system design

Hello I currently have 2x100w panels in series supplying a 100/50 which is charging 2x12v batteries.

I just purchased 3 more 100w panels and I’m stumped how to connect them. Originally I thought I would just connect all 5 in series but quickly realized that will exceed the 100v input limitation.

Should I do 2 panels in parallel + 3 panels in parallel and connect them in series?.

This is for my RV so there are times I am in shade.

thanks

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a little feedback on my electrical refit.
This is my fist electrical project so I'm learning as I go here, and I would appreciate a little input on my plans :)

Long story short, I just bought an old boat where the batteries and the wiring are in dire need of a refit and for now, I'm just trying to piece together the components that I need.
Am I on the right track here?

My fist plans included an Argo FET but due to the different battery chemistries and the launch of the Orion-Tr Smart I changed direction. Yea or nay? :)

This is obviously a high-level design and the negative wiring has only been included close to the batteries to show the connection of the battery monitor.

[image]

Best regards,

- Jørn-

Can the Victron Pheonix Smart IP43 charger connect to and use a battery temperature sensor?

I know there's a similar question out there but an answer has been added to that question which really isn't an answer and the question has been ignored for months.

Hi! I'm adding a house battery system to my pickup truck camper, and I want to confirm the basic schematic before moving forward. I do not want to combine the start & house batteries, and I do not want AC charging available for either battery. I may add an AC inverter at a later date, but that's beyond the scope of the project at this point.

I've left out fuses. switches, and other necessary additions from the diagram at this time.

Please take a look, and thanks for your help.

[image]

For an off-grid system setup including PV and Genset, but doesn’t have any battery storage.

1. How would the suitable Victron components be, Is possible to use the Quattro in that case, or any other Victron inverter?
2. 
   
3. Can the Easysolar solution be used in that case without a battery connection?

The loads are mainly an AC pump and some lighting loads.

I am running a 3 x single phase system each with own solar bank (5kw), MPPT controller (250/100), Multiplus 48/5000 and Venus GX unit. The system has a single 48V battery bank and BMV unit.

My plan is to be able to run the house off solar during the day and certain appliances at night off the battery until the battery reaches a certain SOC, then switch over the grid supply. I do have a reasonably stable grid supply so the idea is to reduce electricity costs as well as provide a backup for essential appliances during a power failure.

I would like inverter 1 to run down to 75% before switching over and the other 2 to switch over at 95% - any ideas how I can achieve this? The problem I have is that the built in SOC readings from the inverters is unreliable with a single battery bank as they have no idea what the other inverters are doing.

Ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks, Mark

Using the VE-MPPT-Calc-3_2.xlsm and SuperPack battery specs it seem that:

- the BlueSolar MPPT 100/30 controller will work well together with

- two 175W 12V Victron monocrystalline solar panels (SPM041751200)

- and a SuperPack Lithium battery, 12.8 V, 60 Ah (768Wh), discharge power min 300W continuously (30A x 10V) and 800W peak (80A x 10V).

Questions:

1) is that really all that is needed (since the SuperPack has integrated Battery Management System)?

2) will it be “enough” for powering a system with power consumption of about 1000Wh per day in Darmstad, Germany?

3) is the below approach a correct one to size the system?

The long story:

Why?

For a small project: a 1.25m offset dish for S-Band LEO satellite tracking. The antenna will be “movable”, and thus the choice of solar power. Victron was chosen because of open protocols (we want to monitor battery levels with a Raspberry Pi).

What?

The main “consumer” will be the rotor Spid SPX-03-HR and its controller. A real world power consumption of a “bigger” model from the same company is 111W (both max continuous and peak), and 20.5W in standby. However, that was in benign conditions (low wind, etc.). Nominally, the rotor should be powered by at least a 400-500W power supply. Other consumers: Raspberry Pi 4 (WiFi on), LimeSDR Mini transmitter/receiver, a web cam (all together it should be less than 50W peak and maybe 10W in standby).

hi,

I 'm installed a set with BMS (Not victron, it is 123smart) for my lithium batteries and i connect it in quattro in the Lithium specific mode which use AUX1 to allow charge and TEMP1 to allow cischarge.

My problem even if i bought a lot of equipment (Venux, BMV712...) to command my Mppt solar (Victron 150/100) and the battery protect (BP65 used connect the 12V load) with the respectively ON/OFF remote of each equipments, i haven't found how connect the remote control of these equipements.

I found different possibilities but i'm not sure :

- Program K1 relay of quattro to close it 10s after the activate of AUX1 of quattro (Aux1 input is activate by BMS to allow the charge) and connect this K1 relay on ON/OFF remote of MPPT. it enable the charge of mppt.

- Program K2 relay of quattro to close it 10s after the activate of TEMP1 of quattro (Temp1 is activate by BMS to allow the load - inverter of quattro) and connect this K2 relay on ON/OFF remote of battery protect. it enable the load (12V) through battery protect.

OR

Set, for MPPT and Battery Protect, the specific voltage of used.

What do you think about these solution and maybe have you another solution?

I would like to know if there is any advantage when installing 3 panels in parallel and parallel them at the MPPT versus parallel them at the panels and bring down only 2 wires instead of 6. I'm not looking for cost advantage just for technical advantage/dis-advantage. Both setups of course done with the appropriate cable size.

Dear all,

I would like to use 3 x ECOmulti for grid tie PV project (3 phases). The description of ECOmulti
is not clear for me. For example I don't know if the unit contains batteries and BMS? What do I need to charge batteries with PV (MPPT controler, inverter...)?

Thanks for your comments, suggestions or shearing experiences or setup !

Best regards

Hey folks, I'm seeing somewhat different measurements online for this unit. Can anyone give me the actual unboxed dimensions for it?

Hello friends,

I have a sailing yacht which has a fairly large DC Bank (660AH@12v AGMs) and an older 40A charging system with no inverter installed. It's my intention to replace it with a multiplus compact since my 800w @ 120v suitcase generator can't drive the 40A charger, and to run various AC appliances, no more than 1600w total. I imagine this setup is not uncommon on smaller yachts.

I have seen the guide which mentions minimum AC amperage for inverter boosting, and I've read "Multiplus magic" a few times through, but I'm still not sure my use case will work. The data seems to vary and much of it is hidden behind the "professional" portal. The questions are:

• Can a 4-5amp (think eu1000i) 120VAC generator be used with a Multi 800? 2000? 3000? I realize the DC charge current will be limited, but is it even doable or will the Multi simply barf?
  • Some articles hint that it is, others say it's minimum input amperage is 13A@120VAC.
• Can that same portable genny be used in conjunction with PowerAssist to deliver some efficiency-adjusted figure of 800w+inverter output? Or is this where the 13A minimum applies?
• Is this setup at all typical/supported, or would this be considered very 'edge-case'?
  • https://www.victronenergy.com/blog/2016/08/29/multiplus-magic-small-generator-big-power/
• Why hide the "real" minimum current figures behind the professional portal? It's a selling point for cheap yachties!

Really the reasons for this scenario are logistical. The tiny genny fits in a cockpit locker and is reliable, but we do have occasional need to run a hair straightener or other needless AC gadget if we're going out in a snootier anchorage. The dream is to be able to minimize the draw on the house bank by running the genny when we're using large AC devices, and when we need to throw some amps at the battery, without starting the diesel.

Thank you for your input (get it?)

9 x 270 w solar panels in 3S 3p

Max 42v - 9a

MPPT 150/100

I generally use 10awg (2,5mm) solar panel cables . This system has 9 panels in 3 series of 3.

If i wire and use Y MC4 (without a combiner box), I could have only 1 pair of solar panels cables from the roof to the MPPT which is 90 feet away.

This pair will roughly support 120 v and 27a at max. I am a bit worried with the size of the cables .

Would you think 10awg is large enough for this ? Or would you consider preferably:

1/ a combiner box close to the roof and then a larger cable to the MPPT ? May be 6 mm.

2/ or leave 3 pairs so each will be 120v/9a which is more acceptable for this size of cable ?

Thanks for your input.

I find conflicting information between the video and documentation about ESS.

The video suggests that for both marine and mobile ESS works. When shore/solar/generator power is removed it simply switches to storage which has been kept charged and available while alternate sources of power were available.

This sounds perfect for mobile installations. Do not have any need to feed the grid.

However in the documentation section 1. When not to use ESS. It simply states not in mobile or marine applications.

Only one of these should be correct. I need something for a mobile application similar to the first idea.

It seems ESS can when other power sources are unavailable use storage. When other power is available those sources are used and ESS keeps the storage system ready.

I don't care if ESS does not fit this need. It just seemed from the video it was a elegant and flexible solution. And that is what I am looking for.

I need management for a mobile system that has solar, storage, and shore/generator power usually available but not always. I wish to go off grid, have solar power during the day and battery at night. Maybe on bad days use a generator. When in town plug in to the shore power I am usually paying for.

Currently in place are twin Quattros producing 240V split phase. I want to always have the 240v split phase working. The are times, generator/30A shore where only single phase is available. As I understand it, one Quattro will use the shore power and the other storage/solar to generate split phase. Sometimes that will happen and hopefully not be an issue.

So looking for the best setup, assistant, or plan to keep my mobile system running well.

Thanks for any insight about the conflicting documentation and help,

Richard

[image]

Hi

Building a Solar System Consisting of

24 Panels 6 x 96v strings Southern Australia North & West Facing

2x 250/100 solar controllers

BMV 702

Multiplus 5000/240

CCGX,I have? or go VenusGX OctoGX for VE connections

My Question is how to parallel them correctly (presuming both Battery direct connection ? ) and provide ccgx connection of VE Direct including a BMV

& max length of VE Direct cables for fault free operation

I have an RV with Solar, LiPo Batteries and a Victron Multiplus all connected to Venus GX running on an Raspberry Pi. I've read the available Victron doc's and searched the forums. With so many answers/variations, I'm still a bit confused. Hopefully someone that can help provide clarity with regards to my specific setup. Given my system, use cases, and desired operations, what should be the settings in each of the components? And what if any assistants to I need to add in VE.Configure?

RV System:

• Victron Multiplus 12|3000|12-50 connected to one 50 amp leg of AC input of RV
• Victron SmartSolar Controller 100|50 (two)
• Venus GX running on Raspberry Pi
• 2-800 watt solar arrays (1600w total)
• 50 Amp service in RV (split phase) via Shore Power Connection
• 3500 watt generator (connected to RV Shore Power Connection, no ATS)

Use cases and desired operations:

• Boondocking (off-grid):
  • Always collect "all" available solar power when power is needed.
  • Invert battery power to AC when needed.
  • If Generator is running:
    • Solar still provides "all" available power.
    • Generator assists solar to charge batteries and provide power to inverter.
    • Inverter provides boost power from batteries if load above set value.
• Staying at RV Park with 50 Amp 120VAC Service:
  • Always collect "all" available solar power when power is needed.
  • Use RV Park AC to assist solar to charge batteries and provide power to inverter.
  • Inverter provides boost power from batteries if load above set value
  • Do not feed excess solar to RV Park.
• Parked at Home with 30 Amp 120 Service:
  • Always collect "all" available solar power.
  • Use Home AC to assist solar to charge batteries and provide power to inverter.
  • Inverter provides boost power from batteries if load above set value
  • Feed excess solar to home.

System Diagrams:

[image]

[image]

I currently have a 200W panel and will be adding another one to my RV. I have a PWM controller that I will replace with a MPPT controller. For batteries I'llbe using 2 each 100Ah lithiums. I would like to use the Victron MultiPlus 12/2000/80-50 120V inverter charger. Can someone help me with what other components I would "need" and ones you recommend I have, although not "needed". I will need to remotely be able to control the system and monitor it. Thank you for any help you can give.

Can the 712 measure Mid Point Voltage on (2) 6V Batteries in Series?

Suggestions if an issue please.

Thanks

I now have a brand new Quattro 48v 230v 10kva.

My previous inverter was destroyed by a nearby lightning storm when we were not home.

There is no evidence of a strike anywhere close - normally we see a tree trunk that has conducted the strike down the cambium layer or on rarer occasions the whole trunk explodes into shards.

The solar MPPT controller survived so I am assuming the destructive voltage spike arrived at the inverter site via telephone cables and somehow interconnected to the old inverter 48v DC input

The telephone cables and exchange system also suffered a major fault.

When I dismantled the old inverter I found that a square capacitor across the 48vDC input had disintegrated. Some of the inverter control circuitry still functions however the auto start upon load detection facility is not working hence it does not produce any output.

The old inverter had functioned flawlessly for over 30 years despite many previous storms including several nearby lightning strikes on trees within 100 metres radius.

My immediate concern is to ascertain how vulnerable the Quattro is and what measures if any I can take to prevent another inverter failure?

In studying the Quattro instruction book I find that if offers no advice on this subject whatsoever....

I asked this question over on the whirlpool forum and got some great answers, one of which strongly recommended Victron inverter and BYD batteries. He also suggested I ask the same question here so.....

"I have a 48v stand alone system with 3.6Kw solar, 3.5 kva latronics inverter, Plasmatronics PL60 charge controller and Raylite 1380ah flooded lead acid batteries.

The batteries need replacing.

I have managed to get 13 good years from them so I am happy with that.

But now, with a budget of around AU15 – 16k, what do I do?
I have had companies tell me to throw everything away and start again with a relatively small lithium setup.
I have also been told I can integrate lithium into the current system with significantly smaller capacity.
I have been quoted on several flooded and gel packs all of which seems to be at the upper end of the available budget.

Cycle life seems to be all over the shop depending on who you are asking and each outlet will tell you that their chemistry or construction or configuration is "the only way to go".

The amount of information/misinformation is intimidating and I don't quite know who to believe so I am turning to the well experienced people here to offer there suggestions and reasoning.

The replacement of these batteries is of course, time critical as the gennie is getting a flogging at the moment.

Many thanks in advance,"

I would like to know if I can connect my 24v/5000va/120amp inverter to solar panels and the right charge controller to use. I want to use it with four 12v/220Ah AGM batteries.

I have a farm and I want to use it for a a 6hose power water pump

Hi from Colorado~

To protect the AC input on a set of Quattro units, the manual says install a circuit breaker rated for 100 amps but can @CharlieJ or others tell me Victron's recommended trip curve for the protective AC breaker?

This is also known as response curve in some regions. For community members who wish to study trip curves further & learn the terminology, here's a handy document:

https://www.c3controls.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/c3controls-Understanding-Trip-Curves.pdf

Thanks & Jolliness~

Hi, does anyone have the schematics of the YouTube current series https://youtu.be/TDSzfmHHjsA?

Thanks!

We are designing a 52' performance sailing cat and would appreciate any advice or links to other resources in planning our system.

Propulsion and galley services all electric. Motors 2 x 15kwh ( DC 48V) + house loads DC 24V + 240V Ac via inverter.

Supply side planning a battery bank of circa 18kwh, 16kwh 48V DC Gen set, Solar around 2kw + what ever regeneration we get.

As a performance catamaran, weight is an important consideration, both in terms of optimal placement and total kg. Am reflecting on battery placement and whether to centralise or decentralise. Desirable to locate batteries as close as possible to load and distribute weight. With an elec motor in each hull would make some sense to create 2 separate battery banks for Elec Propulsion + one for house loads. Reduces heavy cabling & Vd, provides redundancy but adds complexity & cost -presumably would need 3 BMS, one for each bank + run charge sources to 3 places?

Im also puzzled about how 3 separate banks would interact in terms of relative charging and separate SOC?

Finally anyone have experience with the Victron Lithium-Ion HE Batteries ? They are Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC) technology, energy density at 180kw/kg is outstanding, 24V, air cooled but with only IP22 rating. Apparently this technology is used in power tool and EV applications.

Yes expensive but if weight matters (and it does to me) possibly worth it. Wondering if they are robust enough for a sailing cat. Certainly marketed as "Marine" but the IP22 rating not great.

I can see advantages in assembling a full Victron system from Batteries, BMS to Inverter aside from expense.

Appreciate any comments, guidance or links to resources that can assist.

Thanks in advance.

Can I ask if mixing different components from differing manufacturers is ok? For example I have a Stirling B2B charger, a victron inverter/charger, an Epever MPPT and a couple of Valence lithium batteries. Sorry if I sound a bit naive- I'm new on configuring things out!

Cheers

Another question. I see often guys post a picture which is obviously software generated of the layout of their system. I had a look around the software but could not find such a picture? Where does one get it?

Can we assume when installing a 48V Quattro 5kVA 120 or 230 VAC config, a 200ADC Battery Circuit Breaker be used when installed close to the Inverter/Charger? The manual states a 200A fuse presumably placed close to the battery.

Hi,

I am currently converting a van to a campervan and I am currently designing the electrical system. My estimation for a full day consumption is around 250Ah @12V. I was considering installing 640W of solar panels with 320Ah of battery. But to ease the initial investment I want to be able to initially install only 320W of solar panel and a 160Ah battery.

My requirements are in line with the general requirements for this kind of application, batteries to be charger by solar power, shore power and alternator.

After some research on Victron website I got this list of critical items:

Initial setup:

• 2x 160W-12V Mono 1480x673×35mm series 3a
• 1x LiFePO4 battery 12,8V/160Ah - Smart
• 1x SmartSolar MPPT 150/45
• 1x MultiPlus 12/3000/120-16
• 1x VE.Bus BMS
• 1x Smart BatteryProtect 12/24V 65A
• 1x Cyrix-Li-ct 12/24V-120A combiner
• 1x BMV-712 Smart

Upgrade:

• 2x 160W-12V Mono 1480x673×35mm series 3a
• 1x LiFePO4 battery 12,8V/160Ah – Smart (in parallel with the first one)

Any advice regarding my setup?

1. I considered the use of a Multiplus instead of a charger + inverter, is it the recommended approach for this kind of builds?
2. Are the monocrystalline solar panels recomended for this kind of application instead of the polycrystalline?
3. Is there any component on this list that is optional for this kind of setup? Or any critical component that I missed out?
4. Can I mount to lithium batteries in parallel, considering that they will have different characteristics? The second one could be bought years after the first one.
5. Is this setup valid if I use AGM batteries instead of lithium batteries?
6. The use of only one smart battery defeats the purpose of a BMV-712 Smart? Is the same information available is a connect to the Bluetooth of the battery?
7. How can I extract the raw information of all these devices to a server running in the van?

Thank you.

Hi all,

I understand you can build a multiphase system by using multiple devices, and also you can increase available power by parallelling multiple devices. I also understand the models and firmware used need to be the same.

Is it a requirement that all phases in a multiphase system have the same amount of devices in parallel?

Just clarify the question: Is it possible/desirable/supported to build a multiphase system where power for L2 and L3 are provided by a single device, and L1 has 2 devices parallelled because this phase has a higher power requirement?

Thanks in advance!

Best regards,

Johan.