Cerbo GX with 2 Orion XS charging AGM spiral batteries at 16.6 volts

DIY
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1

I have two Orion XS 50 charging tow banks of Optima AGM spiral (yellow) batteries and linked to a Cerbo GX. When controlled by the Cerbo GX, the Orion voltage charge in float mode is 16.6 V instead of the configured 14.7 V, which will toast the batteries quickly (if not already done since I realized that after a couple of hours). If disconnected (by software) from the Cerbo GX, they charge at the configure 14.7 V. Why is that, and is it a known problem?

2

Hi,

On the Cerbo GX they should be configured to charge an auxiliary battery:
Setings → Devices → … the Orion XS entry … → Settings → Output battery → Charging another battery from the main battery.

Regards,
Thiemo van Engelen

3

I noticed the option was added to the settings page in the Cerbo, but not in the Victron App. I selected “output to auxiliary battery” but after a few minutes got an error that said “BMS Disconnect” and the Orion stopped charging. Is this change/update/improvement still in the works and not fully baked? I also noticed that the Orion XS does not show as a device on the Cerbo page, but just as one of the DC loads. Any more news on this?

4

Hi Kyle,

This feature is fully functional.

The reason the setting is not visible in VictronConnect is that it is not a setting that is of any concern to the OrionXS. It matters only for the GX as determines whether DVCC / BMS data is sent to the OrionXS and it matters indirectly for VRM so it can show the data in the correct place.

The reason you are getting the error after switching the setting is that in the previous situation, the GX would send BMS data (maximum charge current) and in the new situation that information is not longer sent (as it is no longer charging the main battery for which the GX has BMS data). When you are using the new gui on the GX, there is an option in the device menu of the OrionXS under Settings to reset the BMS controlled status. This option is also available in VictronConnect when connecting to the OrionXS. This should remove the error and the OrionXS should resume charging the auxiliary battery.

With kind regards,
Thiemo van Engelen

5

Thank you. I also updated Venus OS, and now the option resembles what you suggest. Is there a plan to add Orion XS to the overview page along with the other equipment (Lynx, Alternator, Battery, etc)? Or will it always be a sub-option of DC loads? I like to know when it’s charging my start/aux battery…