Replacement 15 Kva alternator

[solarman216]

As said, old unit suffered a control box fire which required a complete replacement alternator, sounds easy enough until you understand that the old one was automatic and could be started from any place in the yard with a two wire switch, I needed to keep this arrangement for ease of use by none understanding people, so how do you with a two wire switch from any location start up a diesel gen set?

Bearing in mind that you first need to enable the fuel, then operate the starter and stop it once the engine has fired, but it does not stop there, you now need to only connect the alternator once the engine has got up to speed, then on shut down you need to disconnect the alternator from the load first, all of which will fry the automatic voltage controller if not done correctly, not a big deal on a modern cheap genny as they are cheap and available, but my 1970 kit not so easy.

I have sorted it but your thoughts on a post card please, Rick

[panelbeater]

bit of a headache there rick,sorry its beyond me but a good electrician should be helpful.

[jims-terrano]

So am I right in thinking you are wanting to remote start a generator from pretty much anywhere on your property?

How about this little gadget, a GSM Relay that you control by text message.
https://www.gsm-uk.net/shop
This website is the company that I have used a few times before. Ive used the 4 channel version. You can get the relays to turn on or pulse like a momentary push switch.
The owner of the business is really helpful.
I got a sim card from a company called 1penny mobile, £30 a year works for me and because the sim has credit you can set the relay to text you back to confirm it has received your instructions.

[solarman216]

Yes Jim that is correct, we had that before with the original gen set and it was all controlled by the system on the alternator ( google Lister start O matic) for a full description, but now of course I have just an engine driving an alternator and needed to use the existing hard wired switches from most of the buildings in the yard that have a generator supply (7) all are simply two wires.

I have purchased an auto generator start control but it did not quite cut the mustard, so pulled it to bits and did some mods, now it works well, but does not address the connection/disconnection of the loads at start-up and shutdown, but with a couple more bits and bobs have sorted this, well on paper anyway, as I get into it properly next week if you are interested I will post some pics and details, Rick

[jims-terrano]

Always interesting to hear about your off grid setup Rick

[solarman216]

Thanks Jim, only times I ran the genny from April to September was for the vehicle hoist and welder, solar provided for everything else including the washing machines and also the chainsaw for cutting logs as have now got a battery powered jobbie, charged by solar, pics next week, Rick

[solarman216]

Busy on other jobs today but just done a schematic of the wiring, here it is.

[solarman216]

And this is the auto start box layout, I will not be using much of it as not applicable to my old Lister, Rick

[solarman216]

Added 8 more solar panels today, pic tomorrow as got dark just as we finished, Rick

[solarman216]

Just had a count up from earlier pics, makes 38 so far, more to come, this is what stores my power Li that is, being reconfigured due to needed more space for 14 more cells due in the new year, the old lead acid are getting tired now so will be weighing them in before long, around a tonne of lead, Rick

[jims-terrano]

Thats an impressive setup Rick, definitely better than my little Solar setup.

[solarman216]

Here are a couple of the many cables needed to connect the banks together via heavy duty switches, I now crimp the terminals with the workshop bench vice after making a Die to suite, much quicker than solder

[solarman216]

Close up of the crimp

[solarman216]

Latest solar addition

[solarman216]

Revamp of the solar terminations and controllers, this is just for the Li cells the Lead Acid are still as was, will be getting on with more tomorrow, Rick

[solarman216]

Had a bit of a set back today, upon trying to insert a new solar cable into the newest inverter, found it would not go, in the end had to un wire it and take it off the wall to find out why, upon stripping the whole thing apart, found that the sliding shoe had welded itself to the plastic so although I was able to remove the wire, 10mm2 no way could I re enter it without opening the aperture which of course I could not do, so unsoldered it from the board, cut the redundant plastic away, cleaned it up and re fitted to the board, so all good again but a day wasted.

Was hoping to have a day out at Slindon on Sunday but not sure I can spare the time now, see what tomorrow brings, Rick

[solarman216]

Seems they have moved it to the 27th Wednesday which suites me to a T, I will be there, Rick

[jims-terrano]

You have been busy Rick.
Hope you and Mags have a great Christmas and enjoy playing in the mud.