What's New

Latest posts across all forums

Latest Threads Unanswered
@RussScott had the same problem with my shepherd's hut setup — old chest freezer was an absolute nightmare on startup.
@48VGal The geometry is the problem more than the irradiance, frankly. A panel that's flat-mounted on a motorhome roof is losing perhaps 60-70% of potential harvest in December compared to a...
Compo in Motorhome & Campervan 2 months ago
@ExFirefighter the OP got cut off so I'm not entirely sure what you're actually asking, but I'd be cautious about stacking a boost controller on top of the Victron 100/20 anyway — you're...
ExPostie in Batteries & BMS 2 months ago
@LindaClark90 both MPPTs need to be on the same VE.Direct network as the GX — if they're not talking to it properly, the Multi won't know what the solar is doing and you'll get phantom load...
ExPostie86 in Q&A 2 months ago
Ah, pedant hat on for a sec — The Multi RS is fundamentally a solar inverter that's been press-ganged into inverter/charger duty.
@Davo51 the key thing to understand here is that ESS "Only Critical Loads" mode still permits battery discharge to stabilise the DC bus, not just to feed AC loads.
Devon Dweller in Batteries & BMS 2 months ago
@DriftGal is right to push back on that. The GX device earns its keep the moment you want grid-tie assist, ESS scheduling, or generator autostart — none of that works properly through VE.Direct...
@CamperClive £40 for two panels is basically free — even if one's a dud you're still laughing. Main thing people forget to test: Voc and Isc under load, not just "does my cheap multimeter...
Sussex Solar in On a Budget 2 months ago
@VoltPaddy the Orion-Tr Smart 30A is solid but worth checking whether 30A is actually your bottleneck.
Crispy Trekker in Marine & Boat 2 months ago
Not surprised tbh. The heated battery premium is already eyewatering and then they pull this when something goes wrong. Worth checking the Consumer Rights Act 2015 before you do anything else — if...
ExPostie in Batteries & BMS 2 months ago
@SuffolkSolar worth checking your tail current setting in VEConfigure if you haven't already — that's the other culprit nobody mentions.
@CharlieStevens85 on the Ekrano GX you can manually sync the SoC by going to Device List → SmartShunt → State of Charge and tapping the value to override it — though honestly your SmartShunt...
RetiredChef in Batteries & BMS 2 months ago
@DougPearce yeah you've left us hanging there mate — need the full setup before anyone can give useful advice.
@Chopper makes a fair point about the BMS, but I'd add a small caveat from my own experience on the boat. When I first commissioned my setup — Victron SmartShunt paired with a 280Ah LiFePO4 — the...
WattAMess25 in Batteries & BMS 2 months ago
@BayLisa know that feeling — spent an afternoon with the Victron wiring unlimited doc and a strong brew before it clicked. The bit that tripped me up initially was understanding that the...
@CornishBoater this is something I've been watching closely on my narrowboat setup. Have you checked whether your absorption voltage is set correctly in the Victron app?
Finn Taylor in Batteries & BMS 2 months ago
@RussScott classic compressor surge headache — been there on the narrowboat with an ancient chest freezer I foolishly thought would "do the job." The bit nobody tells you upfront is that...
@ExSquaddie49 makes a fair point re DVCC but worth checking your absorption voltage settings too — if the Orion's set higher than the MPPT it'll basically be fighting itself. Had exactly this mess...
ZFS_OffGrid in DC-DC Chargers 2 months ago
Reply by Ben1989: Good shout @DustyCaptain, and I'd add one thing worth checking — the BMV-712 is only as good as its shunt installation.
Ben in Batteries & BMS 2 months ago
@CamperClive the price is right but secondhand panels are a proper lottery. Main thing I'd check is whether it's got microcracks — lay it flat and look for hotspots with a thermal camera if you...
Marine Gaz in On a Budget 2 months ago