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Combining grid, solar and back up generator
Hi group - first time posting.
I currently live out in the backblocks of Myanmar where we rely on a mix of solar and a couple of hours of (community owned) diesel generated electricity per day. Unfortunately, after a year of, in hindsight, mismanaging my batteries, they are now pretty well screwed.
Our system is set up so that the inverter will give priority to incoming generated power over solar, and will also help to recharge batteries when the generator is running. When the generator switches off, the batteries automatically kick in again as the power source.
For those that want to know more detail, the solar system comprises of:
4 x 300w panels
1 x 60A MPPT controller
4 x 200 ah 12v batteries in series/parallel to provide 400 ah 24v
1 x 3000w inverter
However - things are about to change!!!!
The poles have gone in the ground to bring in national grid electricity - we are just waiting for the wires and then for someone to flick the switch. However, the above mentioned batteries may not last that long, so I have purchased my own small 3kw petrol generator as a private back up and now want to wire it into the system. A generator costs the same as one battery and is better able to be used in other situations if required, so I saw that as being a better option than buying four new batteries in the short term
My intention is that:
1/ the diesel generated (to be replaced by national grid soon) supply still takes precedence and supply source.
2/ should the diesel generation stop, or the national grid go down (almost guaranteed on a daily or every second day basis), the battery bank will take over as it does now. The bank, while not in good condition, should be being kept fairly well topped up between the sun when it shines and the new feed from the grid.
3/ if all else fails, we will crank up the petrol generator, endure the noise and pay the running costs.
I want to wire the generator into the main supply board (not me, but a qualified electrician) as a surrogate for the national grid and so actually be mirroring what happens now with the community generator. That basically means a simple changeover switch taking one feed or the other. But I also want to do it in a way that once the national grid kicks in, the small generator will automatically cut out so we limit the noise and drain on the wallet.
Can someone come up with a wiring diagram that will show this set up? I tried explaining the concept of solenoids, cut out switches etc to my local wiring man but language is a problem and while we have access to most basic parts here, there are some things that we take for granted in the west that are simply not available or are unheard of here.
Thanks so much in advance
I currently live out in the backblocks of Myanmar where we rely on a mix of solar and a couple of hours of (community owned) diesel generated electricity per day. Unfortunately, after a year of, in hindsight, mismanaging my batteries, they are now pretty well screwed.
Our system is set up so that the inverter will give priority to incoming generated power over solar, and will also help to recharge batteries when the generator is running. When the generator switches off, the batteries automatically kick in again as the power source.
For those that want to know more detail, the solar system comprises of:
4 x 300w panels
1 x 60A MPPT controller
4 x 200 ah 12v batteries in series/parallel to provide 400 ah 24v
1 x 3000w inverter
However - things are about to change!!!!
The poles have gone in the ground to bring in national grid electricity - we are just waiting for the wires and then for someone to flick the switch. However, the above mentioned batteries may not last that long, so I have purchased my own small 3kw petrol generator as a private back up and now want to wire it into the system. A generator costs the same as one battery and is better able to be used in other situations if required, so I saw that as being a better option than buying four new batteries in the short term
My intention is that:
1/ the diesel generated (to be replaced by national grid soon) supply still takes precedence and supply source.
2/ should the diesel generation stop, or the national grid go down (almost guaranteed on a daily or every second day basis), the battery bank will take over as it does now. The bank, while not in good condition, should be being kept fairly well topped up between the sun when it shines and the new feed from the grid.
3/ if all else fails, we will crank up the petrol generator, endure the noise and pay the running costs.
I want to wire the generator into the main supply board (not me, but a qualified electrician) as a surrogate for the national grid and so actually be mirroring what happens now with the community generator. That basically means a simple changeover switch taking one feed or the other. But I also want to do it in a way that once the national grid kicks in, the small generator will automatically cut out so we limit the noise and drain on the wallet.
Can someone come up with a wiring diagram that will show this set up? I tried explaining the concept of solenoids, cut out switches etc to my local wiring man but language is a problem and while we have access to most basic parts here, there are some things that we take for granted in the west that are simply not available or are unheard of here.
Thanks so much in advance
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