Dear All,
I’m quite a newbie and I’m trying to configure a Battery storage system on my already existing Fronius PV system. I want to configure an ESS strategy.
I’ve already configured a lot but checking on various documentation I do not had the chance to get some info and it will be great if someone could help me completing the configuration.
NOTE: My system is missing batteries (still not delivered).
I have done nothing on Fronius, should I need to do the “Setup MG50/MG60” or it seems already fine due the fact the info are already collected by Victron?
I attach a really simple diagram what I have connected so far.
The fronius is on the input. It is in between the grid and the victron which is where the grid charge source is.
Don’t power up the Victron for loads or anything such as testing until there is a battery on it.
As an FYI the battery connection is the starting point of the installation. (I can see you have done so from the vrm pictures). My suggestion is right now switch it off and bypass it. It is not good for the power supply in the inverter among other things.
If you are planning on a full ess system where there is control there is alot more to do on the fronius. (And programming on the victron.)
Just google victron fronius. There is a whole manual for it.
I just tested some minutes, and then switched off, I will wait the battery delivery now, and then I proceed again.
I can assure you that I’ve already searched extensively and reviewed hundreds of documents, pages, and videos before asking any questions.
However, certain aspects—like the input/output configuration, for example—are simply not well explained anywhere.
The document you mentioned (Fronius/Victron integration → AC-coupled PV with Fronius PV Inverters [Victron Energy]) is one I believe I’ve already come across. From what I understand, the only required setup on the Fronius side seems to involve configuring MG50/MG60, which I managed to find described in just one place—along with the default password needed (assuming it hasn’t been changed).
That said, it’s still unclear whether I even need to perform this step, considering the two inverters are already communicating, and in theory, all the programming should be handled on the Victron side.
I do not need any energy flow from victron to fronius, I’m happy when the Critial Load will get power from charged battery, and the battery will be charged with solar power…
Your configuration choices change the set up.
Knowing whether something is on the input or output (ac coupled) of the inverter is a fundamental understanding. Your fronius your have depicted as three phase and the inverter as single phase so it is not ac coupled.
What you have done so far is establish communication that is not the same as control. There are further steps for that especially if you are planning on using the ess assistant there is more to do, especially if you are trying to maximise self consumption.
or if this is just a ups type set up as you have stated, then even establishing communication is not necessary.
Ciao LX, no, I’m aiming for is a fully functional ESS system, optimized to work at its best. So I’d like to configure everything properly, ensuring that the battery charges and discharges automatically, using the OUT-1 load as part of the control logic.
Checking your linked manual:
Firmware → OK
Number of Fronius: “1” → OK
Data Export via Modbus: “TCP” → OK
Sunspec Model Type: “int + SF” → OK
DNO Editor, check prio → I do not have the “service” password, I need to recover, but I do not know if this is mandatory as it change the prio only, but sooner or later I will get the password, even if I have to brute force it.
Just to anticipate probable missing piece of hardware, do I need to have a BSM? Or it is OK with T-Sense + V-Sense connected to Victron?
I have fronius solar web, I will check how to recover the password.
I’ve ordered a “standard” LiFePo4 battery for now, as I’m still in the testing phase. If the system performs as expected, I’ll likely upgrade to a better battery later on.
The battery I ordered (not yet delivered) only has the basic + and - terminals, so I assume it’s not CAN-enabled.
I have connected the battery!
The inverter main switch is in position “1”.
I have small load on Out-1 and Out-2 but the console is showing 0 watt.
I have the battery 100% and ~50.7 volt and I have the message “VE.Bus System [275] - Low battery: Alarm”.
I changed this option to “On”, but if I remove the main power, the inverter do not invert…
I have now removed ESS in order to check if everything is working, it seems doing what I expect. (OUT-2 is not present and is switched OFF, that is fine).
If you give me OK to proceed I will remove the Virtual Switch and I engage again the ESS.
I don’t know what the grid requirements for Switzerland are, there is no specific grid code for the country though.
In ESS though, you low battery waenings would have been from the dynaminc cut off set there in the assistant.
To set charge and discharge you would need to use the ESS menu in the GX to set what you want if you have not already done so.
There is a scheduled charge section thatvallows you to set PV or battery or grid priority in specific times. I have not used it for pv on the input only.
The other interesting setting will be loads on the input and output - set that to on output only if you intend to keep battery feeding only loads on the ac out.
This is typical when there is no ac input, it can be programmed to be on using SOC or other conditions.
The battery settings i have no clue as i don’t know what your battery is designed for. The 41v shut down is probably way too low though (especially if you have cells out of balance.)
Here on one of the million manual I read, there’s a Mode 2 that seems to be much more advanced, but where to access it? If I need to program than I go directly to API, but this is an option I would avoid if possible.
I hope the Mode 1 will do what it seems it should do by itself.
I think when I continue to have these number to 0 I will go nowhere…
I suppose is the coexistence with Fronius that is not OK.
I do not know if I’m now sitting on the first phase as stated on one manual, is this something so relevant? I could change the phase if this should be the problem.
That is showing more like a discharge. It is connected to ac in. To charge you would need to set keep batteries charges.
It seems like the fronius is now on the output if the inverter.
Ignore the different modes for ess right now. With the ess assistant programmed you should automatically be in mode 1 and everything is interactive from the GX. Get the system working first. Mode 2 and 3 are for more advanced set ups where there is other programming. I am going to assume for the time being that is not what you want or need. The system needs to be set up correctly and functional before that anyway.
Yes the inverter should be charging at least from the first phase. In a three phase system. It will assume that is where you have installed it and you can’t change that.
Fronius on OUTPUT / PHASE Z
OUT-1 is working / OUT-2 is NOT working / LINE-1 is excluded (I don’t know the reason, maybe ESS started working (???), but here I can test)
