How to Program a Solar Charge Controller in a DIY Camper Electrical System
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 26 авг 2024
- This video will teach you how to program a Victron SmartSolar Charge Controller to work with a Battle Born Lithium Battery Bank. If you aren't using Battle Born Batteries in your setup, that's fine too... I have provided some tips for getting the recommended battery charging specs from the manufacturer of the batteries that you have chosen to use and I have an email template ready to go for you on the blog post here: www.explorist....
➤Need additional & personalized help? Consider joining my private group: www.community....
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful with planning and installing your DIY Camper:
➤DIY Camper Solar Wiring Diagrams: www.explorist....
➤How to Perform a Power Audit: • How Much Solar Power D...
➤Basic Parts & Components of an Electrical System: • Basic Solar Parts Need...
➤How to Cut Wire: www.explorist....
➤How to Strip Wire: • How to Strip Wire from...
➤How to Crimp Wire: • How To Crimp Wire Lugs...
➤How to Make MC4 Connectors: • How To Make MC4 Connec...
➤How to Wire Solar Panels in Series-Parallel: • How to Wire Solar Pane...
➤How to Crimp Wire Ferrules: • How to Crimp Ferrules ...
➤How to Wire an AC/DC Breaker/Fuse Box: www.explorist....
If only victron’ s videos/manuals were this good
The are if you had the brains to understand them
@@MrPlasma01 ‘They’, champ.
I am Sri Lankan and I watched your videos.
Thank you ! For your very educational videos. Solar can be very expensive buying the wrong components. Being able to build our system in the correct order without wasting $$ has been great. Great job
Very concise and efficient tutorial. Electrical can be very daunting so thanks for these videos. I will be installing my solar charger in a month and this definitely raises my confidence.
Your tutorials are excellent and easy to follow. Please broaden your keywords to include cruising sailboats/sailing, using Victron products and solar panels.
I new if I looked long enough I would find someone who could explain in detail how to setup the controller. Thank You
Hey Dennis F Kendall, No problem! Glad it helped! :)
Thanks Nate! Good job- easy to follow. The day I needed to configure my controller, I had good help from a phone call with BattleBorn as they actually walked me thru the set up while I sat in the back of my van and familiarized myself with the app. But I prefer watching your video and double checking everything. Cheers!
Thank you Nate, great having modern technology but getting the right information can wear ya down. Electricity and electronics is more about remembering than understanding for me, that’s why god made ‘save and replay’… more I watch the more it sinks in..
Top video Nate
Tx Man. Very helpful. Will proceed with caution... gotta go and read my battery charge parameters.
Glad it was helpful. Cheers!
I just hooked up my 100/15 victron charger to my diy "solar generator" with a 50ah li time battey and a 220w ecoflow solar array. It would charge for about 40-50 sec and stop. I did a bunch of troubleshooting, but then realized at the end, that the battery might already be fully charged. I'm draining the battery tonight and will retest tomorrow
Clicked on your " private group " link and got google warning page - Your connection is not private ???
One of the best videos on this subject to far --- thanks
Using the wrong certificate by the look of it.
Thanks so much for linking that email for us to use, I got all the information from my battery manufacturer that I needed to set the battery up properly, they appreciated the list very much, made it easy to answer all the list items
Nate, I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge. Fantastic series on solar!
FYI viewers, watching commercials helps the channel. Please don’t skip them.
Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!
Another fantastic video Nate. You are SO thorough! Best video series on solar on YT by far. Well done!!
Thanks so much for this timely video. Installing two Victron 150/100 charge controllers in in my 1998 Motorhome which should be arriving soon from BBB.
Best of luck on 100,000 Subscribers! 👍👍😊
Oh! Sure enough. :) Coming up quickly. 😊😊😊 Thanks for being subscribed over the years. 😊
@@EXPLORISTlife 👍😎
Ideal instructional video. Just what I needed. I'm hoping to program the optimal values for nine 12v, 100ah AGM batteries in parallel, with a Victron 250/100cc. Thank you.
Hi I have a similar set up just less batteries did u ever figured the settings ? Myself I'm having doubts if I have the right absorption time
What about configuring the BMS712 ? i.e. Setting the 100% value - etc - so the "Fuel Gauge" is accurate?
Agree. This would be great.
needed this right now, just got a 2nd BB battery to add to my 1st, for a total of 200aH, need to hook it in
love it. now, programing the shunt next:)
I’m so confused. These settings are for lithium. What are the charging parameter for a lead acid battery that’s not AGM?
Just put the rotary switch to the setting for your battery and you will be fine.
Just installed my 100/20 Victron. I have 5 leadacid RV/ marine batteries wired in parallel. When im on the battery drop down what should i select 😵💫
You're a super solar badass. Nice to know the best way to get the most out of my system. You rock!
Hey Nate. Great work in keeping this simple for the rest of us! Here’s my question. I have 3x200W panels (10a 20v) and 2x175w (9a 19.5v). In order to maximize the solar panels should I run the 3x200 in series to one mppt and the 2x175 to another mppt? It seems from the math, if I am doing it correctly, that this would best utilize my solar array. Appreciate your feedback.
I have victron mppt 75/15 for my 80 series Land Cruiser marine group 27 deep cycle house battery.
I wonder why victron doesn't have a common flooded lead acid charging profile in the pre set options.
awesome video EXPLORIST life - DIY Campers. I broke that thumbs up on your video. Keep up the excellent work.
Yeah that's the process how it's done with Victron solar chargers as such . But few know how to set two identical chargers one for low load output to inverter and the second one kicks in only when high loads needed from battery , any battery , to inverter. Can be done to......
Yeah, that’s not really how we recommend doing things… so if you’re looking for advice, perhaps just do as the tutorial shows.
Did you do a Victron product overview on the new MPPT Smart charge controller? I see the 150/70 has several more connector points.
Nate, I thought you mentioned about another video in the making covering how to program the Victron Multiplus 12V 120 inverter for us non battle born owners.
Just hook it up people, the victron is dummy proof and awesome
It needs to be properly programmed. The component is awesome, but you can't "just hook it up". Please stop spreading poor advice. 👎👎
Great video! Thanks for explaining things in a way a newbie can understand. I do have one question…. I have purchased two 100Ah Battle Born batteries, so, do I need to have one charge controller for each battery or will the single one suffice. It is a Victron MPPT 100/30 like the one you used in this video.
Thanks again.
You will have one charge controller per solar array for the whole bank of batteries. If you have purchased/are purchasing from our store (shop.explorist.life) and want us to take a more in-depth look at your personal setup.reach out for some more personalized help: shop.explorist.life/support
If you've purchased/are purchasing elsewhere, reach out to your dealer for support. We'd love to have you as a shop.explorist.life customer so we can provide a bit more help in the future. 🙂
Hi Nate, I'm loving your Basics series and feel like I've paid to take an online course, given the quality and knowledge you've put into it - so thanks very much! I just had a question around mixing components to create my system.
I am looking to use a Renogy 60A Rover Li MPPT charge controller, along with their 100Ah LiFePo Bluetooth battery (willl add a second in the future), and I wondered, is it possible to still use the VE Lynx Distributor between these components? I understand they won't communicate with each other, but will I still be able to get readings from the Lynx separate to the other Renogy components?
Thanks in advance!
Question related to absorption time, in video is mentioned 30min for 100Amp but what if u got 2x 12V 100AMP in series = 24V 100AMP that means 60 min for absorption time or still 30 min??????
hi i have a question about the streetlight function. i have a battery in the back of my van , and i also wanna charge my anker powerhouse 757 with solar but it has as problem with day and night so i wanna try to connect my anker powerhouse to the victron mppt 75/10 so i can charge my anker powerhouse ! i can charge with max " 300 watt solar 11/30V 10amp " , the question is how much watts will the LOAD connection output ? with 10amp ( i m a beginner with solar setup ) i just needed something to fix my problem , thank you for your time , mark
Hi Nate, following your steps here. My "equalization Voltage" reads "disabled" how do I enable it to set it?
Hi Nate I have installed a Victron 100/30 runnng 2x 100watt panels. into 3 x 110amp lead acid batteries. Should I be putting a fuse between the panels and the Charge controller and between Charge controller and batteries. If so what fuse/burn size
Awesome guide. Can you do a video on how to program the Victron DC-to-DC Charger? Specifically, what is the difference between 'Charger' and 'Power Supply' options.
My “bulk” light was blinking like yours but it didn’t connect to Bluetooth like my shunt did. Not sure what’s wrong… never mind, I need the smart dongle thing. This unit doesn’t have built in Bluetooth.
Another great video Nate. Just what I needed, again. Thanks.
Glad it was helpful. Cheers!
Question, how come the app for the 100/50 shows 13.7 volts but when I put my meter on the batteries it only shows 13.1 volts
Hi just seen your video on solar chargers very interesting.ive got a renogy 170amp lithium battery 200w panel an a victron smart 100/20 . What should the settings be set to for my battery. I’ve chose the lithium setting but should I change the charging valves it’s saying 14.2 v help cheers mike
Hi, I am trying to set up a solar system and I want to use a 16v battery ( I build this battery for 18650). The problem is, all of the controllers that I have seen are only meant for 12v or 24V batteries, how do you think is best to charge this battery using solar/
Can the VE MPPT controllers be different volt and amp ratings or must they be the same units
Fantastic video! Thank you for your efforts and quality.
Hi could you show me which link is the VE smart networking please, I'm not sure which one it is..
I have agm batteries and victron cc what are parameters
Thank you, an excellent and informative video.
Martin
Hey Martin, Thanks so much! Cheers!
So I have 5 12v 100AH Deep Cycle Lead Acid batteries (SuperStart 31DCM), what amp (settings) do I need to charge those batteries? I have the paperwork from the manufacturer of the batteries, however I don’t understand what it’s telling me. Is there a way I can send it to you and you help me get the right setting?
Super helpful tutorial. Thanks!
Question please.... Do I run the +/- wires from the charge controller directly to the fuse panel or di I run the +/- wires from charge controller to the batteries then back to fuse panel?. Fuse panel is 3 feet away from batteries and CC.
Thanks!
Thanks for the knowledge, my guy.
Hey nate
These videos are very helpful, but can you explain what the VE direct port pin on the victron mppt should be on what pins 🤔
Can I get a dc ro dc automatic transfer switch because I av two deferent battery bank
Hi Nate, why is my is on the off mode and can't be turn on?
Awesome video ! Thank you for your efforts and quality .
Glad it was helpful. Cheers!
Great video content Nate. I think we may have caused an issue when I purchased a new cell phone and had to upload the app. Our doesn’t seem to be working like it used to and can’t figure out why. We have reviewed several of your videos and are working through the manual, but could really use some help. Any suggestions?
Nate: very well done, thank you. Subscribed. A question: if I have an AGM that only has bulk and float figures published, what do you do with the absorption screen in the MPPT controller setup? Cheers, KL
Hi Nate - thank you for the videos. I would love to learn how to install a voltage switch in order to use excess solar power and redirect it to a heating element to a hot water tank so that I can heat up hot water on sunny days when my batteries are fully charged.
I have recently installed 1600 watts of solar onto my 73' old wooden boat (built in 1922!) after upgrading my electrical system to Victron equipment. On sunny summer days, I have lots of excess power and would love to use it to heat water instead of burning diesel fuel on my furnace. Any thoughts of putting a video on that, or can you direct me to resources you would recommend?
Thanks!
Excellent information! I’ve tried to find this info any place and it’s tough. Even though battle born filled it out for me, there’s a lot I didn’t understand, not to mention that even the two charge controllers they sent out to me differed on some of the information? Especially on absorption time, one said 2 hours and one said 3. I didn’t even understand about the battery capacity size either.
I have eight Battle Born Batteries in series parallel at 24 V, so I’m imagining that would be two hours of absorption? And capacity would be 400?
Congrats on reaching 100K subscribers!
What software do you use to make your wiring diagram schematics?
Can you tell me how to setup a 24 votes system
Your videos are so effing helpful!!!
Glad you like them!
Not aure if i can get help on this. But my system is giving me a "low voltage" alarm. I have 300ah lithium battery wirh 400w solar. Its a 12V system but my battery voltage is at 11.05V. If anyone can advice on how i can trouble shoot this id really appreciate it, thank you
Hey Nate, what's the theory behind why the absorption rate need to be set for 30m per 100Ah? Google wasn't as concise as you are. Thank you!!
do you need to choose lithium batteries for the Victron MPPT solar charger? I have lion Energy lithium batteries
Nate -- Absorption time. You mentioned 30min/100AH. Is 30min/100AH also correct on a 24V bank?
Thanks, I cannot find charge parameters for powerxon 250ah agm battery ? I also cannot find setting via victron connect wherr to set minimum voltage ( to save battery life). Using app's latest version as today.
Thank you for the videos. It shows in my booklet that I need to pull the little black jumper thats in position 2,3. Do I need to still do this whilst making changes like you just did in advanced mode? And I've been really busy and apologize if you covered this in another video
@loisfaruolo6932
I have a 12 volt Duralast AGM battery Cycling Charge rate 14.4 -15.0 v with a 13.5-13.8 Float charge What type would you say my battery is ? My 30A topsolar controller connected to 200 watt panel is already preset on type 61
Hi Nate, love your stuff. My wife and I live off grid in our Toyota Coaster in NZ. I recently replaced the initial solar stuff I bought, when I realised how bad it was compared to VE kit! So now have MPPT 100/50, Smartshunt, Battery Sense & IP65 Charger. The MPPT wH generated/day is great. I'm wishing though, that I could generate/calculate/plot our wH consumed per day. Understanding that some wH are supplied direct from solar, and not batteries, this is not straight forward. Even tracking daily wh consumed from the batteries would be interesting enough. Especially on weeks like we have now, where the cloud inversion blocks 90% solar for weeks at a time! Any thoughts on this? Ta much
great video thanks
Do you have a video on How to program a Victron Smart Shunt?
You seem to prefer 12v systems overall. Is it parts availability or higher costs associated with 24v? Feel free to send me a link to an article or video. Thanks
Hi am I getting something wrong? I heard one guy say an AGM 100Ah is max charged at 30amp. Now I'm hearing its OK up to 50amp. What am I missing or was the other info wrong.
Thanks
Nate do you have a video on how to program the orion 12 12 30?
Hi, thanks for all the great info you share in the most simple way.
Please help, I have two 48v/325w panels setup in parallel running through a 100/30 Victron CC connected to 2x AGM 200A batteries connected in series 24v. Why does my solar array show only 192W and 36v and 5.3A?
That's running at 60% capacity. Not terrible, not max.
Check the solar panels.
Then check wiring.
Check temperature.
Check panels for spec.
Panels should be clean and pointing at the sun.
Wiring must be of sufficient size to carry current for the distance. Connectors must be sound.
High heat can cut power down.
Measure the spec open circuit voltage and short current. Be careful. Use the correct rated meter properly.
Hi, I just bought the 3000 watt inverter and ordered a noco 15amp shore power plug for the side of the van. On the other side of the outlet is a female 110 plug. How would I hook that up to the inverter so I can keep my batteries topped off at home? Thanks
So, on those other things you could control settings...could you have the solar controller run something like a DIY Battery Heater from the Load instead of using a separate Temperature Control Module?
Excellent information nate. I installed my Battleborn 100ah lithium in my camper system 2 1/2 years ago with my Morningstar PS-30 PWM non'-metered version charge controller. At the time I spoke to Battleborn they gave me charge parameters of 14.4 Absorption for 60 minutes and 13.6 for Float. Do you see and issues with that profile? It is a pain to reprogram the non-metered PS-30, but I will if my parameters affect my performance or battery life significantly. Thanks!
I tried setting my controller up exactly as the video describes for my (2) battlborn 100ah lithiums… but the field for equalization voltage is inactive. I can’t set it to 14.4 as this tutorial describes. It’s just grayed out and cannot be selected… every other setting I was able to replicate.
As Always, another Great Vid Nate & Steph. I guess I’m a little Slow, or just inject (things) that are imagined. Do you have to have (the Dongle) to use Victron Connect ?
I have:
Multiplus
VE MPPT
VE DC-DC
VE Lynx
Vatrer Batteries
NON-VE Shunt
It should be simple, but I see the Dongle on some of the EL Diagrams, and not on others, and I don’t see it in Kit ordering lists ….
I have the appropriate dongles where they are required in each diagram and in each of the kits in our store here: shop.explorist.life/product-category/all-products/camper-wiring-kits/complete-wiring-kits/
If using 14.6v in the mppt absorbtion would you lower this by 0.2v in the smart shunt to 14.4v
Yep!
So glad I found this channel! Thank you for your time. I have a question that I cannot seem to find an answer to. I have a 275W solar panel, 2 6V batts, and the victron mppt 100/20. Everything runs great in the trailer except the furnace? I can hear it clicking as if trying to get the motor going, and all other power get's shunted (lights turn off etc) . The furnace runs fine on 110 so it's not that. It's as if the controller isnt letting enough power in to crank on the furnace. Is there a setting I am missing? I would think the 100/20 was strong enough. Sorry for the long explanation but Google just isn't understanding my queries
Thanks for all your videos, they are great. I have two different victron charge controllers a 150/70 and 100/30 when I put them on a network the total watt output shows lower that on each of the controller. Do the controllers need to be the same ? Thanks Bill
I'm a little confused on the equalization parameters. So you set equalization to 14.4V but Li-Io batteries don't need to be equalized, so the equalization is disabled?
Yeah, so that is for 'If something happens and the charge controller accidentally goes through an equalization phase' (or if the user forgets to turn off equalization) so that the equalization phase still won't actually do anything as the voltage is too low. Just an additional safeguard but you're correct. If all goes correctly... this shouldn't matter.
I downloaded the app and the charge controller I have will not show up in the app. I don’t know what to do.
Can you use a 200w solar panel with the 15 amp Victron unit
Why would a MPPT solar charge controller kick in and out when charging or when a load is on like a small fridge … charges and then stops . I did added two more 6 volt batteries ( total 24 volts ) and it was running for 2 months before this started .
Sounds like the batteries are simply full and the charge controller is only supplying power to the actively running loads.
Thanks for all the informative videos, Nate! I understand each manufacturer would have different specs for their charging profiles, but I’d expect the basics to be the same. My manufacturer is saying that all (12v) lithium batteries, including theirs, should just be charged at 14.6v, and that concepts like Bulk, Absorption and Float don’t apply to this battery chemistry. They say to set those all at 14.6v. Can you explain why this may be the case, or why settings closer to what you’re using for the Battleborn batteries could be better for overall performance, safety, and/or battery health? Thanks!
Nope, that's not the case. and that's downright irresponsible of them to make such a blanket statement. Victron LiFePO4 batteries for example want to be charged to, if I remember correctly 14.2v. Each battery manufacturer makes it's own charging parameter recommendations based on their own particular cells and bms.
I think it is based on manufacturers BMS what voltage they need. It is this BMS that finally cuts off your current when battery is full and if your voltage is set too low it may take ages to charge to full capacity. Most batterys this is 14.6v.
how to calculate the maximum charge current rate for exemple if i have the capacity of my battery bank is 400Ah? thank
I have a 100ah 48v battery, how much time what I need for absorbtion? And should I use fix or adaptive.
As mentioned in the video... you need to reach out to the manufacturer of your battery for that information.
very informative thank you
Glad it was helpful!
Hi ,
Why did you calculate the amps when you specified the panels are in series . Isn't the amp supposed to remain the same . Confused
Not on the output side of the charge conntroller.
@@EXPLORISTlife ah ok got it , thanks much appreciated.
The documentation for my Renogy 100ah LiFePo4 'recommends' float set at 14.4v. Does Nate or anyone else in the comments know why this is? Should the float not be more like 13.6 since LiFePo4 batteries do not require trickle charging? I know Nate says to follow the manufacturer's settings, but this just seems wrong.
trying to find out the type of battery I should insert into the app. I have 2 Skanbatt SK80Ah 600cca and a Victron mppt 75/15, I don't quite understand the designations in the app on the batteries.
The video you commented on outlines the information you’ll need to get from your chosen battery manufacturer for proper programming.
@@EXPLORISTlife that i have, but not what type of battery, not gel 🙂
Thanks for the info however I'm still alittle confused ...
My 100/20 is on a 24v system 200amh .
Absorption set at 29.20
Absorbtion time 60mins
Float set at 27.20
When the batteries reach 2920 with 4 amps charging from solar the controller goes to absorption for about 30mins then goes to float .
The controller then holds at float but the reading of the battery is 26.50 and it stays there continuously..
I have no loads in use as the batteries I'm charging are for propulsion only and the batteries are 4 x led acid cranking batteries 100amh.
My question ~ when the controller reaches 2920 volts and there is 4amp being drawn from the panels , does it not then calculate the 4amp charge into the equation ?
Ie the charge from the panel should drop to zero at 29.20v before it goes to absorption otherwise the charge is not actually at 29.20 but 29.20v minus the 4amp charge . As the absorption is timed ( in my case 60mins )and in that time the panels only produce 1amp ( that's 2amh in total ) then would my batteries be undercharged when float is activated ??
I have one 100amp Battle Born lithium battery and my voltage was default at 13.2. Is that normal?
I got issue with the charge is disabled due to Engine shutdown detected so my refrigerator is off and the only way works is when I start the van; also loads are disable. I don't know what to do please help me. The only thing I did was to update the app and I get this issue. I really appreciate you help
Sounds like you have an issue on the house battery side of things if your loads turn off when the Orion is off.
hello I have a request, can you help me set the parameters in my victron MPPT 150/35 charger I have 3 pieces of 12V 100Ah Smart Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery w / Self-Heating Function
SKU: RBT100LFP12SH-US I wrote to the technical support renogy as advised but they blew me away