Hi I have added an easysolar gx 2 48/5000/70 with solar array and battery storage to an off grid system, previously and currently powered by a 6kva diesel generator.
I want to be able to use the diesel generator both for charging the batteries and back up power.
Using the DB that the diesel generator and all circuits are connected to I have created 2 new circuits both with 40amp bi-direction rcbos. One to the ac in of the easy solar, the other to ac out 1 from the easy solar.
The easy solar accepts the ac in from the diesel generator, but when I try to turn on the ac out, at the rcbo in the DB, it trips the diesel generator. Both at the DB rcbo and the diesel generator’s own rcd.
Os this caused by a conflict in the AC being generated by the diesel generator and the inverter. Or have I wired it incorrectly? Is it possible, somehow, for this configuration to work? Or will I have to fit a switch to ensure that both the diesel generator and the out put ac of the easy solar can’t be energising the power circuits simultaneously?
First check to see if you have neutral- earth links in the generator or the DB.
A link in the generator is permitted, but not in the DB.
The Multiplus will do a neutral earth link in invert mode, but clear this when the gen is running.
No RCBO should be used upstream of a Neutral earth link, so replace the RCBO between the multi and the gen with a standard breaker, and just keep the RCBO after the multiplus.
Hi @JulesJBrown Many times when an inverter like the Victron EasySolar GX is connected to a diesel generator, RCD or RCBO tripping is related to the neutral-earth configuration rather than a direct conflict between the generator and inverter AC output. In many off-grid systems the generator already has its own neutral-to-earth bond, while the inverter can also create a bonding relay internally when operating in inverter mode. If both are active at the same time, it may cause the RCD/RCBO to detect an imbalance and trip immediately. It may be worth checking the generator’s grounding scheme and how the neutral and earth are referenced in the distribution board. Proper Solar bonding and grounding is important in hybrid systems where generators, inverters, and solar chargers are combined. Victron systems usually expect a single neutral-earth bonding point depending on whether the unit is in inverter mode or pass-through mode. Reviewing the wiring diagram for AC-in and AC-out, and verifying the grounding arrangement, can often resolve these tripping issues. You may also want to confirm that the AC-out circuits are isolated correctly from the generator supply and that only one neutral-earth bonding point exists in the system.