I’ve recently upgraded the capacity of a Victron ESS system based on Pylontech US3000C batteries. The system had been running smoothly for approximately two years prior to the upgrade.
Before expanding the setup, I also updated all relevant components to their latest available firmware versions:
Victron Cerbo GX: updated from version 2.x (unsure of exact version) to 3.64
Victron SmartSolar MPPT RS 450/200: updated from 1.11 to 1.22
3x MultiPlus-II 48/5000/70 units: updated from version 511 to 556
As part of the MultiPlus-II update, I also had to upgrade the ESS assistant.
Since completing these updates, I’ve encountered an issue involving the ESS and/or the grid meter.
There is now a constant energy draw of around 200 watts from the grid into the house, even when there is sufficient PV generation and/or battery state of charge available. It appears that the system is no longer regulating grid import to maintain the setpoint at 0 W, as it should.
I’ve tried various troubleshooting steps—adjusting the grid setpoint, changing the ESS mode, etc.—but I’m now at a loss as to what the system is actually doing. It shows as being under “external control” (which is expected), but it continuously keeps the battery at 100% charge and remains in “bulk” charging mode. I suspect there may be an issue with the voltage settings—this is a 14x Pylontech US3000C configuration, and I’ve followed the voltage and configuration guidelines from the Victron Wiki—but I’ve double-checked everything multiple times.
As far as I can tell, the battery is no longer being discharged at all; it is simply held at full charge.
To my knowledge, I haven’t changed any settings that should have caused this behavior. At this point, I would greatly appreciate any insights or suggestions, as I’m unable to identify the root of the issue.
Since users can’t see which new functionality an update could bring, they can’t know if there is a reason to update or not. In that case it is ALWAYS good advice to update a system to the newest firmware.
Most users here will say "If it aint broken, don’t fix it.
That’s why I stopped upgrading my perfect working setup but that’s against my own rules. I like to keep things up to date.
Thank you for your replies so far. I was able to restore the system, it seems to work fine now again.
What I have done is to remove any grid configuration from all three inverters, uploaded the configuration without any grid code settings and/or assistants, then added back the appropriate grid code settings and the ESS assistant and uploaded it again. Not sure what went wrong and/or if some artifacts from the previous configuration have survived the update, etc.
Having a software background I’m always for updating a system when it’s appropriate / possible rather than sticking to old versions forever. As has been suggested by @TomBerger it’s hard to know what has changed in the mean time anyway (no good / understandable changelogs in many cases).
Sorry that I have to use hard words in that case: THIS IS <a word that is forbidden by the forum software, it starts with BULL and ends with a synonyme for excrements>!
Victron publishes updates but does not tell the ordinary users what has changed. And at the same time they recommend not to install this updates? This is ridiculous!
Sorry, but when they advice not to update a working system, they MUST tell the users what has been changed in that update. This is necessary for the user to be able to decide!
In many cases a corrupt system at first sight works OK, but the user doesn’t know that for example the system gives free access for any hackers. The user very often can’t know that their system is corrupt and buggy.
If your victron system is runnig smooth or you dont need new features (dess, gui2 are the latest big new features, dont know any other in recent years)
There is no reason to update… its not like a smartphone with lots of new features in every update or a lot of bug fixes everytime)
If there would be a big security issue they really would let you know!
Recent changes mainly related to specific grid codes, and earlier, generator improvements. But all are in the change log document which is easy to find with some minor searching.For a microcontroller based system that is seriously mature, there isn’t much to change. Most of the magic happens in the GX and vrm.
I never found that, and I have asked here in the forum and got the reply, that the changelog is available for authorized people only and that Victron is thinking about changing that. So please direct me to the place that is so easy for you to find. I am not smart enough.
The changelog should be available to everybody with a simple click in the VRM device list. But there ist absolutely nothing, just a button “update device”.
OK, so you admit that Nick lied to me when he claimed that the changelogs are visible to anybody.
The changelogs have to be shown at the very place where I click to install an update. VRM shows the list, but absolutely nothing about changelogs, and it does not even say that I have to sign in as a “professional”.
