Im looking at expanding my Apex 300 solution using the A1 hub for whole home backup. Im currently using a small inverter generator to charge my Apex during power outages. In my future plan, I will setup a sub-panel with my essential circuits and connect it to my Apex bank using the A1, which will connect back to my main feed to power when the batteries and sub-panel when power is normal.
My question comes in as this, how do I charge the Apex bank using my generator during a power outage? Will I need to upsize my generator to have the head room to charge the batteries AND float the load to the sub-panel? Where in the setup does my generator input plug live? Thanks in advance for any help!
Thank you for your inquiry! Here are the instructions for charging the Apex battery pack with a generator:
When there’s a power outage, how can I charge the Apex battery pack using a generator?
Connect to the charging port using the AC charging cable. If the generator’s power is insufficient, please adjust the maximum input current on Hub A1 according to the generator’s maximum output current to avoid overloading the generator.
When there is AC power input and the unit is in standard UPS mode:
If the generator’s power exceeds the load power, it will prioritize bypassing the load, with the remaining power charging the battery. Otherwise, both the generator and the APEX300 battery will output power to supply the load.
If you have any further questions or need assistance, feel free to ask!
So to clarify, as long as I adjust the A1 Hub’s input current, the Apex units and the Hub will absorb amperage spikes in the power draw and the generator will not over load? So, once the draw spike lessens and total output no longer exceeds the generators input, it will recharge the batteries?
Is there any issue charging through the A1 Hub if I have it wired for 240V 50A input for grid charging, but Im connecting it to a 120V 30A generator using an adaptor?
You are correct. I have done this myself. Just be sure to use an inverter generator with low distortion and adjust the A1 Hub’s input current so as to not overload the generator. I would recommend setting it no higher than 80% of the generator’s capacity since they aren’t designed to continuously output at 100% for long periods of time.
In that configuration, input power from the generator is 120V but output from Apex 300 via A1 hub is 240V to the sub panel to power 240V devices. Does this work with no problems?
Yes, the ability to charge with 120V and power a 240V split phase load is one of the main features of the Apex 300/Hub A1 (US version.) This will be less efficient than using a 240V generator since the Apex 300 will have to power at least one of the 240V lines from its inverter.