Hi All

Scratching my head here. I've just installed the above along with 2 Felicity 7.4kWh batteries, with BMS comms. No PV into the inverter, that's still handled by an existing Victron MPPT.(I need to rearrange the panels to up the voltage)

When I connect the generator to the system the inverter the charging light doesn't come on, although it does sync.

Every now and then the charge light flashes, but that's it.

Never had an issue like this with other Voltronic inverters

Any suggestions? I've tried all the combos I can think of.

Cheers

Ian

 

17 minutes ago, Ian said:

Hi All

Scratching my head here. I've just installed the above along with 2 Felicity 7.4kWh batteries, with BMS comms. No PV into the inverter, that's still handled by an existing Victron MPPT.(I need to rearrange the panels to up the voltage)

When I connect the generator to the system the inverter the charging light doesn't come on, although it does sync.

Every now and then the charge light flashes, but that's it.

Never had an issue like this with other Voltronic inverters

Any suggestions? I've tried all the combos I can think of.

Cheers

Ian

 

Have you actually measured the frequency from the generator? 

Will do. Surely if the inverter syncs and goes into bypass, frequency shouldn't be the problem?

As a quick fix before heading overseas, I've hooked up my old Victron Multiplus as a charger, which works perfectly. Sorts out the issue for now, but I need to get to the bottom of it and rely on the Kodak...

3 hours ago, Ian said:

Hi All

Scratching my head here. I've just installed the above along with 2 Felicity 7.4kWh batteries, with BMS comms. No PV into the inverter, that's still handled by an existing Victron MPPT.(I need to rearrange the panels to up the voltage)

When I connect the generator to the system the inverter the charging light doesn't come on, although it does sync.

Every now and then the charge light flashes, but that's it.

Never had an issue like this with other Voltronic inverters

Any suggestions? I've tried all the combos I can think of.

Cheers

Ian

 

Can you confirm what your Output Source Priority setting is , and what your Charge Source Priority setting is? 

 

Sure 

Charge source priority is Solar&Utility

Output Source priority is Util Solar Bat

That's where it is ATM, have tried various combos.

Cheers

19 minutes ago, Ian said:

Sure 

Charge source priority is Solar&Utility

Output Source priority is Util Solar Bat

That's where it is ATM, have tried various combos.

Cheers

Ok , so have I got this right : Eskom grid can charge the battery , but generator not , even though they share the same grid input to the inverter?

Or are you off grid?

Off grid. Only line in is the generator.

23 minutes ago, Ian said:

Off grid. Only line in is the generator.

Ok , so you say the machine does bypass and the gen can actually supply loads?

Does the LCD display report close to 50hz on frequency and close to 220 or 230 or 240 vac on input?

Edited May 29, 20233 yr by BritishRacingGreen

If you switch the output off with the onoff pushbutton , is there any change in behaviour regarding grid charge?

Hi BRG

Thanks for the pointers.

I can't recall powering off the inverter - will check out that behavior tomorrow. ATM busy charging via the Victron.

Interestingly, connected to the Victron the generator output is very stable, drawing about 1.5KW. However, when I tried it on the Kodak the voltage would run up to 260V! Still maintaining bypass, but household loads were <500W at the time. The Kodak seems to really mess with the output regulation. It's a 5.5KVA diesel unit. I'll put a scope on it as well next time.

Cheers

Just now, Ian said:

I'll put a scope on it as well next time.

that a big positive !

The MAX 7.2 is a very very robust machine , its internals is actually overrated for its 7.2kW specs , I have dealt with them often and have one of my own. I myself am very intrigued to learn the failure mode here.

One last question for the day   Is your gen earthed , and is there actually a grounded neutral and  live , or are  the outputs merely floats?

Edited May 29, 20233 yr by BritishRacingGreen

From here onwards , I have only stupid questions (SQs):

SQ1 : I know there is no pv on the inverter , but does PV1 and PV2 reports correctly that there is 0V and 0Watts on the display ?

SQ2: are you giving the charger a mandate to charge , i.e.  are settings 26 and 27 at a higher voltage than the battery terminal voltage  ?    

SQ3: if SQ2 conditions met , do you have lithium batteries , and if so , is there any possibility that the BMS  has disabled charging , in the case where the battery terminal voltage is actually at a charge voltage (26/27) but without any charging current? 

 

Edited May 29, 20233 yr by BritishRacingGreen

The genny is floating.

SA1. Yes, all 0.

SA2/3. The battery is set to PYL, and comms seems good. Except, now it occurs to me that there is a 70 fault reported. So perhaps that's what's preventing charging????  The manual states: If battery status must to be charged after the communication between the inverter and battery is successful, it will show code 70 to charge battery. Not sure how to interpret that in English:)  At some point I set the battery to user, but charging still didn't happen, so 😐

Thanks again for the response:)

Added a data/config snapshot from SmartESS