08-08-2023, 09:28 AM
The cells/batteries are finally installed and wired up!
I have been able to fire up the Batrium Watchmon BMS to insure that all of the cells are being monitored. All cell voltages are within .03V after top balance and "parked unattached" for about 2 weeks.
The Solar controller to charge the 48V batteries software has been updated to the higher voltage (I used this controller in the past for the 12V original batteries) with Victron standard LiFPO settings. I will likely modify the voltage charging once the system is all commissioned to try to maximize battery life.
There are a few things of note:
First was something I never expected. When I was loading up they system everything seemed fine.......until it wasn't at about 5500W. I double and triple checked that all wiring connections were supreme. As an example, on all of the cell terminals I modified a dowel to be able to sand the top of all of the connections, applied No-Ox ID special immediately, then assembled the buss bars to remove any Al oxide.
However, I never expected that I did not install the wires into the main circuit breaker to the output of the inverter properly. It turns out that when you install a panel box to the ceiling and loosen the contactor screw for a circuit breaker the clamping saddle falls as gravity is working against you. This leaves a perfect spot for you shove the wire in above and outside the saddle. I then tightened the saddle screw thinking it was clamping the wire....but no it was just hanging out where the saddle normally sits but it was making loose contact so that everything seemed fine. Who would have guessed, so beware!
The second thing is that the shunt is not reporting to either Victron or Batrium the SoC of the battery. Still needs further investigation. I figured that I should have at least the Batrium software to report SoC as I made an easy extension cable, but the CANBUS connection from Batrium was special wiring as found on the internet. I will need an education on this.
The third thing is that auto generator start function was something of a mystery as well. For some reason the Victron Cerbo system was indicating that I had a low voltage and was triggering the gen start solenoid. Funny thing is I did not program it to do that.....yet, I only completed the wiring and was not trying to test that yet. The Cerbo only has an on and off function to perform generator start. On for generator start, off for generator stop. This would not work on our generators as they need a momentary ground signal to start as well to stop. I purchased a set of timed solenoids to provide that momentary signal when power is applied on the start side, and a momentary signal when power is turned off on the stop side.
When the Victron solenoid commanded the generator to be on, the generator would run in a very funny mode that I have never heard before. I think it has to do with the time I programmed into timed solenoids, but I am not sure. I only let it run for a 10-20 seconds or so, but the generator was vibrating significantly and was much louder than normal. Can the generator start backwards if the ground is made for too short of a time? I am looking for direction here as this is not something that I want to forcibly repeat. Help would be appreciated.
That is all I have to report on, pictures to follow.
I have been able to fire up the Batrium Watchmon BMS to insure that all of the cells are being monitored. All cell voltages are within .03V after top balance and "parked unattached" for about 2 weeks.
The Solar controller to charge the 48V batteries software has been updated to the higher voltage (I used this controller in the past for the 12V original batteries) with Victron standard LiFPO settings. I will likely modify the voltage charging once the system is all commissioned to try to maximize battery life.
There are a few things of note:
First was something I never expected. When I was loading up they system everything seemed fine.......until it wasn't at about 5500W. I double and triple checked that all wiring connections were supreme. As an example, on all of the cell terminals I modified a dowel to be able to sand the top of all of the connections, applied No-Ox ID special immediately, then assembled the buss bars to remove any Al oxide.
However, I never expected that I did not install the wires into the main circuit breaker to the output of the inverter properly. It turns out that when you install a panel box to the ceiling and loosen the contactor screw for a circuit breaker the clamping saddle falls as gravity is working against you. This leaves a perfect spot for you shove the wire in above and outside the saddle. I then tightened the saddle screw thinking it was clamping the wire....but no it was just hanging out where the saddle normally sits but it was making loose contact so that everything seemed fine. Who would have guessed, so beware!
The second thing is that the shunt is not reporting to either Victron or Batrium the SoC of the battery. Still needs further investigation. I figured that I should have at least the Batrium software to report SoC as I made an easy extension cable, but the CANBUS connection from Batrium was special wiring as found on the internet. I will need an education on this.
The third thing is that auto generator start function was something of a mystery as well. For some reason the Victron Cerbo system was indicating that I had a low voltage and was triggering the gen start solenoid. Funny thing is I did not program it to do that.....yet, I only completed the wiring and was not trying to test that yet. The Cerbo only has an on and off function to perform generator start. On for generator start, off for generator stop. This would not work on our generators as they need a momentary ground signal to start as well to stop. I purchased a set of timed solenoids to provide that momentary signal when power is applied on the start side, and a momentary signal when power is turned off on the stop side.
When the Victron solenoid commanded the generator to be on, the generator would run in a very funny mode that I have never heard before. I think it has to do with the time I programmed into timed solenoids, but I am not sure. I only let it run for a 10-20 seconds or so, but the generator was vibrating significantly and was much louder than normal. Can the generator start backwards if the ground is made for too short of a time? I am looking for direction here as this is not something that I want to forcibly repeat. Help would be appreciated.
That is all I have to report on, pictures to follow.