EG4 › Problems
EG4 inverter won't charge from the generator, or misbehaves when it runs
The EG4 inverter won't charge the batteries from the generator, or faults or misbehaves while the generator runs. This page covers what the lights and codes mean, what to check first, and the causes behind it.
What the lights mean
| What you see | What it means |
|---|---|
| Generator breaker light green on a 6000XP or 12000XP | Green means the breaker is open, so the circuit is off. Red means it is closed and live. |
| Fault and warning light after a second inverter is added to a GridBOSS system | Nothing is broken. The inverters see each other but have not synced, so nothing outputs until their parallel and GridBOSS settings are made. |
| Chargeverter shows Charge Verter 1 | The generator's cool-down period after charging stops, roughly 2 to 4 minutes, before the generator is told to shut off. Charge Verter 0 is normal operation. |
Error codes that go with this problem
| Code | What it means |
|---|---|
| Para Gen in Accord (often written Para Gen unAccord) | Inconsistent generator connection in a parallel system: some inverters are connected to the generator and some are not. |
| Para Phase set error | The phase is set wrong in a parallel system. It clears once the system detects the phase order after correct wiring. |
| W015 on a GridBOSS (MIDBOX_WARNING_015) | Generator frequency outside 45 to 60Hz, or generator voltage outside the set Grid Volt Limit 3 window. It has also been logged on a GridBOSS with no generator connected. |
What to check first
- On a 6000XP or 12000XP, look at the generator breaker light. Green means the breaker is open and the circuit is off; red means it is closed and live.
- Note whether the generator powers the loads but the battery gets no charge current.
- On a 6000EX or 6000XP, ask the installer whether the generator supplies both 120 volt legs to the AC input. These inverters need both legs there to accept AC charging.
- Add the house load to the charger's draw and divide by 0.6. If the generator's nameplate rating is below that, it is being run past the point where its power quality holds up.
- Note whether lights pulse while the generator feeds the inverter.
- Before contacting EG4, write down the inverter, battery and generator models. EG4 needs them to work out why a generator shuts off.
Safety. A generator loaded past about 60% of its nameplate rating, or about 50% on a cheaper 5000 to 6000 W unit, loses its power quality, and that damages electronics connected to it.
The causes and the fixes
Partners see the causes behind this problem, most common first, the checks that tell them apart, and the fix for each, with part numbers and recent prices when a part is involved.