MorneDJ

I currently have 2x US3000C, and 4x US3000 batteries. I plug them into "Console" RJ45 plug. I tried 2 different batteries, but it keeps on timing out. I will try another laptop just in case, but my COM port is correct, and I tried to trace the issue with chatGPT and youtube videos. I got a different USB to serial connector from ElectronicsFG today, which I will try tonight.

I still have the 8 kVA multiplus, and it is bore than what we need. Maximum draw, with the geyser and oven on is around 6.8 kW (with typical use), and I am installing a heatpump the end of the month to remove that geyser element (2.8 kW down to 1.4 kW). I bought a Pylontech battery cable from HDcabling, but it does not work. After tracing the error, I see that they had it incorrect, with them swapping pins 2 and 3 on the serial interface. I did fix it, but the cable still does not work, so I do not know if it is the USB - Serial cable that they supplied. So for now I cannot read the status of the batteries. Anyone know where I can purchase a new and working Pylontech battery cable and USB interface, or have one made up in Pta. As a last resort, where I can borrow one (I am in Garsfontein area, Pta)?

Last year, during my last service, I was told that the one battery (that I used as the master), was not working and that the cells were swollen. Now, I generally operate the batteries to never discharge below 30%, and as far as I know, it only went to less than 20% about 3 times in 5 years. This battery was also less than 2 years old. When Glodina took it to the supplier/distributer, it was reported that they will not honour the battery as the battery showed signs of water damage. How, I do not know, as there is no way that water can get close to the batteries (there are no pipes near that area, no taps, I never put anything on top of the cabinet etc.), but I am not going to argue. This year one of the batteries started to give some alarm, claiming low cell voltage. I will try and get a cable and check the status of the batteries. But I want to get to around 20 kW of storage, so I have to add the missing battery, and, assuming another one is giving trouble, potentially 2 batteries (e.g. around 26 - 28K). But I have to say that I have lost my trust with Pylontech. So I am also looking at either going to another make, and even received a quote to go to a 2x 16 kW Dyness batteries (R85,000 with VAT). I can likely sell at least 4 - 5 of my Pylontech batteries - at R6,000 each I might get R20,000 - R30,000 to offset my purchase (2 batteries 6 years old, 2 batteries 4 years old, 2 batteries 2 years old - one giving an alarm to be identified). Any ideas or input?

I posted today under questions/answers, but perhaps it was not the best location. I am looking for someone to service my Victron system. I do not want to go on Facebook and ask, as every person claims that they can do Vicron, and I am not sure about their experience or expertise (it is just "pick me", "pick me"). We had some unexpected lightning, hitting the lightning pole directly, and I only realized last week that the system is offline.

I am looking for some-one that can assist with the maintenance of my Victron system, as well as assist with any issues. The system was installed by Jaco de Jong, and I understood that Glodina would continue GoSolar. I however have been trying to get hold of Glodina the past week (telephone calls and WA message), but I think they are not operational anymore. We experienced some weird storm a month ago, and I think the lightning took out our GX, and perhaps some other damage (Invertor just say low battery, and there is not internet communication). Who can be recommended, working in Pretoria, that know Victron and Pylontech well.

I initially just added them. The new batteries were set as master, with the second new one set as battery 2. The older batteries are charging and discharging as normal, whether when in the system (all 6) or alone (just the 4 older batteries). When the new batteries did not sync after a few days, I disconnected the other, four older working batteries from the system and tried to charge them. When that did not work, I connected them together with the solar system down (just the battery cables), and left for the day. When I got back the new batteries were still on 44%.

I have an existing bank that has been operating for around a year (currently 1x US3000C and 3x US3000 [not sure, around 2 years old]). Rest of system: - MultiPlus-II 48/8000/110-100 - 2x BlueSolar Charger MPPT 150/45 (each with 6x 330W panels) - 1x SmartSolar MPPT VE.Can 250/100 rev2 (8x 550W panels) I have a I recently purchased 2 more US3000Cs, and installed them as master, 2, with the older batteries being 3, 4, 5 and 6. They have been in the system for 2 weeks, but they do not sync. They are still at 44%, as per the day I installed them (not one cycle). When they are in the stack, the Venus see 6 batteries, with none giving any errors. They just do not charge. When I install them alone in the system (other batteries not connected with any wire, not even earth), they also do not charge. Venus see 2 batteries, but Solar system does not work. When I set the state of charge, the batteries do not charge. It does not use solar to charge. And when I remove municipal power, solar goes down, even with sufficient solar (I get around 5 - 6000 W during the day). Anyone have an idea what I can do? Should I update the firmware of the 3 US3000Cs? How do I communicate with these to see what is happening, can I buy a communication somewhere or from someone ?

I woke around 00:30 this morning from the aircon switching on, then off, then on .... It is if the power was tripping and coming on the whole time. But, the aircon is on the solar side. So I stood up and solar alarm is going crazy. Solar keeps on resetting as after loadshedding when the power is restored. Switched of solar. Weird sound in house. Fridge motor is making noise, etc. After some significant elimination I measured the municipal input voltage. 118V. Then 89V. Kill main breaker and switch solar system on. Resets and work. Municipal power still around 89V. Tried to switch on main breaker. Solar trips. Kill breaker. Solar works. So I just left the main breaker off. Hopimg the issue will resolve in morning. Just before trying to get back in bed measured 53V? Is that possible?

I have an existing Victron system, consisting of: - 1x Venus GX - 2x Bluesolar 150/45 - 12x 335W panels (3 series, 2 parallel per MPPT) - Multiplus II 48/3000/35-32 - Some other stuff. It has been working perfectly since installation in May 2019. I now to plan to increase the system by adding around 4 - 5 kW of solar panels (want to oversize for cloudy days), and have the following options: Victron: - 1x SmartSolar 150/100 (Around R13,000) - (3 in 335 W in series, 4 in parallel). Change cables to address the potential 90 A peaks (currently have 10 mm2 cabling - I oversized. - 1x SmartSolar 250/100 (Around R15,000) - (new solar panels to be decided for around 4000 - 5000W) - 1x Multiplus II 48/3000/35-32 (Around R18,000 - R20,000) Total cost around R46,000 - R50,000, some figuring out how to parallel, some maneuvering with thicker cabling. Amazing community with advice. Deye/Sunsync - 1 x 8kW Sunsync (around R32,000) Cabling is easier. Sell existing system for credit of around R20,000 (Multiplus, Venus, both MPPTs). Please comment. I am seriously wondering what to do. I know the Victron is the reputable system, but seriously? With this system I can get another Pylontech battery and literally go offgrid. I currently have 5x US3000 Pylons that generally last the whole night, sitting at around 50 - 30 % the next morning. The Victron works perfectly as is, and I have no change-over switch. When power goes off, we do not even know it (some plugs go off). Will I need a separate change-over switch with the Deye/SunSync? Edit 2: Another option is to buy a 450/100 MPPT, and connect that to the Venus using the VE.Can cable (I think this is a typical RJ45 network cable from what I have seen). Then I just keep on using my 2 BlueSolar 150/45 MPPTs, connected to the Venus using the existing VE.bus connections. Another problem raised with the Deye/Sunsync system (or issues): - I have 12x 335 W panels, and using the Deye/Sunsync, I can only use a maximum of 10 panels to prevent exceeding the maximum input voltage. I cannot use 6S2P as I have previously measured as much as 25.3A on my current 3S2P setup. - I am eyeing the 600W CS panels, that can exceed 18A, exceeding the input current limit of the Deye/Sunsync - It is discussed in the installation manual of Deye/Sunsync, and highlighted on a few other forums that the input to the two MPPT should be balanced (from what I understand is that the voltage, current and wattage should be the same??). This is quite weird.

Thanks for letting them know Plonkster. I see that it is down again (since 9:20 this morning) but considering the history it should be up around 10:20 ... Weird, I have searched the net for something similar but could not locate anything.

Today is the second day that I am back at work, having barely got back from the Eastern Cape before the lockdown started. I thought that this problem was solved, and, as no-one was using power I completely forgot about this (one of the advantages of a Victron system, it just works). However, for some strange reason I see that my system still do not change for around an hour every day, between 10 am and 11 am. I went through the settings but I just cannot find anything that could cause this. Below is the graph for the last 3 days, but, the last 40 days are similar and this is driving my crazy. Anyone have an idea how I can contact Victron direct to look at this ?

Thanks Plonkster. It seems that it is more effective and did not go into that "shutdown" mode yesterday. I am stuck in the mountains in Eastern Cape this week, but will try and follow the installation when I have internet. Thanks again. How do one update the software/firmware of the MPPT. I could not find that point or place to do that?

The MPPT again decided not to charge anything 10:14 - 10:59. Again 45 minutes in full sun. Really weird. Jaco spoke to me yesterday but that connector seems well connected. It is not the same as yours but a little plug.

My Minimum SOC is set to 50%, but for some reason it appears never to reduce below 70%, even at night. My MPPT also decided now not to charge, even though there is nice full sun on the panels with no shade (no shade after around 8:30 AM). For some reason the system did not use solar power between 10:17 and 11:06 (SOC was 80%, full sun) as well as 14:47 - 15:31 (SOC was 73%, full sun). Now it started acting up again. Will continue to monitor.

I recently installed a small Victron (Multiplus II 3KVA, 6x 365 panels) system at the office, setup with ESS as setup at my house. While it worked OK for a few days, it appears not to use the power from the sun for long periods of time. It is currently full sun here, as it is working well at my house around the corner. Any ideas why or what I can check.

I recently helped a friend to install his Axpert MKS-4kVA inverter, which is connected to 4x 200Ah batteries. The purpose was mainly to assist with load shedding, keep a few lights on. He however now want to add a number of solar panels, and I mentioned that the Victron MPPT's really does not like over-voltage conditions. He was looking at getting 6x 380W Seraphim Blade solar panels, connecting 3 in series, with the second string in parallel. The open circuit voltage is 48.3 V, and 3 in series will give a 144.9 V Voc. The booklet for the Inverter state: Max PV Array Open Circuit Voltage to be 145 Vdc. I assume that the builtin MPPT may release magic smoke if the voltage is exceeded. Would it be better to connect the 6 panels with 3 strings with 2 panels in series ? Could anyone recommend something better?

HI all. I would like to install solar panels on our office roof, but I need mounts that are fixed to 32 degrees (the roof slopes about 10 degrees to the south) and it should be long enough to allow me to mount the solar panels in "portrait" mode. All the mounts I could find were "landscape" mode (see https://za.rs-online.com/web/p/solar-panel-mounting-accessories/8602893/) and all I can find are not very big (largest was around 900mm, too small to fit my 365W panels). I have 6 panels, and need to fit them in around 7m of width space. Alternatively I thought of building the mounts myself, just buying the rails to fit to my DIY structure. However, can anyone point me to a place that can supply aluminium rails that is nice and strong. I can get rails at Chamberlains but that is about 1mm thick Aluminium and I am not sure whether they will be strong enough to handle 6 panels when a strong wind try and rip my roof apart.

Would it be possible to run these batteries in parallel with Pylontechs. Looking at their warrantee and price this is a difficult offer to deny.

Anyone know where one can get PT 3000 at the best price for now. Powera been out for past few days in our area.

Lol. No problem as I was not at home. I just need some time to to post photos and my installation, but I need to neaten the wires a bit. I find lying in bed thinking how I can optimize my current installation, as the battery is flat early in the evenings already (the darn geyser ...), but I need the hot water (AirBnB flat at my house on the same circuit). The geyser is set to start at 10 AM, then the battery is about 60% and the geyser is finished at around 13:00. It appears if the battery is fully charged at this time. Then, from around this time it seems if most of the solar power is wasted, with some used over the rest of the day when some-one boil the kettle and open the warm water tap. The geyser is set to draw power between 10:00 and 17:00. For now I am thinking about: - There is a second solar geyser that I do not use. The solar part is not working and it barely heat the water to lukewarm, even after the service by the agents earlier this year. I am thinking of installing a 2KW element and put it on a timer to use energy from around 13:00 to 16:00. Hopefully this will pre-warm the water a bit before it enters the second geyser. Both are 200l. Keep on checking usage to learn the system. - Perhaps change the main geyser element to 2 KW. Will see what happens once I change the first geysers' element. - Save for a third Pylontech battery.

Just a massive shout-out of thanks for @Jaco de Jongh and, I believe, @plonkster for their help. I find that I do not work 100%, as I love watching the sun minimizing my electricity account.

Yip, system is still not using solar energy.

Thanks Isimobile. This is a recap of my efforts yesterday. Just a refresher, the multiplus was set to UPS mode with no connection to the grid, with the invertor supplying lights and the lounge of power (solar day, batteries night). From what I saw, the batteries were drawn down to around 65% in the mornings, when the son will charge the batteries, with everything being charged around 11 in the morning. The rest of the day the solar was being wasted it appears. Up to yesterday I saw the two Pylontechs, the two MPPTs, the Grid Meter and Multiplus under Device List on the Venus. I may be mistaken about seeing two Pylontechs, but I can recall something like that. So I installed the VE.Config, connected to the Inverter, and tried the settings as per the Victron site, augmented by the data available on this forum from various sources. But, now, when I remove the invertor from the grid the power goes off, so some-where I did something wrong. And I can only see one pylontech batttery, and the red led (low battery) keeps on blinking. Just to check the settings: Tab: General - 50Hz, Shore limit is 16A with Overruled by remote selected. - Battery monitor enabled Tab: Grid - South Africa. Tab: Inverter - Voltage output = 230 - Shut-down V = 47 - Low restart 51V - Low prealarm 48.5V Not selected Power assist (should this be enabled?, I cannot recall changing this) Shutdown on SOC Tab: Charger - Enabled - Lithium batteries - Fixed, Absorption 53.2V, Float 53V, Charge Current 35A, absorption time 1 Hr, Interval, 7 Hr. Here, when I select Battery type to LiFePO4, it changes the Absorption voltage (56.8) and float voltage (54), which, when I reset it, default the Battery Type to "No corresponding default" Tab: Virtual Switch - Do not use Tab: Assistants - ESS (Used settings provided here) On the Venus I now only see the one battery Under ESS: - Mode: Optimized with BatteryLife - Grid Meter Installed - Inverter AC output in use - Phase compensation enabled - SOC set to 25% for now - BatteryLife state: Sustain. There is no other option, nor does it allows me to change that to anything else. Any idea what I missed ?

That would be brilliant. Now just waiting for a pylontech owner to chip in, else I will ask in the batteries section in an appropriate section. Can probably also call Wessel from Re-Volt, he should know that.

Nope, I did not, thanks. Goodness, now to find the: Battery capacity of the Pylontech 3000US (75 AH? each) Battery system (LiFePo4 with VE.Bus BMS, two-signal BMS or other ?) Sustain voltage ? Dynamic cut-off voltages ? Restart voltages ? Anyone on Victron with pylontech batteries, could you please post your settings here ?