offgrid

I have 3 x Multiplus II 3000-48 in island operation, Okto GX, 4 x MPPT, mains power.
Hub1 should be set up, no infeed. Different configurations were tested but in all of them there were sporadic shutdowns, in a last configuration (default setting of the multinationals without assistants) there was an interruption again Message: # 1 device switched off. There was no entry in the alarm log.
In the meantime I suspect a mistake on a Multi -> but which one?
Can anyone help me further?

To anticipate it, the installer yesterday checked the wiring. From the house connection via the MultiACin via ACout to the loads, the same cable colors are never crossed. 35m 5x16mm² underground cables were laid from the house to the MultiPlus and back. Since no error was found, Ve.Configure tried all 6 ways of assigning the phases:

1-2-3, 1-3-2, 2-1-3, 2-3-1, 3-1-2, 3-2-1 for all there was a phase rotation warning if the MultiPlus tried on the grid back.

Three-phase motors have the correct direction of rotation both in inverter operation and in mains operation (manual switchover possible via switch). We have no idea

Are there rules to combine Fronius inverter ( AC coupling ) with Solar charger ( DC coupling ) other than rule 1.1 in the ac coupling side ?

Hello,

I recently installed the following off-grid system in a country house that will be used only during the weekends:

• 4 300W solar panels
• MULTIPLUS-II GX 48V
• SMARTSOLAR MPPT 150/35 48V
• 8 Acid Lead batteries of 6V each

Normally I switch on the MP II only when I'm onsite and I need power (once a week so far), during the other days I leave the MP II off. The solar panels and the MPPT are always active (see the screenshot below taken from VEConnect).

I see from the App that every day of the week, even if the MP II is OFF, the batteries are exposed to a charging cycle (bulk, absorption, float). The voltage is raised from 51V to 59V everyday.

That is the behavior suggested from my Victron and battery re-seller.

I'd like to have the confirmation from you that my settings are the best ones in order extend the life of my batteries as much as possible.

Is the daily charging cycle really needed? Wouldn't be better to disconnect the 4 panels during the weekdays and to connect them to the MPPT only during the weekend?

Thanks for your suggestions!

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why does the inverter (multiplus 2400/50) switch off when the batteries are at 60% charge. And is there any way to change this?

Hi there,

I've got a system where I don't want the quattro to automatically restart after shut down (due to the nature of the system it could restart onto a fault it doesn't detect for).

Is there a way to program this in so that in any shutdown event the inverter will not restart unless manually told to do so?

Can I Connect Quattro 10 to a Lynx distributor ?

Had this fault and shut down a couple times when the attached generator shuts off, generator is attached to two 15kW Quattros in parralell. I was thinking maybe one charging circuit shuts down slightly before the other causing the remaining one to spike? Batteries weren’t full I only take them up to 45% on the generator. Any help would be great. thanks

Hello.

Is it possible to configure a low voltage 3-ph off grid system using the Quattros? That is a 230V 3-ph IT network like in Norway.

Thanks

Hi all, I would like to add a small turbine to supplement renewable energy production in the Winter (when pv naturally drops off)

It is a 48V victron system (5 Kva inv/charger with a BYD-B Box LiFePO4 10 kwhr with 4.8 kwp of DC coupled pv via a 250V/85A victron charge controller).

1/ What would be the ideal charger settings (a 3rd party charge controller) to suite 55.2V/55.0V or 56.5V ?

2/ As it is "DC coupled" an AC sensor is out of the question, so is there a way for this wind generation to be represented on the VRM monitoring (even if it shows as pv)?

Any suggestions are most welcome!

Hi,

I am a solar energy design engineer.

I have been always asked if it's okay to supply a welding machine in a solar micro-grid consisting of PV+Storage only (no back up generator).

As far as I know, the major complication in such a setting is that welding machines are very complex to monitor their actual consumption due to power factor and thus in a micro-grid it's difficult to have an accurate metering of the welding load and charge the user properly.

I need your advice if the above information is precise and if the idea of applying a welding load in an off-grid solution (PV+storage only) is applicable and have no other complications (for example, high starting currents may cause very high discharge currents from batteries during cloudy days or whenever there is pv deficit).

Thank you in advance

I am building av complete off-grid installation, using EV-batteries, solar panels, gas generator and a REC Q BMS for battery management.

Im thinking of combining this with a Multiplus 2 48/5000 VE.Bus and a SmartSolar VE.Can.

Will this be compatible? What else would i need in order to program it correctly? I am an automation engineer, but haven't worked with CanBus in a very long time. Is this a fairly intuitive system, or will i be scratching my head for weeks trying to figure it out?

Hi all, I believe my off-grid charge controller is experiencing the same issue as seen in this post:

https://community.victronenergy.com/questions/7329/bluesolar-15045-weird-behavior.html

Unfortunately I don't have a spare controller to swap out for testing. I don't currently have logging but plan to in the future. I've only caught it doing this type of thing when I'm physically looking at the unit. The system usually runs as expected but I've seen it do this several times a day to not noticing it happen for a week or so.

The watts coming from the panels and going to the batteries fluctuates from 0 to the max watts available at the time, stays there for a second and then falls back to 0 and starts that cycle again. The battery voltages rise and lower accordingly.

I've yet to see it "fix" itself or stop doing it on it's own. I stop the rise/fall/rise cycle by going into the set up menu and then back out. This resets it back to bulk and the charge cycle operates as normal. Any help would be appreciated!

System specs: 4x400w panels (1600w), 4x190ah SLA batteries (48v), firmware version 2.03.

HI < I have the following installed and working ok until a recent shift in the weather so needed the generator,

1 x 10KW Quattry with 433 firmware updaed

Color GX with V2,23

2 x MPPT 150/100 with V1,39 ( 24 x 250Watt modules)

BYD Box 10 x 2 with V4.17

Good quality 1500RPM 15KVA Generator with very stable 231V output and 51HZ no reaction to loads( IE no slowing etc)

System has been working fantastically well under quite heavy loads until called for generator,

The system starts generator ok on demand at an SOC of 20%, and runs up genny ok, then connects to the Quattro input and goes through the normal sequence, starts bulk charge, after a few mins ( even as much as 15 mins) all seems normal, then for no apparent reason the AC input is dropped by the inverter, and the system reverts to invert, after a few minutes the AC in accepts input and goes to passthrough and then Bulk, and again after a few mins drops the AC input, and so it goes on,l imit inverter off,

On system Setup,

Battermonitor automatic, Sync VE BUS SOC On,/use solar charger current to improve Bus VE SOC on, Solar charger voltage control On, Solar charger current control on,Has DC System off, DVCC On, , SVS Off, STS On, Limit charge current On, BMS control On

Generator start stop, on Auto, SOC< Battery voltage and Load atr 5KW,

any ideas as to why the Inverter keeps dropping AC would be helpful, or if I have any setting incorrect or not activated please advise,

thanks,

I am assisting in an off grid solar installation with batteries in a remote African village. The compound is about 200m in length and has about 12 small buildings. Half the buildings are for a research centre with quite a sophisticated laboratory and the other half are a health centre for the local population. There is a generator on site but it is very unreliable, expensive to run etc. A doctor is financing the installation and a UK solar installer is doing it for free even contributing our travel expenses.

Before we even start on the solar we will need to upgrade the existing wiring which has been installed ad hoc as the compound grew. It is basically a two core supply with no earthing at all. Each building has a small distribution board with several 25A mcbs, one lighting and the rest leading off to sockets which are plastered into the walls. We would like to introduce RCD protection but the administrators are very much opposed to any change in the wiring - well it has been working all this time without problem. However if the solar is successful more sockets will be added for phone and light charging and more exposure to people.

The effort to install an extra conductor throughout the compound and to each socket would be immense.

If we did nothing and installed the solar/battery system (quattro based) without any earth as it is now with the generator, would the system work OK?

We could install a TT system with earth stakes at the inverter and at each distribution board.

We could install a TN-C-S system linking Earth and Neutral togeher at the inverter and breaking them out in the distribution board.

If we made any changes we could only do a small amount so we would be leaving a partially changed system and there is no guarantee that the work would ever be completed so the wiring could be in an inderterminate state and we want dont want it to be worse than it is now.

Any thoughts on this dilemma would be gratefully received.

Hello,

I'm planning an off-grid installation with four solar panels, a SmartSolar MPPT 100/20 (48V) and a MultiPlus II 48/3000/35-32.

I'm wondering how I could monitor my system and I see (at least) two options:

1) Raspberry py

In this case I'd need to get:

• UTP cable + MK3-USB interface to connect MP II to the Raspy
• VE.direct cable + VE.direct to USB interface to connect the MPPT to the Raspy

Is that right? Or can I connect the MPPT directly to the MP II? In the latter case I don't need to buy VE.direct to USB interface

2) MultiPlus-II GX 48/3000/35-32

In this case I'd need to get only:

• VE.direct cable from MPPT to MP II GX.

Is that right? As MP II GX has only one VE.direct port, is there any other way to connect MPPTs to it, in case I will expand my system?

Do I really need MK3-USB interface with MP II GX? What's the purpose of USB port??

Which option do you suggest?

Sorry for the large amount of questions and thanks in advance for helping me to have clear ideas :-)

Matteo

I have 800Ah of LiFePO4 batteries connected to a Pheonix 3K inverter running at standard settings of 230v/50Hz. I am attempting to run my French bought Bosch Serie 2 washing machine from the inverter. I get very inconsistent results. Sometimes the program will run through without problems, other times it will stick in the wash phase etc. Whenever I connect to mains electricity the machine works without fault. Without wishing to lead suggestions I have started to focus on the drain pump. I have a suspicion that it does not always manage to start up and as a result the "smart" washing machine stalls in it's logic. For example there are times when it will not enter the spin cycle and this would be logical if a drain cycle just before that has failed to initiate.

I am looking for ideas as to what may be causing my symptoms and what I can try to get around them. The machine is definitely a 50Hz item so I am loathe to try upping the frequency. Is my 'pure sine wave' Pheonix producing a clean waveform? .... I do not have access to an oscilloscope to check. I'm considering buying a 'Bosch compatible' drain pump to see if subtle manufacturing differences may alter the outcome. Any ideas gratefully received.

Quattro 10k professionally installed March 2013. Off grid system, traction batteries 48v. Solar power 10 kw, 2 Sunnyboy TL 5000. Power failure at 0830 hrs August 2019. On investigation Quattro indicated an overload condition. (At this point in time basic load including 3 refrigerators could have been operating. All occupants of house in bed alerted by security system indicating a mains failure condition “No real load”. On advice from installer all AC output from Quattro turned off. All PV input systems shut down. Only power to Quattro was now DC at around 49 volts. Overload condition remained, indicated by overload LED. Attempted reset by turning Quattro to off position waited 5 minutes then turned Quattro on to Inverter mode. Quattro reset with no overload indicated. Waited a a few minutes then turned load back on to inverter. Same load as before (Virtually no load) system was working as expected. Ensured load was restricted for a while to ensure no overload possibility. All seemed to be working as designed. Returned to check system 15 minutes later and found the Quattro was indicating overload, making a horrible grinding sound and smoking. I isolated system by shutting down all AC load, shut down PV system and isolated battery bank.

This system has been well maintained, never overloaded and the room where it lives is cooled in summer to avoid overheating.

Very disappointing that the Quattro actually flamed out after 6 years. Contacted the closest Victron service agent. He didn’t sound surprised At what I had explained and mentioned “short circuit”.

This unit is not that far out of warranty and I am expecting no joy from the agent. I was surprised to read of how many instances where the overload situation has occurred with Quattro and Multi units. Seems this sustainable energy thing is very expensive especially if things catch on fire.

Any help would be appreciated in helping me understand how this unit could work well for 6 years then almost catch on fire. I would have thought protection would have been built in to avoid this situation.

I plan to add further supplier sources to my of grid System: 3x Quattro 48V-8000VA with Pylontech Batteries 40kWh behind. For continuous feed I would like to integrate a SkyWind Micro - Wind mill 1kWmax connected to the 52Hz off grid environment.

The FuSystems SkyWind is able to drop the AC power if no loads are connected.

The power is provided by a 60Hz AC connection in the micro grid while dumping the power into a heat sink when no loads are connected. In between a 60V DC to AC conversion is done.

Question: Does the Quattro AC output provides an adequate (grid like) stable frequency and 1-phase voltage to the SkyWind AC-Converter/Controler (needed to simulate an on-grid / without feed-in situation)?

Is the Quattro’s AC frequency strong enough, concerning the consumer sided behaviour based on active loads or no power consumption situation to indicate the heat sink or AC power provisioning ?

Does the Quattro provide preventions to consume itself the AC power on the micro grid side?

It seems a simlar control as been established with “Fronius PV Inverters” on the AC consumption/ micro grid side, which in fact has to be configured in a special setup.

Hello all,

I was hoping to have increased the size of my system before winter kicked in, alas this hasn't happened.

So I need a charger that will charge my lead 48v Gel bank of batteries and will also be able to charge my new 48v lithium ion phosphate pack when I get it. I will be getting a 240v supply from a diesel generator.

Many thanks

Simon

Hello folks!

I'm studying an Off-grid system to be installed in a mountain house, which will be mainly used during the weekends.

I'd like to ask you some advices on the equipment I selected:

* Qty may be expanded in the future

My questions is: will my system work? Is the selected equipment compatible?

Is there anything to correct / improve?

Thanks a lot! Any suggestion is welcome.

Matteo

Hi,

We have a system with a 10kWh BYD (4x 2.5kWh modules) where the discharge current limit is showing as 196A on the CCGX. All the previous systems I have seen show the discharge limit as 35Ax number of modules so in this case 140A.

Has there been an update recently allowing a higher discharge rate?

I am running an off grid installation with the old Multiplus (so not the II). I have a nice battery bank and a charge controller. Everything works fine.

Now I want to install an (micro) inverter to my AC offgrid. What should I do? I have heard I can use the AC out 2 as input and configure the multiplus so that it uses the overcapacity to charge the batteries?

Could I also just connect the inverter to the AC off Grid and will the overcapacity by the multiplus be used to charge the battery? How will that work?

Thanks a lot in advance.

Hello,

the manual (https://www.victronenergy.com/live/actor_offgrid ) says that when using AC-Thor in an off-grid system frequency shifting (PV-inverter assistent) has to be activated at the Multi.

- Is this also necessary if only DC-coupled PV is used (no PV-inverter on AC-out)?

- what are the frequency settings in the "PV-inverter" assistent? Are the default-settings ok?

Best regards

I have a Quattro 24v 8000 as part of a 4kw off grid solar system with 1000ah traction batteries (12 x 2v in series) . I have a Hyundai DHY8000SELR generator (apparently 7.2 kva) wired into the AC1 of the quattro. I have set the input voltage to a maximum of 16a as my generator seems to trip out if its set above this (which is annoying as it should be able to provide 30a, but this is a separate problem).

The issue is that the quattro is switching to charging (bulk) and mains staying in this mode for a couple of minutes then switching back to inverter mode for about 20 - 30 seconds then back into charge mode. Is there a reason for this? have I got the settings wrong?

Any help/suggestions would be really gratefully received!

I've also set with the dip switches the charge current limitation to 75%

so the dip switches are as follows:

8= off

7= on

6= on

5= off

4= on

3= off

2= off

1= off

I have an off-grid system two Quattros 48/15000 with PV inverter in AC-Out 1 and two BYD 10 kWh batteries.

I have wired the generator in AC-In 1 of the Quattros and set "Generator" in AC-In 1 and nothing in AC-In 2. I have AC-In power to start the Quattros but CCGX is not detecting main power in AC-In.

[image]

AC-Out 1 power is delivered by the batteries which are permanently been discharged and not been charged.

Hi All,

I am converting a school bus and have heard rave reviews regarding the victron brand - however I am finding it difficult to establish which combination of products I would require.

My partner and I plan to source our own Panels (4 x 140w Panels = 560w)
My partner and I plan to source our own batteries (4 x 120ah Fullriver DC Series AGM Batteries)

But we are seeking advice for everything in between. Inverter charger/ MMPT/ moniters/ fuse box/ distribution ...

We anticipate primarily using DC power, for the lights/ fridge/ water pump/ most general electronic devices.

We anticipate using AC power generally for low draw appliances ( RV washing machine, laptop) and on rarer occasions the following high draw products but only one at a time ( microwave, hair straightener/ sandwich press). Because of this we anticpate needing a higher rated inverter.

Please advise a product that is compatible with the battery/solar capacity, usage requirements and as price effective as possible.

Additionally, please suggest the simplest combination of products. I will be installing and I am no electrician! I was drawn to the EASY SOLAR due to the compact single unit, with prewired internal components.

MUCH APPRECIATED

Hi there,

Possibily this is an odd question. I am trying to set up a 1-phase off-grid system. I have:

+ 2 Quattros 15000

+ 2 Fronius Primo 8,2

+ 2 10 kWh BYD BOX Batteries (with the special VE.CAN Cable)

+ CCGX

+ Energy Meter ET112

+ 14 kVA Genset

Don't pay attention to the oversizing of the system, it will be expanded afterwards.

I have power in AC-In 1 (right now the grid, but it will be the Genset). I have flashed both Quattro (VE.Flash) and set up the bus configurator (AC-In1 active, AC-In2 disabled, 1 phase). I have tried to set up the Off-grid configuration with the VE.Configure but I can only see Grid-tied systems.

Moreover, I have no output power in AC-Out1 (nor AC-Out 2) and I can not charge the batteries nor power the CCGX (where I suppose I can enter the battery parameters).

1) Since Victron devices were first though as stand alone systems, this question may be out of date, however, how can I configure my system? I have looked for long in the community, tutorials and so on, so maybe there is not much to configure...

2) How can I get power in AC-Out?

EDIT: 3) I'd prefer to set up the BYD Battery parameters via CCGX, rather than via VE.Configure. Is it possible?

Thanks a lot

Hi Smartsolar- Users :-)

I run a SmartSolar 75/15 together with 12W Solar Panels und a 12V (4S) Winston LiFeYPo 90Ah Battery in my Caravan.

Battery setup is kind of "90% full is enough -Setup" with 14V/13.4V/14.3V/30days balancing. HAve 1,7A Balancer boards on every cell.

Usually, i run the load output in mode "always on" when i use the caravan.

ATM, i am on holiday in Kühlungsborn at the Baltc Sea Coast, where Weather was quite bad. So i only got 130Wh loaded into the Battery the last 4 days, while i used 880 Wh for TV etc., all shown on the Victron Connect app.

Today, i noticed (from my gas warner beeping all the time when getting power, was the only device obn battery power at that time, taks 0,1A) that the load output switched off and on every few seconds. So i checked the battery voltage in the app: as far as i remember, it was at 13,2v.

That is way to early to switch off the battery power; these cells do have ca. 1200 Wh from 4,1V down to 3V/ cell.

Date shown here: https://www.faktor.de/batterien/einzelzellen/winston-lfypo4/lyp090aha-lifeypo4.html

Now, i changed the load output mode to user "defined 2" with off <12V and on >14,4v

I thought "Aways on" would mean" always on? Does anyone know if there are voltage limits in mode "always on"?

Best regards from Germany...

Frank

I'm looking for a off-grid inverter that would handle a 20 kWh Tesla battery bank (2p2s 5.3kw modules) with a 8.8 kW solar system. I would like 10 kW peak power capability. Can I use a SolarEdge inverter and AC couple a Quattro inverter. I like the optimizer technology for dealing with partial shade issues. Any thoughts?