Automatic gen startup - battery voltage value
Our genset has an autostart capability for low battery voltage. What is the recommended battery voltage value to set the startup at ? Thanks
Forum Discussion
It probably also has a "Time of use" timer too. You don't want it starting at midnight just because it reached 12.3 volts.
My best estimate is to start at 12.3 volts. However that might need to be adjusted a bit. If you have a 120 volt refrigerator, and the surge from starting it causes it to dip to 12.2 volts on each start up, you might have the generator starting to often. So it is something you need to play with.
A more accurate way to determine how much power has been used from your batteries is a E-Meter. It counts the amp hours leaving the battery and the amps going back in while recharging. This gives you a idea of how much should be left in the battery bank. Now called a Tri Metric, it replaced the E-meter that I installed back in 1996.
My thought was to recharge when I have used up about 50% of the battery capacity, then stop at 80%, and let the solar continue charging the rest of the day.
Fred.
My best estimate is to start at 12.3 volts. However that might need to be adjusted a bit. If you have a 120 volt refrigerator, and the surge from starting it causes it to dip to 12.2 volts on each start up, you might have the generator starting to often. So it is something you need to play with.
A more accurate way to determine how much power has been used from your batteries is a E-Meter. It counts the amp hours leaving the battery and the amps going back in while recharging. This gives you a idea of how much should be left in the battery bank. Now called a Tri Metric, it replaced the E-meter that I installed back in 1996.
My thought was to recharge when I have used up about 50% of the battery capacity, then stop at 80%, and let the solar continue charging the rest of the day.
Fred.
