The solar charger is a pwm generic without Canbus or any data connection
Actually I have lead acid batteries, and works fine, but low capacity; I want to improve with the pylontech up2500, 2 units; but reading I see they need a Gx for work, so I should buy a victron charger too…(600€ more)
Is that real, or have I some way to make the batteries work without gx?
If it’s imposible, which can be my best second option?
Of course, the 2500 Pylontech also works without GX … but the use of a “control system” is strongly recommended … also in the event of a warranty claim …
In terms of price/performance, however, I would definitely recommend building your own battery with a separate BMS. You’ll get much more capacity for your money.
You may encounter problems if the Pylontech’s require a keep-alive signal, but I have a customer who used a Pylontech with a another brand inverter in this manner without a problem. Just be aware.
FWIK, only batteries after 2019 (FW 1.3) know about keep alives.
But after power up they don’t need a keep alive signal.
Still…
If you send one, then you’ll need to keep sending it, up until the next power cycle, otherwise they will stop after 5 minutes.
PS.
The above is different from the “inverter present” signal, without which the battery will not send any info over CAN…
Thank you @alexpescaru Appreciate the very useful detailed insight. In his shoes, I will likely consider a simple LifePo4 “drop-in lead replacement” battery from a budget perspective and upgrade the PWM charger to an MPPT, as with greater capacity you will need better charging. From there on it simply just spirals out of control as we know.
Thanks everyone for your answers, I were really stuck.
buy new stuff was my first thought, but I didn’t know wich, I was thinking on charger, gs… much money; the multiplus gx it’s not a bad way to improve entire instalation, i will count coins, and see.
Lifepo4 no even think about, good point, I need to see capacities current money.. Easiest way I think.
Keep alive signal, it’s my worst think, and there’s no documentation about; I write directly to pylontech, let’s see if they answer…
Whe I have something, I will actualize this, if it can be usefull for someone else.
Up until then, because the UP2500 is a 24V battery with 8 cells, set the charger to deliver 27.8V (3.48V/cell) for absorption and 27.2V (3.4V/cell) for float. The BMS in the battery should do it’s duty and take care of anything else.
At the end pylontech must have CAN bus connected to the charger, and charger connected to the inverter.
That’s what customer tells to me.
So in my case, that must be done buying a new one,
At that point the multiplus 2 gx it’s a good option, here in Spain I find the 48v and 3kw for 781€ + lythium batteries arroun 1400€ it’s a good equipment, but too much money.
That approach me to the third option, Lifepo4 batteries, I found one 24v 300Ah, with 100 of continuous discharge by less than 600€, and I don’t have to change anything else, but wires.
I waiting the battery to arrive, and time tells me if I’m wrong.
Make sure you set the battery absorption and float values according to the battery manufacturers recommendation. Absorption time and re-bulk time can be set to its minimum value (1hr/0.25hr). If there are no recommended absorption and float value given, I’d use 28V for absorption and 26.8V for float for drop in replacement LiFePo4 batteries.
