55
Selectronic Australia
Rev 41 - Dec 2022
Service
Off-Grid Generator Start / Stop Problems
Daily patterns of generator operation will change as the Load supplied each day changes and as any renewable
input, such as solar, increases or decreases from day to day or season to season.
Check the generator running reason in SP LINK >
Data View
>
Now
>
Generator Running Reason
.
If the reason does not seem to relate to what is actually happening in the system, consult a suitably qualified
installer.
If the generator runs more often than normal or expected
There could be several possible causes:
1. The system average Load has increased
Compare the 7-day daily average figure with the value displayed when the system was operating satisfactorily in
SP LINK >
Data View
>
AC History
>
AC Load Energy
>
7 Day Daily Average
.
Compare against the system design specifications to see if site loads have significantly increased. If site loads
have significantly increased, identify any new electrical equipment that has been added in SP LINK >
Data View
>
AC History
>
AC Load Energy
>
7 Day Daily Average
.
2. The system peak site loads are very high
Look at SP LINK >
Data View
>
Now
>
Power (5 min Average)
while operating any new appliance that has been
added to the system. The SP LINK >
Configuration settings
>
AC Source
>
Generator Auto Start
>
On 5 min Load
and
On 10 min Load
may need adjustment.
While operating any new appliance that has been added to the system. Check the Power and the Power (5 min
Average) in SP LINK >
Data View
>
Now
>
AC Source
>
Power (5 min average)
–
Power
The associated On 5 Load power and the On 15min Load power setting in the
Generator Auto Run
may need
adjustment.
3. The generator stops and starts many times a day
The Load during late night and early morning periods is higher than expected but not high enough to keep the
generator running permanently. There may be multiple starts and stops as the battery becomes discharged and
is partly recharged.
Increase the generator minimum run time to increase the amount of battery recharge before stopping, hence
reducing the number of starts and stops.
4. The battery is not operating correctly
The generator may run longer than normal or expected because system Load has increased or the renewable
input from solar has decreased. It could also be because the battery efficiency has fallen off with age or cell
failure in the battery.
Use the
Performance Data Events
to establish Load levels and reasons for generator starts and stops.
Use the
Data View
menu to check measured values, particularly the accumulated battery energy in and energy
out totals. These will have to be compared over a week to see the change in the accumulated values.
The SP PRO may be performing an Equalise Charge, which can take some hours to complete. Check if the
Equalise indicator is illuminated.
There may be a sustained Load on the system. Check to see that appliances have not been left on. Load power
information is in SP LINK >
Data View
>
Now
-
Today
-
AC History
Check the generator schedule settings.
If the generator restarts a minute or so after it last stops then the battery is discharged, the battery volts are low,
or a Load is present. Check the SP LINK >
Data View
>
Now
>
Generator Running Reason
. The generator can be
shut down permanently by setting the generator to
not
available, or setting the Generator Controller to Disabled.
Troubleshooting
