question

Grant Willson avatar image
Grant Willson asked

My Phoenix inverter 12V 250VA 230V sometimes shows negative output current in VRM

"inverter output voltage and current" readings on the Advanced page of VRM go negative output current (-0.2 for example), sometimes, while it is actively powering a load (tv, phone, computer).

Remote Console shows 0VA but theres 17watts being used as shown by my Smart Plug.

Surely it's impossible for the inverter to do that (negative current).

Phoenix InverterVE.Direct
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4 Answers
Guy Stewart (Victron Community Manager) avatar image
Guy Stewart (Victron Community Manager) answered ·

Electricity is a funny thing, and nothing is impossible. But in this case it is much more likely that the current reading component on those inverters is not precise, just an indication.

For a more precise and accurate reading, it is strongly recommended to use the SmartShunt or BMV-712.

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amirb avatar image amirb commented ·

I can accept the current reading is not accurate - but if my inverter has a constant negative current offset (on my Phoenix 230V 1200VA it is -0.6A !!!!) I expect to be abele to zero out this offset so all the current reading will go up by 600mA and the graph will start at Zero not at -0.6A

you say that this is funny - Well I don't find it funny at all ! because of this offset the Power consumption of the inverter is "blind" to loads bellow 138W (0.6A x 230V) it simply reports them as zero ! and every load that is reported is reported way optimistically for a 1200VA inverter is is about 15% error . I would appreciate a firmware upgrade that will have the option to zero out this offset in the Victron connect GUI .

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this is night = no Pv output , the smart shunt reports -29W discharge - This is true and correct (10W self inverter consumption+ 19w small loads (ac & dc ) - but because of the negative current - VRM shows me that the inverter is creating energy from nowhere ! 167W-29W is exactly the negative offset of 138W !!!!! created by the negative current .

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My Victron system is made of

Smart shunt 500A , smart solar mppt 100/30 & Phoenix Ve.Direct 230V 1200VA inverter

I'm a good Victron customer - and this is very annoying - a firmware update to the inverter will be very appreciated.

Best regards ,

Amir


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Grant Willson avatar image
Grant Willson answered ·

Oh, sure, I've got the BMV-712 too.

Obviously the Phoenix Inverter current calculation components are not accurate. Disappointing.

But I would expect that at least the software would impose a floor value of Zero Amps because the design of the hardware makes negative current production impossible, presumably.

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John Muntanga avatar image
John Muntanga answered ·

Is there any work around about this issue or has it been resolved?

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ubizen avatar image
ubizen answered ·

I have the some problem, very annoying.

My Phoenix inverter 12/800 with firmware 1.30, is doing the same.

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In VRM this is showing totally wrong DC Power readings.

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I hope there will be a solution for this problem soon. The ampere reading on the inverter has to be limited to 0.0, this will give a more accurate reading.

A detailed reading is possible by putting an extra shunt in my system? A shunt for DC Power or a shunt before my Phoenix inverter?


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1650008302506.png (40.8 KiB)
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