Hi Victron Community,
I am hoping someone can provide assistance to explain Victron devices and capabilities on a boat I recently purchased. The boat had a number of Victron products and I am very much a beginner in understanding device capability and usage. My lack of knowledge was magnified when I read some of the posts on this site so hoping someone might take pity to assist. I believe there is a lot of capability in the devices installed on the boat and would like to ensure I am able to use what is available/appropriate.
I have provided a rough diagram (attached) of what is installed with some questions and assumptions.
My biggest question is whether the installed devices will allow the outboard alternator and/or the solar panel to charge all batteries on the boat and whether individual batteries can be protected from being drained.
My second biggest question is to understand what each of the devices was installed to do.
Have you been provided with a wiring diagram or instructions. If not, you need to trace the wiring and generate your own.
Go to victronenergy.com and on the menu choose products and select each component in turn and download the datasheets and manuals. Read these and they will describe the equipment and what it does and how it all works. This is what I did with my new boat.
When you have done this, come back with areas you still need help on. You have a very capable and controllable installation.
Hi, and thanks so much for your response and advice. Unfortunately no wiring diagram and everything is in tight looms so I think tracing will maybe be a challenge. I will definitely download the product specs as suggested and will learn some more before anymore questions. Thanks again
I am assuming everything is programmed and wired as it should be. When it is…
Orion will charge the house batteries when the engine is running and the start batteries are above a certain level.
The MPPT will only be charging the house battery with solar.
The MP 12/800 is a 600watt inverter for small 230v appliances. It has basic battery monitoring but the BMV that is also there is better at it as it can see and monitor all charge and discharge from the orions and solar panels. The Multiplus is also capable of charging from shore power.
The cerbo displays all information and has some controls for the components connected to it.
Partly answered in 3. Yes should be able to monitor everything in and out of the battery and should be connected to the Cerbo to show it there.
It also has the ability to either have a temp sensor or monitor the start battery, that would have to be investigated to see if either option was set up.
The touch is for the cerbo. The bmv has its own screen but still shows its details on the cerbo too in the battery box.
Minn Kota Batteries and blue smart charger (yes it is for grid charge direct) would be something to investigate. Nothing we can help with here as we can’t see how it is wired. You have two possibilities for charging from shore power so you will need to work out that.
Hi LX,
Thats the best explanation I have had on what each component is and what they are probably doing. Very much appreciated and gives great guidance on where I should investigate further. It sounds like the Cerbo is the device I should focus on to see if I can get a read on health of all batteries. Thank you again.