Understanding the Victron Products

[@OldExodus]

This was super great video that broke all the components down!! Thank you

[@TheOffGridShop]

Thank you. We appreciate the feedback.

[@pariandangel]

Inverter does have a huge benefit over a single inverter/charger unit and that is that inverter will last a longer when it’s connected to a seperate charger. A single inverter/charger unit has less life in comparison.

[@mikehaydon89]

I see your point, and These products are made to work none stop for a very long time. It would be good to see this tested over a long period. I think as long as they are not running at their peak all the time, either will last. Unless you get one that was built on a Monday or a Friday.

[@TheOffGridShop]

Some Victron inverter chargers have been in service for 40 or so years.

[@markblu9494]

Victron units last forever. Renogy & others last until delivery or 2 days after the Warranty Period & during ownership low performance & the risk of fire.

[@alexfiftyfour]

Do you maybe know if it possible to have a list of priorizable loads that are controlled by the victron system? e.g: 1. PV Power --> House base load; 2. PV Power --> Heating water; 3. PC Power --> Charging EV; 4. Rest of PV Power --> Battery?

[@TheOffGridShop]

The Pv power will always do the house 1st, and there is a programable circuit AC out 2, which you can control loads with. So the answer is Yes, and if you have the victron EV charger, is would make it easier. I have different brands with my place and Victron, and I use Home Assistant to do it all.

[@MarkAAshdown]

Brilliant video. At 5:16 you mention that a green stripe will take a solar input. I have a MultiPlus Compact 12 v /1200VA/ 50 Amp inverter that came out of a house grid tied pv system that was connected to batteries. The installer is no longer in existence. Has the installer used an inappropriate device ? I cant figure out what the intension was after looking at your video. Any help would be appreciated- thanks

[@TheOffGridShop]

It's likely your inveter was used for a battery back up and use the grid tied inverter to charge the batteries. Like this it would have been used..kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3zYomSubMSWibcsi=eEPyrKa0JcGT7--e

[@MrTubeman007]

You have made a great Victron product vid, thank you this has cleared up a lot of questions I had. So what manufacture do you recommend for panels and batteries.

[@TheOffGridShop]

Thank you. We appreciate the feedback.

[@chippyjohn1]

Thanks for the video mate. Looking at going off grid on the farm. Need 3 phase atleast 12kw continuous and looking at 25-30kw of solar with about 150kw of agm batteries. I was keen on as many individual components as possible incase something failed, not not sure if I should go invertercharger, or mppt rs or original plan of just passive cooled mppt charge controller and phoenix inverters. So many ways to achieve the same result. Thanks again.

[@TheOffGridShop]

Thank you. That sounds like a fun project. Where are you located?

[@chippyjohn1]

@@TheOffGridShop central vic

[@markdoyle3762]

great Vid, have bought a phoenix 12/2000/230 smart inverter. also have smart shunt and mppt 100/30 all these come with bluetooth system is in a toyota 4x4 troopy , if i use a smart phone/tablet can i connect and read all devices or do i need a VE dongle to be able to change settings turn inverter off

[@TheOffGridShop]

Thank you. Locally you can connect to all of them using the Victron connect app and see what's going on.

[@efrenfilipinochannel9032]

Im interested to this product could yo be a link or acc to folloe and continue to explain the functions and uses of this

[@petterjarnes8862]

Can you explain the difference of the green and the orange stripe?

[@TheOffGridShop]

Good question. Green has a solr input. The red doesn't.

[@johnallen3555]

really good presentation

[@TheOffGridShop]

Thank you appreciate the feedback.

[@777coles]

Do you need one earth fault device per mppt or can have two mppts sharing the one earth fault device

[@mikehaydon89]

The device we have in Australia does the whole system. So it doesn't matter how may MPPTS you have.

[@TheOffGridShop]

Aerial is the brand to look for in Australia.

[@UKsystems]

It really depends on the particular device because if you have 100 charge controllers and a device that has two circuits that can monitor the chances are on an isolated charge controller this is not going to work

[@TheSimpleLivingAussie]

I live fully off grid and running a panel voltage of 110 volts open circuit on one system and the other system I am using a panel voltage of around 85 volts open circuit. I use Victron 150/85 solar controllers and a Multiplus 48/5000/70 inverter charger. Am I required to be using an earth fault alarm on these panel voltages ?

[@TheOffGridShop]

That all depends when it was installed. And normally if you use an mppt with higher volts than 150 you would want one .I think the voltage is 120v and meant to have earth fault.

[@UKsystems]

That voltage may be unsuitable if there are cold temperatures as panel voltage can climb. I recommend using Victron energies online calculator for charge controllers. This should be able to tell you whether it is suitable.

[@barbellufo4372]

My Victron PWM 30 amp controller is faulty. Once it charges and floats in full sun the solar arrow led flashes fast. When you discharge the battery this controller does not recommence recharging a depleting battery. The flashing solar arrow does not cease, not even the next day, so it does not recommence recharging. Only reconnecting all again will restart the controller to work to fully charge the battery. I took it back, they are testing it atm.

[@TheOffGridShop]

Best to contact the guys you got it from for a warranty claim. Where are you located?

[@Sergey.M69]

Thanks for the video. I put together a simple system from Multiplus II GX+MPPT+5.1kVt bat. I didn't understand from the video. With an excess of sun and 100% battery charge, Multiplus will the remainder of the sun be mixed into the power grid, reducing the bill, or will the entire load be powered from the grid? Thanks in advance.

[@TheOffGridShop]

Thank you. Which state are you located? As if today you not meant to send the excess back to the grid in Australia with Victron. That is changing. And there are a few places around the world you can do it. And yes if batteries are full and you're not using it. It will go back to the grid and you will get your feed in rate. If your in Australia check out www.getlocalvolts.com

[@Sergey.M69]

@@TheOffGridShop Thank you very much. We are in Ukraine. Russia is bombing power plants and the energy is lost. People and animals are dying. Before falling asleep, the dog literally screams and twitches, scared of the explosions. You pet it, it calms down and falls asleep. Your videos are informative and understandable. There are nuances in each equipment that are not in the instructions. I wonder why the function of mixing the sun and the grid for personal use is not written in the instructions? The Chinese put this first. If there is a grid and sun, the house can consume only the sun, and if there is a shortage, it can get from the grid. I have planned the system on paper and am planning to order it. Maybe I should order something else from the range?

[@KrysRevamps]

Fantastic video, I am looking to just do a small set up with a MPPT and inverter. I am not sure your statement is correct about the charger only being able to feed the batteries. any standalone inverter should be able to take available solar directly from the MPPT if there is available solar. 99% of DIY setups will have a bus bars for Live and neutral so the inverter will be plugged into that, not directly on the batteries. In the systems i have seen once the battery is full it goes into float mode and any excess solar either gets used up by the inverter or "lost" if not grid tied. The battery will slowly drain if solar is not consistent but cannot imagine that the batteries will utilized much on a stable sunny day.

[@TheOffGridShop]

Thank you for the feedback and yes you are correct. The mppt will supply power to the inverter and the inverter will supply the loads if there is available solar. Thank you for pointing this out for others.

[@kurtklingbeil]

what is the use of VE.Direct cables with Cerbo and MPPT ?

[@TheOffGridShop]

Certain Victron products communicate with VE direct.

[@walldemarserbia7213]

Hi guy I have a question for you in which I hope you help me out, I own 2 Tesla Powerwall generation 1, as far as I know according Tesla the only inverter for this battery is the SolarEdge 76000 US, I like to know if their is a possibility for any of this equipment can charger and power up this dead batteries one input that I can share with you that I recall the Technician he configure them to work as DC they were not charging from the grid only from SOLAR also I recall one time that one of the battery discharge complete he brought a piece of a equipment with name VICTRON but he didn't use it cause he didn't have at less 2 or 3 panel to connect to so I'm assuming their is a piece of equipment that can power up this batteries, thanks for the promptly answer .

[@TheOffGridShop]

Yeah you could just use solar panels. The battery voltage is 450 volts. But enough panels that the volts are less than 450 and shove them into it directly.

[@TheOffGridShop]

The Data sheet for the Powerwall says the battery volts are under 50 volts and operating volts are 350-450. It sounds like it uses a Dc to DC converter. If that's the case a Victron mppt will charge the battery. Get a small one to test the 100/20 smart mppt.

[@jasondevine6014]

So can i confirm the rs inverter is ok for ac coupling? It is a high frequency one isn't it?

[@TheOffGridShop]

It can and it doesnt want programming. This is from the manual. Hope this helps. 3.9. Frequency shift function When external PV inverters are connected to the output of the inverter, excess solar energy is used to recharge the batteries. Once the battery absorption voltage is reached, charge current will reduce by shifting the output frequency higher. This frequency shift is automatic and does not require configuration on the Multi RS Solar, though the AC PV inverter may require additional configuration. This feature is used for battery over charge protection and solar assist. The Multi RS Solar does not allow complete charging of the battery from an AC PV inverter to fully 100% State of Charge. That is a safety precaution to prevent overcharging of the battery when the AC PV output cannot be adjusted quickly enough to prevent a system shutdown, so when charging from AC PV, there is some capacity left in the battery remaining to absorb this surplus. To complete a full charge from solar, connect PV to the internal MPPT solar charger, or another DC MPPT

[@bigredinfinity3126]

hi mate i have a quatro and it wont turn on the caps charge and it did have a red fault but now nothing i ordered a mk3 as was told it needs to be turn to inverter mode since i no longer have the cerbo is this correct

[@TheOffGridShop]

You don't need a cerbo. When you plug the MK3 into it you will see the data of what's happening..the cerbo will show you the fault codes.

[@bigredinfinity3126]

@@TheOffGridShop i ended up ordering a new cerbo and screen and nothing happened on payday i will order the mk3 .I installed the cerbo correctly . I also have a old phoinex inverter that is a 1200 but can only handle a 100 watts before the power fluctuates and cant hold a stable ac voltage. Could this be because i ran it flat instead of upright i read that power output can be affected but not like this lol. Im not a sparky so i think the victron course is a bit to much for me .The raytheon M1 looks nice for 10 k

[@TheOffGridShop]

@bigredinfinity3126 if you have the cerbo unless is a major failure it can do everything the MK3 can if you have it online.

[@bigredinfinity3126]

@@TheOffGridShop no have not done it online i have the guimod as well. That makes sense i will do that tomorrow thanks heaps

[@bigredinfinity3126]

@@TheOffGridShop i have a isolating transformer it has a 120 and 240 output .The reason i want a 120 ac is i plan on buying a marine aircon but looks like it will be so inefficent i may as well just get a split system and run it on a inverter i currently have 600 amp 24 volt bank of lifepo4 was thinking of getting that ratheon and then use it to pwer the ac with a new 48 volt quatro which i think can be added to my ships energy system i have room for 1600 watts of solar and my diesel engine has a 115 amp alternator which goes to a 100 amp buck boost which i wish would connect to the cerbo (2000 for it ) so i should have enough to pwer the ratheon when it needs charging .I also have victron centuar 24 volt 60 amp chargers .my question is what is the cheapest option in 48 volt that has decent charging and ac switch over

[@chrisbaker4x4]

Great video, informative for someone building an off grid permanant shed. In your experience what is the best way to deal with inrush load on the multiplus? We have a 3000 24V and well, it doesnt quite run our 2200w hydralic motor on the hoist, presumably because of inrush draw. it does run, but in a very unwell sounding manner. Batteries are good to around 200a @ 24v (300a @ 10 sec) and that def is not the issue, as we can run our inverter welder fine on it it moving between 100-150a. I am looking at soft starters maybe for the motor circuit only, curious to learn any other suggestionsyou might have with that in a general form. Yes we have thought about the option of getting the same model inverter and running in parallel, but as a more cost effective option since its very rare use - soft starter option is on the list at the top, maybe you have some experience in these senarios?

[@TheOffGridShop]

You could look at AC coupling it. And this is only going to help you of a day. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3zYomSubMSWibcsi=BfO4nih5CqY7IsgX

[@rampy4963]

Confirm the Multiplus 2 is not allowed to be connected to the grid in Aus due to the lack of certification?

[@TheOffGridShop]

This all depends on where you are and how you are using the inveter.

[@rampy4963]

@@TheOffGridShop I’m thinking about installing one purely for charging of the battery’s, then use the ac out to switch over to the battery at night. In this instance, am I technically still off grid? I don’t want to export power to the grid.

[@TheOffGridShop]

You can install it like that in most of Australia. WA I don't think you can and all you require to do is install it with additional relay as secondary protection.

[@rampy4963]

Thanks for the info!

[@aaronodguy967]

C E R B O not C E R B R O. There is only one R in it. Great video. I learnt something.

[@TheOffGridShop]

The Bro is for the Kiwis Mate.

[@RobinRastle]

talk fast walk backwards

[@mbrad2669]

I'm sticking with bro...👍

[@Exarach]

Cool story Cerbro

[@B-a_s-H]

CER... Bruh!

[@Damian_Ess]

Hi, which victory inverter charger is low frequency / has an internal transformer? - this is for my home build….i heard transformer based inverter chargers are better / more robust..is that correct?

[@TheOffGridShop]

All of the Victron inveter chargers as toridinal transfer based. The newer RS range has a higher frequency. Where are you based?

[@5stardave]

What about in a vehicle?

[@TheOffGridShop]

We don't talk about anything vehicle mate. We focus house systems. Its all the same gear

[@rocktech7144]

I understand the products just fine. I don't understand their outrageous prices.

[@jimthvac100]

Which models use the LF technology?

[@TheOffGridShop]

The RS models are the HF models. Mostly everything else with Victron is LF.

[@laurentsosson1739]

Hello and good for the video I wanted to ask you if it is possible to install the bms from victron (16S for a packlife that I have in 48 volts? 600AH)? or do you have to have a victron battery? my batteries are EVE 280AH in 16/2P can we wire all the batteries with the bms from victron or do we need a bms compatible with the victron? otherwise is it possible if there is no can in the battery pack to tell victron (multiplus and cerbo GX) that I have a lead gel battery pack? there is no bms on the lead in general? my pack can be protected by its own BMS cutoff 2.80 volts and maximum charge at 3.65 volts Possibly just to emit more or less on the multiplus? thanks laurent ps: I think I have a multiplus 2 in 8000 VA rather than the pure sine converter

[@TheOffGridShop]

Thank you, we have found most BMS work with a Victron. When plugging them into a CCgx device. And most of them think they are a Pylontech battery. You should be fine.

[@laurentsosson1739]

Hello I have another question about the lynx distributor on my solar installation I have 5 strings so 5 mptt smarsolar 150/35 they all have their 40A mega fuse fuse I was wondering if it was possible to connect the 5 smarsolar 150/35 directly to a lynx connector with a 200A fuse? possible? because otherwise I have to buy 2 lynx (expensive) to connect 4 individual smart solar (6MM²) on each lug of the first lynx and 2 others on the second lynx with the multiplus 800VA in all 7 locations on the 2 lynx no risk of gathering all the mptt in 6MM on 1 lug of 50MM²?

[@TheOffGridShop]

Your could do that and we normally use the Noark DC breakers to a bus bar. The Noark breakers I am talking about look like an AC breaker. Small and good value. Then you can easily isolate and they trip instead of blowing.

[@laurentsosson1739]

I understand a 40A DC circuit breaker on each MPTT output good idea! so my plan is ok to connect the 5 mptt together after the circuit breakers and then connect everything on a single location on the lynx? this will save me a lot of money rather than buying 2 lynx distributors! no risk of current return by gathering all the mptt?

[@laurentsosson1739]

hello is model: B1D1C40 MCB UL489 - 1002384 - 1P - 40A - C-curve - 10kA - 125Vdc good?

[@pariandangel]

Victron MultiPlus I or II cannot be grid connected in Australia for any new installs for past number of months. Not sure why you are suggesting in video that MultiPlus II can be connected to grid. Victron has not been able to get compliance certification for these to be grid connected in Australia. Clean energy council approved inverters list will back me up on this.

[@TheOffGridShop]

Here is the link to the documentation you can use to have it approved. www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/Certificate-ESS-EN-IEC-62109-1-62109-2-AS-62477.1-AS-NZS-4777.2-MultiPlus-II-(GX)-3k-&-5k.pdf Yes is has expired I will share the new link once I receive it.

[@SomeTechGuy666]

"The heavier it is the better". Victron generates its AC waveforms at low voltage (high current) and steps them up with transformers. This is the old way of doing things. The latest inverter technology is transformerless. It weighs a lot less and is more efficient.

[@TheOffGridShop]

Yes I agree. And I have been amazed with how some of the newer inverters perform. Time will tell on reliability and longevity of the newer technologies.

[@MrSummitville]

​@@TheOffGridShopSome High Frequency Transformer-less inverters have problems with very high inductive loads. Also, the max surge watts varies. There are pro's and con's with each topology. Isn't Victron releasing a HF Transformer-less design?

[@matthewknight5641]

Victron makes great gear but its a bit pricy. My victron 150-70 was 3 times the cost of my other charge controllers but its also a much better unit. I should have purchased all victron from the start

[@TheOffGridShop]

Yes it is good gear. Over time you can always replace.

[@s10mods]

The MPPT pricing was recently reduced by a decent amount. 250/100's are now around $6xx vs $9xx.

[@matthewknight5641]

@@s10mods I saw that on Amazon. I'm wanting another array and another charge controller. This solar is so addictive. Ive spent about 30 grand this year on solar and off grid stuff. I'm a over the road truck driver and once I get enough things in place I'd like to get a local driving job and enjoy some of this stuff im buying

[@samuraidenis]

Thanks for the video ... would you like a glass of water ?

[@TheOffGridShop]

Thank you, I talk fast when I am excited. What about this one any better? kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6KvZaxvir2ka9ksi=WlndFOSi-Ej4WR1z

[@Kregorius]

14:00 you advise to send all the data online. That works. Until the power goes down. Woot woot, you have off-grid backup with battery. But does your internet provider have it. Because mine doesn't. Mobile mast stays online for couple hous and it dies. Local 60hz wifi link for my main connection used to have backup on the provider end... until it didnt anymore. Something somewhere got hit by a lightning couple years ago and now it goes down with power outage. Best part is me, mobile mast and wifi link provider sit on the same powerline. And it goes down a bit too much for my liking. 60 outages last year. Meaning the moment i actually would need the data, it would not be available to me anymore if its in somebody elses computer. Short: online is fun to have. But if you really need the data to run the system, have in in the house.

[@TheOffGridShop]

Yeah you can setup something like home assist. And there are other options to keep it locally. Let us know if you doing something exciting with your data and worth sharing.

[@MrSummitville]

​@@TheOffGridShopCan we use our cell phone to monitor the system, when the Main AC Power lines are down? And it won't be long before the generator is powered up.

[@igorkvachun3572]

Yes video👍 ⚡🔌💡🔋

[@TheOffGridShop]

Thank you. Is there anything else you would like to see?

[@nenadrodic5332]

The RS controller does not have an earth fault alarm! It's an isolated mppt. Incorrect information

[@TheOffGridShop]

Appreciate the feedback. Can you share the link to this information?

[@TheOffGridShop]

You will find the earth fault alarm information here. www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/Inverter_RS_Smart_Solar/11676-Inverter_RS_Smart_Solar-pdf-en.pdf

[@nenadrodic5332]

@@TheOffGridShop dont think yr attachment is for the charge controller you referenced in yr video talking about mppts. MPPT in video was Smart Solar MPPT RS. This unit does not have an earth fault alarm. This is a different product to your attachment

[@TheOffGridShop]

@nenadrodic5332 all the Rs mppts have earth faults. It's the older smart ones that don't. Can you reference what part of the video your taking about?

[@nenadrodic5332]

@@TheOffGridShop I did reference it in my previous comment. The section where you spoke about the mppts. Happy for you to prove me wrong. Pls provide evidence that the RS MPPT charge controller has earth fault alarm. The advantage of this product over the other mppt range aside from higher input voltage and current rating is the fact that they're an isolated MPPT. As I said I'm happy to be proved wrong.

[@mcsrecordingstudioalbionvi5082]

Great video and informative, however, you talk very fast, so maybe you might consider slowing down a bit : )

[@pinkiepie1656]

That's why youtube has a 0.75x speed option:)

[@TheOffGridShop]

Thank you. Yes Mike talks fast when he is excited. And he is always excited about this stuff.

[@SarniaSilver]

"If you want to charge your car turn the generator on." Or stick with with petrol and diesel.

[@TheOffGridShop]

I have a customer who has an EV off grid and they use Oil form the fish and chip shop to run their generator to top there car up. Its all about free fuel!

[@enigmaticenamourer9152]

Might perhaps consider a three phase configuration.

[@UKsystems]

@@enigmaticenamourer9152 that’s definitely possible however it can create some issues if you say have 30 kVA of inverters but have it on three phase you only have 10 kVA per phase that generally isn’t a problem however in certain situations you may need more current than that on one phase

[@herbertvonsauerkrautunterh2513]

Government writ stops at my front gate. My private property is private.

[@TheOffGridShop]

Thank you for sharing. In Australia we put Bio security signs on the farm gates!

[@robertkelleher1850]

Found new drinking game. How many times can someone contradict himself in one video? Prefer separate components or not? Solar is green or not?

[@TheOffGridShop]

It all depends on the situation and budgets. There is never a one size fits all answer. Thanks for watching.

[@SylwerDragon]

Those EV Charging stations product cost too much and you can get cheaper alternative outside of that. All are ok products.

[@mdbr-xe5ib]

Can I get you a glass of water?

[@TheOffGridShop]

That would be great thank you.

[@RobinRastle]

Kerriste gabble gabble 90mph blast me with buzzwords, Victron words yada yada, talk fast walk backwards HTF do you expect a humble customer or even a DIY man to follow all that verbal. OH I forgot, you are pushing tutorial courses $$$. You dont really explain anything do you

[@TheOffGridShop]

Thanks for the feedback. If you buy the Victron products from us you get the course for free. Or would you rather we have advertisements on the channel? I genuinely would like your feed back on this. Thank you

[@MrSummitville]

​@@TheOffGridShop Unfortunately, some people have very little knowledge regarding Off-Grid Solar installations. Every video can not be, and should not be, about basic electricity. I do understand the basics. I think, this video was at the correct technical level. This video was spot on.

[@davidhein4300]

I noticed you didn’t discuss the Multiplus II 2x 120v. I understand it’s the same but has 2 inputs. Is it a new product? Doesn’t seem to be available in the US at the moment. I’m also unclear about the part that separates the 2 outputs to isolate high use appliances. is this optional? I have an RV with 50amp service which means I have 240v coming into the coach that gets separated into 2 120v legs. I don’t want 1 leg to get turned off when voltage drops. Appreciate the video!

[@kinguin7]

​@@davidhein4300If you want to run 240v AND 120v while on battery, you need two Multiplus units in parallel, or use the auto transformer. The 2x120 version of the Multiplus only supplies 240 when plugged in. As far as I can tell! Double check everything I've said.

[@kinguin7]

​​@@davidhein4300both legs can run on battery, but they'll switch to being in phase instead of out of phase. So 120 appliances on either leg keep running. 240v appliances connected across the phases now see 0v.