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Topic: AM Solar solar/inverter/battery install, Springfield Oregon (Read 1747 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: AM Solar solar/inverter/battery install, Springfield Oregon

Reply #25 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –

Low voltage alarm was set at 12.2 as I recall.



On my previous 2 Bluebirds, and one year in on our U320, I have never heard a low voltage alarm, and was unaware there is one.

Was that a built in capability on the OEM inverter?  Is there one on the Victron? I haven't had a chance to read the documentation yet on the Victron equipment.

Left AM Solar around noon, stopped for fuel and lunch, drove through rain and now at Thousand Trails near Newport Oregon on the coast (here for 3 weeks).  Have 50 amp, water, sewer, WiFi, and good AT&T broadband.

With 50 amp here, the solar will not get a workout. Forecast for cloud cover and rain, and lots of trees.  I "might" try killing the shore power breaker for a test run sometime in the next weeks.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: AM Solar solar/inverter/battery install, Springfield Oregon

Reply #26 –
There are low voltage alarms in the BMV 700, 702 and the new 712 as well as on the MultiPlus.  These get displayed on the Color Control GX.

You will get some charge out of the panels even on a completely cloudy rainy day, some is the key word. This is another storage capacity thing.  Some days you just are going to run out of stored up energy and the panels aren't going to keep up.  The charge controllers shut off when the voltage drops to a low set point.  If you park under a parking lot light at WalMart they may stay on all night.

This is a new level of integration to learn how it works, how to manage it and how to get the most out of it.  I know I am still learning.

Even plugged in your Victron will quit charging at some point and often the battery loads are then covered by solar.  The color GX shows you where power is going and where it is coming from. 
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: AM Solar solar/inverter/battery install, Springfield Oregon

Reply #27 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
There are low voltage alarms in the BMV 700, 702 and the new 712 as well as on the MultiPlus.  These get displayed on the Color Control GX.

You will get some charge out of the panels even on a completely cloudy rainy day, some is the key word. This is another storage capacity thing.  Some days you just are going to run out of stored up energy and the panels aren't going to keep up.  The charge controllers shut off when the voltage drops to a low set point.  If you park under a parking lot light at WalMart they may stay on all night.

This is a new level of integration to learn how it works, how to manage it and how to get the most out of it.  I know I am still learning.

Even plugged in your Victron will quit charging at some point and often the battery loads are then covered by solar.  The color GX shows you where power is going and where it is coming from. 

I have the Victron BMV 712, and found the setting on the cell phone app for alarms.  Can you (and/or other Victron users) share what you have set for any low, high, state of charge, or other settings?  12.2 volts low alarm should be 60% charge state in a resting battery to my understanding.

And any settings for inverter and solar charge controller as well please.  I'll be doing research and reading over the next couple of days for self education as well.

Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: AM Solar solar/inverter/battery install, Springfield Oregon

Reply #28 –
Dan give Mitchell a call at AM.  We loaded my Multi with a script he provided.  He can also provide the key for the 712.  One of the things I have truly enjoyed about their kits is aftermarket support.

Remember you need a PC, not an Apple, if they set it digitally and not with the dip switches.  I spent a weekend with an Apple trying and cursed at the moon.  The method for doing this is on their website, Victron's and YouTube.

Mine are set at 20%, lithium, so not much help.  I have never come close.  When I hit the 40s all those past years kick in I get nervous and I react.

Those manuals can be a bit much so just keep rereading.
George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
1180w Solar 400A lithium all Victron house system
Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P

Re: AM Solar solar/inverter/battery install, Springfield Oregon

Reply #29 –
Dan, the 60% number is about right. Anything below 12.2 v is 50% or less.  My goal is to rarely get that low.  20 -25% discharge (of 1/2 of the available amp hrs in AGMs) is about where I want to go.  Longer battery life.

So in my 830 amphr bank, 1/2 is 415 and 25 % of that is 104 amp hrs.  It takes my refrigerator about 24 hrs to do that. 

So for me a low voltage alarm at 12.2 is when something needs to be done.

I will connect to all of this stuff and see what settings I have done and report back.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: AM Solar solar/inverter/battery install, Springfield Oregon

Reply #30 –
A few notes on our AM Solar Victron install. 

- The inverter is in the same location as the OEM inverter (drivers side of coach).  I had them run an additional 4/O cable from inverter to batteries (primarily for the larger surge capacity of the inverter, and to lower any losses). OEM was one 3/O cable to batteries.  There is a temp sense wire to the batteries so the inverter modifies charge profile based on battery temps.

- On our 2003 U320, batteries are three 8Ds in center of coach, accessed through side panel in passenger side bay. Three new Lifeline AGM 8Ds installed.  I had AMS check and improve the OEM cable set up that connects to the 8Ds.

- The solar controller is right next to the removable panel that hides the batteries. Opening the bay we can see the controller.  This controller has temp sensing inside the controller itself, with no remote temp sense wire to the actual batteries.
 
  -- To improve temp sensing for the solar charger profiles, I had AMS drill vent holes in the panel that covers the batteries. I felt this would help equalize temps in the battery compartment with the temp the controller sees. Also, if one of the 8Ds ever starts outgassing I will be able to smell it from the outer bay.

- AM Solar set the parameters and programming on our system (but no alarm settings for low voltage etc).

- I loaded the Victron Connect app on my android cell phone (uses Bluetooth).
  -- Using the app, I can view the BMV-712 battery monitor, and Solar Controller MPPT 150/100.

- Using the WiFi add on in the Victron Color Control, I have it added to my network through our AT&T Homebase.

- Using the Victron VRM portal webpage, I created a login, then added our color control module (already connected via WiFi) to the account.
  -- This allows viewing the Color controller, inverter, charger, and battery monitor, along with charts and  system status

- I Downloaded  VE Power Setup and connected to the inverter (through the WiFi using laptop). 
  -- Using this, I can modify the charge voltage settings of the inverter.

- Factory Defaults/settings AMS used:
  -- Inverter bulk 14.4 volts, absorb 13.8 volts, float 13.3 volts
  -- Solar controller bulk 14.4 volts, then absorb/float is 13.8
    --- Unless I am missing something, I don't see three separate voltage settings on solar controller (but it's "smart" only putting in what batteries require)

- We are sometines in Escapees parks where we pay electric separately, and often use 30 amp shore power in some Thousand Trails parks.
  -- Due to this, I want solar to have priority over inverter charging to keep batteries and DC loads covered
    --- So, using VE Power Setup mentioned above, I changed inverter to 14.35 bulk, and float to 13.28 volts
          ---- TBD to see if that is enough difference to give solar a slight edge over shore/inverter for DC loads/charging

- We are on the Oregon coast, with sun screened by trees (and winter northern sun angle). Highest incoming solar today was 116 watts at 1 PM. 
  -- (approx. 8.6 amps)

- One other note, I set low battery alarm to 12.2 volts, and high alarm to 15 volts.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: AM Solar solar/inverter/battery install, Springfield Oregon

Reply #31 –
Wyatt what voltage did you set on your systems to get the 3k cycles on the gels? 
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: AM Solar solar/inverter/battery install, Springfield Oregon

Reply #32 –
Dan, my high voltage setting are 14.8 or 14.9 volts.  My Sterling Charger will hit 14.9 or 15.0 volts for just a few minutes when it comes on.  It charges the start batteries and my second bank. I started the gen today while returning from a monthly warm up run and the check engine lite came on.  Diagnostics on VMSpc reported high voltage. Headlights on, voltage drops a bit, alarms go off , check engine lite goes off.  This charger is normally not on unless we are plugged in.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: AM Solar solar/inverter/battery install, Springfield Oregon

Reply #33 –
Dan no batteries I know of use that high of voltage unless equilizing for a measured period.  See Wyatt's post
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4
 

Re: AM Solar solar/inverter/battery install, Springfield Oregon

Reply #34 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –
Dan no batteries I know of use that high of voltage unless equilizing for a measured period.  See Wyatt's post


Are you talking about the high voltage alarm?  Or the Bulk charge of 14.4?

I want an alarm if the voltage gets too high - just a question of what to set it to. There was none set, so I picked 15V for now.  Might bump it down later. No charging occurs at the 15V - just an over voltage alarm.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide