Milbank SynapSwitch ATS commissioning

[SceneryDriver]

I'm commissioning a Milbank SynapSwitch ATS and generator. Installation was easy, and transfer to/from is working properly.

I have two loads in the house set up for load management; there is apparently a "First Run (Learning Function)" feature in the ATS that allows the ATS to characterize the loads to be managed, but the manual is terrible with regards to actually showing how to do it.

Is the intent to run JUST the managed loads and use the "learn" function? Is the AC compressor a "managed load," or just locked out for 5 min on transfer to prevent short-cycling. It's going to be hard to run the AC with temps hovering around -5F right now.

I really wish the Milbank manual was better; they need to hire better technical writers.

Happy New Year!


SceneryDriver

 

[publicgood]

http://www.milbankworks.com/blog/wp...lbank_SynapSwitch_Manual_v1.1_1.9.13_Form.pdf

It looks like the learn function records the current draw of your managed loads, so they may be shed if the generator is being overloaded. You run this test while on utility power with load management turned on.

Yes, it appears that the AC is a managed load.

 

[GoldDigger]

http://www.milbankworks.com/blog/wp...lbank_SynapSwitch_Manual_v1.1_1.9.13_Form.pdf

It looks like the learn function records the current draw of your managed loads, so they may be shed if the generator is being overloaded. You run this test while on utility power with load management turned on.

Yes, it appears that the AC is a managed load.

So the problem becomes how to run the AC (at all, let alone at full load) while it is frozen outside.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[publicgood]

So the problem becomes how to run the AC (at all, let alone at full load) while it is frozen outside.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

Can’t say for sure, but I don’t suppose you need to for the time being. If the controller is somehow conservative, it sheds the load that isn’t running anyway.

 

[SceneryDriver]

Some followup:

I spoke with Jose, Millbank's generator and transfer switch tech support guru. It's really as easy as it seems.

On utility power (and with other loads in the house shut off), turn on the loads that are shed-able, and hold the POWER MGMT button for 3 seconds. This teaches the ATS the power consumption of those loads. He said that running the oven could stand in (albeit conservatively) for the AC compressor.

He said that the AC control contacts are indeed considered shed-able loads, and will be shed before loads 1-4; the ATS will drop the compressor(s) first, and then any other controlled loads from 1 to 4.

For testing purposes, the ATS can be temporarily set to a lower KW value, so it thinks a smaller generator is attached. This will force the ATS to drop loads without having to actually load the generator fully.

Jose agreed that the manual is less than clear about the procedure, and said I wasn't the first person to call seeking clarification. He was friendly and very helpful; from a tech support side of things alone, I'd strongly recommend Milbank. The ATS and generator were also very electrician-friendly to install, so they get :thumbsup: for that too.



SceneryDriver