EG4 ChargeVerter GC: Charging Batteries Efficiently from a Generator

[@mikebroom1866]

Those of us that are using this as just an AC charger and not for automated generators would appreciate the cheaper original. Had my eye on the original to charge my DIY electric ZTR mower. Was waiting for the next sale when it got discontinued and replaced. The price, especially of the new one, has me limited to a 60V 5A variable power supply. It's almost 1/10 the cost and works.

[@clarencewiles963]

The cleaning of generators output is the key to electrical energy production 😊

[@GavinStoneDIY]

Nice work on this one. Good video

[@SignatureSolar]

Thank you!

[@GottaLoveGoats]

Thank you! Turning on your chargeverter for the first time today!

[@SignatureSolar]

Great!

[@carson3210]

Very well done!! Easy to follow..

[@SignatureSolar]

Glad it was helpful!

[@basspig]

I have both the yellow charger and the new Black unit you have featured here. For the first two weeks it was a mystery why the new unit wouldn't charge past 89 or 90 amps but I just recently figured out that the new charger thinks the battery voltage is 2/10 of a volt higher than the old charger. There's a difference in calibration of the metering within the Chargers. So I had to add 2 volts to the charging threshold on the new unit to get it up to the maximum 93.5 amps that I've been able to get out of these. I've never had one of these actually produce 100 amps of output.

[@jonlawrence]

I just bought 2 of these, I would really love a guide for dry contacts. I have westinghouse generators with push start and I have no clue how to hook them up to the chargeverters.

[@joeelliott8454]

I hacked the smart switch port on my Westinghouse WGen7500 so I can remotely start/stop the generator from anywhere with my phone. The relay is about $20 on amazon and uses the Tuya app to control it.

[@SignatureSolar]

Hi! Page 5 and 6 shows the plug pinouts and how to wire it and 16 and 17 shows the dry contact description. eg4electronics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/EG4%C2%AE-Chargeverter-GC-Manual.pdf

[@jonlawrence]

@@SignatureSolar I have read the manual, I am still having a problem with connecting it to the generator, they are push button start generators but don't have dry contacts, how can I overcome this?

[@SignatureSolar]

Hi again! If you'd like to reach out to our tech support department at 9034412090, they will be able to assist :)

[@johnarabia6385]

Any luck?

[@ianmburke]

Super helpful! I just received my Chargeverter a few days ago and this will be an excellent reference for the setup

[@SignatureSolar]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nelsochr12]

Is there a limit on how long/how many times the chargeverter will keep trying to start a generator if it fails to start on the first time or two?

[@75zl1]

Quick question, I noticed you said to charge two or more powerpro batteries you would need a bus bar. Do you have information on a degsun bus bar? Trying to design an offgrid system that will be charged with solar or generator during winter.

[@coreygillum12]

What generators are compatible with the dry contact configuration?I can't seem to find any that are plug and play. It seems surgery is necessary to make it practical?

[@ThomasWhittaker]

Any suggested guide for the dry contact setup on a generator?

[@SignatureSolar]

here is a link to a guide: drive.google.com/file/d/15mt9HhPCXdjYSfx9NCAqZk6eIpffHBZA/view?usp=sharing

[@ThomasWhittaker]

@@SignatureSolar thank you

[@6n518]

Will the PowerPro Battery Paralleling Cables work for this without having to have a bus bar? I'd have to buy more cable any how to connect the battery to the bus bar. So I might as well get a set of paralleling cables..

[@DIYJim-wx6hq]

IAnothe well done video. Thank you. I have a Victron system. Will turning on the charge enter cause the Victron Multiplus II to shut down like is reported on the EG4 systems? Is there a market for a modbus device that will snoop on the data between Battery and Inverter, and then act as a slave to the Chargeverter Modbus master?

[@LizGower-o8o]

Thanks for the video, can one take wind turbine power, quite dirty ac with low power (1000watts) and clean it up into a dc form and use it to trickle charge ones batteries?

[@SignatureSolar]

Possibly but it is untested, however we do not recommend ac coupling a wind turbine to our units as it creates dirty sine wave

[@ToddLarsen]

Added to my wish list for X-mas.

[@SignatureSolar]

Great thing to have on your list!

[@ericjansen9042]

What are the criteria for determining if you need to install one of these between your inverter and a generator? I believe if it's an inverter generator, you're good to go / don't need to have one, if I recall. Same thing, what if people have a say 20KW standby generator? Does it just depend on the standby generator?

[@RichaRat]

Yes. See video at 6:45

[@ericjansen9042]

@@RichaRat Ah, missed the part about 3% THD. Granted, I still don't know what that means. Guess I have some research to do. ;)

[@sciglassblower]

Your generator must be Huge if you are using multiple units in parallel and especially if running large loads. And Only One Generator must be hooked up to all units in the system. So you cannot hook up a 5000w continuous output pure sine wave generator to 2 6000XP's if you are running say 6000 watts of loads on your 12000 watt system. You would need a generator that could put out 12000 watts continuous pure sine wave of less than 3% distortion. See my comment on this video for more complete info.

[@ericjansen9042]

@@sciglassblower I have a 20kw Briggs and Stratton standby generator and an EG4 18k. In the odd event that I lost power the batteries needed charging, I just want to make sure that I don't damage my inverter.

[@sciglassblower]

@@ericjansen9042 I hear you. That is a Huge Generator for sure. Standard generators are not inverter generators and the rpm of the generator is what determines it running at 60 hertz. If you have a meter to read hertz check it and if it is off check your manual. I don't know if it has auto adjustment or manual adjustment but that is the main issue. She said that most generators are only stable at up to 60% and others claim up to 80% on standard generators. The trick is to keep your loads low when using the generator on the 18K and set the total generator current to limit running the generator over 12K output or so. 12k output at 240v is 50 amps. 12k charging is 230 amps into the batteries but part of that will be used for the loads. Or you can get 2 ChargeVerters and run 240v from the generator to both and get 200 amps charging to the batteries or 3 for 300 amps. Your generator can handle this. It is a bummer that they have issues with damage on these All-In-Ones if the harmonic distortion is too high. They should have designed this better to handle more distortion, but they really should have a real charger like the ChargeVerter built in.

[@karenrae1032]

I have a champion Model #201175 generator. It has button start features only by the looks. Will I be able to do the remote start via dry contact cables?

[@SignatureSolar]

If the generator does not have Dry Contact terminals to run a 2-wire auto-start circuit from then it cannot be autostarted by the inverter.

[@karenrae1032]

​@@SignatureSolarthank you!

[@ChrisMontgomery-t5k]

Can I use my 6000xp inverter trigger to turn on my generator at 25% battery without connecting the data cable to the chargeverter? Wil the chargeverter automatically try to charge without the data cable connected to my batteries? That way my inverter can manage how long it runs.

[@SignatureSolar]

Yes, you can. If you'd like to reach out to our tech team at 903-441-2090, our tech team can run you through this :)

[@michaelclark2704]

One thing missing from these videos is what happens if you have non EG4 inverters or batteries. This product looks like it would fit my needs. I am presently under Calif's NEM-2 and cannot add to my existing solar system But now, with an EV, and heavy irrigation via a Well, and booster pumps, I am using a lot of grid power. In addition, anytime there is wind, or a Fire, or a car crash, the utility cuts the power, leaving me without a water system for fire suppression. Or any power for that matter. So I need a way to charge my batteries when solar production is down using the Grid. But I cannot backfeed to the grid, as that would violate my NEM-2 agreement. Can this be setup to be just plugged in, monitor voltage, and charge when necessary? Without the RS-485 wiring?

[@leifdaddow]

Would the chargeverter be redundant if you are using a Generac whole home generator or is it still a good idea to run the Generac through the chargeverter ?

[@SignatureSolar]

It wouldn't be redundant. The chargeverter safeguards the inverter from the high total harmonic distortion (THD) generated by the generator.

[@leifdaddow]

@@SignatureSolar thank you.

[@frostyfroze7352]

I would love to see a manufactured, 120V AC plug-in cord for that charger ready to buy off the shelf. Without the need to make a dog bone or take off the end plug and rewire it.

[@SignatureSolar]

Thank you for your feedback! We will forward this to the manufacturer!

[@SASouthwing]

Nice video. Will this unit communicate with the Schneider Xanbus for SOC? My EG4 batteries are connected to the Xanbus.

[@SignatureSolar]

Our batteries communicate to the Insight device, if the particular Schneider device uses only Xanbus without the use of the Insight home then no.

[@666lockupeviltrump]

is the charger needed because eg devices does not actually support generators.... even though it says a gas or diesel generator can be used?

[@SignatureSolar]

Some generators produce cleaner sine waves than others. The chargeverter can clean up the dirty sine waves from generators, making the energy acceptable for the inverter.

[@666lockupeviltrump]

@@SignatureSolaryes we understand that, but the EG4 devices that say they support generators should clean the generator output automatically. i've not heard of anyone successfully connecting a generator directly to an EG4 6000xp or 18k. I do appreciate your reply thank you

[@kimphan9874]

Why have a generator hook up on the 18K if you can’t use that connection and have to buy this ChargeVerter? Would like a list of generator that is recommended to use with the 18K.

[@butchclifford8733]

@@kimphan9874 Honda EU3000is for 120V and the Honda EU7000is for 120/240V. I own both units and they are not cheap, they both have a very clean sine-wave with

[@HyperionGamingTOPKEK]

for everyone asking...yes you can put a 240v capable generator directly on a 6000xp. It energizes a passthrough relay that sends the generator's power to your breaker box and siphons an additional load amount (limited by max generator KW in AC Charge settings) to charge the batteries. The sales pitch here is that your generator would need to be top notch to suffice in that situation without giving dirty power to your breaker panel. Additionally, this thing allows you to use 120v generators to charge your bank, which is otherwise impossible. 5kw isnt that interesting though and 500 bucks is not a good enough price to justify using it.

[@RicochetJP]

What specific (less expensive) generators are recommended for use with this charger?

[@SignatureSolar]

We don't recommend specific generators because our inverters are generator agnostic (can accept any if they fall into the correct parameters); those parameters are 5% or less harmonic distortion, 120/240V (so not 120V generators), and floating Neutral

[@joshm3342]

I'm planning to get an EG4 3000 EHV-48 inverter & some EG4 48V batteries. I own a 3kW 120V inverter generator. I want to be able to charge my batteries from my inverter generator while powering appliances from the EG4 3000 EHV-48 inverter. Do I even need a Chargeverter?

[@SignatureSolar]

Yes :)

[@surfcow]

Another great video. I was just wondering how this is best used.

[@laurencecrispin6700]

Does the yellow model have the dirty power filter?

[@SignatureSolar]

Yes!

[@JBoy3210]

Just hooked up a lifepower4 battery monitor and the last rs485 port on the stack is being used for a server to get BMS test software readings remote. Can I plug the chargeverter RS458 into the battery monitor? (item number 7 in the monitor manual? rs485-2 Pin7-a Pin8-b) Also which direction does the heat exit?

[@SignatureSolar]

No, you cannot. If you are referring to the heat from the chargeverter, it will come out of the top.

[@joeldcoxks]

Seems like a good solution to use a 3 phase generator to backup a home, assuming you've got solar & batteries on the system.

[@norsk54472]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXmkiayagNmbjq8

[@basspig]

What I can say about the yellow one the earlier initial first model is that mine withstood a lightning strike which blew out a different brand of inverter charger that was also hooked up in parallel and running on the generator at the time of the lightning strike the eg4 product just kept right on going like nothing had happened but lightning had actually hit my solar panel array. The electromagnetic pulse from that was considerable and went into both the charge rotor and the other product. The other product went up and smoke was the charger is still good to this day.

[@solarcharging9743]

Can you please tell me where in China the EG4 Chargeverter is made? Thanks

[@ShaMuhmma]

Can you connect this to a eg4 wall battery while having the battery connected to a 6000xp?

[@pleasurem3]

one of buddys comments above said you cannot, if your talking about the communication cable

[@ShaMuhmma]

@@pleasurem3 no I meant the positive and negative wires. So you can charged the battery with solar and generator. Not to mention having 2-3 batteries in parallel how would you charge them with the generator via the Chargeverter GC and solar.

[@basspig]

Is it true that the eg4 charger has a better than .99 Power factor? I got that info from some data Communications power supply modules that are supposedly the modules used in this charger.

[@SignatureSolar]

92% at 120v and 94% at 240v

[@basspig]

@@SignatureSolar Those sound like efficiency numbers. What I'm asking about is power factor, how closely the current wave aligns with the voltage wave. Number is important for de-rating generators. The data sheets someone posted on the telecomm grade PSUs inside the EG4 product suggest it may be 0.99 PF, but I'd like to be sure.

[@terrybrown5883]

Kelly this is my new cargo work trailer plan EG4 ChargeVerter Gc as Back up with a Honda EB2800I Generator as Back Up only Main system is 6x370w Aptos biracial panels on the roof The Battery 48v 280watts pro Battery Wire Chase box The EG4 6000XP Off Grid Inverter Please Tell me you Thought

[@lewisreford8552]

Q. Is the new Chargeverter UL-certified? Inspectors, insurance, electricians increasingly demand all system components in off-grid set-ups be UL-certified, otherwise no dice.

[@SignatureSolar]

Hi! The Chargeverter is not UL certified.

[@mastermoarman]

Will it charge sodium ion battery?

[@SignatureSolar]

It has never been officially tested on Sodium Ion; results may vary.

[@sciglassblower]

I have 2 of these New ChargeVerters I purchased from Signature Solar after I had already purchased 2 6000XP's, a Rack of Batteries and a pallet of Solar Panels. The following info is Serious for Off Grid Customers. #1 You cannot use the communication to batteries when batteries are already connected to inverter communication making this upgrade useless. #2 Since you cannot start the generator based on SOC because you cannot use the communication feature, you are stuck with inaccurate voltage making this upgrade useless. #3 Turning On the ChargeVerter will cause your 6000XP's Inverter to Shut Down and Restart shutting down all your loads. #4 Why didn't they include a true battery charging feature inside all 18K, 12K and 6K so you can hook up a normal sized generator to each 6000XP, 18K, 12K etc and Not harm the Inverter or shut down the system when starting up generator charging? You could then run one generator on one unit or start another generator on the second unit etc as needed! #5 So they have upgraded the ChargeVerter with useless features, charged more for the unit and still have not fixed the problem of flipping on the Chargeverter Breaker Shutting down the system? They have had many All-In-One systems get damaged due to the lack of proper info to customers on this subject resulting in Damage. Customers hooking up a generator up to just one unit or multiple generators to multiple All-In-Ones not knowing that they must hook up Only One Generator to all All-In Ones in the system or you will have serious issues like phase unmatching which can cause all kinds of Damage. Or customers hooking up too small of a generator to their All-In-Ones causing shut downs, failures and damage. Or customers generator operating outside of the less than 3% distortion tolerance damaging their units. So this video is their solution which left out critical info? Only customer solution is to purchase additional ChargeVerters that we should not have to do and were not informed that we needed. Few people have large enough generators to satisfy their design issues. Only customer solution is to leave the ChargeVerters ON at all times so you can start up your generator when needed without the whole system shutting down and restarting. I am not the only one upset about this issue and EG4 has not replied to me at all. They should At The Least provide a fix for this shutting down issue and send that additional device or upgrade to all customers who purchased. Lets see if they respond to this comment?

[@666lockupeviltrump]

yes. nicely stated thank you.

[@SignatureSolar]

Thank you so much for your feedback! We will forward your comments to the manufacturers! 😊

[@pleasurem3]

appreciate this, looking at the same option...sounds like a fail

[@sciglassblower]

I did fine a solution to the shutting down issue when turning on the Chargeverter. Fire up the generator first and apply power from generator to the Chargeverter allowing it to energize the Chargeverter's internal capacitors. Then turning on the switch on the Chargeverter will not shut down the system. Wouldn't EG4 know this and let us know?

[@alexherrera3918]

how can i charge the pro battery with this chargeverter if pro battery is connected to a eg4 12k? tks

[@SignatureSolar]

You can use a busbar :) If you need any assistance setting it up, please don't hesitate to reach out to our tech team at 903-441-2090!

[@OzarksGypsy]

In what scenario would you want communication between the Chargeverter and Battery verses Battery and Inverter?

[@SignatureSolar]

Because it will allow for it to automatically start and stop the charging

[@OzarksGypsy]

@@SignatureSolar And you believe that is more important then the features that come with communication between your EG4 18pkv and the battery?

[@TEN-ve8mp]

💯

[@jim4utube]

Too much time spent on sales pitch and not enough technical info. Since you can't use the battery com simultaneously with chargeverter and inverter, we users need the voltage start/stop settings on the chargeverter. Too bad she didn't say anything about this.

[@quickquote1568]

The charging voltage that this unit is far too low to fully charge a 48 Volt LFP battery. The manual for this low-cost charger states that this unit is only capable of a 57 Volt maximum output. In a properly designed 48 Volt LFP charger, the output should be capable of reaching at least 58.4 Volts or3.65 Volts per cell to fully charge a 48 Volt LFP battery, This unit appears to be poorly designed for use in a 48 Volt LFP charging system.

[@joshm3342]

In the Conclusion @12:22, she says "...remember to ensure that your inverter's loads do not exceed the output capacity of your chargeverter. If the loads are too high the chargeverter will prioritize powering the loads over charging the batteries to achieve efficient battery charging keep your loads within the chargeverter output limits." HUH? If true, this means the chargeverter HIJACKS control of your system from the inverter? I hope this is an erroneous statement. I'm getting ready to order a $4k starter system from SS, and I want to know about any odd behavior BEFORE I spend money. I want my 3000EHV-48 inverter system to function NORMALLY during an outage, with the (small) generator & chargeverter simply adding more charge to the battery as needed. I DON"T want the chargeverter CONTROLLING what my inverter does (as long as the battery has sufficient charge). Thanks to anyone who can help clarify this point.

[@NativeChukchansi]

I'm going to add one because my inverter is set to turn off at 20% I would set this charger to run from 20 up to 30% then auto off for solar. It's a fail safe for cloudy or overnight. I just need to connect to my 12v system dual systems

[@SignatureSolar]

When designing your system, we recommend prioritizing communication between your inverter and battery. This is significantly more important than relying on the state of charge from your Chargeverter. This approach will prevent the Chargeverter from taking control of the inverter during grid outages. However, when it is necessary to charge the battery using a generator through the Chargeverter, if the load requirement exceeds the output capacity of the Chargeverter, the Chargeverter will prioritize powering the load through the inverter rather than charging the batteries. The goal should be to charge the batteries first and then power the loads from the batteries.

[@RJCongdonCarpentry]

​@@SignatureSolar But its not that its prioritizing the loads. Its just that your taking more out than your putting in. Will it damage the Chageverter discharging the batteries more than charging? So for instance 2-6000xps with 2- power pros 40% start point, If the grid goes down on a cloudy day and my average use is 2kw per hour with a peaks or 6kw or more. If I use a small generator and charge at a consistent 3kw per hour eventually my battery would gain. Yes I'd be using more than I'm putting in occasionally but the long term averages is what I'm concerned with. I'm thinking rather than use a start stop set-up just run a smaller quieter inverter generator 24hrs during a outage just go a slow and steady route with smaller generator and upfront cost. Would this work?