question

Nick avatar image
Nick asked

Orion-Tr Smart 12 12 30 Absorption but Smart MPPT is in Float

Trying to understand why the Orion remains in Absorption mode but the MPPT is in Float. Both have identical battery settings configured, the Smart MPPT 100/20 has a Smart Battery Sensor giving it voltage and temp. via VE Networking which of course the Orion can't yet access.

MPPT Battery Settings

mppt-batt-settings.jpg


Orion Battery Settings

orion-batt-settings.jpg


MPPT Status

mppt-status.jpg


Orion Status

orion-status.jpg



MPPT SmartSolarorion dc-dc
mppt-status.jpg (282.6 KiB)
orion-status.jpg (296.5 KiB)
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3 Answers
snoobler avatar image
snoobler answered ·

Concerning voltage itself:

The chargers are seeing two different voltages. The MPPT is seeing the true open circuit voltage reported by the SBS, and it also has multiple charge termination criteria - adaptive algorithm and tail current.

The Orion is seeing a higher voltage and entered absorption sooner. It is also a stronger charger, so it is inclined to drive the charging process.


Concerning multiple chargers:

When you have multiple chargers, the only time they can all function at max current is during the bulk phase. Once absorption is hit, the highest current charger pretty much runs the show. At absorption, voltage is maintained by only accepting as much current as is needed. If the MPPT were to try to add current, the voltage would rise. The MPPT sees that it can't add any more current, so it terminates absorption and drops to float.


The only time the above charger behavior doesn't happen is if the chargers can actually synchronize. Multiple MPPT in a VE.Smart network or the higher end VE.CAN MPPT can coordinate with each other to supply the same amount of current from each.


If you want to favor MPPT over DC-DC, experiment by lowering the DC-DC absorption voltage by 0.1 or 0.2V below the MPPT. This will help the MPPT to be the last charger running.



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Nick avatar image Nick commented ·
Many thanks for the insight, detailed reply and guidance. Hopefully Orion will be updated to VE.Smart in the near future.
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bart-de-hondt avatar image
bart-de-hondt answered ·

Are there any plans to add the ve smart network to the Orion DC DC charger

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laurent12b avatar image
laurent12b answered ·

Thank you for the answer, as I have myself noticed this, although I am not using any VE. link between the 3 differents possible charging equipment (tho the Orion and the Multiplus can't really function together). I am going to experiment with only one charge at the time to avoid those issues.

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