Inverter Generator Overload - Symptoms?

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  • lkruper
    Solar Fanatic
    • May 2015
    • 892

    #16
    What is the worst that can happen if I designate, say 20 minutes an hour to power for a fridge that has the electronic timer for defrost? Keep in mind that this will probably only be done about every three months unless we have a prolonged power outage.

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    • inetdog
      Super Moderator
      • May 2012
      • 9909

      #17
      The worst that can happen is that the fridge will immediately start a defrost cycle and may not even start cooling again during that 20-60 minute period. Nothing will be harmed except maybe the food.
      SunnyBoy 3000 US, 18 BP Solar 175B panels.

      Comment

      • lkruper
        Solar Fanatic
        • May 2015
        • 892

        #18
        From what I can tell from Google. Frigidaire has a system that keeps track of how long the compressor has run while cycling and then kicks off a defrost. If they write this to some sort of persistent memory then there is a chance this will work. I need to call them to find out. I have not had good success with getting technical information from their customer support. But it will save me $800 if I can run off the Honda 2000 instead of the 3000, so it is worth the effort to find out, or if that fails, to buy a timer and test it.

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        • lkruper
          Solar Fanatic
          • May 2015
          • 892

          #19
          Originally posted by inetdog
          The worst that can happen is that the fridge will immediately start a defrost cycle and may not even start cooling again during that 20-60 minute period. Nothing will be harmed except maybe the food.
          Just as I figured, getting information from customer service is painful and unrewarding. Frigidaire customer service says they do not recommend putting their refrigerator on a generator! When asked about defrost, they said that when power was lost it goes through a factory reset.

          The person I talked to said they did not think it would go into defrost mode on power up, but who knows? I think I will need to get a switch and try cycling power for 20 minutes each hour and measure the temperature over a day each hour and see what happens.

          ### edit ###
          From looking at the repair forums, it appears that one way to force defrost on these refrigerators is to turn off power, disconnect the thermostat and turn it back on again. The fridge should not defrost unless the thermostat engages the heater. Therefore I conclude that defrost will not automatically kick on after power is restored. But I still feel the need to test.
          Last edited by lkruper; 03-17-2016, 11:18 AM.

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          • LucMan
            Solar Fanatic
            • Jul 2010
            • 626

            #20
            The defrost heaters have no startup surge when energized, so they will never exceed the FLA marked on your model # tag. Startup surge for the compressor on the other hand could be as high as 400-500% over the FLA. If the refrigerant pressure has not equalized when the compressor attempts to start then the compressor would draw LRA (locked rotor amps). This happens quite often with refrigerators when the door is opened and the thermostat calls for cooling before the pressure equalizes. This condition would result in the the motor protector opening the circuit until it cools down and then the compressor would attemp to restart.
            Simple answer don't open the refrigerator when on generator.

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            • inetdog
              Super Moderator
              • May 2012
              • 9909

              #21
              Hopfully the factory reset does not include things like digitally set fridge and freezer temps. It would be shame for those to go back to defaults.
              SunnyBoy 3000 US, 18 BP Solar 175B panels.

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              • lkruper
                Solar Fanatic
                • May 2015
                • 892

                #22
                No, it is a pretty basic model, with the exception that it is supposed to be outfitted to work well in an unheated environment. On another forum I got a refrigerator repair person to tell me that when power is reset it starts to count compressor time all over again and does not try to defrost for 6-24 hours. He was aware that generators can cause boards to blow, but had no idea what the difference was between a regular portable generator and an Inverter/Generator.

                Comment

                • EricaRonnie16
                  Junior Member
                  • Nov 2016
                  • 1

                  #23
                  generator mode the excess load light comes on and the generator carry on to run. If you turn the inverter off the overwork light goes inedible, RPM's enhance and the generator starting to run.

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                  • Mike90250
                    Moderator
                    • May 2009
                    • 16020

                    #24
                    Originally posted by EricaRonnie16
                    generator mode the excess load light comes on and the generator carry on to run. If you turn the inverter off the overwork light goes inedible, RPM's enhance and the generator starting to run.
                    When an inverter generator overloads, it's all electronic. The engine keep running, unless it was in eco mode and stalled.
                    2 types of overload:
                    Too hot - not enough cooling air
                    Too much load, exceeds the safety margin of the electric
                    Both will stop the electricity until you remove the load and then reattach it, either by the power cord, or the circuit breaker .

                    Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
                    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
                    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

                    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
                    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

                    Comment

                    • Guest

                      #25
                      Inverter overload is a problem and in this post you shared important information on how inverter generators protect against overload. It is really very helpful. It is also important to purchase inverter according to your need and check power of inverter.

                      Admin note, i removed what looked to be advertising
                      Last edited by solar pete; 01-19-2019, 08:48 PM.

                      Comment

                      • Paul Land
                        Solar Fanatic
                        • Nov 2018
                        • 213

                        #26
                        Originally posted by lkruper
                        No, it is a pretty basic model, with the exception that it is supposed to be outfitted to work well in an unheated environment. On another forum I got a refrigerator repair person to tell me that when power is reset it starts to count compressor time all over again and does not try to defrost for 6-24 hours. He was aware that generators can cause boards to blow, but had no idea what the difference was between a regular portable generator and an Inverter/Generator.
                        It's just a week-ender Model not really for emergencies return it for Honda EU3000-xxx $1000.00 + . Generac has been sold to private equity company's over and over there not what they used to be. I sold them at H.Depot. My jeeps Optima red top batt, is 15 years old. there new red top last 3-5 yrs also bought-up my M&As

                        Comment

                        • Mike90250
                          Moderator
                          • May 2009
                          • 16020

                          #27
                          Follow up too:

                          When a generator runs out of fuel, all cooling stops instantly. Any heat soaked parts can/will overheat.

                          Like a car in the desert, been running 90 mph for 4 hours, pull into a gas station and while filling up, the pressure vent on the radiator cap blows as the coolant boils from residual heat
                          Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
                          || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
                          || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

                          solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
                          gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

                          Comment

                          • SunEagle
                            Super Moderator
                            • Oct 2012
                            • 15126

                            #28
                            Interesting conversation on a 2 year old thread.

                            Comment

                            • J.P.M.
                              Solar Fanatic
                              • Aug 2013
                              • 14939

                              #29
                              Originally posted by SunEagle
                              Interesting conversation on a 2 year old thread.
                              Guess the old dog will hunt once in awhile after all.

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