Replace Mastervolt Combi with Victron Multiplus to have better monitoring > Can the Multiplus run with the batteries disconnected?

A potential customer has a Vehicle2Grid system. It a living boat with a grid connection and solar panels and a smaller cruiser boat with battery and electric propulsion. Normally the small cruiser boat is next to the living boat and the battery is connected to the big living boat and grid and solar panels and is being used to maximise self-consumption. The system has Mastervolt lithium batteries on the small boat and some switching to connect the batteries to the electric propulsion and a pluggable cable connection to the big boat. On the big boat the battery cable is connected to a Mastervolt Combi battery inverter, which is also connected to the grid connection. On the AC output (micro grid of the big boat) are the solar panels, connected with a Mastervolt AC PV inverter. The Mastervolt Combi is 5000 VA/Watt. There is 4000 Wattpeak of PV panels and a 6000 Watt AC PV inverter. The Lithium batteries are 4 pieces of MLi Ultra 24/5000 (24 volt 180 Ah) in 48 volt configuration.

The system has a dashboard that is base on the Mastervolt monitoring software. But this is not maintained anymore and has all kinds of problems. This is the mean problem that needs to be fixed. It's also not really handy to select another battery usage mode (switch from Max. self consumption to Keeping batteries full, etc.). Also it runs on a laptop, which only purpose is to run this dashboard, which is a waste of power. Etc.

I suggested changing the Mastervolt Combi 5000 VA for a Victron Multiplus 5000 VA, so we could use the CCGX controller. Then we can have a good monitoring system that is being kept up-to-date and under active development. And it will be much easier to change battery usage mode. This can then also be done remotely, something that is not possible now. Also then they can get rid of the dedicated laptop and then will consume much less power with the CCGX. Also it will be easier to interface with all kinds of stuff, now and in the future.

The big question is: Can I use a Victron Multiplus 5000 for this. Because the system needs to run, also when the battery is disconnected, because this is something that normally the Multiplus doesn't like or even can't do??

I am not sure how this works in the current configuration with the Mastervolt Combi, because I was under the impression that this battery inverter also wouldn't like to run without the battery connected.

Or is there some "trick" I can use to keep the Multiplus running, when the battery is disconnected?

Any suggestions and help is welcome. I would really like to make this system (dashboard) working again with Victron equipment, also because this project would open doors to other interesting solar-battery-grid balancing projects that this customer is involved in.

Thanks in advance for any help! :-)

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Hi all,

We are employing the SmartSolar MPPT 75/15 in a number of remotely located instrument cabinets that will eventually be inaccessible to people. To remotely monitor the SmartSolar device, we are utilizing a Serial to Ethernet bridge. This device also allows us to also perform any mandatory firmware updates remotely, but with a caveat.

In order for us to be able to take advantage of the SmartSolar’s load current sensing, our load (‘Ethernet Devices’) needs to be connected to the LOAD output. However, during a firmware update, the LOAD output switches off at the 4% mark, thereby causing the firmware update to stop indefinitely. D1 solves this issue by sourcing power directly from the battery (Batt) when the LOAD output switches off (during a firmware update). The side effect of connecting the Batt terminal to the LOAD via D1 is that the LOAD output never comes back on, despite VictronConnect stating that the LOAD is ON. Instead current continues to flow through D1, therefore current sensing on the LOAD terminal never takes place. Only by utilizing D2 does the load current flow through the LOAD terminal and reported in VictronConnect.

Our question: Before we invest time in building a low-power-loss device (FET in place of D2) to circumvent this issue, is Victron able to provide a firmware update that ensures that either the SmartSolar LOAD output always stays on during a firmware update, or at least a firmware update that would allows us to omit D2? And failing a response here, how can we contact Victron directly with this request?

Thanks in advance,

Michael

Hi, I have asked this question previously - but after 12 months the issue is continuing.

The system is 3 x Quattro 48/5000 setup in 3 phase. After the batteries have been charged by PV for the day, often the BYD LifePo4 batteries are between 75 - 100% - the system is operating in ESS mode as expected, the house output loads are low, perhaps 1200w or 1500w is drawn on Phase 2.

Please see 2 images below:

We obviously expect the load energy to be drawn from the battery, instead it is taken from the grid supply? this could occur for 5 or 10 minutes.

The Carlo Guzzi grid meter is balancing the phases, ie -719w on L1 and +785 on L3

Im well familiar with the operation of ESS systems and settings, but this one has me confused.

I have tried the "switching off the grid meter" I have tried lowering the Grid set point to 0 and even -20w. But day after day the problem continues.

The image below from VRM Portal shows 0.4kw/h per hour from battery! this should be near zero, as the battery are fully charged.

Is this simply an error in the VRM display calculations, that could be proven by taking readings from the Household grid revenue meter?

This issue is obviously annoying.

Thank you for your consideration with this matter.

Glen McDonald

Elementary Solar

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Hello, I have a Multiplus 2000/12 connected to a single Battle Born Lithium battery. Every now and then when I turn the Multiplus on (using on/off switch, not the hard switch on the Multiplus) it trips the BMS on the Battle born. Then I have to disconnect the battery and reconnect to reset the BMS. I have no idea what is causing this. This usually starts happening when I turn off the power to the Multiplus without turning off the Multiplus first. Then it starts this vicious cycle of tripping the battery every time I send power to the Multiplus. I have checked all the wires and everything is tight and isolated. It almost seems like something is bad with the Multiplus or Battle Born. Both the Multiplus and Battle born are brand new. I haven't even started using the Inverter yet just the charging.

I did fire up the inverter on a test run and the buzzing was really loud (normal?) and then it too tripped the BMS after 2-3 seconds.

Thanks for any help. I live in Colorado and I can't find anyone I can pay to come and help figure it out. It seems even the distributors of Victron don't know how to service them. Also, I have had Victron pros in this community validate my schematics, but happy to post again.

Hello

Being new here and after searching the forum, I didn't find an answer and I am looking for some help. Thank you very much for your time and answers.

I am planning to wire in serial, 4 Hankook 12V - 65Ah to get to 48V in order to drive through an Alltrax SR 48300 controller a DC Motenergy ME0909 Motor ( 48V - 100 Amps ).
1) Is it a mandatory to use Battery Balancers (like BMV-702 or 712 ) in a serial AGM Battery Bank ( 4 x 12V ) as I have read somewhere that AGM batteries don’t need equalization ?
2 ) I understand these batteries balancers work when charging but do they work also when running the motor and therefore discharging the batteries ?
3) What is the best way and easy way to charge these batteries ? Is it by charging them one by one with for example a Blue Smart IP22 ( 12V ) or directly with a 48V charger like a MEC ( 48V Charger )

Thanks again

My SmartSolar went crazy today midday. The batteries were mostly charged, so the voltage acted swiftly to put in charge. The SmartSolar seemed to have trouble to adjust the voltage slowly, it just went full throttle, voltage rose to 29.5V (28.8 set to), it then fully decelerated into the low 2 digits when the voltage came right back down and shot back up all the way every other second. It started at around 1340h when the yellow line spikes into the blue zone start appearing. Load connected at 1405h, disconnected 1440h and back it went into the blue. I have never seen this behaviour before. It acted up in bulk and absorp, only way to calm things down was putting on enough load. On the logging one can see switching between bulk ans abs because of heavy machines starting. It acted up all on its own, everything else was stopped and disconnected for fault finding. When stopping the load, the erratic behaviour was back the instance 28.8V was reached.

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I seem to think it hung up when it should have gone into float. The batteries were charged this morning by a battery charger after the smartsolar had started to work. That was the first time I interfered with the smart solars "rhythm". If, I usually charge at night. It went from bulk to abs to float basically doing nothing from 1100h to 1200h, on the left the charger is in abs at 28.8V, smartsolar in float doing nothing at 27,6V. Charger disconnected at 1200h, smartsolar switching to bulk and following abs at 1245h. Reasonably it could have switched to float at about that point and went ballistic instead.

At 1500h, I had it reset and it worked fine afterwards. That was counted as a new day though

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This is the second time in a week (bluetooth connection hung up the first time) I had to disconnect the unit after it performed flawlessly for over a year.

Is it on its way out? Is it a bug? Can I make sure that doesnt happen again? Am I doing something wrong with charging? The batteries will probably be toast if that was to develop during weeks of absence apart from the hazard of fire.

Hello everyone,

I'm using 3 MultiGrid and Pylontech Battery without any load at the output. This setup has no particular purpose at this moment, but my task is to prepare a GUI for a communication between the Venus GX and a PC using Modbus. So I use ESS Mode 3. I'm frequently switching between ESS Keep Battery Charged Mode (to charge the battery when I'm away) and ESS External Control (to test and to run my Modbus GUI).

Both modes ran perfectly for about a month, which means I could charge and discharge the battery with energy from/to grid through Modbus communication. Until one day, on which the settings in MultiGrid might have been changed. Since that day, both modes don't work:

In ESS Mode 3, Venus GX doesn't react to the setpoint I sent, but data such as battery SOC can be read as usual. In Keep Battery Charged Mode, the battery is not charging, and most confusingly, these LEDs Mains On, Absorption and Inverter are on at the same time.

I've used Victron Toolkit App to understand this LED combination, but this combination is not available both in the app and the manual. How can these problems, or most importantly, the Keep Battery Charged problem could be solved?

Your help is highly appreciated. Thank you.

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Hi, What is the latest firmware version for a Quattro 48/5000/70-100/100 230V with version 430.

- Product ID 2658430.VFD

Hi

I have a BMV712 and 2 smart solar MPPT. I'm trying to configure the temp compensation and I'm getting a bit lost. Should I configure it on the BMV (temp coefficient) or on the mppt (temp compensation)? And what should be the value?

I have 12 batteries, each being 12v (12v system, 1200Ah capacity). The specs of the batteries are saying "Temp-Comp Factor (Charging) 5mV per °C per cell (2V)". So if every cell of 12v is 5mv, is the temp coefficient 30mv/°C? if so, how do you calculate the temp coefficient in %cap/°C ?

Thanks, I'm really confused on this and the manuals aren't very specific on the topic

sam

CONNECTING scrolls across display and buttons will not work. Problem started when batteries reconnected after layup. Controller connects properly to Bluetooth and charges properly.

My install is in a box van type motor caravan and consists of;

12/3000 Multiplus

Cyrix split charging

BMV-712

Colour control

75/20 Solar controller

270w solar panel

Rolls AGM batteries

The cab of the base vehicle needs to have a weld repair made on a small section.

What if any actions need to be made to the installation before the welding takes place?

I just purchased a Victron Energy BlueSolar MPPT 100/30 Charge Controller off amazon. I have been reading that if it says smartsolar on it, it already has bluetooth built in. The amazon description does not say smart but the unit does say smart on it. Do I need to buy the bluetooth dongle to make the bluetooth work?

I have a client that has a 2018 Mercedes Sprinter motorhome. They swerved to miss a deer and set the vehicle on its right side in a ditch. The batteries are now refusing to maintain a charge. Do you have any reason for this? It was in the shop for a 3 week stint at which time the batteries got run down to less than 10%. The shop thinks the batteries were damaged in the collision what comments do you have on this and/or do you need more information? Below is what was installed in the vehicle.

Batteries: 2 x Victron LiPO4 90aH Smart Lithium
Part # VENBAT512900410

BMS: 1 x Victron VE.Bus BMS
Part # VENBMS300200000

Load Disconnects: 3 x Victron Battery Protect BP100

Part # VENBPR000100400

From the Shop: We installed a lithium system in, that is comprised of 2 x 90Ah LiPO4 batteries, controlled by a Victron BMS, which is then connected to 3 x BP-100s. One BP-100 for the fuse box (which all loads are connected to except the colour control monitor, which is connected with a fuse but direct to the battery), one BP for the charging source from the alternator, and one BP for the shore power charger. We used to use the AMSolar lithium board to signal the BPs to block charging at low temperatures, but now the latest battery firmware will send the charge disconnect signal to the BPs themselves.

From the Shop:

We just got word from the customer that after 3 weeks of the system sitting idle(starting with a full charge at our shop), their battery was empty and wouldn't charge, and after he put a multimeter on the terminals of the bank, the 2 batteries had a voltage of 2.54v dc across the terminals. Clearly there is something very wrong, as the colour monitor would never draw that much current to drain the batteries, and the BMS is designed to shut off the loads way before the battery gets drawn that low.

I’ve looked but can’t find this answered anywhere.

I have a Smartsolar MPPT 250/100, hooked up to a 48v array of BAE Secura 6 OPzS cells.

I want to ensure I’m setting the charge voltages appropriately.

Looking at this - https://www.baebatteriesusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/BAE-VLA-Installation-and-Operation-Instructions-0219.pdf - it appears float is 2.23VPC, equalise is 2.4VPC, and absorption I’ve taken as 2.33VPC.

These voltages are more or less identical to those that victron list for their own OPzS cells - https://www.victronenergy.pt/upload/documents/Manual-Stationary-batteries-EN.pdf.

So... why do all of the OPzS charge algorithms in the firmware seem to be a mile off these values?

The most conservative setting recommended for OPzS (Position 1) gives 2.3VPC for float, 2.68 for equalise, 2.38 for absorption. +0.07, +0.28, +0.05, respectively. It also limits equalise to 8% of charge current, although at 900Ah I should be able to do the full 100A until 2.4VPC at which point it drops to 45A (5A per 100Ah), so surely a setting of 45% would be safe?

Can anyone shed any light on why, and what I should do? I’m using the values from the data sheet currently, and doing the commissioning equalise at 2.4VPC - but the MPPT is limiting the charge current to 5A, when it could be delivering much more - there’s a 4kW array in direct sunlight right now.

Thanks!

Good morning, hope everyone is well?

I am using a CCGX (with firmware version 2.33) to try and connect to two Dyness B4850 lithium batteries. According to the battery supplier, Victron and Dyness are compatible but I cannot seem to get the CAN communication between the two up and running. As a result the batteries are continuously going into protection mode because charge from the 3kW Multiplus and the BlueSolar 150/35 is not regulated by the CCGX.

Are the two products compatible and if so, what can I do to get them working together?

Thank you in advance.

Hi, the VRM portal of my installation (30678: Venus GX + BMV700 + MPPT + Multiplus) throws a "Timeout Error" whenever I try to download the CSV or XLS for the last 6 months or a custom period of some weeks. I assume, this is due to the large number of data, caused by higher no. of devices and short logging interval.

Is there any way to downlad smaller CSV (for shorter periods) via a script or some automated task? (as requested in https://community.victronenergy.com/questions/6467/automatic-csv-download-python-or-c.html)

Or: Are the historical data still saved on the Venus after sending to VRM via permanent Internet connection? If so, could I copy the logged data from the Venus directly (via Connect, Root access or something), in order to circumvent the VRM download troubles? (From the VGX manual, I understood that data are only stored internally and may be saved to SD card, if no Internet connection is present.)

Thx,
Thomas

In Berlin there is an official PV storage subvention program - which has several conditions: one is that the manufactorer has to register its products here: ear-system.de/ear-verzeichnis/hersteller#no-back ...Does Victron do this ?

This is an excerpt of the rule:

"Zudem müssen in Verkehr gebrachte Elektrogeräte (z.B. der Wechselrichter) bei der Stiftung ear registriert werden (Verzeichnis der registrierten Hersteller und registrierten Bevollmächtigten) und mit einer WEEE-Nummer (Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment; deutsch: Elektro- und Elektronikgeräte-Abfall)belegt werden. Diese sollten auf jedem Datenblatt aufgeführt sein bzw. auf Wunsch vom Hersteller genannt werden können."

Hi Sir, I have a BIPV Solar system with different technologies. I am using 4 Nos. of 150/70 Charge Controller and want to connect the system to Victron Lithium HE Batteries (24V 100AH) along with LYNX ION BMS 400. Please, can you advise if the 150/70 Solar Charge Controller is compatible with Victron Lithium HE Batteries?

Another solution is to use Victron AGME Lead Acid batteries in 24V 100AH configuration. But do I still need a BMS for this to ensure my batteries do not get damaged and are protected against overheating? BMV 700 seems to be only for monitoring and is not going to open or close any contactor for Lead Acid Batteries.

Thanks a lot

Did a firmware update yesterday of a system with 2 x BYD B-PLUS2.5 & a MultiPlus 2 3kVA. I've noticed the BYD is reporting currents down to 0.1A (just the Venus GX running). Steps up to 0.3A (MultiPlus 2 running with no load). The SOC seems to be more accurate too. Previously I don't think it would resolve below 1A and the SOC would be inaccurate after being left overnight.

Just wondering if anyone else has noticed this?

Updates were from Alps Power site, BMU upgraded to v4.23, batteries to 4.12. All Victron firmware is latest.

Cheers, Matthew

Just a quick simple one (I hope) before I purchase a BMV712: several auxiliary powered loads (sockets etc) in the back of my 4wd are chassis grounded (ie no individual return to negative terminal). As long as the auxiliary battery only has the shunt attached to it, with the chassis ground attached to the system side, everything should work ok right? I don’t have to do anything with the main (starter) battery which shares the chassis ground? (I’m not interested in monitoring the main battery).
thanks for your help!

Hi, What are the AC input conditions for the relay to shift? Via the programmable relay we would like to know if the load is on inverter or on mains.

It seems like the relay is switching all ready at approx 50VAC input voltage!? Result: The relay indicates that AC input is available, but of course the load is still on inverter at this low input voltage.

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Hi There,

I have a site with 6x15kVA Quattro's linked to 3 x 27kVA Fronius Eco inverters. On the VRM portal's overview screen I don't see even solar production on an hourly interval.

Rather everything is lumped into a single hour.

See below graph as example.

Any reason why this is happening?

Thanks

Riaan

Hi Community, I hope I can post a battery-only question here :-) in Berlin there is an official PV storage subvention program - which has several conditions: one is 10 years warranty - I found a document that Pylontech does support this. Another pre-requisite is: the manufactorer is part of a battery take-back program (e.g. http://www.grs-batterien.de/) - means someone is going to take back the batteries after their lifetime. Does anybody know if Pylontech joins such a program at the moment? I put the german text in the PS part. Thank you Rainer PS. Rücknahme der Systeme Im Hinblick auf Ressourcenschonung und Reduzierung von Umweltauswirkungen der Speichersyste-me ist ein umfassendes Recycling von hoher Bedeutung. Um mögliche Umwelt- und Gesundheits-probleme zu vermeiden, sind insbesondere spezifische Kennzeichnungs- und Recyclinganforderungen entsprechend dem Batteriegesetz (BattG) zu beachten und die Beteiligung des Herstellers an einem geeigneten Rücknahmesystem nachzuweisen. Die Batterie muss nach BattG bei einem Rücknahmesystem (z.B. GRS Batterien) gemeldet sein. Der Nachweis kann vom Hersteller geliefert werden (Kopie der aktuellen Vereinbarung mit einem Rück-nahmesystem). Zudem müssen in Verkehr gebrachte Elektrogeräte (z.B. der Wechselrichter) bei der Stiftung ear registriert werden (Verzeichnis der registrierten Hersteller und registrierten Bevollmächtigten) und mit einer WEEE-Nummer5 belegt werden. Diese sollten auf jedem Datenblatt aufgeführt sein bzw. auf Wunsch vom Hersteller genannt werden können.

Hi Guys,

We have a community project in a Glass grow-dome.

We want to have 4kW of solar panels, BYD batteries and also a generator.

We have the below generator already and want to know can we run both 4kW of solar and the genny together on the Victron Quattro 8kW.

Generator details: (SIP 04478 Electric Start Honda Generator 7.2KVA REF: SIP04478)

Thanks

I would like to build a installation with a MultiPlus 2 and ESS in Germany.

I have now learned that all inverters since 27 April 2019 must have VDE-AR-N 4105:2018-11.

But i only found the "Certificate VDE-AR-N 4105 MultiPlus-II and MultiGrid-II 48/3000".
Inside it says "VDE-AR-N 4105:2011-08".

Someone can tell me if I can build that up and register with the existing certificate.

Or do I have to wait for a certificate with "VDE-AR-N 4105:2018-11"?

Suggestions welcome. Thanks.

I have the following in vehicle 12v, house battery charging/monitoring system :

My AGM deep cycle batteries (360Ah) are charged through a DCtoDC 40A charger/mppt solar controller, connected to the vehicle start battery and 600w of solar panels. Also installed is a Victron IP22 240v to 12v charger.

I use a BMV712 which registers Amps used, when my fridge, lights etc are in use. I understand the 712 Current usage is Net ie Charge current going into batteries Less Current Used by Appliances/loads.

If my State of Charge is 75% and power is only coming in from Solar at 22amps, as shown on my Charger/mppt controller, with all appliances/loads switched off, the BMV712 shows 0.0 A.

Current used by appliances is correctly being registered. This results is SOC % battery capacity, always being understated and way below true SOC. So SOC might show 60%, just before the 712 hits the Charged Voltage setting of 14.3V ( Charger absorption voltage is14.6V), and auto syncs back to 100% SOC. Tail Current is set at 2% (7.2A) and Charge Detection time to 10 Minutes.

I suspect solar charge current is not being registered due to incorrect Shunt connection.

The LOAD connection of the shunt has :

1) one heavy cable, earthed to the vehicle chassis

2) Fridge Negative cable

All other appliances load/negative cables connect to a Bus Bar which is earthed to the vehicle body

The Shunt Battery connection has one cable connected to the connected batteries Negative pole. It's the first terminal on that pole, with the Battery connector terminal above it and the Charger/Mppt Controller Battery power Out Negative cable on top of that. Does this also need need to be connected to the Shunt LOAD terminal ?

I am in the process of changing fro AGM to Li-ion batteries using VE Configure 3. When I select Li-ion as the battery type a panel appears stating that Li-ion batteries "(Also require an Assistant)"

When I go to the Assistants Tab the screen shows "The firmware in the device does not support Assistants"

Which device?

the Quattro 12/5000/22-2x75 (product ID 2633) ? which has firmware 155, or

the CCGX which has V2.33

p will be gratefully received.

Victron 150/35 with BT dongle, LiOn Batts at 36 volts, 7X100 watts panels, 12 gauge 25ft cable to the charge controller, when I switch the charge controller to 48 volts, the voltage goes up but the Amperage goes down. If I switch back to 36 volts, the voltage goes down and Amps go up. I understand that is negative resistance, the backup system setup remain the same no other changes, except that when the batteries have been charged at 36 volts to full, I switch to the GTI and divert the charge controller output to the house to use excess power. the GTI can accept 20-60 volts input it can generate up 3.5Kwh on a good day which is half of my daily power consumption year around except during Summer months where my consumption goes way high because of the AC unit.

Hi everyone,

I have a new install with Victron 12v 150ah smart lithium batteries along with an IP44 charger.

I am using the victron mini bms to control the charge disconnect remote port on the IP44.

Question is " in the Skylla IP44 setting there is a spot where you select BMS present- Y or N."

Do I select yes or no. Or is this only for CAN connected devices

thanks

Ed