Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- ccgx:generator_start_stop [2018-03-22 12:04] – [4. Settings] justin_tyers_live_a_c
+++ ccgx:generator_start_stop [2020-09-29 15:00] – [5. Settings] mvader
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-====== Generator auto start/stop on CCGX and Venus GX ======
+====== GX - Generator auto start/stop ======
 ===== 1. Introduction =====
-An internal relay on the [[https://www.victronenergy.com/panel-systems-remote-monitoring/color-control|CCGX]]/[[https://www.victronenergy.com/panel-systems-remote-monitoring/venus-gx|Venus GX]] can be used to automatically start and stop a generator. This relay - or switch - can be 'tripped' by a number of user-defined conditions. This manual will explain what conditions are available to you; and it will guide you through the steps required to set-up this useful functionality.
+An internal relay on a [[venus-os:start|GX device]] (eg [[https://www.victronenergy.com/panel-systems-remote-monitoring/color-control|CCGX]]/[[https://www.victronenergy.com/panel-systems-remote-monitoring/venus-gx|Venus GX]]) can be used to automatically start and stop a generator. This relay - or switch - can be 'tripped' by a number of user-defined conditions. This manual will explain what conditions are available to you; and it will guide you through the steps required to set-up this useful functionality.
+This is one of the available options to automatically start and stop a generator. See the [[auto-generator-start-stop:start|]] document for an overview of all options. More general information about  using a generator in combination with Victron is available [[:multiplus_faq|here]].
+===== 2. Wiring =====
 Firstly, wire the relay to a genset. The relay is located on the back of the CCGX - marked //Relay//. If using a Venus GX, two relays will be seen at the bottom of the unit - only //Relay 1// can be used for the generator automatic start/stop functionality.
@@ Line 11: / Line 14: @@
 Besides driving the internal relay, the auto start/stop functionality can be also enabled to directly control supported Fischer Panda generators. For more information on how to connect Fischer Panda generators, see [[ccgx:fischer_panda|]].
-===== 2. Enabling the start/stop function =====
+There are many variations on the generator side for wiring and you should also consult your generator manual or supplier regarding their remote wire start configuration.
+===== 3. Enabling the start/stop function =====
 Go to: Setttings -> Relay and set the //Function// options to "Generator start/stop"\\
@@ Line 30: / Line 35: @@
 {{:ccgx:startstop-fischerpanda.png?300|}}
-===== 3. Generator start/stop - Main page=====
+===== 4. Generator start/stop - Main page=====
 From the Main Menu select Settings > Generator start/stop:
@@ Line 50: / Line 55: @@
   * **Settings**: This is the gateway to all other features.
-===== 4. Settings =====
+===== 5. Settings =====
 {{:ccgx:startstop-settings.png?300|}}
@@ Line 57: / Line 62: @@
   * **Minimum run time**: It's good practice for a generator, once started, to be allowed to reach its operating temperature. When started manually this setting is ignored.
-  * **Detect generator at AC input**: Enabling this feature will sound an alarm whenever power is //not// detected at the AC input terminal of the Inverter/Charger. This function will bring attention to a wide variety of problems; such as lack of fuel, or a mechanical or electrical fault at the generator. This functionality is not available for VE.Can connected Multi/Quattro.
+  * **Detect generator at AC input**: Enabling this feature will raise an alarm on the GX device, as well as trigger an alarm email from the VRM portal(1), whenever power is //not// detected at the AC input terminal of the Inverter/Charger while the generator is (or was) supposed to be running. The purpose of this function is to bring attention to a wide variety of problems; such as lack of fuel, a mechanical or electrical fault at the generator or a tripped breaker. This functionality is not available for VE.Can connected Multi/Quattro. (1) requires automatic alarm monitoring on VRM to be enabled. Which it is by default.
   * **Quiet hours**: See [[#Quiet hours|Quiet hours]]
@@ Line 64: / Line 69: @@
   * **Generator total run time**: Reset, or modify, the total run-time hours.
-===== 5. Conditions =====
+===== 6. Conditions: User-definable parameters which trigger a generator auto-start. =====
-To get to //Conditions// from the main menu: Setting -> Generator start and stop -> Settings -> Conditions\\
+To get to //Conditions// from the main menu go to: Settings -> Generator start and stop -> Settings -> Conditions\\
 {{:ccgx:startstop-conditions.png?300|}}
@@ Line 100: / Line 105: @@
   ***Use Battery SOC value to start/stop:** Toggle this feature on or off.
   ***Start when Battery SOC is lower than:** Set the depletion level for auto-start.
-  ***Start value during quiet hours:** If [[#Quiet hours|Quiet hours]] has been defined, set a lower, more critical, autostart level.
+  ***Start value during quiet hours:** During [[#Quiet hours|Quiet hours]] it may be desirable to delay an auto-start until it really can't be avoided. If //Quiet hours// has been defined, set a lower, more critical, autostart level.
   ***Stop when Battery SOC is higher than:** Set the recharge level for auto-stop.
   ***Stop value during quiet hours:** If [[#Quiet hours|Quiet hours]] has been defined, set a lower auto-stop level to achieve a shorter generator run-time.
-  *
 === Relays triggered by Battery Current ===
-  ***Use Battery current value to start/stop:** Toggle this feature on and off.
+  ***Use Battery current value to start/stop:** Toggle this feature on or off.
-  ***Start when Battery current is higher than:** When a high AC demand is experienced which will soon exhaust the battery, the generator can be auto-started to assist in meeting the demand. Set the current level at which this will occur.
+  ***Start when Battery current is higher than:** When a high AC demand is experienced which will soon exhaust the battery, the generator can be auto-started to assist in meeting that demand. Set the current-level at which this will occur.
   ***Start value during quiet hours:** If [[#Quiet hours|Quiet hours]] has been defined, set a higher, more critical current value.
   ***Start after condition is reached for:** Set a delay before auto-start. Some AC device will draw a short-term, high-peak current on start-up. Instigating a delay before auto-start will avoid starting the generator unnecessarily.
@@ Line 115: / Line 120: @@
 === Relays triggered by Battery Voltage ===
 {{:ccgx:startstop-conditionsettings.png?300|}}
-  * **Use battery voltage value to start/stop**: Enables/disables the battery voltage settings.
+  * **Use battery voltage value to start/stop**: Toggle the feature on or off.
   * **Start when battery voltage is lower than**: When battery voltage falls below the value entered the relay will start the generator.
-  * **Start value during quiet hours**: If the [[#Quiet_hours|Quiet hours]] mode is active a lower (more critical) value can be entered here.
+  * **Start value during quiet hours**: If [[#Quiet_hours|Quiet hours]] has been defined enter a lower (more critical) value to ensure the generator will only auto-start when absolutely necessary.
-  * ** Start after the condition is reached for**: This function allows the user to build in a delay between the above condition being met and a generator auto-start being triggered. The importance of this is that a sudden but temporary high AC demand will cause an equally sudden drop in battery voltage. This drop //may// be temporary - in which case a generator start is not required. But if the condition endures for a longer period of time than the value entered here, the generator will be started.
+  * ** Start after the condition is reached for**: This function allows the user to build-in a delay between the auto-start condition being met and an auto-start being triggered. The importance of this is that a sudden but temporary high AC demand will cause an equally sudden drop in battery voltage. This drop //may// be temporary - in which case a generator start is not required. But if the condition endures for a longer period of time than the value entered here, the generator will be started.
   * **Stop when battery voltage is higher than**:  When battery voltage rises above the value entered the relay will stop the generator.
@@ Line 131: / Line 138: @@
   * ** Stop after the condition is reached for**: This feature builds in a delay before stopping the generator after the 'stop' value has been reached. This is to make sure that the voltage rise is stable.
-  *
 === Relays triggered by AC load  ===
-AC load triggers work similarly to other triggers but the feature is refined by a "Measurement" setting.
+AC load triggers work similarly to other triggers but the feature is refined by a //Measurement// setting.
-The "Measurement" setting is available on firmware v2.0 and later and has three possible values:
+The //Measurement// setting is available on firmware v2.0 and later and has three possible values:
   * **Total consumption** (Default option)
   * **Inverter total AC out**
@@ Line 146: / Line 153: @@
 === Relays triggered by Inverter High temperature ===
-  ***Start on high temperature warning:** Toggle this feature on and off.
+  ***Start on high temperature warning:** Toggle this feature on or off.
   ***Start when warning is active for:** Set a delay to avoid temperature rises which are temporary, caused by brief high AC demands.
   ***When warning is cleared stop after:** Set a delay to ensure that a reduction in inverter temperature - usually caused by lower power demand - is stable.
@@ Line 153: / Line 160: @@
 === Relays triggered by Inverter overload ===
-  ***Start on overload warning:** Toggle this feature on and off.
+  ***Start on overload warning:** Toggle this feature on or off.
-  ***Start when warning is active for:** Set a delay to ensure that the inverter overload warning has not been triggered by a high-demand of short duration.
+  ***Start when warning is active for:** Set a delay to ensure that the inverter overload warning has not been triggered by a high-demand of AC power of only short duration.
   ***When warning is cleared stop after:** Set a delay to ensure that the reduction in AC power demand is stable.
@@ Line 176: / Line 183: @@
-=== Manual start Feature ===
+=== Manual-Start Feature ===
-Use the manual start feature to remotely start the generator. You can also implement this feature when the generator is already running - doing so will ensure that the generator won't automatically stop when the condition which caused it to start has been satisfied. In other words, the manual start feature will override the auto-stop parameters.
+Use the //Manual start// feature to remotely start the generator. You can also press Start when the generator is already running - doing so will ensure that the generator won't automatically stop when the condition which caused it to start has been satisfied. In other words, the //Manual start// feature will override the auto-stop parameters.
 There are two ways to start the generator manually:
-  * **Using menu**: Go to Generator start and stop -> Manual start; and then toggle the graphic to start the generator.
+  * **Using the Manual start menu**: Go to: Generator start and stop -> Manual start; and then toggle the graphic to start the generator.
-  * **Using generator page**: Press the top-left button on the CCGX or remote consul to engage the //Generator// page. Then press the center button. You must first choose how you wish to //stop// the generator - manually, or by entering a run-time. Once you've made your selection a five-second countdown will begin during which you can //abort//  the manual-start by pressing the center button.
+  * **Using the GX 'Home page' Generator graphic**: Press the top-left button on the CCGX, or Venus GX remote console and engage the //Generator// page. Then press the center button. You must first choose how you wish to //stop// the generator - manually, or by entering a run-time. Once you've made your selection a five-second countdown will begin during which you can //abort//  the manual-start by pressing the center button.
 {{:ccgx:startstop-manual.png?300|}}
@@ Line 191: / Line 198: @@
 {{:ccgx:startstop-pagesstarted.png?300|}}
-**WARNING:** If the generator is started manually (remotely) without using the stop timer, it will run until the 'Off' button has also been manually toggled by the user.
+**WARNING:** If the generator is started manually (remotely) without using the stop timer, it will run until the 'Off' button has also been manually toggled.
-The stop timer is available to both methods of manually remote-starting the generator, and using it will ensures that the generator will auto-stop.
+The stop timer is available to both methods of manually remote-starting the generator, and using it will ensure that the generator will auto-stop ...and will not be inadvertently forgotten.
+Note that stopping the generator manually can only be achieved when no un-met 'run' condition is active. If you wish to force a generator-stop you must first disable the function which is keeping it running - or disable the //Generator start and stop// function.
-Note that stopping the generator manually can only be achieved when no unmet 'run' condition is active. If you wish to force a generator-stop you must first disable the function which is keeping it running - or disable the //Generator start and stop// function.
 === Quiet hours ===
 {{:ccgx:startstop-quiethours.png?300|}}
-//Quiet hours// allows you to define a period during which the noise from a running generator would be a nuisance; and to set different values to the conditions which would cause an auto start during this period - thus ensuring that the generator will only start during a quiet period when it is absolutely necessary.
+//Quiet hours// allows you to define a period during which the noise from a running generator would be a nuisance; and to set different values to the conditions which would cause an auto-start during this period - thus ensuring that the generator will only start during a quiet period when it is absolutely necessary.
-From the main menu go to: Settings -> Generator start/stop -> Settings
+From the main menu go to: Settings -> Generator start/stop -> Settings; and then
-Toggle the //Quiet hours// feature, and the define the Quiet time start/end times in the boxes which appear below.
+toggle-on the //Quiet hours// feature. Define the //Quiet hours// start- and end- times in the boxes which appear below.
 //Quiet hours// will become the permanent condition (when enabled) if the defined 'start' and 'stop' times are the same.
-=== Using "Quiet hours" to define two sets of user-preferences ===
+=== Using "Quiet hours" as a tool to define two sets of user-preferences ===
 Alternatively, the "Quiet hours" feature can be used to define how you wish your system to respond to different circumstances - for example:
   * **Early morning/low SOC**: Battery SOC is often lowest in the morning. Couple this with cloudy weather first thing - or panels which have a westerly bias, and which tend to do better in the afternoon; and you have a circumstance where the generator may auto-start in the morning triggered by a low battery SOC condition - yet later on when the day brightens the solar energy is wasted because the work has already been done by the generator. Setting the //Quiet hours// feature to cover this period, together with lower auto-start conditions, will help to avoid unnecessary generator auto-starts.
-  * **Holiday home**: Holiday homes which are only inhabited part-time experience much deeper power-draws when they are in use. The //Quiet hours// feature can be used to set much lower auto-start parameters when the house is in use, than when it is empty. Quiet hours should be set to be the permanent condition (See above) during occupation and the //Quiet hours// feature can be toggled off whilst the house is empty.
+  * **Holiday home**: Holiday homes which are only inhabited part-time experience much deeper power-draws when they are in use. The //Quiet hours// feature can be used to set much lower auto-start parameters when the house is in use, than when it is empty. Quiet hours should be set to be the //permanent condition// (See above) during occupation; and the //Quiet hours// feature can be toggled 'off' whenever the house is empty.
-===== 6. Troubleshooting =====
+===== 7. Troubleshooting =====
 === Fischer Panda: Generator does not start and "Remote switch control disabled" error is shown ===
@@ Line 222: / Line 230: @@
-==== DISQUS ====
+===== DISQUS =====
 ~~DISQUS~~