I have adopted a large 3 phase system consisting of 4x parallel quattro 15k per phase with a 300kva generator.
When i arrived to site, there were 2 quattros with burnt out input relays.
I replaced the ac input boards and tested the system, All seemed ok.
After few weeks, input relays cooked again.
The ac input current limit was set for 180A from memory, so one would assume 45A to each quattro, well within the relays 100A current rating.
Ac cabling was checked for equal lengths on the parallel connected units.
I replaced the relays again and have limited the input current to 95A to prevent burning relays again.
I have spoken to a few techs and came to the conclusion that the relays aren’t closing at precisely the same time and thus the first relay to close is taking the full generator current.
I have read the article that the multiplus units have a special .s99 firmware which allows for an external transfer switch.
This would mitigate the burning input relay issue, but alas is not available for the quattro series.
My question is, is there a way to have an external contactor/ transfer switch for this quattro system?
If so, how would it be implemented.
I have submitted a support request with Victron professional on the 10th june which was forwarded to the company who sold the quattros to the original installers.
It has been nearly a month and still no response from Baywa.re.
Not happy with the support or lack there of from them.
Not to mention the client is disappointed with the lack of support.
I had seen that setting but didnt feel it would be suitable as it refers to small honda style generators.
So from what i have read, it sounds like it will syncronise and connect the generator ac input then ramp the ac input power over a period of time.
If so, then even though this is a large generator, slowly ramping the ac input current will solve this issue.
I believe this should be standard for all generators, surely cant be good for them to take full load upon synchronisation
guystewart
(Guy Stewart (Victron Community Manager))
5
Unfortunately external transfer switch support is only for the MultiPlus-II right now.
If support is extended to the Quattro range it will be announced here - https://professional.victronenergy.com/news/ - you can subscribe to get email updates.
Regarding the support form, you should have received some automated follow up emails after submitting it asking how it was going. Did you get those and still the chain went cold?
At that point the next best thing to do would be get in touch with the Victron Australia sales managers at - salesaustralia@victronenergy.com and tell them that you can’t contact your supplier directly. They should be able to help escalate it.
Hi Guy,
Yes i did receive the follow up emails and i responded that i had not heard anything back.
Then chain has gone cold.
Do you believe what jack peters suggested with using the dynamic current limit would help my situation?
The more i read into it, it seems like it will help.
Am I understanding the operation of the dynamic current limit correctly in that upon generator starting and synchronising with the quattros that the input current will ramp up over a period of time?
I do not think so, problem is uneven switching of 2 indepndent inverters causing load balancing problems (even when for very short times). I have this same situation on external transfer switch. Using max 32A, but 50A transfer switch burns because of unbalanced parallel switching. The only solution in my opinion is to calculate with full power for each unit. Ordered 100A switch that went dead after cca 2 years (because we have frequent outages and my use case is little bit different - guaranteed 1000 switchovers was achieved), now 300A switch is on the way.
Support depends on where you live. I heard that in some countries is perfect. In my country local support is absolute 0, in case you do not want to order new unit they do not even speak to you and drop the line. But I have very good and pleasant experience with Victron ‘central’, it is hard to reach someone, but as soon as you reach someone from real Victron they are extremely helpful, have great knowledge and do not mind troubleshooting it with you for hours… Really great service from Victron ‘central’
But unfortunately they do only troubleshooting, can not help with configuration etc… this is always given to the local company and that is absolute disaster. For this reason I’m currently not running Victron system - absolute 0 support in installation, configuration etc…
From my experience as soon as the ticket is transferred out of Victron (to other company) it is dead and nobody will ever react to this ticket.