Xantrex Technology 120 VAC/60 - Manual (Page 83)

OPERATION
 2001 Xantrex Technology, Inc.
5916 - 195th Street N. E.
Arlington, WA 98223
Telephone: 360/435-8826
Fax: 360/435-2229
www.traceengineering.com
SW Series Inverter/Charger
Part No. 2031-5
Rev. C: February 2001
Page
75
(3) Time (Exercise Period Days): The generator is automatically started at a pre-selected time
whenever it exceeds a set number of days without running. Once the start command is initiated,
the generator starts and runs for 15 minutes to ensure that it remains fully operational and that the
generator’s starting battery is maintained at an optimal state of charge. To set generator start
time, go to END QUIET TIME under the GENERATOR TIMER menu. To set the number of days
between exercise periods, go to SET EXERCISE PERIOD DAYS under the GEN AUTO START
SETUP menu. If the value is set to 10, the generator will start every tenth day of continuous non-
operation. To disable this feature, set the value to zero.
MANUALLY
(4) Manual Start – The generator can be manually started by selecting ON from SET GENERATOR
directory under the GENERATOR MODE menu. In manual mode, the generator MUST be
manually switched OFF by selecting OFF from the SET GENERATOR menu item.
GENERATOR STARTING AND STOPPING CONFIGURATIONS
Two different generator start routines are available to allow use with a wider variety of generator types.
The sequence of closing and opening of the RY7 relay changes depending upon what position the
underlining cursor is in from the SET RY7 FUNCTION menu item under the GEN STARTING DETAILS
(13) menu item. The choices are GLOWSTOP or RUN.
When RUN is selected as the function of the RY7 relay, the RY7 COM and RY7 N.O. contacts remain
closed while the generator is running. This is usually wired to the ignition system of the generator engine
and/or a fuel solenoid valve. The normally closed contacts of this relay are also available on the terminal
block, marked RY7 N.C. The normally closed contact is open (not connected to the common terminal)
while the generator is running. When the generator is off, the RY7 N.C. terminal is connected to the RY7
COM terminal. This configuration is useful for starting many HONDA brand generators as well as some
others. This should also be used to select when the RY7 COM and RY7 N.O. contacts are used to control
a two wire (auto crank) type generator.
When GLOWSTOP is selected as the function of the RY7 relay, the RY7 COM and RY7 N.O. contacts
remain open while the generator is running. The contacts close only when it is time for the generator to be
stopped. This is useful for generators that require a stop signal to shut down the generator. The
GLOWSTOP configuration is useful for starting ONAN brand generators.
The GLOWSTOP setting can also be used for diesel generators. The RY7 COM and RY7 N.O. contacts
will be closed during the PRE CRANK SECONDS period. This relay can be used to provide both the
GLOW and STOP signals. When this is done the generator will be given both GLOW and STOP signals
before cranking and when stopping. This is done on many diesel generators by their own starting systems.
You should also check that the control system also powers the glow plugs during the cranking signal - the
generator manufacturer or dealer can provide more information.
The terminals RY8 COM and RY8 N.O. provide contacts that remain closed only during the generator-
cranking period. This is usually wired to the starter solenoid (relay) of the generator engine. This relay
closes after an initial PRE CRANK delay period (the default MAX CRANKING SECONDS period is 10
seconds). Relay RY8 will open after a half-second delay, once the inverter senses an AC voltage above
80 VAC on the AC HOT IN 2 terminals. If the voltage remains for the POST CRANK period, relay RY8 will
remain open. If the generator doesn’t start, it will close again after a POST CRANK delay period. The
inverter will attempt to start the generator up to 5 times (the number of times the inverter tries to start the
generator is fixed at 5 attempts). If the required voltage level is not reached, relay RY7 opens (in RUN
mode) to “kill” the generator before a restart is attempted. This reduces the chance that the starter motor
will be engaged on a spinning generator engine. This protection is inherent in the GLOWSTOP mode.
The generator will be stopped when the battery charger has kept the temperature compensated battery
voltage near the BULK VOLTS DC setting for the ABSORPTION TIME period.
When it is time to stop the generator, relay RY7 will open or close (depending on which RY7 FUNCTION
is selected), stopping the generator. This will occur after a 40 second cool down period. If the generator
does not stop, the inverter will continue to charge the battery at the FLOAT VOLTS DC.
The transfer from generator to inverter will be less noticeable if you manually turn off the generator from
the inverter’s Control Panel instead of from the generator’s off switch. This allows the inverter to first
disconnect the generator before it is turned off, reducing problems with voltage sags during the transition.