New install and how does this smart bms connect to the cerbo.gx?
Can you please add some more details?
How/where did you connect the BMS to the GX device?
Section 5.4.8 of the manual.
I can connect to it lynx smart bms by Bluetooth or through the VRM portal. I was having some issues with keeping the NG batteries fully charged, so I added a RJ-45 connector between the BMS and the Cerbo and terminated at the Cerbo, as the only other connection on the BMS is to the Wakespeed using a cable provided by Nations Alternators. Adding this cable seem to fix that issue, but it did not help on the Cerbo GX screen device list. The only device on the screen is the multiplus II, which has a RJ-45 connection between the two.
Did you install a black Wakespeed terminator on the unused port on the WS? If there is an open port on the Lynx BMS, it needs to have a blue terminator installed.
I have the same set up.
Black terminator - WS500 - black plug of VE CAN cable - blue plug of VE CAN cable - Lynx NG BMS - VE CAN cable - Cerbo VE CAN port - blue terminator.
The bit rate on the WS500 and the Cerbo VE CAN port both need to be set to 250kbit/s. Do not use the BMS CAN port on the Cerbo.
That’s how I’ve got it set up now. But I don’t see where you can adjust a bit rate between the wakespeed and smart BMS?
Depends on the firmware for menu options.
V3.30 Settings - connectivity - ve can port
<=V3.55 Settings - Services - ve can port
After connecting a RJ 45 cable from the lynx smart BMS to theCerbo gx now its in the device list, what that changed also was control of the system to external? I believe that is because I switched on DVCC. And set parameters there.
The Lynx should have forced DVCC on, but now the BMS controls all charging. If you have your WS500 set up correctly, max current limit set, shunt in the alternator outlet and DVCC enabled and the CAN protocol as Victron Lynx BMS then that should also be controlled. Everything works OK on my Lynx NG BMS with WS500, MPPT & Multiplus charging sources.
Thanks but what I don’t understand is what does the shunt in the alternator outlet specifically do? When the actual smart BMS is controlling the charging and you can see the SOC in the BMS. I guess it gives you the amp output of the alternator, but I don’t see where or what information the Wakespeed gets from this shunt?
The info is in the Wakespeed configuration and communication guide.
A shunt in the alternator output is not necessary, but has some useful features
- The Cerbo can correctly report the alternator current.
- DVCC control by the Cerbo is better because it knows it is part of the overall charging scheme, knows what the alternator is producing and what its maximum capability is so it can not ask for more than it can deliver.
- If the alternator can deliver enough current to the batteries so that the alternator overheats then you can set the max alternator current to a safe value and as the alternator current is monitored, the control can stop the current rising, which is better than waiting for temperature regulation to kick in.
My view is if you have spent of the order of £1000 / $1500 on the Lynx BMS and WS500, why not spend the additional £25 / $30 on a dumb shunt to get the best out of the systems you have purchased.
I purchased Victron part number SHU500050100 link below.
Right I definitely understand that as I’m in over 15k usd already, but it’s a class a motorhome and getting to the 48 V nations alternator is a real pain! I would have to assume it really doesn’t matter where the shunt is located along the 4/0000 cable just needs to be between the alternator and Vitron power-in. , positive side
Does not matter where it goes on the wire, if in the positive then the sense wires need fusing and the shunt needs to be in a box / cover. I do not know the Nations Alternator, if possible get it in the negative as it is electrically safe then not needing fuses on the sense wires, I managed to do that on my boat as all wires are separated from the hull.