I recently purchased a 2000 watt Honda generator to supplement my power supply while on a mooring. Presently I also have a 2500 watt Heart/Interface inverter that also charges my batteries when hooked to shore power. However, when I plug my new generator into my shore power hook-up, the generator trips out on overload numerous times at the outset as the inverter seems to be pulling more amps than the generator puts out. This happens only when the generator is initially plugged into the shore power plug, and it seems the inverter goes through a power cycle where the initial demand is very high, and then levels off at a sustainable level. After re-setting the generator numerous times, the two settle in and run fine together. Although I know that getting a bigger generator (or smaller inverter) will solve my problem, I was wondering if there are other options available to throttle back the demand from the inverter to prevent it from tripping my generator. Any help would be appreciated.
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maybe disconnect batteries from the inverter until the gen is running? You're supposed to start up in no-load, then turn on after warming up.
maybe disconnect batteries from the inverter until the gen is running? You're supposed to start up in no-load, then turn on after warming up.
Turn Everything Off
I use the same set up on my boat, with no problems. The one thing I do is make sure that all other loads (both AC and DC) are at a minimum before turning the inverter/charger on. I figured that the charger will take about 1/2 to 2/3's of the output of the Honda generator, which is the suggested safe load anyway. When I add in the fridge and the freezer (if I am using the freezer), that is about all I get out of the generator. If you adding other loads into the mix, you might be exceeding the output of the generator.
I use the same set up on my boat, with no problems. The one thing I do is make sure that all other loads (both AC and DC) are at a minimum before turning the inverter/charger on. I figured that the charger will take about 1/2 to 2/3's of the output of the Honda generator, which is the suggested safe load anyway. When I add in the fridge and the freezer (if I am using the freezer), that is about all I get out of the generator. If you adding other loads into the mix, you might be exceeding the output of the generator.
Hi Glen, another suggestion is to install a...
Link 1000. It has a feature that allows you to adjust the AC feed so as to not over draw your genset. I've not had that problem with our 8kw Genset, but when I return to a marina after several days on the hook with the bank down to around 12 volts, our Freedom 25 wants to take most all of the 30 amp shorepower service during the first hour it bulk charges. Terry
Link 1000. It has a feature that allows you to adjust the AC feed so as to not over draw your genset. I've not had that problem with our 8kw Genset, but when I return to a marina after several days on the hook with the bank down to around 12 volts, our Freedom 25 wants to take most all of the 30 amp shorepower service during the first hour it bulk charges. Terry
Suggestion
Glen, I had same problem with a modified sine wave generator and contacted Heart - when they still were Heart Interface. The answer was that the unit monitors the incoming waveform and trips out if it sees something it doesn't like. They didn't recommend anything smaller than a 3KW generator on the basis if poor waveforms. I have just bought a sine wave genny which is a copy of the Honda, so reason it should now be okay. HOWEVER, the Heart charging circuit starts at low amps and ramps up in stages until it reaches the level of charging current the batteries require. This process takes a few seconds and this may be what is causing the genny to trip. BUT, this max current is programmable by setting the maximum current draw from the shore supply. Suggest you set this to a low level and see if it overcomes the problem. If okay try a higher setting. PLEASE let me know if this works and I will do the same. I believe the Heart handbook is still on the Xantrex site but if not - and you need some info I will get mine off the boat and scan bits for you. Regards, Don A
Glen, I had same problem with a modified sine wave generator and contacted Heart - when they still were Heart Interface. The answer was that the unit monitors the incoming waveform and trips out if it sees something it doesn't like. They didn't recommend anything smaller than a 3KW generator on the basis if poor waveforms. I have just bought a sine wave genny which is a copy of the Honda, so reason it should now be okay. HOWEVER, the Heart charging circuit starts at low amps and ramps up in stages until it reaches the level of charging current the batteries require. This process takes a few seconds and this may be what is causing the genny to trip. BUT, this max current is programmable by setting the maximum current draw from the shore supply. Suggest you set this to a low level and see if it overcomes the problem. If okay try a higher setting. PLEASE let me know if this works and I will do the same. I believe the Heart handbook is still on the Xantrex site but if not - and you need some info I will get mine off the boat and scan bits for you. Regards, Don A
Do not place the generator on the eco mode...
turn the eco mode switch off so that the generator is reved up to the max. Once the inverter goes through its process and you are charging less amps then switch to the eco mode. This helped my situation. abe
turn the eco mode switch off so that the generator is reved up to the max. Once the inverter goes through its process and you are charging less amps then switch to the eco mode. This helped my situation. abe
What You Need...
...what my Freedom dealer recommended was the Honda 2000 which I have. However, it needs to have the input AC amps adjusted down to 20 so as to not overload the generator. At that setting, it will provide 75 amps charge. See the link for what I'm talking about. Rick D.
...what my Freedom dealer recommended was the Honda 2000 which I have. However, it needs to have the input AC amps adjusted down to 20 so as to not overload the generator. At that setting, it will provide 75 amps charge. See the link for what I'm talking about. Rick D.
Just updated
I have a Honda 1000 and it shut down when I plugged in to my Freedom 10 Charger/Inverter. Sooooo, I purchased a Link 2000R which allows me to adjust the "power share" down to 5 amps. At that, the Honda 1000 charges at 16 amps. I can run it 45 min in the morning and 45 in the evening and keep my bats topped off. I also purchased a Balmar 100 amp alt and the 2000R has a regulator for that. The Balmar puts out out a whopping 95 amps and will get my bats up to full charge in about an hour. My next project is to keep my fridge (by far the biggest power draw) as efficient as possible. I'm looking at extra insulation, techne-ice, running it extra cold when on shore power and backing-off when away, and figuring out the best settings for each. And on it goes.... Glen
I have a Honda 1000 and it shut down when I plugged in to my Freedom 10 Charger/Inverter. Sooooo, I purchased a Link 2000R which allows me to adjust the "power share" down to 5 amps. At that, the Honda 1000 charges at 16 amps. I can run it 45 min in the morning and 45 in the evening and keep my bats topped off. I also purchased a Balmar 100 amp alt and the 2000R has a regulator for that. The Balmar puts out out a whopping 95 amps and will get my bats up to full charge in about an hour. My next project is to keep my fridge (by far the biggest power draw) as efficient as possible. I'm looking at extra insulation, techne-ice, running it extra cold when on shore power and backing-off when away, and figuring out the best settings for each. And on it goes.... Glen
re: Suggestion
How do you adjust the incoming power demand? You are correct about the gen set ramping up based upon the intitial demand from the battery bank, as I can see it happen on my electric power meter. (It monitors amps, volts, Amp-hrs etc) I also have a Link that allows me to turn the inverter on/off remotely, and view the various power sources. What I have found is that if the battery bank is down by 30 amp-hrs, then the inverter pulls 60 amps (@12V DC = 720 watts) to charge them up. The same multiple holds true if they are down by 60 amp-hrs or 15 amp-hrs. However, in each case, once I plug in to 110 power, the inverter ramps up to +/- 105 amps (@12V = 1260 watts) and the gen-set trips shortly thereafter. The key question is how to throttle back the demand from the gen set. Do you have any details on how to do that? Glen
How do you adjust the incoming power demand? You are correct about the gen set ramping up based upon the intitial demand from the battery bank, as I can see it happen on my electric power meter. (It monitors amps, volts, Amp-hrs etc) I also have a Link that allows me to turn the inverter on/off remotely, and view the various power sources. What I have found is that if the battery bank is down by 30 amp-hrs, then the inverter pulls 60 amps (@12V DC = 720 watts) to charge them up. The same multiple holds true if they are down by 60 amp-hrs or 15 amp-hrs. However, in each case, once I plug in to 110 power, the inverter ramps up to +/- 105 amps (@12V = 1260 watts) and the gen-set trips shortly thereafter. The key question is how to throttle back the demand from the gen set. Do you have any details on how to do that? Glen
re: What You Need...
How do you throttle back the input amps? I have the device that you referred to already installed, and have only seen an on/off switch, not a method for adjustment on the input amps. Any suggestions on this would be appreciated. Glen
How do you throttle back the input amps? I have the device that you referred to already installed, and have only seen an on/off switch, not a method for adjustment on the input amps. Any suggestions on this would be appreciated. Glen
inverter question
Glen I have an 88 hunter 40 and am considering adding a freedom inverter/charger and buying a honda generator. did you install the inverter/charger yourself ? does it supply power to all the existing plugs on the boat when not on shore power ? Bill
Glen I have an 88 hunter 40 and am considering adding a freedom inverter/charger and buying a honda generator. did you install the inverter/charger yourself ? does it supply power to all the existing plugs on the boat when not on shore power ? Bill
Bill - Inverter question
I did not install the inverter myself, as it was on the boat when I aquired it. However, I do not believe it to be an overly complicated install, as I have worked on the inverter, and it only has the 2 12V leads running in (from the battery bus-bar) plus one messenger wire (to the control panel ?). I currently have a 2500 watt inverter with a bank of 6 ea. 6 volt deep cycle house batteries, with an additional 12 starting battery. With this set-up, I can power up the hot water heater, microwave, and coffe pot, although not all at once. It also runs the flat panel TV and PS2 very nicely which helps keep the kids entertained when out at sea for the day. I picked up the Honda generator to allow me to run the microwave/hot water heater/coffee pot in the morning in cycles without killing my house batteries, and without having to spend several hours re-charging the house bank off the Yanmar. It is a great system, and you will be happy having one installed. Now I just need to sort out how to keep my generator from tripping, and I will be all set ...
I did not install the inverter myself, as it was on the boat when I aquired it. However, I do not believe it to be an overly complicated install, as I have worked on the inverter, and it only has the 2 12V leads running in (from the battery bus-bar) plus one messenger wire (to the control panel ?). I currently have a 2500 watt inverter with a bank of 6 ea. 6 volt deep cycle house batteries, with an additional 12 starting battery. With this set-up, I can power up the hot water heater, microwave, and coffe pot, although not all at once. It also runs the flat panel TV and PS2 very nicely which helps keep the kids entertained when out at sea for the day. I picked up the Honda generator to allow me to run the microwave/hot water heater/coffee pot in the morning in cycles without killing my house batteries, and without having to spend several hours re-charging the house bank off the Yanmar. It is a great system, and you will be happy having one installed. Now I just need to sort out how to keep my generator from tripping, and I will be all set ...
Re: Re: What You Need....
...on the right of the remote control is a "Power Share" setting. It will allow you to toggle between 5, 15, 20, 30 and 50 amp incomming AC power/ Set it at 15 or 20 amps before firing up the Honda. It should keep it from tripping. It does on mine (I don't run the batteries below 50% charge usually, tho). Clear on that? Rick D.
...on the right of the remote control is a "Power Share" setting. It will allow you to toggle between 5, 15, 20, 30 and 50 amp incomming AC power/ Set it at 15 or 20 amps before firing up the Honda. It should keep it from tripping. It does on mine (I don't run the batteries below 50% charge usually, tho). Clear on that? Rick D.
modified sign wave ? hows static ?
Sounds like a great setup and exactly what I'm after. Is your inverter the modified sine wave model ? hows that on your TV.. see anything like lines/static... the sine wave models are big bucks.. not sure I need to go that route...
Sounds like a great setup and exactly what I'm after. Is your inverter the modified sine wave model ? hows that on your TV.. see anything like lines/static... the sine wave models are big bucks.. not sure I need to go that route...
Turn off the water heater circuit breaker
In addition to changing the power share value as Rick said, be sure to turn off the water heater circuit breaker.
In addition to changing the power share value as Rick said, be sure to turn off the water heater circuit breaker.
re: modified sign wave ? hows static ?
The TV is a 26" HD LCD flat panel Samsung, mounted on the bulkhead to the forward berth. The picture is incredible, and from one of the marine antennas that is sold at West Marine. I get well in excess of 20 channels, and most are HD quality. I do not get any deviations in the picture at all, unless the signal is weak, and then the HD channels cut out altogether. Generally that is not a problem as long as I am within several miles of shore. The inverter is an older modified sine wave (I think), made by Heart Interface. It is now sold by Xantrex. I have found their customer service to be very helpful - they helped me adjust the toggels on the power control panel earlier today, and the inverter is +/- 20 yrs old. I hope that this solves my gen set issue - they were confident it would. Glen
The TV is a 26" HD LCD flat panel Samsung, mounted on the bulkhead to the forward berth. The picture is incredible, and from one of the marine antennas that is sold at West Marine. I get well in excess of 20 channels, and most are HD quality. I do not get any deviations in the picture at all, unless the signal is weak, and then the HD channels cut out altogether. Generally that is not a problem as long as I am within several miles of shore. The inverter is an older modified sine wave (I think), made by Heart Interface. It is now sold by Xantrex. I have found their customer service to be very helpful - they helped me adjust the toggels on the power control panel earlier today, and the inverter is +/- 20 yrs old. I hope that this solves my gen set issue - they were confident it would. Glen
Re: Suggestion - Answer
Glen, I have a Link 1000 monitor plugged into my Freedom Combi and this allows the maximum AC current draw to be set. I have just read the on line Xantrex manual which makes no mention of this feature. It does mention the Link 1000 and 2000 units as well as Freedom's own remote panel and makes reference to 'more features' available from these items so you might look this up under 'Accessories'on the same site. The link below will take you to the Xantrex web site. My unit is black and before the takeover by Xantrex. However, from memory, the manual reads the same as mine. You could also ask Xantrex about this feature. It is important because many marinas throw a fit if you plug in and draw full current for battery charging as well as the water heater, air-con, coffee pot etc,etc.
Glen, I have a Link 1000 monitor plugged into my Freedom Combi and this allows the maximum AC current draw to be set. I have just read the on line Xantrex manual which makes no mention of this feature. It does mention the Link 1000 and 2000 units as well as Freedom's own remote panel and makes reference to 'more features' available from these items so you might look this up under 'Accessories'on the same site. The link below will take you to the Xantrex web site. My unit is black and before the takeover by Xantrex. However, from memory, the manual reads the same as mine. You could also ask Xantrex about this feature. It is important because many marinas throw a fit if you plug in and draw full current for battery charging as well as the water heater, air-con, coffee pot etc,etc.
Re: Suggestion - Answer
Thanks for the suggestion. I also checked my manual,and it referenced "other features" without being specific. I called Xantrex, and they advised me of a set of toggles at the back of the remote control panel. The toggles (there are 8 of them) are crammed into a space of 1/4" x 1", so they are rather small. I had toggles no 4 & 7 set, which must allow maximum current draw (130-150 amps). The service tech suggested that I turn No. 7 to "off", and turn "on" No. 8, and to leave No. 4 "on" as well. This limits the current draw to 95 amps, which is fine with the Honda generator. I have since tested it, and it seems to work fine now. It would be nice to have a manual that tells you what all the little toggle settings are, but in any event, I must admit to being mildly impressed with Xantrex for their service support on a 20 year old product that they inherited through the purchase of an unrelated company (Heart). Thanks for the help, Glen
Thanks for the suggestion. I also checked my manual,and it referenced "other features" without being specific. I called Xantrex, and they advised me of a set of toggles at the back of the remote control panel. The toggles (there are 8 of them) are crammed into a space of 1/4" x 1", so they are rather small. I had toggles no 4 & 7 set, which must allow maximum current draw (130-150 amps). The service tech suggested that I turn No. 7 to "off", and turn "on" No. 8, and to leave No. 4 "on" as well. This limits the current draw to 95 amps, which is fine with the Honda generator. I have since tested it, and it seems to work fine now. It would be nice to have a manual that tells you what all the little toggle settings are, but in any event, I must admit to being mildly impressed with Xantrex for their service support on a 20 year old product that they inherited through the purchase of an unrelated company (Heart). Thanks for the help, Glen
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