Many thanks to all at Victron for developing a great DESS system, which really sets you apart from the competition.
I have been using DESS for just over 3 weeks and it has generally been working well. Because we have an unmetered 4 kWp solar PV system it is difficult for DESS to forecast future consumption as the numbers are skewed by the varying solar output.
To rectify this I installed a Victron 40A AC CT.
However following installation my readings are now inaccurate and my battery does not discharge if the CT is connected, whether DESS is on or off.
The PV output reading stays at 243 W, even with the cable disconnected. I have also tried other cables.
I have installed the AC Assistant and selected:
“PV inverter coupled on AC input 1”
“Sensor is connected to aux input 1”
Power rating 5k - with dips set accordingly
MY Multiplus is serial number HQ2315, which is meant to be compatible with Aux input. However, I have tried connecting to Temp input and I have also tried reversing the cables.
Any guidance would be much appreciated.
Update 1:
I have resolved the battery charge/discharge. This was caused by the use of Terminators on the VE Bus, which are not required.
I updated the config file to see if selecting an alternative location for the PV coupling would help. It didn’t help and resulted in a new value for PV output being recorded - 7566 Watts. I have put the config back to the original state - PV inverter coupled on AC1 and this time the PV changed to 7536 Watts (all a bit random).
Update 2:
I have flashed to the latest firmware and the PV output did fluctuate for a while but now sits at 7596W.
Is there anyway that I can test the Victron 40A AC Current Transformer?
Update 3 - WORKING - bullet form:
Reconfigured many times.
Running Beta Release of Large Venus OS - recently updated to V3.50~34
Downloaded copies of configuration file but they could not be opened by VE Config 3
Recently modified Config files could not be uploaded to Cerbo GX without error.
Two-way communication could not be opened (not visible) - apparently this may be a feature of the new firmware.
Got frustrated, reverted to standard firmware.
Had two instances of “PV Inverter” showing under devices, one connected before Multiplus AC input and one after.
Deleted them both.
PV Inverter reappeared with a a zero Watt output - it was night time.
Next morning as the sun came out the PV Inverter showed output as 111W and stayed there.
I rebooted the Cerbo and hey presto the PV Inverter output varied in accordance with sun strength.
I then downloaded the Config file, as the download progressed the PV Inverter output figure stopped updating.
I was again able to open the file with VE Config 3, made some alterations and uploaded again without any errors. Manually rebooted the Cerbo. The PV Inverter output now operates correctly.
If I download the Config file the PV Inverter figure will stop updating until the Cerbo is rebooted.
In summary, what was the problem? - I honestly don’t know. But I will not be updating any firmware in the future.