When programming 48V off grid systems with lithium batteries, I have found that the the 'DC input low restart' value's minimum 4V above the 'DC input low shutdown' voltage to be way too high.

My feeling is that this 4V margin is intended for lead-acid batteries, but it is not suitable for the much narrower operating voltage range that many lithium batteries have these days.

It is important to have low voltage shutdown set correctly to protect the batteries from over discharge, however, if this does occur the system won't restart again until the batteries are almost full!

I have also found this to be problematic in the event that a system is at a partial SOC (say 40% for example) and it is shut down manually for maintenance reasons. In the process of shutting the system down the inverter experiences a 'DC input low shutdown' voltage (momentarily before it dies). Then when the battery is reconnected the inverter won't turn on until it reaches the 'DC input low restart' voltage which corresponds to a SOC much higher than 40%.

~~~

Another feature that would be nice would be to be able to shut the inverter down on a set SOC outside of the ESS assistant. Or maybe this is already possible by way of virtual switch, which I haven't explored much yet??

2 Quattro in 120/240 (first L1+N, second L2+N)

2 Fronius 120/240 in parallel (each has L1, L2, and N)

CCGX sees the Quattro as one system

CCGX sees the two Fronius as separate inverters

[image]

In the "PV Inverters" config I have to assign the PV inverters to a phase:

[image]

But of course this makes no sense, because both Fronius inverters operate across both phases.

I feel like this is throwing off the zero feed-in and phase compensation features, as well as the reporting.

If I go into one of the inverters to look at the power:

[image]

1575W is the total power that inverter is making on both phases. ESS is counting it all towards phase 2.

I'm looking for a grid meter for use with Energy Storage System design. I live in the US, with split-phase 240VAC power, my home has 200A service, phase angle is 180*.

Would the Carlo Gavazzi EM24DINAV53DISX work? I wasn't sure since it's marketed as 230VAC 3-Phase compatible which is not available in the US.

Hi

I have a 2 week old installation of OzPv gel batteries charged by a Victron MPPT 250/100, a Multiplus 5000Va inverter and ColourGX. I get no battery SOC even tho the MPPT knows when to move to absorb'float etc during daytime and the Multiplus knows how much charge taken from the batteries. Is there a setting for CGX to display SOC or do I need more hardware?

Thanks. You guys do a great job!

Clve

Good Day

I have a PYLONTECH 8kw 48V battery setup with a Victron Multiplus on ESS, connected to Solar.

One issue I have is that when the mains supply fails and am running on batteries at night, I cannot limit the level of discharge (batteries discharge below 80%).

I tried adjusting the dc input low shutdown on the Multiplus but did not work.

Please advise. I would to limit the battery to lowest 85% discharge level.

I will use the SmartSolar on a mountain cabin where I have very poor access to Internet. Could I (pre)-implement the parameters (use for charging LiFePO4 battery) "at home" e.g. by connecting to a suitable 12 V DC source or similar and to my Mac (via bluetooth)?

Hi,

My BlueSolar MPPT 75/50 (v1.12) has been working for many years, I recently connect to my laptop and VictronConnect, it detected a new firmware v1.39 and I have to upgrade to continue using VictronConnect.

I upgraded the firmware but now charging staoped and there is a error on Victron software "#116 Lost Calibration Data" its not working anymore. Bulk and Absorption LED flashing blue simultaniously.

I down loaded v1.43, upgraded but still same issue.

Can anyone help revert back to the original firmware v1.12 please, my device is 6 years old so cant send back to dealer.

Any help will be appreciatded.

Hi, I have 3 phase system with Quattro 48V/5000VA, 2 Victron LiFePO4 batteries( 25,6V/200Ah), running ESS with Fronius ongrid inverter connected at the AC input of Quattros. The meter is Carlo Gavazzi EM24(with CTs). The problem is that in case I'll set "Fronius zero feed in" to ON, PV production is reduced to the necessary load, but even when it is a lot of sun, the charging battery is limited very low or zero. In the case I switch off the zero feed in, it is working well, but I don't want to export a lot of power into the grid. It seems that the smart meter is faster than Quattro and first is ordered zero feed in and after that is not enough power to charge the battery.

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A while back, I bought a BlueSolar 100/50 with the old style VE.Direct Bluetooth dongle (ASS030536010.) All new and boxed.

I have now decided to upgrade my system with much more stuff...

- a new SmartSolar 100/50 to swap for the BlueSolar 100/50 + VE.Direct Bluetooth dongle

- a second SmartSolar 100/50

- Winston LiFePo4 700Ah battery bank

- MultiPlus 12/3000/120-50

- REC Active BMS though VE.CAN interface

- CCGX acting as the SOC% meter with DVCC from REC and interfaced to MultiPlus VE.Bus

- USB Bluetooth dongle for CCGX

My questions are:

1. I have read on this forum, that I can expect the REC ABMS to monitor the LFP battery bank, and transmit SOC% via VE.Can to MultiPlus and SmartSolar which will stop charging at my defined limits.

2. Should I buy 2x SmartSolar 100/50 and sell the BlueSolar on eBay? I think I need the VE.Direct to interface to CCGX, rather than connecting a Bluetooth dongle. And I very much want to connect to both controllers via Bluetooth with the Victon Connect app. (The VRM looks very nice, but I prefer seeing the info direct on a native App without all the WiFi browser stuff.)

3. In other words, am I right that the CCGX does not transmit over bluetooth the information it receives on VE.Direct from the SmartSolar / BlueSolar - as a native device for viewing and configuring on VictronConnect?

4. But the CCGX does receive full data and configuration from the MultiPlus's VE.Bus and shows this on Bluetooth? Or do I need to buy the Smart Bluetooth dongle to achieve that?

5. I don't plan to buy BMV-712, as the REC BMS sends SOC% data direct to CCGX using DVCC. Will this be visible on Bluetooth somehow from a Victron device? I think I am correct in thinking that the REC BMS is more likely to get an accurate count of SOC% than BMV712, as it is counting Amps / Coulombs and resetting SOC% according to cell voltage heuristic. (If that sentence makes sense!)

5. I don't think I need Ve.Bus USB MK3 adaptor (ASS030140000) as I can use the web browser interface to CCGX to make initial configuration / download & upload settings and firmware. Or should I buy one just to get things setup?

6. How do I get the CCGX on Bluetooth - is this internal, or should I buy a USB bluetooth dongle. I have seen models recommended in the documentation. Is this the best way to do it for a decent range i.e. 10m? I think I read in the Venus online manual that the range was very disappointing.

7. Am I going about this the wrong way? Is Bluetooth configuration / monitoring reliable enough (on a 14m sailing yacht) to be the fundamental connection monitoring method? I am currently viewing the CCGX as an auxilliary display - I don't plan to 'go downstairs' to touch the buttons very much, as I would rather sit in the cockpit to view the status of the system (on my waterproof Sony Tablet!) Am I dreaming the wrong dream?

Thanks for your suggestions. Andy

I have the above system with the Pylontech batteries as the latest upgrade due to failure of Deltech Lead crystal batteries. It seems that the Blue Solar MPPT chargers are communicating at the 250bit Baud rate and the rest must now communicate at the 500bit Baud rate.

Current workaround is to set the Quatro as the BMS and have the rest of the system at the 250bit which is not perfect.

What is the most cost effective solution?

My travel trailer PV system components: Multiplus 3000/24/70, 4 S6-275 AGM Rolls batteries. I am planning the install of a SmartSolar MPPT 100/50 and 2 JKM365M-72-V wired in series.

PV specifications

[image]

The SmartSolar 100/50 manual states:

3.2 Grounding

● Battery grounding: the charger can be installed in a positive or negative grounded system. Note: apply a single ground connection (preferably close to the battery) to prevent malfunctioning of the system.

● Chassis grounding: A separate earth path for the chassis ground is permitted because it is isolated from the positive and negative terminal.

As my Multiplus is grounded to the chassis, I would ground the MPPT case to the chassis as well, yes?

● The USA National Electrical Code (NEC) requires the use of an external ground fault protection device (GFPD). These MPPT chargers do not have internal ground fault protection. The system electrical negative should be bonded through a GFPD to earth ground at one (and only one) location.

As this is a mobile application, is a GFPD required?

If so, this appears to be the proper device.

[image]

● The charger must not be connected with grounded PV arrays (one ground connection only) You would still bond the PV framing to the chassis, yes?

3.3 PV configuration (also see the MPPT Excel sheet on our website)

● Provide a means to disconnect all current-carrying conductors of a photovoltaic power source from all other conductors in a building or other structure. I take this as a 150VDC / 20A breaker on the positive leg between the PV array and the MPPT and a disconnect on the negative leg between the PV array and the MPPT?

Apparently to Code, the GFPD must not be used as a disconnect. Should the GFPD be wired before or after the PV array Pos. breaker and Neg. disconnect?

● A switch, circuit breaker, or other device, either ac or dc, shall not be installed in a grounded conductor if operation of that switch, circuit breaker, or other device leaves the grounded conductor in an ungrounded state while the system remains energized. Is this in reference to an "uninterruptible" ground to chassis?

In all my research to date, this is the first time I heard of the requirement of a GFPD. Never heard of it on YouTube PV installs.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I have Pylon batteries connected to my MultiPlus-II 48/5000.

The batteries are fully charge at 53V and I did set the MultPlus-II settings as stated in the Victron & Pylontech US2000B Manual, VEConfigure Settings.

The Multi Battery LOW RED LED is flashing and if I disconnect main, the Multi switch off after 30 seconds because of low battery even if the battery is still 53V.

What am i missing??

Firmware update for Mulitplus2 Ver 2625460 causes unit not to go online or connect to the grid

at all. Reinstalled old version 2625459 all is OK? Any answers to why?

Hello,

In my system it is possible to disconnect the battery from the MPPT 75/10 whilst the solar panels are connected. From looking at other threads I think this is forbidden. It is clear in the manual that battery then solar panel should be connected when configuring the system. What will happen if I disconnect the battery? Will the voltage at the BATT terminals be the same as on the PV terminals?

I could connect a relay to the battery followed by the diode and use the contact of the relay in series with the panel so that the panel is only connected to the MPPT when the battery is connected. However this will always put a load (the relay coil) on the battery which is undesirable! A semiconductor relay is too expensive.

Thanks

John

Hi All

Been in contact with the place I bought my BlueSolar 75/15 and Bluetooth dongle and want to hear if someone experienced similar

Its installed in a 4x4 with 100+80w solar panels in series (lots of cloudy days in scotland) It feeds a 12v 90ah deep.cycle battery which mainly runs LED lights and a fridge. Battery is connected to started battery via a Victron Cyrix battery combiner.

Been working well for 2 years and then other day noticed when turning rear LED worklight an approx 1amp load the light output is low and constantly fluctuating. Measured load terminals on the Charge controller and it swings from 5 to 11 volts. The battery voltage is stable at 12.50v at same time. Day was sunny and 34v from the panels and charging state float. When turning on more lights the load voltage drops to 0v and at somepoint it came up with battery overvoltage 23v alarm. Switched loads off and voltage dropped slowly to approx 12v. When disconnecting solar panels and in evenings the unit turns fully off, no light in diodes and not visible via bluetooth

When the engine is running and battery combiner is active both batteries are 14.2 volts. Battery terminal of charge controller is stable at 14.2v Thou when load above 1Amp is applied the same voltage fluctuation in the victron app occurs and lights goes dim and bright randomly

Tried disconnecting the main battery and no change in behaviour. Tried another LED light with approx 1.5amp load and same story.

Is it a faulty unit or is there something else that needs to be looked at? The battery overvoltage error really puzzles me as no changes to wiring and then appears normal again.

Regards

TN

Hi Margreet,

Thank you for this excellent resource. An essential reference for anyone planning a renewable energy system.

I noticed in Section 3.3 Parallel Battery Wiring, page 19, the diagrams of "correct" parallel wiring, appear not to be the best option.

IOTA Engineering published an article on the subject of balanced charging. https://www.iotaengineering.com/pplib/balancedcharging.pdf

Here is an excerpt;

[image]

[image]

Also of note, with regard to the installation of an RCD(s) within a system. No mention is made of the NEC Code requirement that an RCD must be installed between a PV array and the MPPT.

This information should be included within 4.10 Solar panels and page 56, Where to mount a RCD.

Also, on page 61, the statement;

Isolation of MPPT solar chargers

No isolation between PV input and DC output

Basic isolation between input/output and chassis.

This statement is rather brief and unclear to me. Can you elaborate?

Best regards,

Glenn

I've got a kindle8 and need the app for my 100/30 controller. Apple app store doesn't show anything for victron. Could someone post a link where i could get it? Thanks

I have a Victron BMV 712 and a Smartsolar MPPT 15/70. Both were appearing on my Victron Connect. Now only my BMV is appearing. I have tried turning bluetooth on and off, I have uninstalled and reinstalled the app. The green light is on the MPPT itself.

What is your recommendation?

Hi all,

Margreet Leeftink, Sales Manager & trainer in Australia has compiled the second Victron book: Wiring Unlimited.

I'm posting it here on Community as a preview; please put in your comments so we can make it even better before publishing more publicly.

Download your copy here.

I could of course here tease more with whats inside; but better just click the link and see for yourself. I think its a great step forward of bringing all information together as opposed to it being scattered around.

Thank you Margreet for this excellent piece of work! Wie schrijft die blijft :-).

Best regards,

Matthijs

I'm nearing the end of charging here and hoped my banks would be more in balance than this. As these are AGM cells that almost .2v difference is a big deal. I looked at the lights and only the green is on. I verified with a multi-meter as well. I also re-conected the wires in the order specified (I connected common first time around).

I'm well over the 27.3v threshold for when it should be on. If I recall, it needs a 50mv difference. I was dense enough to have Google do a mv to V conversion for me, if I'm figuring this right, I've got 160mv of variance here.

[image]

I purchased 3 Balancers and am using it on a 48V string of 4 x 12 V 170AH batteries. What I find after the balancers have
have stabilsed is that there is almost exactly 100mV difference between each pair of 12 V batteries - so the the voltages are as follows from the negative side 13.65 , 13.55, 13.45 , 13.35 V . The charge current is less than 100mA and all LED are green. The bank is stable and voltages will remain like that for days. The balancers do not appear to balance the voltages to all be equal but rather to achieve a 50mv midpoint error (50mv midpoint error equates to a 100mV difference between two adjacent batteries ) Is this correct behaviour? I have tried each balancer seperately on a pair of batteries and behaviour is the same , the lower batter is always 100mv higher in voltage than the upper battery

My fronius primo is not producing power when the grid is not available while it is connected on the AC 1 Out of the victron multi but it stays ON. How to fix this?

I was able to access my MMPT SmartSolar 100/50 Charge Controller via the Victron app for the first few months after it was installed - however it no longer will show up in the Victron app. I have the Victron battery monitor which continues to show up in the app with no issue. This is all being done on the same Iphone that I have had since the beginning. I have reset all bluetooth on my phone, reinstalled the app, tried other phones - but the charge controller does not show up on bluetooth. The charge controller appears to be working fine, I just can no longer access the data via the app. The controller hasn't been moved or tampered with in anyway. Trying to figure out if there is something else I can try...

Hello!

I am an electrician and planning a ESS-system for my new house in Austria.

3x Multiplus-II 5000 (3-phase) with 48V Lithium-Battery (maybe some Pylontech US3000), with about 6kWp Fronius Symo PV-Inverter connected on AC-Out for higher self-consumption and UPS in case of grid failure.

Is there an extra anti-islanding-relay necesarry, or is the anti-islanding-protection from the Multiplus II enough? I only find the TOR D4 Certificate for Multiplus-II 3000!

Thanks for the Answers!

Erwin

Hi - If somebody can help on this.. If you see below my battery is on float state and reading shows 54.9V. But the setting in the configuration for float is 55.2V. But the charge never goes beyond 54.9V and its always charging. When I check the voltage at the battery terminal its at 55.2V.

Is this an issue if its always charging or why does it no go beyond 54.9. The distance between the battery and the Easy solar is less than a feet. How do I correct this?

[image]

Hello,

A Victron Multigrid 24/3000 is used as a grid back up.
A 30mA differential relay is used at its output.
The relay trips with no obvious reason.

a) Whenever the unit switched from inverter back to mains on (i.e. when grid exists again)
After this tripping the relay is armed to operation and works normally but on (b) below.

b)for no reason and at irregular intervals. The relay if armed does not trip again but after some random hour.