I think that is the best way to utilize a generator with solar. A few months ago I did the same but used a much smaller 48v charger. When I need to charge up my battery bank , I start the generator and run the charger only. You can really optimize your battery usage when you know you can quickly charge them up. If you calculate the cost of a larger battery bank to handle any eventuality and the cost of fuel for a generator, the decision to go this way is a no brainer.

Morning David. Thanks for the video. Thought I would share that the Victron Shunt has an update now which will allow it to remember the state of charge when it loses power. When you open the Victon app, you’ll see the red exclamation mark over the settings icon. That update made a world of difference for me and my testing! No more having to remember the SOC when you power down!

@DavidPozEnergy

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for letting me know. I'll check it out.

@yankey4

Жыл бұрын

I was going to say the same thing.

Thanks for posting, David. Always appreciate a straightforward review. We did get our unit - finally. Looking forward to seeing how it works on the Absolyte.

Thanks for the informative video! I bought one of those today in person at Signature Solar... they have grown so much since the first two times that I shopped there. Remodeled reception area and office area and all the employees were so friendly and helpful! James S. has really done a great job with growing the business👍

Just a couple server PSUs in the box - clever!

Thanks Dave! The instructions for this unit left me with many questions. You answered them all!

@DavidPozEnergy

Жыл бұрын

Glad to help

I like how it's modular, those look very similar to server power supplies in their size... makes me wonder if that's what they are using in a custom configuration. Easy reparability.

@alwaysbadideas

Жыл бұрын

hopefully it lets you run the unit at half capacity if one fails.

@rickyreynolds17

Жыл бұрын

Identical to 48v telecoms power supplies

@Sylvan_dB

Жыл бұрын

They sure do look like server supplies. Even the card edge connector appears as if it could be the same.

@jfbeam

Жыл бұрын

Server or telco power modules. I didn't see a model number. It's not repairable if you can't get the modules.

@zaprodk

Жыл бұрын

It's 100% some Huawei/Emerson Telco 48V power supplies. I have a few from a 4G Telco rack i tore down, and they are fully programmable via CANBUS where you can regulate voltage and amps, and ofc. read out vital data.

I've been wondering about this charger. Thanks for doing this video. It certainly helps take the guesswork out of my decision making process. Someday I hope to figure out why I've never been able to get my two spf 5000 GW inverters to run in parallel.

I preordered this a week ago…hoping it would work for me. I feel better after seeing your review.

Congratulations on 200k Subs! 👍🏻

@DavidPozEnergy

Жыл бұрын

Thank you.

I pre-ordered one a while ago. Still not got mine. But glad to see a review on it.

i enjoy your videos. great content. thanks man.

Awesome - just in time, my charger is arriving Monday. Signature just shipped it!

😎Thanks David! Very good information you provided.

Hi... I'm Enock from Ghana and living in Germany. I just subscribed your channel and I really like what you do.

Best video on this product that I've seen. Thanks.

@DavidPozEnergy

10 ай бұрын

You're welcome.

good teardown and review...thanks!

Pretty nifty little unit. Thanks, David.

Good video David. Especially liked the actual measurements which often are in specs but seldom given in videos. Do you have any idea of the need for inverter generators to supply this charger or of the tolerance for modified-sinewave type chargers?

As always, thanks David.

That's an amazing price for a 48v 100a charger! Thanks for sharing!

@typxxilps

Жыл бұрын

What price ? I can not find a 100 A charger on the website.

@thisismov

Жыл бұрын

@@typxxilps Its hard to find using his link but its $399

Awesome thanks a lot I am supposed to be getting my eg4 chargeverter any day now and I have the same Honda 6500 generator so this video was perfect for me 👍

@VinceBadovinatz88

Жыл бұрын

I have a little Predator 3500. And I have a Amitabh 4000 light pole I'm not sure the specs on that generator. I don't think my 3500 would do much haha I'd have to set set the charger at 50% or something or 50 amps I mean

By the way, I love all your content.

thanks for the review.....I just ordered on of these

Thumbs up 👍 good demo!

Great product that will sure to get the batteries charges up .🤙🤙

In the latest firmware of the victron smart shunt you can enable it to keep the SOC after a power loss!

Good stuff. Liked and subscribed.

Using a MidNite Solar CLASSIC 150 MPPT Charge Controller, Operating at 150 Volts with a Max Current of 96 Amps. And hooked to a #DC1248AC DUAL CORE PMG/PMA by Thermodyne Systems and powered by a 6+HP Diesel engine all for under $1,700 works the treat for me. It is cheap to build and operate and very efficient. We make our own fuel using waste Veggie-Oil that has settled for two weeks and filtered down to 25 microns. We add 10% gasoline and filter to 1 micron and use it in our diesel generator. All of our filters are polyester cleanable and reusable. So, we have an efficient generator and cheap fuel that cost between 3-9 cents per kilowatt hour depending on if it is a 10% summer or 30% winter blend. We live in Michigan where the grid is 17.4 cents per Kilowatt Hour. So, this cost is less than the power grid. Even if you do not make your own fuel, it is still a good way to make energy.

Awesome charger. Looks great.

Exelente siempre compartiendo contenido de calidad y escaso . Saludos !

Nice tools

Morning Dave from Sunny Hot Australia looks good, mate. Two server power supplies type modules.

Thumbs up for this!!😊

Thanks for Celsius 😀 during temperature measurement.

Man there expensive but look amazing thanks for video

another great review david thanks for showing us alternatives for charging 👍🏽. total side bar your hair evolved from a young michael mcdonald to a slick morgan wallen lol. 🔥💯

@DavidPozEnergy

Жыл бұрын

Thanks. I'm having some fun seeing how the hair evolves. It's nice not being forced to have a high & tight any more.

Right. on.

good Morning David. Thanks for the video i had a aims it ,s cook this may be a batter one

Got mine coming now! After two years off grid I haven’t had to run a generator yet but it always caused me anxiety since I bought a normal non inverter generator and didn’t want to run it into the utility in on my inverter.

Thanks for sharing David! Like #598

Thanks for doing the test. I may eventually buy one if they appear to hold up over time. I have the Honda EU7000is and it can't start my 4-ton HVAC condensing unit even with a soft start. My Growatt 12k inverter likely can, so if I ever have a prolonged outage during a heat wave, I would be able to have the Honda run the Chargeverter while the Growatt runs the house loads and handles the large inrush spikes. This would prolong the run time of the 20kWh LIfepower4 battery rack provided that the average house load stays below the max continuous output of the generator which I converted to run on natural gas.

I ordered and just installed my new charger. Out of the box one of the two modules had slipped out of the socket during shipping. Noticed this due to the unit providing only half of the selected charge current. A couple of issues worth noting; as David mentions the unit does not have a delay feature to allow your generator to warm up. I will be adding a timing relay to do this. Also this unit would not work with economy mode on my Honda EU6500. The charger would instantly fault when the generator was attempting to throttle up. When the charger faults it looses the voltage and charge current settings. With economy mode off the unit does a great job changing my lithium batteries and eliminates the sketchy transfers that my inverter/charger produced when the generator came online. I would like to see some added features but do think the unit is very useful at a good price.

Cool project. I'd like to see an update on the house and garage. I'm buying a 100-year-old house that needs some work. I've already started on improvements. By the way, solar is definitely on the list because the roof is perfect for it. You were an inspiration for both the house and the solar. I can't give you all the credit for that, but you DEFINITELY deserve some credit. I may even try cellulose insulation in the garage. Thanks for the videos!

@DavidPozEnergy

Жыл бұрын

I'm glad my videos help in some small way.

@ChrisLhamon

Жыл бұрын

@@DavidPozEnergy Well, I just found that there appears to be no insulation at all on the exterior walls. I live in Ohio, so that's not good. I'm probably going to do a blown-in insulation, but I'm not sure I'll have time to do it myself. Either way, your insulation videos are a BIG help in my understand of that process. I'm still a little concerned about how much that cellulose settles.

I bought one of these to charge a golf cart with the SPIM08HP batteries like the one you built awhile ago. Seems ideal for that. Heavy duty, programmable at about the same price as other lithium golf cart type chargers. I’m connecting them with Anderson 175A connector so when I park it’s easy to just plug & play. Plan to power directly from Outback AC inverters or generator via transfer switch. What do you think? I’ll send update when installed. Great video!

i love how your hair is coming along, I didn't watch a lot of your vids from the time you had shaved your head so was surprised to see it :)

@DavidPozEnergy

Жыл бұрын

Thank you. It's fun not being required to have a high & tight anymore.

60 degrees Centigrade is very safe for most power electronics, although it will depend on what the temperature of the components inside the PSU is, not just the surface of the unit.

Love it. That looks nice. I would love to have one of those. That's how I use my generator the most. Just put the power into the batts. Let the inviter do it's job. Thanks for sharing. God bless.

@DavidPozEnergy

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment Bobby.

Nice charger, Runs a bit hot. Cheers

Nice charger. I wonder how long it will last? A 175 amp Anderson plug on the charger and your battery busbar would make it more useful for easy battery top-up when your solar can't keep up in winter.

This is definitely better for your batteries not to mention cheaper to replace. Generators are tough on electronics.

@VinceBadovinatz88

Жыл бұрын

I never knew all this stuff I'm glad I saw the video I haven't run my generator in awhile but it's good to know that they suck hahaha

Very cool

Hey DavidPoz. Looks like Growatt is about to launch the SPF 6000 ES Plus inverter. Would be awesoe if you could try get in contact with them and see if you can do a 1 phase/3 phase review on the units, im stoked on them because dual MPPTs.. Would be sweet to see you do a review on them like the ones you did for the 5kw units.. Keep up the nice work.

David, thanks for the review of this. I'm interested in one to pair with a j1772 on my box truck so I can charge at public ev chargers. What I can't seem to get an answer on is if the neutral is required or not for the 240v input. The J1772 standard is two hots and a ground, no neutral. Any chance you could check?

Have you looked at how to do this? I may use the 7 pin connector on the generator and rewire the internal wiring to the connector. My generator uses the same push button to start/stop the generator.

It would be awesome to see the Kw of charge through this charger per gallon of gas in the honda so perfectly matched.

David, Great video. One thing I think you forgot to mention, How long did it take for your gen to charge your battery bank ? Thank-you, Mike.

@DavidPozEnergy

Жыл бұрын

My battery bank is made of 6x EG4 batteries. Each EG4 battery is 100Ah. 6 in parallel means my whole battery bank is 600Ah. If I was at 0%SOC, and charged at the full 100A, then it would take 6 hours to charge the battery to 100%SOC. However, I don't suggest that approach. As I showed in the video, I'll be charging at 80A given my generator. And, I wouldn't wait until the batteries were dead, and I wouldn't charge all the way. It's far more typical to charge, perhaps, 40% of the total capacity in an off grid situation. That would be 600Ah*0.4/80= 3 hours.

I was hoping to see you share how it compares to using the other gen-to-battery setups, in over efficiency that is.

I am off grid with a EG4 LifePower 4 48V battery bank. I just bought the EG4 Chargeverter and I want my generator to start automatically at 47V and shut down at 52V to power the Chargeverter when solar is not enough. Signature Solar recommended using the EAZY-VLC 2.0 12V dual programmable relay control cycle delay timer. I have a Westinghouse WGEN 7500 DF generator that has a remote start. I plan on

@DavidPozEnergy

10 ай бұрын

I've never used that Voltage controller. Looks like it can work well.

i need to check if it for Eu as well

So I’m off grid and have been buying from Signature Solar. Everything has been great. Have bought one EG4 battery, has been great and a growatt inverter. If this is done correctly, that is on a off grid set up, you will be using the lower voltage instead of 240. If you built your set up to run only 110-120 v, you will be using a smaller generator. The idea is to use small generators not 240. The bigger the generator, the more gas you use. If you have a shorter charge time it maybe a better deal.

@DavidPozEnergy

Жыл бұрын

I'm less concerned with run-time, and more concerned with kWh per gallon of fuel.

The hot exhaust air blowing on the DC cables might not be great, the insulation may begin to deteriorate over time. They probably should have routed those out the same side as the AC in instead, which would solve that problem and may allow for more efficient cooling. Overall looks like a good unit, I have the lower powered, older EG4 charger, but 5kw charging paired with a 240v generator is certainly a great option to supplement solar when the weather's not great.

@Scat.original

Жыл бұрын

After rotating so exhaust is up, I would route cable to the left and anchor them to stay out ot the way of the exhaust heat

Thank you for sharing I didn't realize that when you're charging your battery through the inverter that you weren't able to invert meeting that you don't have hydro so this is a great way to do it now I'm running a 24 volt system is this offered any 24 V configuration

@DavidPozEnergy

11 ай бұрын

Signature Solar sells a few different 24V chargers. They have an 10A, 30A, and 35A. Right now the 30A is on a really good sale: signaturesolar.com/eg4-battery-charger-24v-30a/?ref=4_rHcgZ9x-TiF-

This is cool. I'm planning on buying a chinese 4kw inverter, the new EG4 500v 100A MPPT charge controller, and maybe this now! I'm getting this setup instead of a EG4 AIO because they have extremely high idle consumption around 150w which is too much for my needs.

@DavidPozEnergy

Жыл бұрын

Great. If you decide to use any of the affiliate links in the description, it would really help out the channel.

Idle loss should be readers at the input (AC) side

Alternatively you could also just rectify the 240v from the generator and feed it into a charge controller. Just have to make sure that it's within the charger max voltage. 240vac rectified is like 320vdc. This is actually how those big, tens to hundreds of kVA UPS systems work. Instead of using normal diodes they just use SCRs which are basically diodes you can switch off at the crossing point, this way they can control the output voltage and keep the batteries charged 24/7, while the inverter is always running producing clean AC I think it goes without saying that high voltage can be dangerous but is perfectly safe as long as proper safety methods are used.

I wish this charger was out a year ago! Then I'd probably grabbed it. Right now, I just use a 16-amp 48v charger a few days out of the year to keep my 50KW battery bank alive. It seems to put out around 600 watts. It runs usually for 12-18 hours whenever I need it. I've got it connected to a 20amp Wi-Fi switch currently. So, I can switch it on and off remotely from anywhere. I guess next step would be to get it to kick in automatically when my batteries are low. But I'll probably just buy a generator or run 240v grid power to my solar shed. This way I could take advantage of my dual 100amp chargers built in my Victron inverter. The huge Victron inverters utilize software that helps them use less running power. I've seen my 15KW inverter running on 90 watts before.

Give the 120v a try on the review. Wonder how well that works

just got mine set up. in alaska i have some short days, so this is something i will use for probably 3 months out of the year. i use an 8000w generac. charged my 300ah bank at 75amps, from like 60% in 1.5 hours….i’m excited about being able to run my bank lower and charge faster instead of having to top off more frequently.

@DavidPozEnergy

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, Alaska would need a pretty good generator system. Thanks for sharing.

@patrickcoyne1292

Жыл бұрын

@@DavidPozEnergy was using the 18a with a 2000w generator and it’s just to much wear and tear and time. so this unit is super helpful. i wish that it could be mounted differently. or atleast had longer leads.

David, I was wondering why you did not use your meter too vs the panel and your phone alone?

Backordered until April arrrrrrrgh!

Looks like 2 Meanwell hot-swap RCP-3K1U maybe... I made something similar for my 4kw 100v ebike

You can make something similar from a Huawei R4850G2 power supply - they are used to charge backup lithium batteries on cell towers - they used to be really cheap to buy (less than 50 bucks) but looking now they seem to be expensive now. You can also get dedicated 48v generators as well now - which avoids the need for the genny to invert to ac mains and the power supply to convert back down to dc

@andrewfidel2220

Жыл бұрын

The Huawei gear would be going up because they've been banned from the US so anything you see is new old stock.

Are the battery terminals isolated from the neutral/ground on the generator side ?

Hey David, Great Video. Could you set up the Honda as a 2 wire auto start stop function that triggers when the battery reaches a certain level? Ive been looking for a 2 wire start stop generator thats budget friendly but cant seem to find anything in the USA thats quiet and smaller. I think you could make a great separate video on this setup. Im sure you could find a good way to do this.

@DavidPozEnergy

7 ай бұрын

My Honda EU6500 doesn't go to 2-wire easily. But, the newer version is EU7000, and that one will do a 2-wire easy.

Question, if you had two generators could you run two chargers running to the same battery bank? If you only had the one charger but two generators could you use one of the GroWatt inverters as a second charger with the AC in while still powering the house?

Hey David there's a setting on the latest firmware of smartshunt to always retain the previous SOC when it loses power so no more jumping back to 100% (I always thought that was stupid).

@VinceBadovinatz88

Жыл бұрын

I totally agree. I have a feeling my shunt isn't telling me the proper SOC on my batteries either I don't know really how to set it I have to read some directions somewhere again.

David, Do you know how LOW you can set the output current? I like that this charger can hit 5,550 watts so I can use my Ear-Blaster 6500 but would normally prefer to run it with my EU2000.

David when you started your charger you turned the inverter off. Did you leave the inverter off during the 1.5 hrs of charging?

Will be working with small, non inverter generator. I use 3000 W AVR generator, and I must set on mppSolar controler about 10 Amps to start it, and then raise to 20, 30 and finaly to 40A. Maybe that charge controller have softstart.

David, thanks for the video. I enjoy your videos, nicely done. I am not sure if I am seeing the benefit of using this unit to charge a battery bank. Are you saying the new Chargeverter is more efficient at charging a battery bank than the Schneiders and/or Growatts? Both inverter brands you have will charge the battery bank, I am not seeing the benefit, I guess. Do these inverters cannibalize power to charge battery banks vs when using a gennie? I bet I am over thinking this.

@DavidPozEnergy

Жыл бұрын

Actually, the Schneider inverter is a little more efficient at charging the battery than this is. In my previous video I showed how switching the loads back and forth from generator to inverter can make the lights blink. This charger eliminates that.

Wow you've really turned into a Gilfoyle

So, you should do a show on how long it takes to charge different size battery banks at different c rates ECT. With this charger

Dear Brother David, I've been expecting this review from you, and you've not let us down. Many thanks for your menthodical, well-explained approach! Now, a request: Given that many of us off-gridders have been using "ordinary" (non-inverter) generators to charge our earlier generation (non-hybrid) systems -- mine is a Magnum 4kW 48v inverter with a Midnite Solar Classic 150 charge controller -- but now are embracing hybrid inverters, can you please kindly run this test again with any old non-inverter generator? Given that the guts of this Chargeverter come from the same Voltronics factory as the MPP Solar and EG4 hybrid inverters, it's crucial that we know the Chargeverter can accept "dirty" AC that our older inverters digested without issues. I don't want to have to buy an inverter generator to use this $400 charger! Best thanks!

@DavidPozEnergy

Жыл бұрын

If you are in MA, bring your generator by and we can test it. You are not the only person with this request. I'll ask around to my friends/family and see if someone owns an older style generator to test.

@jeffreykparker

Жыл бұрын

@@DavidPozEnergy Given that I'm on the California coast, the odds of my schlepping my genny over are slim! But I do hope someone nearby will offer one up. What about your diesel genny? Can't imagine its signal is too pristine. Thanks again!

@keything8487

Жыл бұрын

@@DavidPozEnergy id like to see that as well

@carlosmacedo6442

Жыл бұрын

My system was designed with help from the EG4 design department. Here's what they said in regards to something similar to your request: "If you wanted to use a generator to charge the batteries you would need a transfer switch to go from the grid to generator power since the inverters only have one AC input port. For a generator we recommend a generator with twice the wattage rating of your inverters. This is to account for dirty power. Dirty power tends to happen when a generator is operating at over 50% capacity and will produce voltage spikes and lulls that the inverters will not like. Since you have 13kW of inverter capacity it would take a pretty large generator. If you didn't want to buy a large generator you could use battery charger plugged into a generator." At the time, he pointed towards a different, smaller charger they had, but then the 5000 came along, so I think that it would apply as well, meaning, these battery chargers account for dirty power.

How many inches of barn corns does it weight? Liquid, Alabama type.

Big a-- charger. Thx.

What size generator gage cord for 100ft is recommended?

David, I have a question maybe you can help with. I just purchased an EG4 3000w 48V all on one inverter from SIgnature Solar and I was wondering if I can connect Redodo 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Battery (4PACK) to the EG4 all in one inverter and will the BMS communicate with the inverter? I'd like to do this because I can't afford the EG4 battery and the rediculous $285 shipping charge.

I just ordered one of these from signature solar it's supposed to be shipping in about 2 weeks.

Hello David, as always, your videos are simple but super educational. I have a question and whether you can put 2 charverters at the same time to charge the same battery bank since I have a generator that generates 15KWA and 22KWA to start and I would not like to waste time if I can do it in 1 hour it is much better than 2 hours and at the same time At the same time, it saves me energy since the generator will generate it in the same way, but it would not really be used. I would like to use the generator directly to the inverter, but the people at Signature do not recommend it because of those at Dirty Energy. Can you give me your opinion and options, thanks.

@DavidPozEnergy

Жыл бұрын

Yes. Inside the Chargeverter there are two power supplies in parallel. So, right there, it's not a problem to parallel them.

@davidpoz, i am wondering if you lose power input. Will the chargeverter retain the last setting once it gets back the power input back ? Or do you have to re configure the amp/voltage ?

@patrickcoyne1292

Жыл бұрын

mine retains the info

I just purchased one of the EG4 chargeverter, but it is showing 0.0amps on the panel and my amp meter. However, it is giving me 48v up 57v. Any suggestion what to do.

Hi David, thank you for videos. Did you try powering your loads with the inverter while charging? Thanks

@DavidPozEnergy

Жыл бұрын

No. I wanted to measure power at the shunt during the test.

@charliemorgan6553

Жыл бұрын

Thanks For your response. I Was wondering if you could power your loads from the charging power provided by the Chargeverter. I have a small gas generator, 2000 W, and this device may help me charging my batteries using my generator. I have a Schneider XW +so I have enjoy your recent videos on that inverter. Thank you again for your videos and please continue doing what you do.

@rufelestrada9791

28 күн бұрын

@DavidPozEnergy I was wondering along with Charlies' question, IF you can safely turn on your INVERTER while charging with this new device? Will all that amperage fry the Inverter? I would think not, because they are ready to accept all the amperage from the batteries/banks, no issue... Your thoughts?

How many amps does the"EG4 6.5kW Off-Grid Inverter | 6500EX-48 | 6500W Output | 8000W PV Input | 500V VOC Input" charges the batteries when hooked to a generator?

Thanks for the video. I am curious how long it would take to charge one battery with just the generator running through the inverter and then running through your new battery charger? How much of a difference in fuel consumption?

@DavidPozEnergy

Жыл бұрын

My Schneider inverter is about 93% efficient at being a charger. This new charger is about 90.5% efficient.

I have a Larger generator. I know how to get the charger do that it won't over load my generator. my question is, can you parallel 2 or more of those chargers without damaging their circuit controller or the battery controller?

What a great product. One improvement I would suggest is upgrading this charger to allow charging for 12v/24v batteries. Lots of us out there with smaller systems that would love this feature.

@mickwolf1077

Жыл бұрын

Yes, I'd like a 24v option. A selectable one would be even better.

Newbie here. I check on everything to be safe. It looks like you connected this into your bus bars. Is that correct?

With no grid this would be my preferred method for emergency charging

Wonder how this could work with a automatic generator start system