Hello everyone,
I'm looking into making an automatic start controller for my hercules se 5000 df generator (https://www.isc-gmbh.info/isc_de_en/se-5000-df-herkules-6)
Ive read a few other threads here and gotten a bit of an idea about the challenges and other obstacles surrounding the issue.
Here is some information about the project itself.
I run a small cloud hosting company, i am trying to build backup power for my main datacenter. i have a proper UPS that provides an power failure output signal and i have an automatic transfer switch for 3 phase ordered.
The generator i bought back when i got a phone call from my electrical company telling me that "In 3 days we will cut power for 72 hours for maintenance" and i did some fast research and decided to buy this one. The one thing i missed on it and did not know to look for then was automatic decompression on starting. This is done via an pull out right next to the key.
Due to this it becomes quite a lot more complicated to actually make an autostart for it.
My plan is the following so far.
1. Have an controller (what one and why is not decided as i am very limited in knowledge about programming micro controllers) that recieves an signal from the UPS.
2. have the controller actuate an solenoid that pulls out the decompression.
3. have the controller "turn" the key (Just bridge/relay the wires rather then physicly turn it) to on and start.
4. After the flywheel has spun up after roughly 10 seconds release the decompression solenoid (Decompression lever is spring loaded, one way solenoid is all that is needed)
5. Wait for 15 seconds and see if no power alarm from UPS has turned off and check generator output voltage.
If successfull the generator will run untill manually turned off as the shutdown/cooldown procedure is a bit longer and due to the automatic transfer switch there is no need to take the generator off automaticly either.
If not successfull it will return to step 2 and try again (For a limited ammount of tries.)
What i have good knowledge in is the electrical/physical aspect of the whole build. What i have close to no experience in is the controller part and hence why i am here asking you guys..
Would it be doable with an off the shelf controller from ebay? Do i need to make my own arduino project for this? and so on. Any input and sugestions would be highly valuable at this point, even if it is just to tell me that i am being stupid and it will never work and am better off buying a whole new (Kinda out of my budget) Generator that supports this.. Rough budget is about 1000 dollars but as my company is small the less the better.
Regards, Mathias W.
I'm looking into making an automatic start controller for my hercules se 5000 df generator (https://www.isc-gmbh.info/isc_de_en/se-5000-df-herkules-6)
Ive read a few other threads here and gotten a bit of an idea about the challenges and other obstacles surrounding the issue.
Here is some information about the project itself.
I run a small cloud hosting company, i am trying to build backup power for my main datacenter. i have a proper UPS that provides an power failure output signal and i have an automatic transfer switch for 3 phase ordered.
The generator i bought back when i got a phone call from my electrical company telling me that "In 3 days we will cut power for 72 hours for maintenance" and i did some fast research and decided to buy this one. The one thing i missed on it and did not know to look for then was automatic decompression on starting. This is done via an pull out right next to the key.
Due to this it becomes quite a lot more complicated to actually make an autostart for it.
My plan is the following so far.
1. Have an controller (what one and why is not decided as i am very limited in knowledge about programming micro controllers) that recieves an signal from the UPS.
2. have the controller actuate an solenoid that pulls out the decompression.
3. have the controller "turn" the key (Just bridge/relay the wires rather then physicly turn it) to on and start.
4. After the flywheel has spun up after roughly 10 seconds release the decompression solenoid (Decompression lever is spring loaded, one way solenoid is all that is needed)
5. Wait for 15 seconds and see if no power alarm from UPS has turned off and check generator output voltage.
If successfull the generator will run untill manually turned off as the shutdown/cooldown procedure is a bit longer and due to the automatic transfer switch there is no need to take the generator off automaticly either.
If not successfull it will return to step 2 and try again (For a limited ammount of tries.)
What i have good knowledge in is the electrical/physical aspect of the whole build. What i have close to no experience in is the controller part and hence why i am here asking you guys..
Would it be doable with an off the shelf controller from ebay? Do i need to make my own arduino project for this? and so on. Any input and sugestions would be highly valuable at this point, even if it is just to tell me that i am being stupid and it will never work and am better off buying a whole new (Kinda out of my budget) Generator that supports this.. Rough budget is about 1000 dollars but as my company is small the less the better.
Regards, Mathias W.
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