VisN

Well, if you're my age, more Stockley Sisters than Bananarama. I was barely a few months old when the original was released by the Dutch band Shocking Blue. Which is all quite ironic because of the Victron/blue/Netherlands/electricity link. 😉

Excellent, thanks for this.

https://powerforum.co.za/topic/3230-fuse-and-quick-disconnect-between-pylontech-battery-and-inverter/ Have you read through this?

@phil.g00 Are you referring to these numbers?

I'm running 2 x US3000s on 125A Jean Muller fuses, I'd be interested in the answer to this question as well.

At that price it would be cheaper for me to fly up to Johannesburg, throw the switch and fly back. Which one of these would I need? I'm guessing the 2 pole version.

I currently have a AC/DC changeover switch installed, one of those 3 position centre off ones. I do not like it much and purchased a similar Hager one which I've not installed as yet. I am away from home most of the time and my wife has a really tough time throwing the AC/DC switch, it requires a fair bit of effort. I was wondering if the rotary style switches would be easier to operate. Any recommendations on a rotary type switch would be appreciated as well.

... and this as well

Bite the bullet and get the Victron. If you shop around you can get better prices than you see online. I think Afrikaans speakers would say "goedkoop is duurkoop".

I've noticed that there was a firmware update done for the Venus GX with some interesting new features, most notably for me is the Pylontech 'Details' menu. There is also an expanded DVCC menu option.

Jaco, the reason we join these forums and participate, is for information regarding things like the robustness of equipment etc. Please share this information.

@plonkster, Is there a rule of thumb regarding PV array vs battery bank size?

@plonkster, Could you give us an example of how these "small battery villains" operate? What is the solar array to battery bank ratio that would make us part of this insidious group?

So is it your contention that the number of Axpert problems vs Victron problems is proportionally the same based on the number of installs out in the field? It is more than just the problems experienced by Axpert users though. Compare the Victron support, parts availability, ability to have it repaired by approved technicians, forums, structured firmware releases, abundance of software, solar calculators etc. etc. etc. The Victron community is a far more organised one than Voltronic and their myriad of clones. If you'e been fortunate enough to own an Axpert that worked well for you, then good for you but if you like me had a Voltronic unit that went rogue then you'd understand my hesitance to recommend the product.

Get a Victron. I have owned a Voltronic Axpert. Just have a look at the Inverter sub-forum here and see which inverter comes up with the most problems.

@phil.g00, @plonkster, Thanks for the input.

There are two limits, when determining the maximum array size that can be connected to an MPPT: The Maximum PV open circuit voltage (Voc at STC) The Maximum PV short circuit current (Isc at STC) Determining the maximum PV short circuit current Get the maximum PV short circuit current from the PV Panel datasheet. Multiply by the number of panels in parallel in the array. Having more panels in series does not change the number. The result of the calculation may not exceed the Max PV short circuit current as specified in the MPPT Datasheet. The above snippets are from https://www.victronenergy.com/blog/2014/03/28/matching-victron-energy-solar-modules-to-the-new-mppt-charge-regulators/ - Matching solar modules to MPPT charge controllers. It seems to contradict what's in the spreadsheet.

😉 I did know it was very very close to the limit. Strangely though changing the Isc figure to 11 or 12 or anything that should make the configuration unacceptable with 5 panels in parallel does not break the configuration, it remains acceptable. However, upping the Imp number to above 10 with 5 panels does make the configuration unacceptable, throwing up this error. Is that a bug in the spreadsheet?

Would anyone have a problem with this configuration or words of advice perhaps? The Victron MPPT calculator accepts it. Calculator results. Panel specs SmartSolar 150/70 specs

Sorry for the late reply. I gave up on it and got myself a Victron MultiPlus II. There just isn't enough proper support out there for the Axperts.

This industry seems to be rife with this sort of thing.

No alarms for 5 days now and for the first time, I see the SOC hitting 100% at times. Thank you. Now to just get my panels up.

I also go mine from ACDC. https://www.acdc.co.za/pages/product-individual?BFC3010 Cut it in half and made this in a Gewiss box with a polycarbonate mounting plate. Those insulated standoffs are quite tall and might not work that well.