Inverter or generator issue

[Newps]

2016 32SA. I have 600 watts of solar on the roof, Victron charge controller and the output goes directly to the batteries(Four 6 volts). All this installed one year ago after I bought the RV.

When running the generator after about 5-15 minutes, which was normal, the inverter/converter would do this:


https://youtu.be/YXPwre10HIc


When I watched the current flow on my phone app from the Victron shunt the amps would be +40 then +25 then +10 then +3 then -5 then -10 then +40 and the cycle repeats forever. Those aren't exact numbers but you get the idea. While this is happening the AC at all outlets is normal. I never ran the generator after dark.
Now this year I brought the RV out of storage last weekend. I fired up the generator but this time had the idea to turn the solar controller off, easy to do with the app.

I have used the generator twice now and both times it's working normal, solar controller off. First time was 36 minutes, second was one hour. The input to the batteries was in the 40 amp range.

This does not happen when plugged into shore power, generator off. All is normal then.

I will keep testing to make sure it will operate normally. Any idea what causes the inverter, the Tripp-Lite 1250 watt model standard in so many of these RV's, to go wonky when the generator runs? What does the solar controller output have to do with the inverter? Is it seeing some juice come back at it and it gets confused?

[dssl]

The generator and the shore power both go through the transfer switch, so it's a bit odd.

One thing you should do is take the cover off your transfer switch and inspect/tighten all of the wires, if the wires from the generator are loose it could potentially cause a problem on the generator side.

If that doesn't help maybe check the AC voltage when that happens, make sure it isn't high or low.


If none of that helps you can try triplite customer service and see what they say.

[vsheetz]

It only occurs with generator and solar active, correct? Ok with any other combination or each alone (genny, shore, solar), correct?

[Newps]

Originally Posted by vsheetz

It only occurs with generator and solar active, correct?

Correct







Ok with any other combination or each alone (genny, shore, solar), correct?[/QUOTE]


I don't run the genny with shore power, what's the point in that so no need to test that. Shore and solar together works fine.

[dssl]

Originally Posted by Newps

Correct







Ok with any other combination or each alone (genny, shore, solar), correct?

I don't run the genny with shore power, what's the point in that so no need to test that. Shore and solar together works fine.[/QUOTE]

If your transfer switch is working the it will select the generator if both shore and generator are on. So I doubt that is what Vince was suggesting.

Are you sure the solar is related? If you can re create the problem try first with the solar on,then turn the solar off. I could be wrong, but I suspect the solar is not a factor.

[vsheetz]

I didn't mean shore/genny together. Transfer switch selects one or the other, selecting generator if both were active.

The output of the transfer switch goes to the main breaker, then on to the inverter/charger. So if only occuring on shore or genny - suspect that source or the the transfer switch.

Check voltages at the transfer switch. Check frequency.

What doesn't seem to align is that all is ok if solar is active. Solar is typically connected directly to the house battery bank. Suggest to double check this to ensure it's not skewing the troubleshooting thinking.

Here's my 120v power flow diagram.

[Newps]

Originally Posted by vsheetz

Check voltages at the transfer switch. Check frequency.

What doesn't seem to align is that all is ok if solar is active. Solar is typically connected directly to the house battery bank. Suggest to double check this to ensure it's not skewing the troubleshooting thinking.

Here's my 120v power flow diagram.Attachment 364040

I checked voltage and it is fine at transfer switch and all outlets, whether or not the inverter/converter is acting up. Your first sentence of second paragraph is wrong. Should read "not OK". Solar is hooked directly to the house batteries. I have not yet run the generator this year with the solar on until it acts up and then turn off the solar to see if inverter goes back to normal. Will try that tomorrow.

[Persistent]

When charging using both solar and inverter/charger, you have two smart charging devices regulating voltage to the batteries.

The batteries are limiting what they will absorb. The house 12 volt system may be drawing some 12 volt power as well and some of those devices may turn "ON" and "OFF" at unknown times.

My guess is the two smart chargers are playing off against each other. Each is measuring current and voltage and trying to decide what phase of charging is required.

I don't know why it would not behave the same using shore power instead of generator power. Generator output may have less steady frequency and voltage sometimes but this as a cause is a stretch.

[vsheetz]

Originally Posted by vsheetz

I didn't mean shore/genny together. Transfer switch selects one or the other, selecting generator if both were active.

The output of the transfer switch goes to the main breaker, then on to the inverter/charger. So if only occuring on shore or genny - suspect that source or the the transfer switch.

Check voltages at the transfer switch. Check frequency.

What doesn't seem to align is that all is ok if solar is active. Solar is typically connected directly to the house battery bank. Suggest to double check this to ensure it's not skewing the troubleshooting thinking.

Here's my 120v power flow diagram.Attachment 364040

Originally Posted by Newps

Your first sentence of second paragraph is wrong. Should read "not OK".

Yes, I misspoke. Thx.

If the solar is a factor, check it's voltages during bulk and absorb stages. Maybe causing the inverter/charger to go into a high voltage cutoff state. But, again would think it would have the same behavior on shore as genny.

The solar and shore/genny should be normally ok charging simultaneously. Commonly done.

[Newps]

Originally Posted by Persistent

Generator output may have less steady frequency and voltage sometimes but this as a cause is a stretch.

The electricity from my house is rock steady in voltage, doesn't move even 1/10 of a volt. Don't recall the exact number now. The RV voltage as I recall was around 118 volts and moved +- 2-3 volts.

[Newps]

Originally Posted by vsheetz

The solar and shore/genny should be normally ok charging simultaneously. Commonly done.

I verified it today. Solar was charging, although not much, maybe 100 watts, as it was cloudy. Fired up the generator. All worked normal for 20 minutes. Then the generator changed tone and I looked at the shunt app and sure enough the inverter was acting up again. Turned off the solar charge controller thru its app and immediately the inverter started working normally and battery charging started again. So at this point I'll call it good.

[dssl]

Originally Posted by Newps

I verified it today. Solar was charging, although not much, maybe 100 watts, as it was cloudy. Fired up the generator. All worked normal for 20 minutes. Then the generator changed tone and I looked at the shunt app and sure enough the inverter was acting up again. Turned off the solar charge controller thru its app and immediately the inverter started working normally and battery charging started again. So at this point I'll call it good.

What is the house battery voltages when the charger cycles? Your Triplite charger is only 40 amps, so it's hard to imagine that it causes an over voltage. Also it's surprising that it acts differently on the generator vs shore power.

[Newps]

Originally Posted by dssl

What is the house battery voltages when the charger cycles? Your Triplite charger is only 40 amps, so it's hard to imagine that it causes an over voltage. Also it's surprising that it acts differently on the generator vs shore power.

Don't know the voltage but the shunt was calling it 80%. It was also reporting about 55 amps going into the battery at the start tapering to mid 40's after about 15 minutes. I think it was at 83% when I shut the generator down and turned the solar back on.

[dssl]

Originally Posted by Newps

Don't know the voltage but the shunt was calling it 80%. It was also reporting about 55 amps going into the battery at the start tapering to mid 40's after about 15 minutes. I think it was at 83% when I shut the generator down and turned the solar back on.

When it is cycling notice the voltages. The reason is you want to make sure it's not going crazy high, which could potentially be causing the charger to think something is wrong.

I don't know what is going on, the strangest part is that it acts differently on generator power. If it were me I would call Triplite and see what they say.

I actually have that exact inverter/charger sitting in my garage from my 2015 32SA that I no longer need, so if it turns out that the inverter is bad I could sell it to you for cheap, PM me if that becomes something you are interested in