Using Virtual switch "Ignore AC input" - Change (Voltage/SOC-) Settings on GX screen (or node-red)

DIY
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1

Hello.

Virtual switch on Multiplus2 activated and configured as follows:

  • Multiplus will ignore the grid until battery is below certain voltage or SOC (to have a certain power for backup).
  • Multiplus will switch to the grid (if available), if inverter load is above a certain threshold.

System has battery with BMS, and CerboGX (node-red activated).

I would like to realize the following (preferably on the GX display itself, but also trough node-red):

  1. Have a a way to change the SOC (or Voltage) settings for the “Ignore AC Input” (and with that effectively how much of battery capacity I want to keep as security backup).
  2. Have a switch on the digital dashboard to trigger a one time full charge of the battery (and with that connect to the grid, independent of the “ignore AC Input” settings.

Is this doable, or do would I need to totally get rid of the “Ignore AC Input” virtual switch and realize all that with node-red, and with that would have no option to control anything from the GX display itself?

2

To give my Cerbo and NodeRed complete control over when my Quattros connect or disconnect from the grid, I did the following:

Ran two wires from the Cerbo relay pins (dry contacts) to the Aux input pins on the main Quattro.

Installed the Programmable relay assistant on the Quattro twice (one to disconnect and one to reconnect AC In 1) when the Aux input changes.

So you can programmatically control the AC Input directly in NodeRED on the Cerbo.

Here is the manual switch shown in the console switch pane:

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1 Like
3

Thank you. This seems to be the (only) way to go/realize what I am looking for.

@Victron: Why would you not allow us users to utulize the virtual switch (ignore AC) and turn it on/off with software toggle? Why the requirement to utilize a mechanical relay and wires? I don’t see the sense in that, but I might be ignorant of certain important aspects?

From my current perspective it could be so easy: I set the parameters for the virtual switch “Ignore AC input” once with VeConficure. And then in your console on the Cerbo I can manipulate certain values as needed (or temporarily disable “ignore” and connect to AC Input). Why not?

4

This can be done via the remote console- inverter device entry - or, by enabling inverter control on vrm and using the control panel from anywhere.

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5

I can answer this from an installer/system administrator perspective.

  1. A system that we use virtual switch/ac ignore on in the base programming will be systems that the customer do not want anyone to mess with as they want. So yes the old fashioned legacy method still has a part in the market.

There is a option here that uses the generator assistant to drive the relay like ac ignore as well. This has a second way to overide with enough thought.

  1. A user interactable ac ignore is possible in more that 5 other methods.

a. Basic interface on gx or vrm as nick mentioned no automation.
b. Node red automation (manipulation of the basic interface)
This has become the most common method with plenty free code on the forum. And many ways it has been implemented. For example the one in this thread.
c. Home Assistant integration
d. Through the generator relay and a basic ignore ac flag small bit of wiring for those customers who want to only go through the gx screen partially automate and change settings at will with the manual overide. No node red.
e. A daylight switch that you can chuck a hat over if you want to force a connection :wink:
F. Other i have reached etc but there are other many other methods that can be found and youtube.

The customisation is endless once a suitable method is chosen. Just gotta stretch out of the ac ignore box a bit.