Filax 2 as a Solar powered UPS

DIY
1

Hey guys,
I would like the build a small UPS-like system to seemslessly switch between grid and solar system for some critical loads in my home. I want to use a Filax 2, some SmartSolar MPPTs, a 48v battery and a 230v inverter.

I want to connect these loads:
Servers and switches between 80 and 300W combined
LED lights up to 400W
3 small heatpumps/airconditioners (250, 400 and 570W)
1 EC-fan motor 40W

So depending on season of the year and time of the day, the load will vary between 120W and 2000W

Filax 2 documentation states that there are jumpers to be set depending on the attached load being below or above 850W. Since in my setup this can be both ways, what should I set?

Also Victron says that Filax 2 is not to be used for “big mashinery”, I suppose this refers to high starting current of inductive loads like motors. Do the motors of my small ACs count into this category?

Is it even possible to use Filax 2 in this environment? Since these transfer switches are quite expansive, I would like to avoid using Filax for capacitive loads like Servers and LED lighting and another switch for resistive and inductive loads that do not necesarily need the high speed switching capabilities of the Filax 2.

2

I guess you mean an inverter?
I also guess you therefore want to supply AC loads, either from mains or from battery trough an inverter.

The filax is an electro-mechanical transfer switch. It can not switch without interruption.

Why not use a Multiplus instead of a transfer switch and an inverter, since the MP is quite literally those two devices combined, with additional features. It can be used like a UPS, however keep in mind that while mains is available, the mains voltage will be switched through (same as with the filax). Its a line-interactive topology

3

Yes, I mean an inverter.

I dont want a MultiPlus because I want it to be as modular as possible. I have had to many broken electronics over the years and I like it modular. I prefer smaller and individually cheaper devices failig instead of big expansive devices failing. Makes it easyer ans cheaper to replace individual devices.

And also because MP won’t cut off the grid completely. With solar and grid completely separated Idont need to register my construct.

4

It can be configured to do that, or manually/remotely set to run as inverter only. This can be automated.

I think you need to do a bit more research on the products.

5

I did not ask for alternatives. I specifically asked about the capabilities and setup of Filax 2.

I already have an Inverter and SmartSolars so i would like to use what I already have.

6

This is a victron forum, we try encourage best practice and when you ask for information you are going to get suggestions on better, or different, ways of doing things, especially when the all the detail and context is not in a topic.

It is also for the benefit of others who might find this topic and have slightly different requirements.

7

Well, sorry I did not mention that before. Now that you know that I already posses an inverter and SmartSolar mppts/chargers, can you answer any of my original questions regarding the Filax2 transfer switch?

8

The Filax is a bit out of my area, it is not something we see a lot of topics about. A quick search shows some previous ones that may be of interest, including one where Aircons (with soft-start) did not work with the device.

The guidance for the product is that it is for smaller electronics, not for AC/Heatpumps, so the recommendation would be to get a different type of transfer switch more suited to those loads.