VIctron Boat System Troubleshooting Advice Needed

DIY
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1

I’ve been asked to troubleshoot a boat system that is currently down, and I’d appreciate some advice before powering it up again.

The system consists of:

•1 × Victron Phoenix Smart Inverter 12/3000

•1 × Victron BlueSolar 100/50 MPPT controller

•2 × 200Ah AGM batteries

The inverter was repeatedly shutting down, so I upgraded the battery cables and fuse because the original installation appeared to be undersized. I have installed a 320A fuse for the inverter and a 63A fuse for the DC loads.AC side is okay.

Before energizing the system again ( especially the DC loads), I want to make sure everything is configured correctly.

One concern is that the Blue Sea HD series selector switch is rated for a maximum of 32V and 350A continuous current, but the battery cable supplying it is only 25mm² with an approximate run length of 3 metres. When the selector switch is set to Boat Mode, the DC loads operate normally. However, when it is switched to Solar Mode, the fuse for the control switch panel blows and the lights burn out.

My suspicion is that the 25mm² battery cable is undersized for this installation and should be upgraded. I am also considering adding a dedicated DC circuit breaker.

Additionally, can I install a Victron 275A battery switch alongside the selector switch, or would that create any issues?

Finally, if I upgrade the cabling and add the appropriate protection, is it likely that the DC loads will operate normally, or should I expect the fuse to continue blowing, indicating another fault within the system?

Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

2

Suggest you check with a professional installer for some help; it would be worth paying for some of their time, especially because they will know the safety standards that apply.

If you’ve got fuses blowing, there’s potential for fire. If the cause is a mystery, there could be a short somewhere in the bowels of the boat, and that fire will be impossible to put out in time.

Consult the manual for guidance on fuses, cable sizes, battery capacity. More like 400A Class T fuses will likely be needed for this setup, about 4x the wire size eg 90mm2 and at least double the battery capacity eg 400A.

For some inverter models, you might need to have a charging resistor to bring the internal capacitors up to voltage before supplying full current, otherwise the surge will be huge to fill them up, and that may blow the fuse. https://www.victronenergy.com/accessories/pre-charge-cable

Switches might be undersized as that inverter could draw as much or more than that switch could handle. Have a look at Blue Sea Systems e-series or HD-series.

Good luck!

3

I’ve had the installers who installed my systems check it out, but this is the first time they’ve worked with a marine boat system.