Generator sometimes does not stop when reaching SOC stop condition

Q&A and troubleshooting
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1

I have an off-grid domestic system using Victron Color Controller GX, Inverters and Battery Monitor. Recently, and intermittently, the Generator does not stop when reaching the SOC condition (90% charged). The Color Control screen shows ‘Generator Not Running’ but the auto-start does not switch off until I manually power down the whole system. I would like to seek technical advice on how to resolve this. The generator was unused for several months during summer while solar was high, so I suspected the power relay could be sticking, but changing the relay did not resolve the issue

2

Hello @ayouard , Interesting issue. Does the generator get controlled via the Auto start relay or is it a CANBus type connection? What type of generator is it? If it is controlled by the auto start relay, what is the interface between the generator and the relay?

3

Hi
It’s managed by autostart with a direct cable connection from the CCGX and is a Stephill generator. Since writing this I’ve been told the reason is probably an equalisation sequence which should happen periodically. Having then allowed the system to continue running through the SOC limit it ran for about 6 hours and nearly all the time at absorption rates despite being at 100% charge for most of the time. After that extra time it switched to Float and then shut down, which does support the equalisation theory
However, the CCGX showed ‘Generator not running’ for all the time after the SOC upper limit and I cannot find any configuration or history to do with equalisation apart from a Quattro menu option to start equalisation.
So I’m now less concerned but still feel a little bit in the dark!

4

@ayouard if the generator conditions for starting and stopping are the battery SOC any other functions should not make any difference. My question related to the nature of the cable between the CerbogX and the generator. Is it a simple relay connection or is it CanBus? We sometimes use one of these if it is a simple relay connection which allows us to set the duration of start pulses and stop pulses to suit the generator. Victron CerboGx Generator Interface - Sieltec

Anyway, good luck with finding the problem as it sounds like an annoying issue.