to 35A but it then suddenly loses synchronization and it disconnects, reverting to inverter mode. It just doesn't make sense.

   Posted Monday 19 Sep 2011 @ 4:55:21 am from IP #
3. 

   rockabye
   Member

   Now that you have some more data it may be worth contacting Trace for advice.

   Posted Monday 19 Sep 2011 @ 5:27:47 am from IP #
4. 

   wlb
   Member

   Unfortunately Trace Engineering doesn't exist anymore. They were taken over by Xantrex, who were also very good. Alas since Xantrex was taken over by Schneider Electric, they won't talk directly to the end user.

   Posted Tuesday 20 Sep 2011 @ 12:23:41 am from IP #
5. 

   Lance
   Key Master

   The DR2424 is a modified sinewave (mod squarewave) inverter with an AC changeover switch, so I expect it doesn't care what frequency the generator is running at. The SW series on the other hand are sinewave grid connect devices, so they do care about mains frequency. I would check to make sure the generator is actually connected to the generator input and not the mains input. If it's connected to the latter then the inverter will see it as being out of range if the frequency and voltage of the genset's output varies much.

   You can adjust these parameters in the setup of course to make it less touchy, but check the connection first. This is just a theory of course, I don't have an SW unit in front of me right this minute, am just working from memory from setting up the unit at the ATA's solar workshop.

   Posted Tuesday 20 Sep 2011 @ 6:04:36 am from IP #
6. 

   rockabye
   Member

   BP Solar outlets used to be the agent for these. Give them a call as one of their techs will probably remember a bit about them.

   Posted Tuesday 20 Sep 2011 @ 6:18:13 am from IP #
7. 

   wlb
   Member

   Despite Xantrex's withdrawal from direct customer service (they will only communicate by telephone and they ignore e-mail contact via their own website e-mail form), I have found the Australian distributors to be brilliant and extremely knowledgeable and helpful.

   I'll try them with this problem and report back.

   Posted Tuesday 20 Sep 2011 @ 11:28:29 am from IP #

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