Synsynk Inverter + Manual start generator

[B-1]

Earlier this month, we had the good fortune of our substation catching fire. While 12 days to repair was reasonable, and my solar setup kept me going on the sunny days, I fell well short on the cloudy ones.

So the choice was either to buy 2–4 more batteries or get a generator. I went the generator route and bought a 5kW Gentech Pro inverter. I've been watching videos and playing with the settings to figure out the correct way to install it.
I think I have things mapped out, but the information out there (due to different install options) varies wildly, so I'd appreciate a double-check.

My generator is unbonded, and the Aux port on the Sunsynk inverter only runs in islanding mode, according to the videos I've seen. My install includes a relay to bond earth/neutral in islanding mode, which makes sense from a compliance point of view, as you're only supposed to have a single E/N bond.(If your generator is bonded dont do what I have done))

For the wiring, I connected the generator's Live and Neutral to the GEN/AUX port on the inverter, and the Earth to the earth point inside the inverter.
After wiring everything up, I set the Aux Load settings to "Gen Input", restricted it to 3000W, and set the "GEN Load ON Batt" to 80%.






I then set the "Batt Charge" settings as below. The amps indicate the generator amps on the left and the grid amps on the right. This is the battery current, so my 14A is very conservative, and I'll increase that for the next tests (14A × 50V = 700W). I selected the "Gen Force" checkbox so that it ignores my settings in the "System Mode" screen. (This is because I manually connect and start the generator as needed, so the "System Mode" screen isn't relevant to my use case.)



I ran a quick test and everything seems to be working as expected.




So that’s a quick run-through of what I’ve done. I’d appreciate any comments on my setup in case I’ve made any mistakes.

 

[Lupus]

Honestly no idea, my generator is done old school, you flick a big switch from mains to generator and it's treated as mains.
It's also 6.5kw so can cover quite a bit of the house hold load. Only thing it can't is oven and stove.

 

[B-1]

Honestly no idea, my generator is done old school, you flick a big switch from mains to generator and it's treated as mains.
It's also 6.5kw so can cover quite a bit of the house hold load. Only thing it can't is oven and stove.

Testing seems fine, I increased the charge current and Im getting 3KW from the generator as expected charging the batteries. I tested a plug to see if the Earth Leakage works and that was fine so I guess I'll have to wait for the next time I dont have Grid power and the sun is in hiding to do a real world test.

 

[Lupus]

Testing seems fine, I increased the charge current and Im getting 3KW from the generator as expected charging the batteries. I tested a plug to see if the Earth Leakage works and that was fine so I guess I'll have to wait for the next time I dont have Grid power and the sun is in hiding to do a real world test.

View attachment 1814257

Those real world tests are the ones where you see the weirdest issues .
Just make sure the max load is only 80% that's including charging battery and load. I forgot that part once and watched the generator moan and groan

 

[wingnut771]

Those real world tests are the ones where you see the weirdest issues .
Just make sure the max load is only 80% that's including charging battery and load. I forgot that part once and watched the generator moan and groan

He has a 3000W limit.

 

[Fcon_Vpro]

Earlier this month, we had the good fortune of our substation catching fire. While 12 days to repair was reasonable, and my solar setup kept me going on the sunny days, I fell well short on the cloudy ones.

So the choice was either to buy 2–4 more batteries or get a generator. I went the generator route and bought a 5kW Gentech Pro inverter. I've been watching videos and playing with the settings to figure out the correct way to install it.
I think I have things mapped out, but the information out there (due to different install options) varies wildly, so I'd appreciate a double-check.

My generator is unbonded, and the Aux port on the Sunsynk inverter only runs in islanding mode, according to the videos I've seen. My install includes a relay to bond earth/neutral in islanding mode, which makes sense from a compliance point of view, as you're only supposed to have a single E/N bond.(If your generator is bonded dont do what I have done))

For the wiring, I connected the generator's Live and Neutral to the GEN/AUX port on the inverter, and the Earth to the earth point inside the inverter.
After wiring everything up, I set the Aux Load settings to "Gen Input", restricted it to 3000W, and set the "GEN Load ON Batt" to 80%.


View attachment 1814241



I then set the "Batt Charge" settings as below. The amps indicate the generator amps on the left and the grid amps on the right. This is the battery current, so my 14A is very conservative, and I'll increase that for the next tests (14A × 50V = 700W). I selected the "Gen Force" checkbox so that it ignores my settings in the "System Mode" screen. (This is because I manually connect and start the generator as needed, so the "System Mode" screen isn't relevant to my use case.)

View attachment 1814242

I ran a quick test and everything seems to be working as expected.

View attachment 1814246


So that’s a quick run-through of what I’ve done. I’d appreciate any comments on my setup in case I’ve made any mistakes.

Looks good.
Set the gen shaving under aux to 4000w.
On the battery charge set it to 70/80a.
The inverter will provide loads first and then use the remainder of the 4000w to charge batteries if it's within your system mode settings.