All Posts in Questions & Answers

I am designing a solar system to charge electric lawn equipment with a Multiplus 24V 3000w. When all 3 lithium battery chargers are on they will pull 2700 Watts which is over the continuous rating. It is to my understanding that these lithium tool chargers are non linear loads. Under the specifications 3000 watts is the continuous rating for non linear loads. Am I correct in thinking that as long as the temperature is kept in check the system wont overload?

Hello,

Our system is reporting inaccuracies in battery voltage and as a result solar not charging battery full. For example, today our battery was at 13.44V (consistent with BMV and BMS) but MPPT showed 13.8V. MPPT then ended up going into absorption well before battery was full. I noticed that the difference was greater when a higher wattage was coming in from solar. Eg, 300w There was a difference of 1-3 volts but when only 100w coming in they were showing similar volts. MPPT history also shows we hit 14.73V which is really inaccurate.

We have checked the connections and had to make a reconnection but issues still happening. We have not synchronised SOC yet as hasn’t hit 14.2V.

Any help appreciated! Thank you

[image]

[image]

[image]

[image]

Hey Community !

i will update my single Phase Setup to a three Phase Setup in a few days. My "old" MP II is a PMP482505000 which worked for nearly 2 years without a problem. The 2 new units are slightly different to the old one (PMP482505010).

Are these 2 units able to build a 3 Phase Setup ? If yes: are there any limitations to be expected ?

Thanks a lot !

Jens

Hello Community,

Hope someone can guide me :-)

We are in a professionally built expedition truck with Victron systems. Over the last two days we have been smelling rotten eggs. I started with the toilet but ended up at the starter batteries :-(

Both starter batteries are leaking (2 x 12v series).

Q1 Is it usual for both starter batteries to fail together or is this symptomatic of an external issue ( overcharging issue or something else)?

We are parked up (Corona 19) with a shore supply feeding a Pheonix Multiplus that charges our leisure batteries and starter via a Cyrix-i 12/24-120 bidirectional voltage sensitive relay. A Victron MPPT solar charger is a second charging source (added a month ago to replace a PWM unit).

About two days ago the inverter displayed a Bulk Protection alarm. And I reset it. I didn't know what this was, but the community has told me that it means the max bulk charging time of 10 hours was exceeded. I suppose this is associated with my problem.

I noticed yesterday that my MPPT was generating 17A, but the BMV indicated only a few amps charging the onboard leisure batteries and I wondered where the rest was going as I had not much load switched on. I guess it was going into the started batteries.

Q2 Can anyone through some light on what is going on? Have the batteries failed as a result of a system issue or of their own accord and just need replacing?

Many thanks in advance to responders.

David

UPDATE 1

Multiplus & MPPT have identical charge settings (bar current limit):

Vab = 28.8v

Vfl = 27.6v

Current limits are 45A and 30A respectively.

Voltage across starter battery terminals (chargers off): 24.8v

Voltage across leisure batteries (from BMV) (chargers off): 25.5v

Voltage across starter battery terminals (MP charger on): 27.6v and climbing slowly

Voltage across leisure batteries (from BMV) (MP chargers on): 27.7 and climbing slowly

I am considering a Quatro 24/5000 and have a 200 AH battle born battery bank. In the manual it says 400AH is the minimum. Would I need a soft start for this and are there any other problems that could occur from using a smaller battery bank?

Hello,
I have two 100W solar panels on my vehicle, an MPPT 75/15 with a Banner Energy Bull 12v 130 ah slow discharge lead acid battery on a motorhome.
In the MPPT 75/15 configurations, there are no voltage configurations for slow discharge lead acid batteries for absorption and float voltage.
14.4 for absorption and 13.1V for float, do you think it is correct?
We sometimes see a higher floating voltage (13.8 V), but this does not risk causing the evaporation of the electrolyte during the period of non-use?

I bought this style unit

https://www.oeko-energie.de/shop1/de/insel-wechselrichter-victron-phoenix800.html

Because it can accept significant higher input voltage (68V) than the successor at 62V or something. It works perfectly with my 60V electric scooter battery if it is charged to only 80 percent or so.

Only trouble is it will drain the battery too far down if unsupervised. Is there any way to adjust the input minimum voltage to around 57V so it shuts off as the more modern units can be adjusted to via app?

Warranty has been voided before so no concern there. Cheers

I bought 6 Smart Solar 100/30 MPPTs. 2 of them are not working. (One produces 0 wattage and the other briefly ramps up then goes back to 0. I have tried swapping them out and the other controllers work well, so its not the wiring or the panels. I bought these on Amazon a few months ago. Do I contact the dealer at Amazon or go to Victron directly? Thanks

I'm an off-grid camper, and bought the following victron components from a distributor that only works monday through friday. I'm 400 miles from the camp location during the week, and due Covid-19, I'm lucky if I get a Saturday to drive there, let alone a weekday. This creates a support problem, I can't get any when I'm at the site :(

Here's what I have:

Multiplus 12/3000 with MK3 USB

BMV-712 with VE Direct USB

SmartSolar 100/30 with VE Direct USB

RaspberryPi 3b with Venus firmware v2.60

2 x 100w Renogy Solar Panels

1 x 100Ah AGM Battery (3 more are awaiting delivery)

Smart Sense (not going to be used now that I have the BMV-712)

I have the MK3 cable on the Multiplus, and VE Direct USB cables connecting the BMV and SmartSolar charger to the Raspberry Pi. The remote display works nicely, I can see the state of the system, do basic adjustments to input amps, etc, track solar generation and AC / Load off the generator.

I used VictronConnect to configure the Smart Solar VE network, which is receiving info from the BMV.

Here's where I get confused.

Question 1:

The VE Smart Network in VictronConnect shows the connection between the BMV and the Solar Charger, but why does Venus report?

[image]

Question 2:

Why is the SOC always reported as -- on the Multiplus screen in the Venus:

[image]

Question 3:

How can I shut the inverter down when the SOC reaches 50% to save the batteries? There's got to be a simple reference to show how to hook up the bmv to the multiplus, but I can't find it.

Question 4:

Would the BMV feed data to a second Smart Solar charger if I add one in order to expand to 600w of Solar?

Thanks in advance for any guidance!

Dave

My BMV-712 is set to 200ah of batteries. I have used all the recommendations for the settings from this community, Victron, and Battleborn. At night when we are only on battery power it will show for example, 14ah used and 86% energy left. That says to me it is only using 100ah.

Has anyone else had this problem?

Should I reset the battery monitor?

Or reset the BMS?

Please help

Hi, I have a 12/1200/50 multiplus compact that wont switch over to charge when I plug in mains power. I cannot hear the switch that used to flick over to charge previously

My 3000 will charge my lithium batteries fine thru all the steps, bulk, absorption, and then float. Once it reaches float it will actually go to Off when I view the app It then will start back up on it's on. Sometimes in absorption mode, sometimes in bulk mode. Anybody know what can cause this and will this lead to bigger problems. How do I fix?

I am investigating the use of a Multiplus-II in the scenario illustrated below and have a couple of questions. The SMA inverter is already in place and I do not own it so therefore do not have the option to move it. I would be adding everything else in the schematic.

1) To power the critical loads, I want the power to come from the PV on DC array first, then the battery, then the PV on AC Array, then the grid. Is that possible?

2) To power the normal loads, I want the power to come from either of the PV arrays, then the grid, but never from the battery. Is that possible?

3) With the SMA and Victron inverters on the same circuit, will there be any issues such as anti-islanding conflicts?

4) On a very rare occasion, the SMA will push power to the grid. With the AC sensor installed, I am assuming the Victron will push zero power out as the net overall demand reaches zero. If the SMA were to continue to push out power to the grid, will there be any adverse effects to the Victron? Will it just stay at zero output without generating an error?

5) In a slightly different configuration, is it possible to set the ESS system to allow a certain amount of power to the grid? Say for example 2kWh?

[image]

I attached the Blue Smart IP65 12/15 charger directly to my 2016 Mercedes Sprinter chassis battery via the M8 battery eyelets and the 2m long extension cable.

I have an Espar D2 that is directly connected to the battery, and the Victron eyelets are connected in the exact same place to the battery.

If I set the IP65 to 4A normal charge, and start the heater, would the heater be able to run at the same time as the battery is charging, or will I have some issues with power or surges or anything like that, leading to possible damage of the Espar D2 heater's ECU?

Any help / advice is greatly appreciated.

My Orion Tr Smart 12/12-30 Charger runs hot, and the output current folds back considerably. Anyone else with this problem? When cold, it will output 33A. When hot, it will fold back to 26A or less. Parts of the case may exceed 134dg F, in a cool (60dg F) environment. By adding a 80CFM fan above the fins, the case temperature is lowered by 20 degrees F, and the unit will continuosly output 30A. It would appear that the heat sink is undersized. Comments?

I seem to be having an issue with GX 50 Touch where the screen just stays on, regardless of which setting I change it to under the display options. The brightness adjust or also doesn’t seem to be working at all. Does anyone have any suggestions on what could be the cause and how to fix it?

Cheers

System - Venus GX, Multiplus II 3000VA

I have set the charge current to 30A(rather than 32A) - I have tried to change the charge power in ESS to a lower value, but any change has not had an effect (eg: when I dropped the charge power to say 500W, it still charges at 30A roughly 1650W).

Battery - Li Ion

Hi,

I have 3x4 and 3x3 constellation of the attached panels. I have tried to use the calculator and i am wondering why it's suggesting 150/60 for my 3x4 side when the datasheet states Nominal PV power, 48V = 3440W and i have Total PV Power : 3720W and then the same on the 3x3 side where i have total PV power 2790W and the datasheet states 2600W, i am sure i am misunderstanding something but what is it ?

Amerisolar-AS-6M30-PERC-Black-Module-1640x992x40mm-Eng.pdf

[image]

The next question is about MC4 vs without . As far as i can see all MC4 connectors are rated at 30A. My 3x4 side will be 40A since each series is of 10A and the 3x3 side will be 30A. Does that mean that if i buy a 150/60 MC4 i can't use it with 40A with the MC4 ? If so why then make it at all ?

I should mention that i will run a 48V system (16S of LiFePo4 Batteries)

Best regards,

Peter

Just trying to understand the remote switch operation be for installing.

This system will be load only on a small yacht. All charging will be between battery bank and SBP.

No integration with other equipment. Simple cut off to protect deep discharge.

Can the remote be use to override the cut off and force a reconnect?

IE to temporarily bypass for emergency radio transmission, operate emergency lights etc. While charging system is brought on line.

I am having an issue with the Autotransformer output voltages - 114V on L1 and 120V on L2 (with no load)

120V current is supplied by a Quattro 48V / 10000 / 140-100/100 to the 100A Autotransformer. I'm using the AT to provide a split-phase 120/240v supply to the 50A main break panel in my RV

I have wired the AT connections according to the diagram #3 shown on the system schematics page from the Victron website: (https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/AT-3-split-phase-120V-to-120-240V-with-Quattro-120V.pdf)

The Ground Relay in the Quattro is set to ON and is correctly grounding the Neutral to earth.

Here are the voltages I read at the terminals:

[image]

The problem I have with this is that the voltage on L1 decreases a lot with load, and when occurs equipment will pull more current to compensate for the lower voltage.

Here is a pic of my RV control panel, showing the disparity in voltage between L1 and L2. Even though there are 2 air conditioners on Line2 it has only dropped 2 volts - Line1 dropped from 114v to 105v. This can't be good.

[image]

Questions: 1) - Is this method of wiring correct, and 2) what is causing the voltage discrepancy?

Thanks!

Aug-31: Editing this in an attempt to make the question visible again. I'm thinking of sending this AutoTransformer back to Victron as it is not performing to expectations. I have seen voltages as low as 96 volts on L1, at which point my UPS shuts down my computer, and various other circuits shut down. Not happy...

I'd appreciate a comment from anyone who has had experience with an AutoTransformer.

I am trying to decide if I want to buy a simple inverter or an inverter charger for my Bighorn 5th wheel. When I am running on the inverter, I want to supply AC power to both legs of my 50 amp AC panel. will the Victron Multiplus 12/3000/120-50 do this? If so, is there anything special I need to do when installing the unit?

I have a Cerbo GX, BMV-712, and 4 x SmartSolar 75/15 MPPT controllers.

Controller Settings:

Bulk/Absorption Voltage: 14.4
Float Voltage: 13.4

Max Absorption time: 6 hours

Tail Current: 6.0A

Some of the controllers (sometimes one, sometimes two or three) often go into float before the 6.0A tail current is reached (as recommended for my battery bank), while the others stay in absorption mode. The controllers in absorption mode cannot finish the charge cycle (because they cannot maintain 14.4V until tail current is < 6.0A) and the controllers in "Float" mode are not producing (0W) because they are waiting for the voltage to drop to 13.4.

I was under the impression the the Cerbo would coordinate the controllers so they would act in unison. Perhaps I missed a setting?

I am running firmware 2.54 on the Cerbo GX and cannot upgrade yet because I am waiting to get a question answered about using a powered hub since I will lose one USB port currently in use with firmware greater than 2.57. I have read the release notes for later firmware and it does not seem to mention this issue.

Any thoughts on what to look for would be greatly appreciated.

Hello, the VictronConnect app on my Android does not show the voltage output when the power supply mode is on. I used version 1.03 and just today v1.05 of the latest firmware.

Rarely does the output voltage show on the app, mainly it just shows the two dash "--".

Any ideas why?

Is there a bug in the app, or an issue with my cables? 8awg from the 12v battery with a length of 6 feet to the Orion, then 10awg from the Orion to the unit being supplied with power with a length of 8 feet.

[image]

[image]

When grid connected, relay is quiet. When disconnecting grid, relay start buzzing. Or sometimes the relay is quiet and when I gently knock on the casing, relay start buzzing. Any thoughts?

The seller I have buy it from does not answer me. Is the relay possible to replace by my self?

And the unit draws over 40 watts in idle current when inverting.

I live in Sweden, any chance that I can claim warranty any other way? The unit is 3 weeks old.

Hi,

is it possible to get the "total yield sent to the grid" via API / MQTT ?

There is a nice graph showing the "sent to grid" values (in red):

[image]

But can I get this value using API or MQTT ?

I am able to read the total pv yield from my MPPTs, but thats not as interesting as the value that was sent to the grid for me.

BR

Gawan

My new Multiplus II 48V 3000VA draws 0.89A at 52V when no load is connected. That is 46 watts. In the specification, it should draw 11 watts. Is my device broken?

I have double checked and triple checked with different measurement methods. And even the Multiplus and BMV tell me 0,9A.

I bought this specifically because it would only draw 11 watts compared to 40 watts that my old inverter draws as I have limited space for solar panels and the inverter need to be on 24/7.

This one draws even more than my old cheap chinese inverter.

Any suggestions? Or is it just to return the device?

I labelled my Quattro AC input 1 as ‘shore power’, then set up an alarm rule on my CCGX where all input labels (not available, grid, generator, shore power) were enabled.

When I disconnected my shore power, the CCGX and VRM gave me ‘grid lost’ alarms. I acknowledged the alarm on the CCGX and reconnected shore power but it took a reset to clear the CCGX, and I can’t clear it on the VRM.

I’ve tried deleting the rule and setting up a new one, re-labelling my input as ‘grid’ to see if that’ll clear it - no luck.

Any advice appreciated - would like to clear from the VRM.

I have a solar charger MPPT 100/30 connected to the Gerbo GX and also a MPPT control connected to the Gerbo GX. Is this an supported setup or does the system only allow one controller?

I have a set of FLA batteries on my boat that can accept 200 amps of charge current at 12V in bulk mode.

For charging underway I have a 150 amp alternator and am also expecting to add solar in the near future.

If I use a inverter/charger (for example 2 miltiplus units or a single Quattro) will the Cerbo controller back off the charge current to that of a programmed acceptance rate for the batteries?

I want the capability to charge even if not underway at my full 200A but do not want to exceed my batteries charge current acceptance rate.

Thanks!

Hi all,

Just confirming here that when my boat is floating on the water there should be a link from the input PE terminal to J34a.

So, the earth wire from the shore power supply flex is connected to the input PE terminal and I make a small wire up with a female spade connector from this input PE terminal and connect it to J34a?

This transformer is not the auto 115v - 230v switching model

Many thanks