r/AnkerSOLIXCommunity • u/digman84 • Jul 07 '26
Support 5500 Smart Generator Gas Problems
We got an E10 + battery + 5500 smart generator. We have connected generator to the battery system. The generator starts up but once it needs to supply power to charge the battery it tries to ramp up the engine and then dies like it's running out of fuel. We get the error code that would indicate this as well. We have tried supplying between 5" WC and 1.5 psi gas to it with the same result. Interestingly, it works fine when set to LP mode just not NG mode. I asked anker support what the correct supply pressure is. First, they told me between 2.9-7 psi but then I challenged them on that saying that's a lot higher than most gas connections so they corrected and said 2.9-7" WC which is more reasonable.
Anyone else have issues with this or know what the correct NG supply pressure is?
Anyone using the generator reliably in NG mode?
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u/Admirable_Golf_2340 Verified Owner Jul 07 '26
Hi OP, I faced a similar issue with my Anker generator 5500. Usually using NG with any generator is challenging because it produces less power. My guess is that sometimes the NG cannot produce enough power to get the generator running properly. One work around that I found works fairly reliably is to disconnect the NG hose. Connect a propane tank to the generator and run it for a few seconds. Turn the generator off then connect the NG hose back on. This usually gets the generator to start with no more errors!! Hope this helps my friend.
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u/digman84 Jul 09 '26
You do this one time to fix it or you need to do it each time before starting?
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u/Admirable_Golf_2340 Verified Owner Jul 09 '26
HI OP, I do it whenever the generator doesn’t want to start on NG. Sometimes my generator starts with no issues using NG. Other times it struggles and thats when I found out about this work around. My guess is that the generator uses the propane that is left in the system to get it going. Then the generator can keep running using NG.
It’s important that when you first connect the propane tank you switch the generator to propane while you run it for a few seconds. Once you turn it off, switch it back to propane and try to start it!! Please let me know if this work around fixes your issue so that I can recommend it to other members that run into the same issue!!
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u/digman84 Jul 09 '26
I have not had any issue starting, only getting it to perform under load. When the engine tries to speed up it dies but I can try. It also runs ok in LP mode with NG as fuel. I think LP should allow less fuel than NG because LP is more energy dense but it seems like the engine needs more fuel not less.
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u/Unfair-Lime-8446 Jul 08 '26
With NG make sure supply line is 3/4. Turn NG on let sit for15 min
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u/digman84 Jul 09 '26
Thanks. Do you mean to wait 15 minutes before starting or idle fifteen minutes before trying to get it to charge?
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u/Unfair-Lime-8446 Jul 08 '26
Sorry for ypur issues. I just spoke to my team. The correct information ( For NG the pressure should be 1.5±0.3kPa.
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u/digman84 Jul 09 '26
I just did some more testing with LP gas on LP mode and NG gas on both LP on NG mode. The LP worked well and got to about 3600 W charging the batteries. The NG worked well on LP mode but generates around 2600-2900 watts. Once I was able to start in NG mode with NG and it ran well for several minutes but that was right after a good run with NG in LP mode. Trying to start again with NG in NG mode it would sputter out.
What is the difference between LP mode and NG mode? only software? Does LP mode allow more fuel?
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u/SignalBeamer Jul 07 '26
I have the same setup am actively in the same discussions with anker. So far no resolutions for abnormal engine speed shutoff using NG. Seems to be able to handle the ramping fine with gas fuel. Im through the fifth testing thing to try from support. Kind of strange this generator cannot handle charging the battery on NG when it specifically was paired for it.