Solar charge issue Victron

Topic: Solar charge issue Victron (Read 1212 times) previous topic - next topic

Solar charge issue Victron

February 23, 2019, 02:57:21 pm

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 – February 23, 2019, 03:01:28 pm

Quote from: craneman – February 23, 2019, 02:57:21 pm

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 – February 23, 2019, 03:06:24 pm

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 – February 23, 2019, 03:23:37 pm

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 – February 23, 2019, 03:33:19 pm

Quote from: jcus – February 23, 2019, 03:23:37 pm

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 – February 23, 2019, 03:52:50 pm

Quote from: craneman – February 23, 2019, 03:33:19 pm

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 – February 23, 2019, 04:09:18 pm

Craneman check your PMs.

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #7 – February 25, 2019, 05:23:47 pm

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 – February 25, 2019, 05:46:48 pm

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 – February 25, 2019, 05:51:17 pm

Allen is THE man!

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #10 – February 25, 2019, 06:45:35 pm

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 – February 26, 2019, 08:44:47 pm

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 – February 27, 2019, 12:39:25 am

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 – February 27, 2019, 10:04:19 am

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 – February 27, 2019, 12:39:06 pm

Does Victron build a auto gen start as part of their line?

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #15 – February 27, 2019, 03:48:10 pm

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 – February 27, 2019, 10:02:16 pm

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 – February 27, 2019, 11:06:52 pm

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 – February 28, 2019, 12:32:07 am

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 – February 28, 2019, 12:52:19 am

Quote from: Caflashbob – February 27, 2019, 11:06:52 pm

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.

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #20 – February 28, 2019, 01:37:31 am

my 97 gen requires two pushes. The magnum can run all types and repeats the start cycle up to four times.

For my wants/needs the temp control auto gen start was important enough to source the system.

Several posters here mentioned positioning the thermoprobe for the me-ags-n next to the std a/c control location. 60' of cable included.

Allows one to leave the coach and when the temp the unit was set to detect occurs the gen starts and the heating or cooling then occurs.

And if the temp changes the other way the opposite HVAC unit turns on.

The system seems to be capable of fully automatic temp and battery charging maintenance dry camped.

A large solar system can be integrated up to 240 volts and 6600 watts with a pt100.

Then the only gen start trigger might be the temp.

Unit can be set to auto exercise the gen at preset intervals.

All American made and serviceable.

The technology exists to fully automate our coaches including winter and summer switching.

The idea that a 20 year old coach with a liberal application of coach bucks can be automated is intriguing.

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #21 – February 28, 2019, 08:35:46 am

The Victron BMV712 (and most 700 series I think) battery monitors have a relay function that can be activated on low/high SOC, low/high voltages, low/high temperature, etc. You can set open and close values and invert these to send a signal to your generator start circuit. You can also choose the time period before a relay changes if you prefer. Pretty versatile function for a nice price point.

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #22 – February 28, 2019, 11:20:49 am

Great info. Does anyone have a link for a ambient temp sensing setup/probe that could be used with the 712 or the Venus unit?

Can the units be set to restart if the first try does not work? Exercise the gen at preset times? Have a system test function? Failure light or screen indication?

I understand the good price point just need to see how the temp auto gen start mentioned actually is outfitted and setup.

Time delays for the two button gen start systems?

Any links to the programming setup steps? Manual?

The Venus unit mentions temp inputs. Any idea how?

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #23 – February 28, 2019, 02:03:19 pm

Bob, reading through the manual it says you need to buy the temp. sensor and it is to monitor the batteries. But could possibly be used to monitor the inside temperature if you mount it inside the coach. I've had success emailing Justin Larrabee with Victron with questions.
You can get the manual on Victronenergy.com

Re: Solar charge issue Victron

Reply #24 – February 28, 2019, 09:31:57 pm

Thanks folivier.

My reading has the temp input being inverter overheat.

On the Victrons customer question a owner asked about using the unit to auto start a gen and could the gen start repeat start the gen if it does not start the first time.

Victron gave a very technical possible custom fabrication scenario that might address the customers wants.

Later in the same answer the Victron guy recommended buying a magnum energy ME-AGS-S as a stand alone gen start.

It turns out that if I change my roof air boards to go with the later Dometic CCC heat and air control panel that it's internal thermostats can trigger the gen to start. The later CCC unit can auto switch from heat and cold triggered by the thermostat on the wall.

No actual need to run the ME-AGS-N's thermoprobe for the interior.

The autostart can be set to check the reason it starts from every half hour to max of 25 hours.

If the unit sees the same or any condition that would have caused it to starti it will auto reset and continue to run the gen.

The living room and bedroom temp sensors are connected to the living room thermostat. So if either thermostat calls for any of its functions the gen can be set to start and run.

Totally separate from the batteries SOC. Same result. Different reason.

The heat side can be set for heat strip, heat pump or furnace and the auto fan runs at lower speed if the temp is 2 degrees above or below its set point.

At 5 degrees above or below the fans on the a/c's switch to higher speed until the temp drops to 2 degrees above or below then it switches to low.

The fans can be set to turn off at or below the set points or left to stay on and either the compressor for ac or heat pump or heat strip or the furnace which is the aquahot in my case.

I think when the basement thermostat calls for heat that it could send a signal to the auto gen start to start.

Turning on the bathrooms thermostat and setting it's temp higher would stop its fan from running but allow the basement radiators and fans to operate on the basements thermostat.

If just the 110 volt element was turned on then the power demand could start the gen I think.

As a backup if the batteries ran down the gens auto start would come on from the lower SOC.

If the 110 was not on and just the diesel then just the battery running down would trigger the gen start and/or low temps anywhere in the coach subject to the wall thermostat.

Like I said automating the coach can be done for sure. If you have enough solar then the diesel aqua hot may never run the batteries down enough to trigger the auto start to recharge the batteries.

If it does not then the auto start comes on.

Also obviously hot and cold can auto turn on the needed systems connected to the living room thermostat.

Word of caution Magnum mentions on the first page of their manual that their equipment is not non spark certified.

No reference in the Victron manual. Any wire connection can spark. Even a tiny amount could be a problem.

The Magnum mentions the temp control auto start for possible safety of occupants.

In this case the trigger could be either hot, cold or SOC.

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