Install with generator

[Azazel1024]

<p style=”text-align: right;”>How should I install the Vue 2 with a generator? Should I run a 50A CT on each phase and just recognize it  won’t see the total house power, but what the generator circuits was showing would be correct for total power.

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or is setting it up like a solar install show it correctly? Or should I run the wires for the generator through the 200A CTs for the mains? I’d think the later would show incorrect power for both due to induced current in the wires even when not active by having multiple wires running through the clamp sensors.

I have a 30A dual pole breaker with an interlock to a generator hookup for a 6000w portable generator for backup power. It’s nice to be able to see what the power draw is on it. Things totaling correctly would be nice. At least displaying the power being used from the generator. The generator will not back feed to the grid. So grid power on the 200A CT will be 0 when the generator circuit is registering any power.

and of course the Vue 2 will have to reboot and reconnect for a couple of minutes when switching to generator power

 

thoughts on how to best set this up? So far the generator wires aren’t on any CT sensors, but I’ve got a pair sitting on my desk waiting to do some testing this weekend.

thank you.

[waterboyz]

The readings are cloud-based.  Unless you have access to the cloud while on the generator, you will see nothing.

If you want to see what the generator is doing you will have to buy additional equipment that is wired.

[Azazel1024]

Internet connection has generally not been an issue with the grid down. We are on fiber and the local node so far has only lost power once in 4 years. The house on the other hand has lost power long enough to run up the generator about half a dozen times. From about 15 or 20 minutes up to about 16hrs. Last house, same neighborhood, there for 7 years. Lost internet from power down only once and it fried the ONT box and no internet for a week. That was when power was down 2 days from an ice storm. Would usually lose power 1-2 times a year for 2-24hrs there.

lots of little outages from wind and what not where it flickers out for a second or three. Everything critical is on UPS.

now local data feed would be nice. But just seeing the generator output would be nice with the internet up, as past experience says 95%+ chance the internet will be up if I am on generator.

[jj613]

I also have a portable generator.  I bought a couple of extra 50A CTs (for a 30A generator).    I put them on the feed lines from the inlet box, and I leave their little plugs unplugged near the Vue2.    When I run the generator, which anyway necessitates going down to the panel to flick switches, I unplug the A/B mains plugs from the Utility CTs and plug in the two from the Generator.

If you have a supply-side interlock switch that will work nicely.   I have a load-side transfer switch so there are some additional complications I won’t mention here.

In order to do this easily, I put the Vue2 in a separate box, connected to the panel by metal conduit, with all the CT leads running to it.  The separate box has a hinged door so it’s easy to open and switch the CTs.

Obviously the Vue2 needs Wifi and internet *while on generator* and in most cases, after the fridge and sump pumps, that’ll be the first thing you think about 🙂  However, if an errant car or tree takes out your ISP along with your power, the Vue2 will be a brick til its Wifi comes back.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 8 months ago by jj613.

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