Off Grid Tip: Using the Chargeverter GC & 6000XP In Tandem?

[@clintclark89]

Great topic. I have watched a few other videos on the chargeverter to research before I buy. None of the other solar youtubers have even mentioned the potential issue of not being able to charge with the chargeverter while discharging through the inverters (running in tandem). I was under the impression you could hook up a generator with dry contacts to communicate with the chargeverter to start whenever certain parameters that you set are met. I never even thought to question whether you could use the inverters with the chargeverter in tandem. Glad to know it can be done.

[@EastTexasHomestead]

It only makes sense because it can auto-start a generator. However, the manufacturer apparently had some concerns at first.

[@branch_ranch]

Thanks for the chargeverter updates. I recently got my cabin set up with 1 EG4 6000xp and indoor wallmount battery set up with the chargeverter. My harbor freight 3500 genny does well enough until i get my 8 ground mount panels up and going. Nice to see others with the same setup, keep the vids coming!

[@EastTexasHomestead]

It's a rock-solid system. Glad to hear it's working well for you, too. I've been wanting to try the wallmount batteries. Maybe someday soon :)

[@northidahodreaming5657]

Thanks for the look into your setup. I have 2 6000xp and 6 lifepower4....not running yet. Good to learn from others.

[@EastTexasHomestead]

Sounds like we have the same base components. :) I've got a full install video that may be helpful. I'm also about to put out another video that is a bit more in-depth than this one but less than the full install. You can do this!

[@ChrisMontgomery-t5k]

Chargeverter seems like a great option. Thank you for the video! The thing that concerns me is I have to unhook my 6000xp from my batteries to use the charge converter. If I set up an automatic system, I don't want to void my warranty by making my depth of discharge < 20%. The 6000xp inverter is protecting me from dropping too low on my batteries.

[@sailme2day]

thank you , detailed and great demonstration , so the firmware update fixed the shut off on startup breaker issue ?

[@EastTexasHomestead]

It must have because it doesn’t happen anymore. 🤷🏼

[@all4amd344]

I figured this would be ok. External solar charge controllers are wired parallel to the batteries to charge them while drawing from them.

[@EastTexasHomestead]

I was thinking the same thing. I built out a Victron system that did it like that.

[@webmastercaribou7570]

You can always use hearing protection when near your generator.

[@chrisfair9228]

Lost a lot of trees on the property but only slight damage to our shed. Over the 2 weeks of storms we ran off whole house generator for 76 hours. Made me finally order Starlink since our ISP was out even longer than the power. Not yet convinced we need to go battery backup since in 2 years these have been our only significant outages and it looks like our propane can run our generator for 7-10 days before needing a refill. If we move we will likely put in solar and battery backup systems.

[@EastTexasHomestead]

That was a crazy couple of weeks. Good to hear your generator kept things going. It's a nice prep, for sure. It's tough to justify the battery backup for emergencies when you have the generator. I'm glad you ended up getting Starlink. How's it been working for you?

[@chrisfair9228]

@@EastTexasHomestead Lets just say my cable company is loosing me as a customer this week after a 3 week trial of starlink. Sad when a satellite internet company is more stable than a cable company.

[@EastTexasHomestead]

😬 my long-held position has been that if you can get cable, then you should stick with cable, but that might change based off of your experience.

[@sciglassblower]

It's not just the dirty electricity from the generator. You would have to hook up the generator to All The 6000XP's! The Inverter's will switch to charge mode running all the load off the generator and charging batteries with what is left over, but there is More! You CANNOT run different generators on each 6000XP because they would not be phase matched. You would have to have a huge generator if you have large loads running. This Must Change for EG4 and others to meet the needs of the market. Put a REAL CARGER inside and stop using the inverter to charge! I have 2 ChargeVerters so I can run 2 Normal Inverter Generators Not some Huge Insane Expensive Loud Fuel Guzzling Large Generator! Oh yeah, and they put features in the ChargeVerter that you cannot use like communication that will not work if your batteries are communicating with the Inverters which is Always the case! And Generator Auto Start that inexpensive smaller Inverter Generators which don't have batteries and starters cannot use! You only need 5000k to 6000k continuous output Generator to max out the ChargeVerter and very few Inverter Generators of this size have starters and I don't want starters with additional maintenance and problems! Inverters Generators can run at or near 100% just fine because the output does not become unstable as on non-inverter generators and in my experience Inverters Generators do not run as high RPM at full load so they are not working at full motor capacity at full output. I was incorrect about my ChargeVerters! They do cause the 6000XP's to restart! I wrote EG4 about this Very Wrong Issue! Who wants the Inverter Output to ShutDown when you start your ChargeVerters? Ridiculous!

[@JBoy3210]

Major issue if you have servers running.

[@AndirHon]

@@JBoy3210 Super annoying, but I would have my server/routers on a UPS of their own in case I need to get to something if the power is having issues.

[@gmsgabaradama2009]

Everything is shutting down because of the inner rush current of the charger I just called Eg4 about the same issue honestly they really need to put a precharge resistor and that unit I don’t know why they haven’t thought of this yet but I think it’s a potential issue you could blow out the capacitors in the charger As a matter fact, they said that they were working on this

[@Tiersmoke92555]

My Aims (Sigineer) inverter/charger has been eating junk food for 8 years. It charges a 48V bank of Nissan and medical batteries at around 40amps from one of my generators when I have no sun. Another reason I am a fan of LF inverters for living 100% off-grid.

[@Deagle367]

Couldn't you have put the chargverter into the solar input since it 52VDC output since you dont have solar yet either?

[@EastTexasHomestead]

Interesting idea, but it wouldn't work. The 6000XP's operating voltage range for solar is 120-385 VDC

[@Deagle367]

@@EastTexasHomestead Ah Ok didn't realize that, I got Dual Pecron E3600LFPs to power my house at 240VAC and each power station have a duel independent 1200 Watt solar inputs controllers of 32-150VDC at 20 amps each input. I ordered the chargeverter to use with my generator for them since I also don't have solar panels. Unfortunately the Pecrons won't AC charge while in 240VAC mode so I have to use the solar DC inputs to simultaneous charge the power stations while powering my house with AC.

[@basspig]

I use a pair of the original yellow eg4 charger. And I don't have those issues when I switch on the chargeverter. It's operation is totally transparent and behaves just like Powers coming from solar input.

[@EastTexasHomestead]

I have an old yellow one as well, and you're right. It didn't do that. I'm going to have to do some testing now.

[@basspig]

@@EastTexasHomestead I have a pair of them. They survived a lightning strike to my solar array this afternoon while the generator was running and charging batteries. A Sungold Power 6kW inverter was also being used as a charger and it went up in smoke.

[@EastTexasHomestead]

Oh man!!! I’m sorry to hear that. 😢

[@basspig]

@@EastTexasHomestead I think I got lucky in that my SC4880 charge controller connected to that string did not die. It doesn't work anymore because there's only 10V coming in from the array now. Bypass diodes must have all shorted in the 20 panels in that array.

[@EastTexasHomestead]

I'm glad it didn't take it all out. But man! what a bummer

[@coreygillum12]

Is it ok to wire the chargeverter directly into a wall mount bus bar or does it have to be the battery bus bar?

[@HyperionGamingTOPKEK]

Does the chargeverter support 120v generators?

[@EastTexasHomestead]

It does! You either need to rewire the end or add a pigtail adapter that locks on and changes the plug. I do this all the time.

[@roslynandbobchauvin2378]

I'll be setting up an 18kPV, wondering how well it'll work with a generator. Would like recommendations for generators that are compaitlble. Midnite Solar's new All In One is supposed to be more forgiving re power quality.

[@EastTexasHomestead]

To be clear, you're talking about running directly into the generator port on the 18Kpv, right? Assuming that's the case, I took a quick look at HomeDepot, and there are a few options, but you're going to have to spend a lot. I'd probably go with something like the Champion 12,000-watt generator in order to hit the specs needed. www.homedepot.com/p/Champion-Power-Equipment-15-000-Watt-12-000-Watt-Electric-Start-Gasoline-Powered-Portable-Generator-with-CO-Shield-with-50A-Transfer-Switch-201405/328602592 The 18Kpv requires a 240v (two hot wires) input from your generator, and EG4 recommends that the generator have between 6,000 and 21,600 watts of output. See page 22 of the manual: eg4electronics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/EG4-18KPV-12LV-Manual.pdf?ref=esttxthst In my opinion, it's easier and cheaper to get a smaller generator and run it through the Chargeverter. That way you can charge with 120v or 240v and use a lot less fuel.

[@roslynandbobchauvin2378]

@@EastTexasHomestead I think that is good advice. I see the inverters can be damaged by a bad generator, so $500 might be good insurance, allow a cheaper genny, and add flexability. Thank you!

[@EastTexasHomestead]

@@roslynandbobchauvin2378 You bet!

[@chillagorilla]

Would you plug an inverter generator directly into your inverter generator port and skip the chargeverter?

[@EastTexasHomestead]

I would if I had one. Thanks for asking because was going to address that in the video and forgot. The down side is most inverter generators are way more expensive and only 120V. Until recently, you couldn’t charge with just 120 and it’s still not great.

[@chillagorilla]

@@EastTexasHomestead there is a Duromax XP7000 that just came out that is 240V and around $1800. I believe that is the one I am going to get.

[@EastTexasHomestead]

@@chillagorilla nice!

[@AlexanderBell1847]

Let's say the Chargeverter is outputting 5KW and your house is consuming 3KW, will the remaining 2 KW charge your batteries ? also, let's say load increased and the house is consuming 6 KW, will the chargeverter continue to output 5 KW and the additional 1 KW will be provided by the battery ? As house loads fluctuate, I am assuming the chargeverter output power will only charge when the load drops below 5KW. Is my assumption correct ?

[@EastTexasHomestead]

Think of the Chargeverter as a battery charger that is unaware of your loads or lack thereof. The first two situations you presented are correct. If you set the output to 5KW that is what it will push into your batteries. That is separate from whatever you are taking out. I hope that makes sense. Thanks for asking. Maybe I’ll make a video about it.

[@AlexanderBell1847]

@@EastTexasHomestead Thank you for clarifying!

[@robertbutler1986]

I currently power my cabin with a NEMA SS2-50P inlet wire to my 240 electrical panel and a 50 amp Rv extension cord running to the generator. Can I wire the NEMA SS2-50P plug directly to a nema l14 30p plug that connects to the chargeveter?

[@EastTexasHomestead]

No. This would not work. The Chargeverter is strictly for charging 48-volt batteries, which use DC power. Your 240-volt cabin runs on AC power (the same as your generator). If you’re looking to get clean energy into your panel, the best thing would be to get a generator with an inverter built in. This will put out a pure sine wave (clean AC power). Thanks for asking!

[@jake-mv5oi]

Are you saying that you would disconnect the wires in the panel and wire them up to an outlet that the chargeverter would plug into and then run your panel off an inverter/battery bank instead? If so, you would need a NEMA L14-30R (female receptacle) to accept the L14-30P (male plug) on the end of the chargeverter. If you're only powering the chargeverter you should be fine since it only draws 5000w(less than 30A at 240V). Only problem I see with this is your 30A rated outlet has no overcurrent protection from your >6000W generator, so if some other large load were plugged in, the receptacle could supply over the 30A it's rated for.

[@DIYJim-wx6hq]

I absolutely do not like it tripping the EG4 inverters off. I’m glad I did not purchase EG4 inverters. My system is Victron, so my question is: Has anyone with Victron Inverters have them shut down when the chargeverter breaker is turned ON?

[@EastTexasHomestead]

That's a good question. What's interesting though is I can't get it to do this anymore. It may be that a firmware update fixed it.