Safe Generator Use! 2 Strategies To Increase Safety & Charging Our Solar Batteries

[@gvodoman8702]

Good video, but why just buy a longer extension cord and forget about the exhaust extension, which could limit your generators performance.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Thanks. Trying to cover all the bases. After using it for a while it does not seem to restrict performance.

[@willbass2869]

Longer runs require heavier gauge ($$$) cable. So it's either spend $ on longer runs of heavy cable or spend $ on extended exhaust w/ probably lower engine performance. 6 of 1, 1/2 dozen of the other...

[@AutoTechElectronic]

Great advice about generator safety. It will be great to find out how much of a choke is that exhaust pipe extension. Also, how much Gas do you use per hour with that generator when Just using that charger?

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Thanks. I have never measured the gas usage. The channel “Projects with Everyday Dave” is very analytical and did some tests on gas usage for a generator though.

[@wilshawlynnstevens2980]

This is really helpful! I just got all the parts to do this on our well house.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Cool. Glad it is helpful

[@handle924]

You might still want a spark arresto at the end of exhaust extension?

[@clarencewiles963]

Thanks for your suggestion.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

You’re welcome

[@rg1599]

Always enjoy your videos.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Thanks brother!

[@jdollar5852]

Good to see "preppers" understanding how important redundancy is. That awesome solar system is useless without sun, and that generator is useless without fuel. I probably would skip the exhaust extension. With that long cord you can get it plenty far away from the house. Good job on the install. We have limited solar and rely more on solar generators for critical loads. We have a 9k gas generator and a 2k. We can run a small window AC if necessary, but our 220 loads are out of the question.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

I love redundancy in systems.

[@simon359]

I leave my charge controllers on when using the gas generator, but I’m only running 25 amps generator! Also, recommend having a cover over your generator when it rains or snows! I got $150 barbecue cover over mine.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

I have a cover. Yes, it is fine to leave your inverters on while charging. Mine were off because of the noise while making the video.

[@simon359]

@@CountryLivingExperience Actually I’m using Victron charge controllers, with a separate Victron inverter. 🖖

[@colinglidden5702]

Question, cam you run the inverters in this video(I have same ones) while charging with the chargeverter?

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Yes, that is no problem. You have to turn off the panels though. You don't want two sources of DC power coming into the batteries.

[@Idnalro]

That is actually untrue, you can have multiple sources of dc input to the batteries. Many people purposely setup their systems with multiple mppt chargers from multiple solar arrays to add redundancy.

[@ennis437]

Any particular reason you don’t want PV and generator charging at the same time? I have a Chargeverter and it is connected to my bus bar with my batteries and inverters I asked signature solar and they said it was completely fine to connect to same bus bar as the inverters.? Just curious if maybe I missed something?.. I’ve done it several times and my batteries see it as just another charge source. I haven’t noticed anything except more charging current to my batteries. Thanks for the video. Good tips .

[@CountryLivingExperience]

You're welcome. I talk with the Sig Solar guys all the time. They warned me against having two sources of input as it could damage the batteries from overcurrent. Just relaying that info.

[@ennis437]

@@CountryLivingExperience ah that makes since but as it stands my generator can only deliver 46 amps from the Chargeverter so that’s not an issue for me.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

@@ennis437 I understand.

[@chubbster1969]

Hi bro! Excellent video. I've warhched it about 9 months ago and now returned as I think I'm ready to set up the charger. I have a Megarevo 8000kw inverter and a 10000 lithium. Battery. I also have the same champion generator you have. Tell me, can I use the EG4 chargeverter you have or would you recommend another one? Looking for what will suit me best. Thanks

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Thanks. The Chargeverter is not supposed to interact with the inverter, so there are no worries there. Additionally, the Chargeverter will only work with your battery if it is a 48v battery.

[@chubbster1969]

@CountryLivingExperience hey thanks for a speedy reply!! So the chargeverter volts needs to replicate the volts on my battery! Got it! Just to help me out as I'm fairly new to living on a homestead, as I have the solar already installed, can you just list for me the parts i should/would need to install the chargeverter? Thank you so much again, 👍

[@CountryLivingExperience]

We have a whole video on the chargeverter (old model) here.....kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKaVo6SeebSDa9E

[@zippy2641]

Is your Champion generator an invertor generator or conventional? I'm trying to find out whether I can charge my solar batteries with a conventional generator. Some people say yes, some say no. They can't both be right.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

It is conventional. That is why I use the Chargeverter. It is not recommended to connect a smaller conventional generator to your solar inverter. You need to have a large 20kw conventional to do that. This video should help explain a bit.....kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKaVo6SeebSDa9E

[@zippy2641]

@@CountryLivingExperience thanks

[@threepets2]

the links for the Nema Generator plugs are for 3 prong plugs not the required 4 prong generator plugs

[@CountryLivingExperience]

I will check the links. Amazon changes them all the time depending on what is in stock or not from the seller.

[@michaelshin69]

I didn't know that the solar input needed off with generator input.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Yes. Turn the panels off when generator is on.

[@cade861]

It's crazy you put this video out today I am an electrician been doing it for 7 years never been asked to do this until today

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Crazy coincidence!

[@mioaran1131]

💯💯💯

[@zsedcify]

Please remind me again why "keep it simple" users like you have a genset-compatible all-in-one inverter AND a separate charge-verter that bypasses your AIO inverter to connect directly to the battery busbar? Is it that: you get more charging power through the charge-verter? OR AIO's back-up charging feature is unreliable (lots of charging error shutdowns)? Or if you inadvertently fry a component via generator surge, might as well sacrifice a cheap charge-verter rather than expensive AIO inverter? Or is Sig Solar just monetizing peoples' ignorance with redundant componentry?

[@CountryLivingExperience]

I explain in several videos, including this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKaVo6SeebSDa9E, why most should not charge their batteries through their inverter. Yes, the Chargeverter allows you to get more charging power directly to the batteries. AIO charging is reliable if certain parameters exist. Yes, inverter damage is common from improperly sized generators (see video).