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To connect a VE.Can Resistive Tank Sender Adapter, use a standard RJ45 UTP cable.

Remember to terminate the VE.Can network at both ends using VE.Can terminators. This setup allows for the integration of tank level monitoring into the Cerbo GX system​​.

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The SmartSolar MPPT 100/50 and the Victron SmartSolar MPPT RS 450/100 TR are both solar charge controllers from Victron Energy, but they are designed for different applications and have distinct features.

Here’s a breakdown of their differences:

Model and Series:

• SmartSolar MPPT 100/50: This is part of the smaller, more commonly used SmartSolar range designed for small to medium solar applications.
• Victron SmartSolar MPPT RS 450/100 TR: This model is part of the RS series, which is designed for larger, more robust systems.

Maximum PV Input Voltage:

• SmartSolar MPPT 100/50: The ‘100’ in the name indicates a maximum PV open circuit voltage of 100V.
• Victron SmartSolar MPPT RS 450/100 TR: The ‘450’ indicates a much higher maximum PV open circuit voltage of 450V, suitable for larger and more complex systems.

Maximum Charge Current:

• SmartSolar MPPT 100/50: The ’50’ in the model name indicates it can handle up to 50A of charge current.
• Victron SmartSolar MPPT RS 450/100 TR: The ‘100’ signifies a maximum charge current of 100A, double that of the 100/50 model, meaning it can handle more significant power flow from larger arrays.

Targeted Use:

• SmartSolar MPPT 100/50: Ideal for small to medium-sized solar setups like residential homes, small cabins, or RVs.
• Victron SmartSolar MPPT RS 450/100 TR: Designed for larger installations like commercial buildings, large off-grid homes, or industrial applications.

Features and Technology:

• Both models share core features like Bluetooth connectivity for monitoring and MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) technology for efficient energy conversion. However, the RS series includes additional features or more robust components to handle the increased power and complexity of larger systems.

Price:

• Given its capacity and intended use, the Victron SmartSolar MPPT RS 450/100 TR is more expensive than the SmartSolar MPPT 100/50, reflecting its higher capacity and advanced features suitable for larger systems.

Physical Size:

• The RS 450/100 TR is much larger in size to accommodate the increased electronic components and cooling mechanisms needed for managing higher currents and voltages.

Efficiency:

• Both units will be highly efficient due to the MPPT technology, but the RS 450/100 TR has slightly different efficiency characteristics due to its design for larger systems.

In summary, while both are high-quality solar charge controllers from Victron, the SmartSolar MPPT 100/50 is suited for smaller applications with lower power requirements. In contrast, the Victron SmartSolar MPPT RS 450/100 TR is designed for large-scale installations with higher voltage and current handling capabilities. Your choice between the two would depend on the size and requirements of your solar energy system.

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Yes, two methods are available: the stored firmware backup feature for switching between the current and previous versions, and manual installation from a microSD card or USB stick for specific older versions.

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You can set a current limit on the Cerbo GX, which will be applied to all inputs where ‘Overruled by remote’ is enabled in VEConfigure.

Remember that if ‘Overruled by remote’ is disabled, setting a current limit in the Cerbo GX will not have any effect​​.

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The VRM Portal is primarily designed for Victron devices.

While it offers extensive functionality for these products, its compatibility with devices from other manufacturers is limited.

For the best experience and full range of features, it’s recommended to use it with Victron devices.

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Yes, the VRM Portal can be a valuable tool for remote diagnostics and support.

By providing real-time data and system logs, it enables technical support teams to remotely assess the status and performance of your Victron systems, often allowing them to identify and advise on potential issues without needing a physical site visit.

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The Cerbo GX includes the following connections:

• 3x VE.Direct ports,
• 4x digital inputs,
• a MicroSD card slot (max. 32GB),
• 1x VE.Can (non-isolated),
• 1x BMS-Can,
• 4x resistive tank level inputs,
• a power-in port (8 – 70VDC),
• 1x VE.Bus,
• 4x temperature sense inputs,
• an HDMI port with 1x USB power-only port,
• Ethernet port,
• 2x programmable relays,
• WiFi 2.4GHz (including access point),
• Bluetooth Smart,
• and 2x USB host ports

• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by  SolarVoyager.

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The GX Tank 140 is connected to the Cerbo GX via USB, which also powers the device.

It can read levels from up to four tank level sensors and is compatible with both current and voltage senders.

For marine applications, tank levels can be transmitted on the NMEA 2000 network. The GX Tank 140 has configurable upper and lower limits for senders providing partial scale readings​​.

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For the Inverter RS, Inverter RS Solar, and Multi RS, which have both VE.Direct and VE.Can interfaces, you can only connect them to the Cerbo GX via the VE.Can interface.

The VE.Direct interface on these devices is reserved for programming connections only, using a VE.Direct to USB adapter​​.

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Connect the BMV-600 series using the VE.Direct to BMV-60xS cable.

This integration allows the Cerbo GX to monitor and manage battery performance effectively​​.

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Understanding Electricity in DC Cables:

When electricity travels through any cable, it encounters resistance. This is like friction for electricity. Just as you need to push harder to slide a box across a rough floor, electricity needs more “effort” (energy) to travel through a cable.

Impact of Cable Length on Power Loss:

• Longer cables usually mean more power loss. Think of it like a long road with a lot of friction.
• The longer the road, the more energy you lose overcoming this friction.
• In cables, this “friction” is electrical resistance, and it causes some of the electricity to be lost as heat.

Reducing Power Loss in Long Cables:

• To reduce power loss in long cables, you can use thicker cables.
• Thicker cables are like wider roads; they allow more electricity to flow with less resistance.
• Also, using materials with lower electrical resistance, like copper, can help reduce power loss.

Role of Cable Thickness and Material:

• The thickness and material of a cable play a crucial role in power loss.
• Thicker cables have less resistance, thus reducing power loss.
• Materials like copper or aluminum are preferred for electrical cables because they have lower resistance compared to other materials.

Another analogy to help understand the concept:

• A simple analogy is water flowing through a hose.
• If the hose is long and thin, it’s harder for water to flow through (like electricity in a long, thin cable).
• A shorter, wider hose lets water flow easily (like a short, thick cable for electricity).

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Here’s an explanation of the terms PERC, BOS, LCOE, LID, and LeTID:

PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell): PERC technology is an enhancement of the traditional solar cell design that improves efficiency. A PERC cell typically includes a passivation layer at the rear of the cell. This layer serves multiple functions: it reflects light back into the cell for a second chance at absorption, it provides a thermal barrier to protect the cell’s sensitive electronics, and it can passivate the rear surface to reduce electron recombination (which can lower efficiency). PERC cells can capture more sunlight and convert it into electricity, making them more efficient than non-PERC cells.

BOS (Balance of System): The term BOS refers to all components of a solar photovoltaic system other than the solar panels themselves. This includes wiring, inverters, mounting systems, and other electrical components. BOS costs are all the expenses related to these components and the installation and labor costs. Reducing BOS costs can significantly impact the overall cost of a solar power system.

LCOE (Levelized Cost of Energy): LCOE is a measure of the average total cost to build and operate a power-generating asset divided by the total energy output over the asset’s lifetime. It is a comprehensive metric that includes initial capital costs, ongoing operation and maintenance costs, the cost of financing, and the expected lifetime of the system. A lower LCOE means that the electricity produced is more cost-effective over the life of the system.

LID (Light Induced Degradation): LID is a phenomenon in which solar cell power output decreases over time when exposed to sunlight. It is primarily associated with the degradation of silicon crystalline cells, where exposure to sunlight leads to unwanted chemical reactions in the silicon, thereby reducing the efficiency of the cells.

LeTID (Light and Elevated Temperature Induced Degradation): Similar to LID, LeTID is a degradation process that affects the performance of solar cells, but it occurs at higher temperatures and light exposure. It is a relatively new discovery and is considered more severe than LID because it can lead to significant performance losses over time. It is also a more challenging problem to mitigate, requiring advanced materials and cell design.

Solar panel technologies like PERC aim to reduce the effects of LID and LeTID to improve the long-term performance and reliability of solar panels. By choosing solar panels that are designed to mitigate LID and LeTID, consumers can ensure that their solar power systems will perform closer to their initial efficiency levels for a more extended period.

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If your batteries are charging while your inverter is under a heavy load, the batteries’ charge load is also contributing to the overall consumption, essentially adding to the load the inverter has to manage.

Your inverter only has so much load it can handle. The Multiplus II 3000VA model can handle 2400W max load, while the Multiplus II 5000VA model can handle 4000W max load.

Check your model’s official data spec sheet to see how much load it can handle.

A practical step you can take is to decrease the battery charge current to help mitigate the risk of overloading. You can do this through the Cerbo GX settings menu by navigating to:

• DVCC (Distributed Voltage and Current Control) and then

• Enabling “Limit Charge Current” setting.

• This will then allow you to edit the “Maximum Charge Current” setting in A (amps).

How this works:

The lower the amps, the lower the total watts (W) that the batteries will consume.

For example:

• If you are on 25A charge current and have a 54V battery, your battery charge load will be 25A x 54V = 1350W.

• However, if you were to lower the charge current to say 10A, your battery charge load will be 10A x 54V = 540W.

So let’s say you have the Multiplus II 3000VA model with a 2400W max load. If you are charging your batteries at 25A x 54V = 1350W, you only have 2400W-1350W = 1050W load remaining for the rest of your home during its charging state.

However, if you were to lower the charge current to say 10A (540W), then you have 2400W-540W = 1860W load remaining for the rest of your home during its charging state, leaving you with much more headroom to avoid an overload.

Long story short – This will reduce the charging current to the batteries, freeing up some capacity for your other loads and helping to prevent the inverter from hitting an overload state.

The only drawback is that the battery will naturally charge slower, but in most cases this isn’t an issue, as LiFePO4 generally charges very fast to begin with.

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The idea of using a 10A breaker for a 3kVA MultiPlus-II, considering its 2400W rating, needs careful consideration of several factors:

• Operating Current vs. Breaker Rating: The 2400W rating indeed suggests an operating current of about 10.43A at 230V. However, breaker sizing isn’t solely based on the normal operating current. It also considers the maximum current that the unit can safely handle, inrush currents, and the nature of the loads and charging cycles.

• Protection Against Overload: A 10A breaker would offer protection directly aligned with the typical operating current. However, it might trip frequently due to the inrush currents or transient spikes, which are common in power electronic devices like inverters.

• Inverter’s Built-in Protection: The MultiPlus-II has built-in protection mechanisms to prevent overload and damage. It is designed to handle transient overloads and manage power distribution between charging and output loads without exceeding its total capacity.

• Flexibility and Practicality: A 32A breaker provides a buffer that accommodates normal fluctuations in current draw, especially during battery charging or when heavy loads are switched on. This prevents unnecessary tripping, which can be disruptive and may potentially harm sensitive connected equipment.

• Safety and Standards Compliance: Electrical installations are often governed by safety standards that recommend or require breakers to have a higher rating than the maximum operating current of devices for added safety, accounting for unforeseen scenarios and installation variances.

So, while a 10A breaker seems theoretically aligned with the operating current derived from the 2400W rating, a 32A breaker provides a practical, flexible, and safer approach, considering the dynamic nature of power draw in inverter systems.

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Sure, this refers to the type of connectors that are provided with a solar panel system. Here’s a breakdown of what this means:

• Stäubli: This is a brand name, and Stäubli is a company known for producing high-quality industrial connectors, including those used for photovoltaic systems.

• MC4: This stands for “Multi-Contact, 4 millimeters,” and it’s the standard type of connector used in the solar industry to connect solar panels to the inverters or to each other. The “MC” in MC4 is actually short for the company Multi-Contact (now Stäubli Electrical Connectors) which originally developed these connectors. The “4” refers to the 4mm diameter contact pin, which is a common size that allows for a secure electrical connection.

• EVO2: This indicates a specific model or version of the MC4 connectors, suggesting improvements or specific features that differentiate it from previous versions. The EVO2 version might have features such as better locking mechanisms, higher current carrying capacity, or improved durability.

When a solar panel system advertises that it “comes with Staubli MC4-EVO2 connectors,” it means that the system includes these connectors, which are used for making the electrical connections between the solar panels, and possibly to the inverter. The inclusion of such high-quality connectors is often an indication of a system’s overall reliability and ease of installation.