Tie in a backup generator with outback inverter charger.

[soylent_green]

Looking to see what others are using and would suggest.

I have a system with an outback flexmax 80 and an Outback 2524 inverter charger.

Only had my system up and running for a couple months, and have never come close to running my batteries low. Still, I would like to tie in a backup generator.
I guess a "2 wire" / electric start / remote start generator is what I should be looking at.

Hopefully I've sized my system to where won't need it, but it would be good to have. Smallish system, but pretty minimal demands on an off grid weekend vacation house (LED lights, energy efficient refrigerator, security system)

Any suggestions out there solarpaneltalk members? Nothing too big or too expensive?


thanks

Tom



edit -- my system:

6 x LG 305 panels 1830 watts
1 Outback Flexmax80 MPPT charge controller
4 x Fullriver AGM DC250 6 volt 250 amp batteries
1 x fx2524t Outback pure sinewave inverter charger.
1 x MAT system controller

[Mike90250]

Welcome.
If you have gotten along so far with no generator, maybe a manual start would be more appropriate, unless you really want to get into the morass of auto start, auto choke, and 3 wire controller for a 2 wire generator !

You need to have the inverter programmed to accept the generator input, may need a mate or hub or whatever they call it. Unless you have a huge load, like a 4 ton Air Conditioner, I doubt you need larger than a 4 or 5 Kw genset. Most gensets like to be run up to 75% of their continuous load.

Do you chose homeowner or commercial duty ? Diesel, gasoline, propane ?

[soylent_green]

Do you chose homeowner or commercial duty ? Diesel, gasoline, propane ?

residential generator, probably gasoline.

Minimal requirements - just to top off batteries if needed.

[jflorey2]

Looking to see what others are using and would suggest. I have a system with an outback flexmax 80 and an Outback 2524 inverter charger.
Only had my system up and running for a couple months, and have never come close to running my batteries low. Still, I would like to tie in a backup generator.

You'll need a transfer switch to switch over from grid to generator; the Outback 2524 (I assume one of the grid tie models) only has one AC input. Once you change over you'll also have to reset the AC current rating on the input to not overload the generator.

Don't worry about auto start. Given that you have to manually flip the transfer switch anyway, the additional step of starting the genny is simple. That way you also won't get "surprised" by unexpected starts and empty fuel tanks when you don't expect them.

If you are NOT grid tied then you don't need the transfer switch; you can leave the input set to whatever the generator limits are.

[soylent_green]

yes. off grid.

What are some of the electric start generators some of you are using?

[Mike90250]

I have a Listeroid 6-1 with an electric starter, 3KW. Backup is a Subaru-Robin-Hatz 3Kw w/electric start too. Both diesel.

My AC charging cord is a clothes dryer style plug, that fits a matching 50A socket on each generator. Same plug on the big arc welder, so I can power the welder or the charger from either.

[soylent_green]

bump.

thanks mike90250

any other electric start generator suggestions?
any experience with this champion 3500 w tied into the inverter/charger
http://www.championpowerequipment.co...00w-generator/

http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/795374-champion-power-equipment-3500w-4000w-remote-start-portable-generator.html

like i said, its for a smallish system