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trevor4321 avatar image
trevor4321 asked

Multiplus II GX - relay test pending

I am still trying to get my ESS system working, but I did see it charge today.

But it won't discharge because "Relay Test Pending".

According to the "ESS Design and Installation Manual" the batteries have to charge to 56 volts before this test is carried out. This is OK for lead acid batteries, only a 16.7% over charge, they can handle 20% short term.

But I'm using Pylontech US2000C, the label says 52.5 to 53.5 volts.

In section 9 of "Victron & Pylontech UP2500, US2000, US3000, US2000C, US3000C, US5000, US5000B, UP5000, Phantom-S, Force-L1 & L2" it says that when the DVCC is enabled the BMS in the battery limits the voltage to 53.2 volts, even this is too high and recommends a setting of 52.4 volts.

So how is the relay test performed with Pylontech batteries, 56 volts can never be reached.

As I said batteries have been charging, now sitting at 100%, but no relay test.

How can I get it to perform a relay test?

Thanks

Trevor

ESSPylontech
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mvas avatar image mvas commented ·
Did you check the "Lithium Batteries" option on the charger tab?
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ak-flocke4 avatar image ak-flocke4 commented ·

I have a similar Problem with my multiplus II GX and 48V Batteries. Relais test does not work anymore (system was OK for 1 year - so complete setup is correct, then I had a battery unloading to about 47V and now it does not run anymore). The relais clicking noise seems to work only for short moment (only on AC side? - passthrough works). The DC-side seems not to start (clicking is much shorter than before when I switched ON/OFF the multiplus) as there is a low low battery alarm (although there is >50V). I am not able to load or unload batteries anymore.

Do you have still the problem? Or how did you solve it? Thanks!

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ak-flocke4 avatar image ak-flocke4 ak-flocke4 commented ·
My problem was solved by updating on latest OS and Firmware. Unbelievable.....but I am lucky!
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3 Answers
Marc Heymans avatar image
Marc Heymans answered ·

What battery type and charging protocol do you have selected in your set up?

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trevor4321 avatar image trevor4321 commented ·
I've got 3 Pylontech US2000C batteries using the BMS.CAN and set up for Optimised (with battery life).
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Alexandra avatar image Alexandra ♦ trevor4321 commented ·

@Trevor4321

Where did you see the relay test pending message? Have you moded any part of the system?

Is it the ground relay test? That is wiring related problems.

Switch position was what stopped it on a different thread and various other threads.

Is the inverter switched to on?

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trevor4321 avatar image trevor4321 Alexandra ♦ commented ·

The message is in the remote console.

1690933786026.png

I have tried the switch in the other position several days ago and there was a different status somewhere in the consul.

Everyting is standard as far as I am aware.

The only mention I have found on this sbject is in the "ESS Design and Installation Manual". This is seemingly written to apply to lead acid batteries so I don't know whether this is changed for lithium batteries, or what to. So I can't tell why the test is not being completed.

Trevor

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Alexandra avatar image Alexandra ♦ trevor4321 commented ·

@Trevor4321

The test is usually done when grid is connected and the inverter is switched to the on position.

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trevor4321 avatar image trevor4321 Alexandra ♦ commented ·

I have usually connected the blue lead to the battery once it's on because that's where all the troubles been. But I have just turned it off and on again, about 10 seconds in between.

1690984248749.png

I have also checked the switch position.

1690984316156.png

With the switch in position 2 the above list says "charger only".

But still.

1690984660509.png

Trevor

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Alexandra avatar image Alexandra ♦ trevor4321 commented ·

@Trevor4321

Your system is in sustain. But battery at 100%. What is up with that?

The sustain would probably have something to do with it. Since it is related to either not being able to invert or feedback - insufficient DC condition.

Have you prgrammed according to the victron Pylontec page?

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mvas avatar image mvas commented ·
Do you have the "Lithium Battery" option checked
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trevor4321 avatar image trevor4321 mvas commented ·

The lithium battery selection was ticked when initially set up with Victron Connect and the Multiplus is identifying the type of battery so hopefully it knows it's lithium.

1690967898245.png

Trevor

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trevor4321 avatar image trevor4321 trevor4321 commented ·

I didn't appreciate that sustain meant the batteries were discharged as far as the inverter is concerned.

I reviewed the VEConfigure file referring to the "victron_pylontech_up2500_us2000_us3000_us2000c_us3000c_us5000_us5000b_us5000c_pelio-l_up5000_phantom-s_force-l1_l2" document. It has now passed the ESS relay test, in fact I saw inverting appear momentarily.

It has now gone into Passthru.

1691005605358.png

I am looking into the suggestions 10.4 of the ESS design and install manual and so far haven't found anything.

Thanks for your help

Trevor

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Alexandra avatar image Alexandra ♦ trevor4321 commented ·

@Trevor4321

What it means is in ESS the battery was drawn down under the ESS dynamic cut off settings for a period. Or there is a cell in the battery that is struggling.

That was why i asked if you used the recommended settings.

Is all your firmware on all victron parts up to date?

Side note:- updating the GX on auto and the rest of the systens seems to mess with Pylons. So once updated and working dont change anything.

With it in pass through has the test passed?

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dave-walker avatar image
dave-walker answered ·

Do you have a grid profile set as I think this is needed for export and relay test?

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mikaeel avatar image
mikaeel answered ·

Can someone explain to me what the ess relay test and ground relay test are for and what exactly happens if it gets tested by the system?

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Alexandra avatar image Alexandra ♦ commented ·
The test on the ground relay is a check there is no stray voltage there. If there is there is a problem, it will let you know.


The ESS relay is related to ESS features and one of the checks whether the system can ESS correctly i.e. battery allowed to discharge.

I don't think this is a physical relay like the ground relay.


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sharpener avatar image sharpener Alexandra ♦ commented ·
PMFJI @Alexandra but I think it is a test of the grid isolation relay(s) and is what is responsible for all the clicking noises at startup. I think it is to make sure that the Multi can disconnect the grid safely in island mode to make sure there is no possibility of backfeed to the grid.


But unfortunately this does not get us much further, I have nearly the same setup as the OP and I am mystified by it. If you are right about the sustain then the system cannot work in island mode until that is fixed so the test will not/cannot succeed. But it should exit sustain at 50.4V and it is showing 51.4V so this is a puzzle.
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