Automatic Generator Start; Integrating Sensors And Accessories - sol-ark 5K-IP-N Installation Manual And User's Manual

2.7 Automatic Generator Start

1. "Gen Charge" is used when the generator is connected to the "GEN" terminal.
a. "Start V" or "Start %" is the set-point/condition that must be fulfilled to automatically start the generator.
b. To charge the battery from the "GEN" source, "Gen Charge" must be selected.
c. Batteries will charge from a generator until the battery bank accepts 5% of its programmed capacity in Amperes (A).
This is equivalent to around 95% of the SOC.
2. "Grid Charge" is used to charge the battery from the "GRID" terminal source (utility grid or a generator).
a. "Start V" or "Start %" is the set-point/condition that must be fulfilled to automatically start the generator.
b. To charge the battery from the "GRID" source, "Grid Charge" must be selected. This option keeps the battery at 100%.
c. Batteries will be charged to 100% from utility grid.
d. Batteries will charge from a generator until the battery bank accepts 5% of its rated capacity in Amperes (A). This is
equivalent to around 95% of the SOC
If "Time of Use" ("TOU") is enabled, "
Gen Charge / Grid Charge "A"
"A" is how many amps (DC) are supplied to the battery from a generator. Adjusting and limiting the
GEN or GRID "A" value will ensure that small generators are not overloaded when charging the
battery bank.
If connecting more than one Sol-Ark in parallel, multiply the GEN or GRID Start "A" value by the #
of Sol-Ark inverters to get the actual current (A) what will go into the battery bank.

2.8 Integrating Sensors and Accessories

•
(1,2) Battery temperature sensor: Not polarity sensitive. Used for voltage compensation for Lead Acid batteries
•
(+3, -4) CT1: Current transformer input (CT)
•
(5,6) Gen Start Relay: Two-Wire start, dry contact (normally open)
•
(7,8): Not in use
Temperature Sensor
• Place the sensor between two batteries as shown in the following figure.
• Secure with tape and place the sensor away from the batteries terminals to prevent
overheating.
•
This sensor has no polarity when connecting to the inverter. The temperature sensor helps
perform voltage charging adjustments and capacity calculations due to changes in
temperature.
•
Lithium Batteries DO NOT require our external temperature sensor.
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Charge" must be checked on desired time intervals. Otherwise, the generator won't automatically start even if
the Start V or Start % condition has been met.
Figure 11: Inverter sensor pinouts
Figure 10: Generator and grid charge settings
Figure 12: Temperature sensor for
Lead-Acid batteries
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