question

wetride avatar image
wetride asked

Orion TR Smart & Smart Battery Sene

Hi. Iโ€™m hoping to use the Orion TR Smart with the Smart Battery Sense.

Currently it shows these are not compatible with each other.

Will this be fixed with a software update? Or is this a hardware issue?

Thanks!

orion-tr smartSmart Battery Sense
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reneschoch avatar image reneschoch commented ยท

I use a third-party BMS system and would appreciate it if the Victron Orion-Tr Smart also knows about the temperature and voltage on the battery. The main concern here is the overtemperature so that the controller can reduce the charging current.

I cannot fully understand the reasons given in the previous reports.

If I talked to SwissVictron about it, they would think it's a good idea too.

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7 Answers
wetride avatar image
wetride answered ยท

I heard back from Victron by email on this. the answer is...
Yes , but not in the near future due to other priorities

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petedd avatar image petedd commented ยท
It's 16 months later, no longer the "near future" and I too am waiting for the Orion-Tr Smart DC-DC Chargers to support the VE remote battery sensor.
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onigino avatar image onigino petedd commented ยท
I agree, this is very much needed I have numerous Victron products and the Orion-Tr smart is by far the most frustrating of all of them,


please update the firmware for this!


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safiery avatar image
safiery answered ยท

I donโ€™t understand why you need this and why it would be a priority for Victron? Please explain your application so we can assist.

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wetride avatar image wetride commented ยท

Hi. Iโ€™ll be using LiFeO4 cells with an external BMS that does not have a temperature sensor.
I want to be able to charge this with both an MPPT and an Orion TR smart.
The problem would be charging the battery in the winter in cold temperatures. I donโ€™t want to damage the cells and would need both the MPPT and the Orion tr smart to know the battery temperature and not charge it when the battery temperature is too cold.

I could accomplish this with a BMV, but that is an extra expensive and an extra piece of equipment.

Currently I use the MPPT load output to power my accessories and appliances. The victron app through the MPPT provides all charge and use data I need.

If the battery smart sense was compatible with the Orion TR smart, this would be the easiest and cheapest way to prevent battery damage from cold charging.


Thanks.

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wetride avatar image wetride wetride commented ยท

Actually, I canโ€™t accomplish this with a BMV, as the Orion TR Smart is not compatible with VE smart networking. So the Orion never knows the battery temperature.


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Justin Cook - Bay Marine Supply USA avatar image Justin Cook - Bay Marine Supply USA โ™ฆ wetride commented ยท

@WetRide, you could accomplish this with a BMV-702 or -712 by using a wired temperature sensor and configuring the output relay to turn on or off the Orion-Tr Smart (through its remote on/off ports) based on temperature.

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sirtoby avatar image sirtoby commented ยท
This seems to be important as well for selecting the master charger. I do have an IP22, Smart MPPT and the Orion-tr. MPPT and IP can agree about how is the master, but the Orion-tr is out of that game.
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safiery avatar image
safiery answered ยท

@WetRide If the Orion Smart is some distance from the batteries, simply increase the output charge voltage to offset ant voltage loss. As the current is fixed, the voltage loss is consistent and this will accomplish most of what the Smart Battery sense does.

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wetride avatar image wetride commented ยท

The main reason I want VE networking with the Orion is so the Orion knows the battery Temperature and does not charge the battery in cold temperatures as this will damage the battery. Adjusting for voltage will not accomplish this.

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giddyup avatar image
giddyup answered ยท

Still waiting for this to be sorted out. For the same reason above, to use the smart battery sense to stop charging at low temperatures when using either the mppt solar CC or the Orion.


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eupeixoto avatar image
eupeixoto answered ยท

To m the main reason I would like the Orion TR to be able to join a VE smart network is to make sure it will have accurate information about the SOC of the battery from the BMV jus like the Smart solar MPPT and the IP22 AC charger do. This is so annoying that the Orion does not talk with the BMV 712 and keeps doing its thing it's own way... :/

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minmin avatar image minmin commented ยท
this! It seems only "partly" smart without being about to receive simple instructions from some more advanced system, such as the BMV 712, on what charging profile is needed at the moment (temp related, SOC related, etc). I have noticed that you risk overcharging the batteries if the orion kicks on and batteries are already full!
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minmin avatar image
minmin answered ยท

Also still waiting for this. Not only for temperature related issues but also to prevent overcharging. If the orion smart TR is triggered when the batteries are relatively full it always goes into Bulk and ABS for far too long in my opinion before moving to float. really doesnt seem too "smart" at the moment unfortunately and doing this often- such as if being triggered by a vehicle turning on and batteries already full will reduce battery life due to over charging! I thought it was supposed to be "buy once cry once" :P not replace batteries and worrry about their burning


ve smart networking support so that the BMV-712 (or other master) can instruct charging profiles would be great! That way temp, current charge state and amps in/out are taken into account. just a simple instruction on what voltage/stage to charge from + a yes or no would be sufficient, no?

same goes for the bluesmart 240v to 12v charger btw...



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thshh avatar image
thshh answered ยท

Commucicating is a nice feature when using a MPPT SmartSolar device and a Battery Sense. MPPT stops charging when battery is hotter than 50 degree Celsius.

It also increases voltage to compensate losses when MPPT is not directly installed beside battery.


Using these features with an Orion would be great.

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minmin avatar image minmin commented ยท
Add a comment to the 40ish comment thread on the orions if you haven't done so. I am sure many are hoping for this feature.
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