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17
June 2020
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Solar Stik
®
, Inc.
SYSTEM SETUP AND OPERATION GUDIE FOR THE 1 kW HYBRID POWER SYSTEM (HPS)
PRELIMINARY DRAFT
It is incumbent on the operator to ensure the sum of all loads does not exceed the limit of the AC
source (generator or grid-utility) or the connections or circuit protections in the network. The AC
input setting should be set to the same value of the maximum AC power output rating of the source.
For example, if the generator is rated for 1000 Watts continuous output, then the AC INPUT should
be set for 8.3 Amps @ 120 VAC.
“Pass-through” Power and the Internal AC Transfer Switch
The PRO-Verter employs a high-speed transfer switch that enables it to toggle between incoming
AC power when it is available (i.e. when the generator is on or it is connected to grid-utility power)
and Inverter power when necessary (using energy from the batteries).
When AC power is available at the PRO-Verter’s AC input, it is first “qualified” by the PRO-Verter to
make sure it is acceptable (i.e. within the programmed limits of quality) to pass on to a connected
load, and once it has been qualified, the switch engages and incoming AC power is transferred
directly to the load. The PRO-Verter is designed to ensure that the load is always supported FIRST
before it does anything else with the incoming power (Load Prioritization).
The primary benefit of using a transfer switch is simple: it maximizes the efficiency of the system
while keeping constant power to the load:
• If the PRO-Verter is controlling a generator, the transfer switch allows it to maximize the load
on the generator (for optimal engine operation), and it also ensures that the all of the fuel (i.e.
“energy”) consumed in the generator engine is utilized - for direct load support and/or to charge
a connected battery bank (storing energy for later use).
• If the PRO-Verter is being used with grid-utility power, the transfer switch allows the PRO-Verter
to control multiple conditions under which power is harvested, including time-of-day, peak-
shaving, or other condition based on application requirements.
The transfer switch is directly controlled by the inverter function, but it ONLY reacts to the presence
of incoming AC power from a generator or grid-utility. The switch ensures that the AC output of the
PRO-Verter is always active, whether the PRO-Verter is inverting or passing power through from an
external source (generator or grid).
If inverter function is engaged, the transfer switch is also engaged. The transfer switch is disabled if
the Inverter function is off.
Transfer time between incoming AC and Inverter mode is ~16ms, and <1ms from Inverter to
the AC input source
which is usually fast enough to support computers, servers, and other critical
loads.
Note:
When switching from Inverter mode to Standby mode, the PRO-Verter waits approximately
15 seconds as it qualifies the incoming AC, ensuring the AC source is clean and stable before
transferring the load.
