My Victron system is working perfectly. Now I’m setting up another system with a different configuration. I have a question on the best way to limit but not entirely shut down the Quattro charger while allowing grid pass-through without resorting to Node Red. I have an idea but I’m not sure it would work or it’s the best way to do things:
Question: How best to manipulate the Quattro charger while allowing grid-to-ac out 2-pass-through without using Node Red.
Aim: AC out 2 loads are supplied by grid full time. Quattro charger only kicks in to emergency-charge batteries when they fall below 40% SOC and it stops when batteries reach 50% SOC. These numbers are not strict. Otherwise, the batteries are charged by MPTTs.
Idea: Set the VE Configure Charger tab figures for absorption and float to 52.2 volts. My thinking (which could be flawed) is that the Quattro charger will only kick in when the battery voltage (God forbid) falls under 52.2. Above that figure, thanks to the MPTTs, the Quattro charger will stay off. I know voltage is not an accurate reflection of SOC, but the chart I’m using for a rough idea is attached. Also attached are the proposed VE Configure changes. Everything else remains on default.
The batteries have accessible SOC. The main reason I’m not using ESS is that Victron recommends against it for stationary installations. Plus local authorities don’t allow any form of feed-in. Most people simply ignore them but as for me, I try to observe the rules. Everything is voluntary though.
No, its not recommended for mobile or offgrid installations. Stationary, or rather with permanent mains connection, are the main place to use the ESS config
I dont see what the connection is between the two. Yes you can use a lowered Absorption/Float setting, but ensure that cell voltage drift doesnt get out of hand (for example after days of mediocre weather).
You could use the “Solar and wind priority” setting, but that one now is intended to be used on mobile/offgrid installs
This how ESS works, the system uses battery/sun until it reaches minimum SOC (40% for example, you can set this in VRM) then it starts pulling from the grid. When the grid goes down the remaining 40% are used. Only difference is the system does not recharge to 50% from the grid, only to the minimum SOC.
AC out 2 disconnects when the grid disconnects, AC out 1 stays on using battery power.
Zero feed-in can also be set in the VRM, then the system only produces what it needs for the loads and to charge the batteries.
You are likely right. I could have mixed up the two. I will look into ESS then. Did I read somewhere that there’s is always some little feed-in with ESS regardless of the setting?
There is no obvious connection between supplying the loads and charging. I just put it there in case there is a scenario I’m not seeing where charging stops supply to the loads.
SOC drift is highly unlikely as I get plenty of sunshine. Unless something happens to the solar chargers and I don’t notice.
Current takes the easiest path so it’s not easy for an inverter to keep the grid at 0. It fluctuates for example from -50W to +50W, depending on grid and load stability. This is usually not a problem for the power provider.
If you set the grid setpoint to, for example, 200W the inverter will always try to pull 200W from the grid to supply loads or charge the batteries. This means it now fluctuates between 150W to 250W, so no feed-in.
Another way is using the internal relay of the cerbo to control a bigger relay that switches off the grid above a certain SOC, so the grid only connects when the batteries need recharging.
I would suggest to just setup ESS and if there is too much feed in try one of the options above.
