Standalone Power : Essential System™ : User Manual
Copyright © 2014 Off-Grid Energy Australia Pty Ltd
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Generator set not working?
Refer to your specific generator instruction manual for help, or contact a generator service centre or Off-Grid
Energy Australia for advice.
Common causes of generator problems can be:
o
The fuel tank has run out of fuel.
o
The fuel filter is dirty.
o
The engine has run out of fuel and filled the injector lines with air.
o
The generator engine or alternator has overheated, causing the engine watchdog to stop the engine to
prevent damage. This could be caused by improper ventilation/installation: hot engine air may be being
recycling back through the engine cooling system instead of being vented to outside. Rectify as
required to keep the engine cool.
o
The engine has run out of oil causing the engine watchdog to stop the engine to prevent damage.
o
The engine air filter may be clogged with soot or dirt starving the engine of oxygen.
o
Engine exhaust gasses may be being drawn back into the engine because of incorrect installation.
Inverter/Charger keeps disconnecting from the generator?
The most likely explanation is that the gen-set is sending the wrong frequency or voltage signal. The Gen-
set voltage delivered should be between
220V – 260V AC
; Frequency should remain close to 50Hz but a
range of 46 to 54 Hertz will not prevent operation but may affect mains clocks. Make sure your generator has
Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR), if it does not, do save yourself a lot of ongoing hassles and replace the
generator!
Mains powered clocks not keeping time?
Problems with mains powered clock time keeping are usually caused by the generator set not running at
exactly the right speed; this can affect clocks which count mains frequency to keep time only when the
generator is running. The generator set should run at exactly 50Hz or 3000 revolutions per minute (2 pole
generator) to keep good clock time.
Notes:
o
Clocks that have quartz time keeping are not affected by generator speed.
o
An inverter type generator set will provide the highest accuracy for mains frequency counting clocks.
o
If you clock contains a backup battery try installing a new one, this may increase the time keeping
accuracy
Checking generator set voltage and frequency
You can use a low cost plug in power meter; plug the meter into a spare socket in the generator; check the
output voltage and frequency is within a usable range. Check the voltage and frequency remains within a
usable range both when the generator is both unloaded and also fully loaded. Plug in power meters are
available from many retailers such as Bunnings, Jaycar, Dick Smith, etc.
Note:
A power meter when plugged into a household or shed socket will normally register
inverter/charger output but will alternately show generator set output when the generator set is running
and properly connected.
Petrol powered generator engine speed can be corrected by adjusting the engine speed governor linkage
(do not adjust the carburettor), this should correct any frequency problem; if the generator voltage is not
regulated (not recommended) the output voltage will also change; consult the generator user manual for
details about fine adjustment of the engine speed governor linkage.
Always follow operational and safety instruction as outlined in relevant sections of this manual and in the
separate product manuals provided. If in doubt contact Off-Grid Energy Australia or an authorised
manufacturer dealer.