Converter Load Change on Gen During Bulk Stage

[BFL13]

Got the test on that done today, and result is what everyone was saying. The load on the gen increases during Bulk.

The "output watts" go up because, while the output amps are constant, the battery voltage is rising during the Bulk Stage. Input from gen increases to meet that demand.

The Absorption Stage takes some load off the generator as soon as amps output tapers. This makes "peak load" on the gen just at the end of the Bulk Stage before amps start to taper.

Here are some actual numbers for those who are keen.

Battery SOC 60%. 75 amp converter doing 75. Kill-A-Watt:

118.0v, 14.67a, 1275w, 1739VA output 75.0a, 13.9v SOC 60%

117.3v, 14.89a, 1301w, 1747VA output 75.2a, 14.1v SOC 65%

117.0v, 15.01a, 1311w, 1754VA output 75.3a, 14.3v SOC 68%

A note on that mystery flashing red overload light on the P2200

It flashes when load gets about 1700w, the gen's continuous rating. The thing I discovered today is that it flashes faster as load increases. I suspect at some point it goes over to actual overload and pops the breaker with the light now steady red.

As the recharge continued, I had to disconnect the Kill-A-Watt which was blinking at over 15 amps.

SOC got to 72.5%, output 75.4a, batt 14.9v red light really fast and then amps started to taper --begin Absorption Stage--thank goodness!

So amps tapered slowly while red light slowed down and then went out when amps got down to 67 amps and stayed out after that.

I had the converter voltage set to 15v as my temperature compensation for it being 6C this morning. Lesson there is to not have the converter voltage so high that it will let the battery voltage rise so high as I saw today. The Kill-A-Watt said 15 amps AC and blinked when batt v was 14.3, so I will limit the converter setting to 14.4 when using this little generator.

So that covers the various points that came up in the other threads on this whole business. (Posted elsewhere that the higher octane with no ethanol gas made no difference, and neither did using a shorter, fatter gauge extension cord)

EDIT--this was with AGMs at estimated 400AH (450 rated but at 6C temp)
where 75 amps is 19% charging rate. Bulk ended at 72.5% SOC.

So those reports that Bulk lasts longer with AGMs than with Flooded batts did not apply with my AGMs. About the same for that.

[BFL13]

pianotuna wrote:
BFl13,

Thanks!

Telecom Jars?

Hard to say about the 250AH 8D, no to the two 100AH 27 ones. They are all rated for deep cycle use.

[pianotuna]

BFl13,

Thanks!

Telecom Jars?