Adding a Backup Generator to Off-Grid Solar System

[@cleversolarpower]

My book on Amazon: cleversolarpower.com/off-grid-solar-power-simplified 7 Free off-grid solar diagrams: cleversolarpower.com/free-diagrams/

[@georgereazer5634]

I have ordered your book. Appreciate your technical knowledge.

[@ele4853]

I'm glad I found this video. I was just thinking about a generator to charge my solar system in case the sun is not collaborating. Thanks for sharing.

[@cleversolarpower]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Electronzap]

Good info. I definitely believe that for emergencies only, you are best off with battery backup and fuel powered generators to recharge them.

[@Ekanselter]

Great information. Excellent presentation.

[@markcleaver6573]

Thank you. I have a Honda 22 generator. The maths is difficult until someone shows you. Very good.

[@cleversolarpower]

Glad it helped!

[@tokihokuto4349]

I have a 5kw outback spc111 inverter charger with 4x pylontech us3000 48v batteries and I am looking to add a generator for charging sporadically during winter. I've been told I need a remote start generator of at least 5.5kw but also that some sort of connection is needed to a dry port. I have found the dry port but I have no idea how to connect to this? Any help?

[@dirkk.6573]

I am thinking about moving to an off grid cabin in Sweden north of Uppsala. I think without a generator I will be powerless in Winter, regardless of how many modules I install :) Oh, and thank you for your informative video!

[@cleversolarpower]

Sweden, the land of small cottages near the lakeside. Yes, you need a generator. i recommend using the victron multiplus which is a great inverter and integrated charger with ground neutral bond.

[@SRCM-TownofLimington]

I have a Victron multi +3000, and predator 3500 which has electric start. I use it manually to charge my battery bank which works fine, but is there a way to make this process automatic?

[@cleversolarpower]

You need a generator with an automatic start function. Most cheaper generators don't have this. You will need a more expensive one like a Kohler with automatic start/stop. The victron multiplus has a remote start/stop function.

[@asdfasdf-fg5kx]

Thank you for the video. You say to use 50-70% of the output to save fuel. How does one limit the output wattage to this range?

[@cleversolarpower]

Calculate the power consumption of your charger. And that's how much power you can use. 20A for a 12V barter is 580W.

[@covecarpentry]

Great explanation, one part confuses me though. using 900watts from the generator to calculate the charge time without taking into consideration the 30a charger?

[@cleversolarpower]

14.6V*60A charger = 876W, I rounded up to 900W.

[@covecarpentry]

Ahhh.. I thought you took that 900 from above in the calculation. Thank you very much. My charge is just under 3 hours.

[@timbookedtwo2375]

I have a "budget" PV 24v system using an Epever 40A solar charge controller, a 3000w Giandel inverter and 4x 150Ah AGM batteries. I would like to use my Honda EU20i(I'm in Europe) to top off the batteries when the solar panels can't do it. What battery charger do you recommend? How would I connect it? Something very simple. I live in southern Greece, but even in winter available sun hours are challenging.

[@cleversolarpower]

Have you watched the whole video? I show exactly how.

[@stevehardyuk]

Good afternoon I have a caravan with a lead acid leisure battery. I would like to change this to a lithium battery. Can I just swap the batteries over?? Steve

[@cleversolarpower]

No, you probably need another solar charge controller if it doesn't have a lithium setting. Your inverter can stay and your shore charger will be the same problem as your solar charge controller. Depending on the capacity, you need another fuse (Isc is higher)

[@stevehardyuk]

Sounds like a head ache. The battery is powered by the car, when towing and the caravan AC power supply. Many thanks for your help. Steve

[@4115steve]

I have a pure sine wave propane 800 watt generator that I plan to use as a backup in the winter.

[@cleversolarpower]

Have you calculated the charging current like in the video?

[@4115steve]

eventually, when I start using the solar system. Thanks for all the videos, they've helped a lot@@cleversolarpower

[@2hacksbuilding82]

We have discovered that our 48v Rich solar nova 8k hybrid inverter will not accept power from our inverter generator, and we're totally off grid in a prolonged rain storm in Southern Colorado 🎉 I have had a heck of a time getting a competent person on the phone to try to figute this out

[@cleversolarpower]

From the manual i can see that it accepts a generator. Are you using the right connection and if you start the generator is there a voltage on the cable? (check carefully). What inverter/generator do you have? If it doesn't work, you can try out EG4's inverter/charger 48V. Reply to my email because i wont see your reply to this message.

[@brushbum7508]

Thanks ! TAKE CARE..

[@sreimert]

I can't believe I have to ask this, but why can't you just plug your RV power cord into the Honda generator to charge the batteries?

[@cleversolarpower]

If there is a battery charger attached to the power cord then that will work. It's best to know the charging current of the charger before plugging it in.

[@floridaguy1133]

Most RVs use a 220 30 Amp for shore power so charging with a battery charger is much smarter

[@cleversolarpower]

@@floridaguy1133 That is if you have shore power available 😉

[@dougholtby3035]

my rv only has a trickle charger to only the coach battery....

[@Fatfreddy7]

Enjoyed + liked cheers