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Topic: Solar charge issue Victron (Read 1340 times) previous topic - next topic

Solar charge issue Victron

I backed the coach out of the cover and unplugged the power. When I went to the app. for the Victron it shows battery state off. Shows 39 volts coming in but no volts going to the battery. It is a Victron 150/85 and I have tried finding a setting to turn the battery state back on to no avail. I have never had to change anything since the install and it always showed either bulk, absorption or float. Google was no help.

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #1 –
Quote from: craneman –
I backed the coach out of the cover and unplugged the power. When I went to the app. for the Victron it shows battery state off. Shows 39 volts coming in but no volts going to the battery. It is a Victron 150/85 and I have tried finding a setting to turn the battery state back on to no avail. I have never had to change anything since the install and it always showed either bulk, absorption or float. Google was no help.

on the app there is a spot to turn the charging off.. a warning comes on before you agree typically.. Its for maintenance it says. I was just in those and the 3000 today checking parameters.. cant remember exactly what it said .. maybe it turned itself off?

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #2 –
I will go back out and try to find that setting. I turned off the solar input and the battery connect then did a factory  reset earlier but when I hooked the battery up waited a few minutes then hooked the solar up it was still saying battery state off.

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #3 –
There is a little gear in the top right of the screen, tap it, then settings, then enable charger.

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #4 –
Quote from: jcus –
There is a little gear in the top right of the screen, tap it, then settings, then enable charger.
That is showing enabled, tried the disable then enable and nothing changed. I believe it is a hardware problem as after a factory reset and hooking the power back up, I don't get the menu that it had when I installed it. Will see if I can get a tech support on Monday as I have tried everything in the setup menu I can see.

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #5 –
Quote from: craneman –
That is showing enabled, tried the disable then enable and nothing changed. I believe it is a hardware problem as after a factory reset and hooking the power back up, I don't get the menu that it had when I installed it. Will see if I can get a tech support on Monday as I have tried everything in the setup menu I can see.
Heard Victron tech support is not the best. Talk to Alan, he really knows all things Victron.
Bay Marine Supply

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #6 –
Craneman check your PMs.

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #7 –
Update, the unit is not functioning and will be sent back under warranty. After talking with a rep. from Victron and updating the software version he believes that it has failed.

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #8 –
Second update. Allan at Bay Marine is shipping me a new controller today. He will handle the warranty and credit me back my costs when he receives my old one. I will have solar for my trip to Xtreme after all.

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #9 –
Allen is THE man!

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #10 –
It always pays to buy good equipment with a good warranty from a company that stands behind its products and from a dealer who is dedicated to service.  Whatever you need send your business toward Bay Marine Supply and continue to support Alan the same way he supports his customers.

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #11 –
Final update new controller arrived today and all is working as it should.
A big heads up to Allen at Bay Marine he saved my bacon.

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #12 –
Allen is going to be my go to guy, when I update. Value added price=good service + tech support + stand behind what you sell. Typically cheaper in old school long run bottom line.

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #13 –
Yes, important to purchase from an established dealer. Made in the U.S. is good for going straight to the mfg. Ours is ten years old and now out of the five year warranty but the factory will repair any problem for $125 and deliver in 24 hours.

I buy a lot off ebay but not solar controllers. $500 or so still buys a top of the line 96 amp controller.

Pierce

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #14 –
Does Victron build a auto gen start as part of their line? 

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #15 –
The Victron Multiplus Inverter/Chargers can be connected to autostart the generator.

From the Victron User's Manual which took me about a minute to find.
https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/Manual-MultiPlus-3k-120V-(firmware-xxxx4xx)a-EN.pdf

The Multiplus has three programmable relays
The relays can be programmed for all kinds of applications, for example as a starter relay for a generating set.

The Multiplus will charge the start batteries.

It can provide Equalization charging.
3.3.1 Equalisation
Traction batteries require regular additional charging. In the equalisation mode, the MultiPlus will charge with increased voltage for one hour (1V above the absorption voltage for a 12V battery, 2V for a 24V battery). The charging current is then limited to 1/4 of the set value. The "bulk" and "absorption" LEDs flash intermittently.

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #16 –
Is the autostart part of the genset controller, that is enabled by the relay, or can any genset be started (my 89 vintage genset you have to hold the button down till it starts) so I am guessing this would not be wise to use it to enable an  time adjustable relay, in parallel with the  button switch wiring, seems too easy.

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #17 –
An autostart to be used with our  gen would seem to require a 25 second preheat then initiate the separate  starting circuit.  Any way that could be done on a multipass unit? Time control one of the relays?  Then initiate another relay.

Anyone hooked up  one this way

If I am not mistaken Foretravel's  Wizard auto starts ,as are the Magnums,  were wired into both the preheat and start circuits. 

What would turn off the start relay?  Time?

I do not know how the magnum AGS-N knows to stop the start circuit.  Anyone know?

We have a pet in the coach and I think that the autostart can be temp controlled.

So I can leave the thermostat set to ac and left on with no a/c power on then when the temp sender reaches its set point it would preheat the gen motor for the 25 seconds then start then when the relays connect furnish 120 volts to the ac's which would start their fans then the compressors after the two minute built in delay.

I think the unit auto turns off the gen if the coach temp drops and/or the batteries reach their preset charging settings.

And will repeat as necessary from either temp or battery power requirements.

Could auto run for a long time.

Maybe the later dometic control panel could auto switch from ac to heat pump? 

Our home uses a dual setback thermostat that switches from heat to cold automatically.

Rare but weather is weather. 

I have had park breakers pop off many times and a non occupied coach and a weather change occur. 

Freeze or heat. 

Pretty sure all but the hot/cold switch over can be done now on our 97.

Newer airs and/or the latest Dometic visual control panel I think can do the hot/cold switch.  I think.

Here is the magnum info

https://www.magnum-dimensions.com/sites/default/files/MagDocs/64-0039-Rev-A-ME-AGS-N.pdf

Turns out with new control boards and the new Dometic  CCC control it can be set to auto switch hot to cold and the reverse.

And can run an aquahot or furnace or roof heating

https://www.dometic.com/assets/59/19/operating%20manual_55919.pdf?att=true



Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #18 –
Different generators have different wiring to start or stop the generator.  The generator in my coach starts or stops with a single push of a momentary contact switch.  The start sequence and timing is part of the generator.  All you have to do is tell it to start or stop.  An easy task for a Victron Multiplus.

Automatic Generator start/stop [Victron Energy]

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #19 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –

Pretty sure all but the hot/cold switch over can be done now on our 97.

Newer airs and/or the latest Dometic visual control panel I think can do the hot/cold switch.  I think.


The thermostat that came in my coach when on auto, will switch from Aqua Hot to roof air and vice versa.