Guru
Joined: 21/06/2018
Location: AustraliaPosts: 1285
| Posted: 03:56pm 15 Jul 2024 |
Sorry for the delayed response but I needed to find and refuel the flame thrower first
Remember that guy on here that really wanted to use the KISS principle well I have come to adopt that to a degree and it is quite sound. Just because we can do something doesn't always mean we should do it - I do often try to second guess myself and question why am I doing this as an ongoing self check.
I do not really regard two Power Boards & Toroids as 2 x 6kW inverters I look at it as a 12KW inverter. As such I want to sum the outputs to have a common current output reading and voltage reading. Given that the Kilovac can switch 500A @ 900V I consider that it can briefly pass much greater than 500A which already is 25kW for start surges etc. Rather than have 2 Kilovacs, for simplicity and ease of determining contact/voltage drop issues I believe 1 is quite adequate.
I created a suite of PCBs that are kind of plug and play and can meet the requirements that were intended from them, as is without (too many) modifications required. If anyone wants to extend on these and roll a new controller with new features and software I am fine with that and offer my best wishes in their endeavours. But for my own perspective I need to draw a line somewhere and call it finished & where we are at the moment is essentially it (for me anyway). Also I prefer to help with something that I understand and not a Heath Robinson contraption that someone has comprehensively modified from my original and then wants help with problem solving or adding more bells and whistles.
I am still considering one last PCB that will mop up a few things such as DC input current monitoring with actual and peak readings, a method to monitor the output current and bring in the second Power Board & Toroid when the Power requirements exceed say 5 or 6 kW. This will not involve any High current DC switching, rather the second Bridge is always powered but the optical drive and Toroidal AC outputs are controlled with a soft start on the second toroid but from the 240V side not a primary soft start. IE soft start the second toroid from the mains on the first and then bridge the outputs and bring on the optical drive to make the extra power. Yes kind of 2 x 6kW inverters or maybe looked at as a 12KW unit with 2 stage power delivery and reduced idle Power for lighter loads.
This project has burned me out a bit and I still need to build a finished final proper inverter and Variac for my own usage, so I will soon be taking a bit of a back step from the BS for a while, and there are also more imminent holiday plans etc in the wind. I'm still happy to answer questions and help with issues but a bit (lot?) less proactive whilst I recharge and finish some other home projects. Cpoc essentially has driven the high power inverter stage requirement so once he is underway and I send him some stuff to make his inverter, time for a rest.
Edited 2024-07-16 02:05 by wiseguy