Our system consisting of a Cerbo with touchscreen 7", 3xMP2 5000, 3x SmartSolar 250-100, 1 x Smartsolar 150-35, 4 parallel strings of 16s 280Ah EVE LFP batteries (123smartbms and shut-off relay for each string) and 2 fronis inverters (5 and 4kW) works like a charm.
From april to october we almost “can” live offgrid if we want.
In winter though there’s not enough sun to charge the batteries and here a generator would come handy.
I am currently looking at the Honda EU70is with propane as bifuel option.
This one delivers max 7kVA (normally around 5-6 kW) but is one phase.
I’ve been looking for a 3phase generator but there are almost all running on diesel, which will degrade after some years storage while propane just stays… propane, even if it is stored for many years.
I am thinking of using two 3kW 200V meanwell powersypplies to feed one of the Smartsolar 250-100’s so the batteries will be charged safe and controlled by the Cerbo.
This takes some effort so I am wondering: are there compact and silent 3phase generators running on propane that do not cost a house or is there a good option to charge the batteries directly with DC?
I red some questions about this topic but my answer is not between them.
You’re right but sound is an issue too here and the Honda EU70 is quit silent here AND running on propane / gasoline too. Was looking for an affordable 3-phase generator of say somewhere between 7-15kW.
The Honda will be incapsuladed and can breathe his exhaust fumes through a special outlet made for it.
For otside there’s an alternative but no running on gasoline options here (still 3x400V option)
Got to ask this;. Why don’t you charge your batteries from the grid and use a generator only for when the grid is down? Won’t that be a whole lot cheaper and more environmental friendly?
@BjoernK thanks for your reaction (was busy with another project). I don’t want to use too much software drivens add-ons. Just plain and simple charging all batteries (running low on 20% or lower SOC) and accepting any source of power without any risc until 70-80% SOC is reached. Then charging can stop.
Hi @ChiefSolar that’s exactly what I want to do. When sun is away in winter day and the grid is out, I want to charge the batteries at full power on 3 phase until a SOC of 70-80% is reached. Normally, Solar or grid will power our house, combined with batteries to enhance selfconsumprion and making zero-feed-in possible from 2027 onwards.
The expensive way to solve this (and it may require also help from the installer) is to… use a fourth MP2 5000 as solely the charger. With the idea being that you buy one that is compatible with the existing three, and so provides redundancy in case an inverter breaks down. As I understand it, DVCC now supports integrating a separate VEbus system using an USB dongle.
You can get another multiplus and use it as charger only or get a charger only from another brand .
So the loads will always be powered by the multis from DC to ac . And the single phase Genset will just power the battery charger .will have some more DC wiring to do that’s the only downside hopefully your bus bars have room .
This is in my opinion much better anyway than even if you had a three phase Genset as the power will be much cleaner and won’t passthrough the multi directly to the loads .the multis can only invert or charge they can’t do both at the same time unfortunately , with límited exception during the power boost mode ..
The one downside I see in this setup is if your victron system goes kaboom you have a single phase Genset and can only power one phase in your panel if you rig the genset to power loads directly in an emergency .
You can supply a three phase system with only single phase, just disable “Switch as group” in VE.bus configurator.
So the one MP that will have power on its input will switch that on, the other two stay in inverter operation.
