rockytop
New Member
new here and I'll try and make this as short and concise as I can
just finished installing an enphase system
47 longi 500 watt panels
47 IQ8A micro inverters
100 amp load center
combiner 4
controller 2
IQ10T batteries times 2
batteries can be charged by solar or grid through the smart switch controller 2 which ever you select
on the app
controller 2 has generator input for battery charging and system operation but it needs to be an approved by enphase
hard wired generator with auto stop start.. enphase doesn't want to talk about portable generators for battery charging.. they either don't respond or say "refer
to our list of approver generators" also that function can only be activated by enphase and an installer..
what I'm trying to accomplish is to recharge my IQ10's in an extended outage and poor wx, short days etc by utilizing a portable generator, coupled into my main breaker panel and feeding through the smart switch controller as though the generator is actually the grid..
right now the smart switch is feeding a second panel with essential loads only and has a manual switch to utilize a generator to save battery power for night time or in case the batteries become depleted and safety shut down at !0% SOC..
I realize I'll have to shut down my manual grid disconnect as well as my PV disconnect as well.. and probably the breaker that feeds the PV from the grid in the load center.. all that is not an issue..
likewise I would assume that a portable generator that would accomplish this would need to be an inverter type generator.. I'm hoping that I could get away with a 3 to 5Kw unit as it would only be charging the batteries, nothing else.. my old 10KW non inverter harbour freight unit is what I plug in for the essential loads when required..
appreciate any thoughts
just finished installing an enphase system
47 longi 500 watt panels
47 IQ8A micro inverters
100 amp load center
combiner 4
controller 2
IQ10T batteries times 2
batteries can be charged by solar or grid through the smart switch controller 2 which ever you select
on the app
controller 2 has generator input for battery charging and system operation but it needs to be an approved by enphase
hard wired generator with auto stop start.. enphase doesn't want to talk about portable generators for battery charging.. they either don't respond or say "refer
to our list of approver generators" also that function can only be activated by enphase and an installer..
what I'm trying to accomplish is to recharge my IQ10's in an extended outage and poor wx, short days etc by utilizing a portable generator, coupled into my main breaker panel and feeding through the smart switch controller as though the generator is actually the grid..
right now the smart switch is feeding a second panel with essential loads only and has a manual switch to utilize a generator to save battery power for night time or in case the batteries become depleted and safety shut down at !0% SOC..
I realize I'll have to shut down my manual grid disconnect as well as my PV disconnect as well.. and probably the breaker that feeds the PV from the grid in the load center.. all that is not an issue..
likewise I would assume that a portable generator that would accomplish this would need to be an inverter type generator.. I'm hoping that I could get away with a 3 to 5Kw unit as it would only be charging the batteries, nothing else.. my old 10KW non inverter harbour freight unit is what I plug in for the essential loads when required..
appreciate any thoughts