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

--- ccgx:generator_start_stop [2019-01-22 10:16] – external edit 127.0.0.1
+++ ccgx:generator_start_stop [2021-02-05 08:58] (current) – mvader
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-====== Generator auto start/stop on CCGX and Venus GX ======
+The content of this page has moved to the various GX manuals.
-===== 1. Introduction =====
-An internal relay on a [[venus-os:start|Venus-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.
-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.
-Wiring between the CCGX/Venus GX needs to be 'permanent' in order for the generator to keep running; and also to allow automatic 'Stop' when the parameters for auto-stop have been met.
-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|]].
-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.
-===== 2. Enabling the start/stop function =====
-Go to: Setttings -> Relay and set the //Function// options to "Generator start/stop"\\
-===Relay===
-{{:ccgx:startstop-relay.png?300|}}
-Now that has been enabled, all the settings pertaining to the //Automatic Generator Start/Stop// function will be found in the main Menu under: Settings -> Generator start and stop.\\
-===Fischer Panda Generators===
-  - Enable the "AutoStart" function in the Fischer Panda generator control panel.
-  - Go to the Fischer Panda genset page and set the //Mode// setting to "Auto start/stop"\\
-Once the Mode is set, all settings will become available under the Auto start/stop menu entry at the bottom of the page.\\
-{{:ccgx:startstop-fischerpanda.png?300|}}
-===== 3. Generator start/stop - Main page=====
-From the Main Menu select Settings > Generator start/stop:
-{{:ccgx:startstop-mainpage.png?300|}}
-  * **Generator state**: Current status of the generator.
-  * **Error**: Error description.
-  * **Runtime**: Generator run-time since last start.
-  * **Total run time**: Accumulated running time since the first start.
-  * **Time to next test run**: When the 'test run' option is enabled this item shows the time remaining until the next test run.
-  * **Daily runtime**: Running time history for the last 30 days.
-  * **Settings**: This is the gateway to all other features.
-===== 4. Settings =====
-{{:ccgx:startstop-settings.png?300|}}
-  * **Conditions**: See [[#Conditions|Conditions]]
-  * **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.
-  * **Quiet hours**: See [[#Quiet hours|Quiet hours]]
-  * **Reset daily run time counters**: Resets the 30 day run-time history.
-  * **Generator total run time**: Reset, or modify, the total run-time hours.
-===== 5. Conditions: User-definable parameters which trigger a generator auto-start. =====
-To get to //Conditions// from the main menu go to: Settings -> Generator start and stop -> Settings -> Conditions\\
-{{:ccgx:startstop-conditions.png?300|}}
-* **Battery monitor**: Select how the battery will be monitored - if at all. The battery monitor data will be used for DC-related conditions.
-* **On loss of communication**: If ever there is a communication breakdown between the CCGX/Venus GX and the selected battery monitor, and/or VE. Bus inverter/charger; and parameters have been set which depend on this information - choose between the following actions:
-    * **Stop the generator**: If the generator is running, it will be stopped. (default)
-    * **Start the generator**: If the generator is not running, it will be started.
-    * **Keep running**: If the generator is running at the time of data loss this setting will keep it running.
-* **Do not run genset when AC 1 is in use**: This option is ideal for back-up systems where a Quattro has mains/grid electricity connected to its //AC-in 1// terminal, and a Genset connected to its //AC-in 2// terminal. With this option enabled, the Genset will only start after a mains failure. And where a mains failure has occurred, the Genset will automatically be stopped again as soon as mains power is restored. This functionality is not available for VE.Can connected Quattros.
-=== The following parameters may be user-defined to trigger an automatic Generator start/stop: ===
-  * Manual
-  * State of charge (SOC)
-  * AC load *
-  * Battery current
-  * Battery voltage
-  * Inverter high temperature
-  * Inverter overload
-  * Periodic test run
-(* The value measured here will be the total AC consumption of the system.)\\
-Condition-parameters are prioritized in the order shown above. When a number of conditions are reached at the same time, only the highest-priority condition will be shown as active.
-All enabled conditions will be evaluated - even if the generator is already running. When the active condition has been satisfied, an un-met parameter in a lower-priority condition will keep the generator running.
-=== Relays triggered by Battery SOC ===
-  ***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:** 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 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 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.
-  ***Stop when battery current is lower than:** Set the current for auto-stop.
-  ***Stop value during quiet hours:** If [[#Quiet hours|Quiet hours]] has been defined, set a higher current level to achieve shorter generator run-times.
-  ***Stop after condition is reached for:** Set a delay to ensure that the current-reduction condition is stable.
-=== Relays triggered by Battery Voltage ===
-{{:ccgx:startstop-conditionsettings.png?300|}}
-  * **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 [[#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 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.
-  * **Stop value during quiet hours**: During [[#Quiet hours|Quiet hours]] it may be desirable to auto-stop the generator sooner. Enter a lower battery voltage value than the one above.
-  * ** 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.
-The //Measurement// setting is available on firmware v2.0 and later and has three possible values:
-  * **Total consumption** (Default option)
-  * **Inverter total AC out**
-  * **Inverter AC out highest phase**
-{{:ccgx:startstop-acload-condition.png?300|}}
-{{:ccgx:startstop-acload-measurement.png?300|}}
-=== Relays triggered by Inverter High temperature ===
-  ***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.
-=== Relays triggered by Inverter overload ===
-  ***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 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.
-=== Automatic periodic 'Test run' ===
-This feature allows automatic generator starts, periodically, as a 'test run'.\\
-{{:ccgx:startstop-testrun.png?300|}}
-  * **Test run interval**: Set the interval between test runs.
-  * **Skip test run if has been running for**: The test will be skipped if during the test run interval the generator ran for at least as long as it would on a 'test run'.
-  * **Test interval start date**: The 'test run' interval counter will start from the date entered here. No test runs will be carried out until the date set here has been reached.
-  * **Start time**: Time of day at which the generator 'test run' will commence.
-  * **Test duration**: Duration of the test.
-  * **Run until battery is fully charged**: Enabling this feature will cause the 'test run' to continue until the battery is fully charged - instead of for a fixed amount of time.
-=== 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.
-There are two ways to start the generator manually:
-  * **Using the Manual start menu**: Go to: Generator start and stop -> Manual start; and then toggle the graphic to start the generator.
-  * **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|}}
-{{:ccgx:startstop-pages.png?300|}}
-{{:ccgx:startstop-pagestimer.png?300|}}
-{{:ccgx:startstop-pagescountdown.png?300|}}
-{{: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.
-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.
-=== 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.
-From the main menu go to: Settings -> Generator start/stop -> Settings; and then
-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" 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' whenever the house is empty.
-===== 6. Troubleshooting =====
-=== Fischer Panda: Generator does not start and "Remote switch control disabled" error is shown ===
-Enable the "AutoStart" function in the Fischer Panda control panel.
-===Fischer Panda: Auto start/stop function has stopped working after an error===
-Make sure that the issue is solved, then clear the error, and the auto start/stop function will work again.
-===== DISQUS =====
-~~DISQUS~~
+Please go to your product on our [[https://www.victronenergy.com/panel-systems-remote-monitoring|Panels and system monitoring page]], there open the manual and then go to the Generator start/stop chapter.