question

Hi @Brian Brown

Try changing the entries you have for the times there in VS for "0" (zero) to something realistic, like a "1", or even a decimal point figure. I'm always reluctant to use zeros like this, and in some cases may actually default to no action. Just something to try..

I suggest using the VS option above - ie "Ignore AC input: VS on = ignore, VS off = do not ignore". That worked on my MultiPlus. I didn't try the "Dedicated ignore AC input" so unsure how it is supposed to work. Phil

Hi, @Alexandra

I have a similar issue with a Quattro setup on a LiFePo4 battery with Grid connection on AC In 2 and standby generator on AC In 1. I also have 2 signal BMS assistant and utilising DVCC External control direct from the battery BMS (123 Smart BMS)

I also have a Cerbo and Smart Solar dual MPPT. This is grid connected but not set as ESS as I have no plans at present to feed-in.

Within the Cerbo (via Remote Console), I have enabled generator control for the actual standby generator and I have recently setup the Assistant in the Quattro to ignore AC in 2 dependent on SoC (default values for now of 30% start and 80% stop), load and to stop if AC1 is available (so if the generator starts on a timed monthly run up, its output is utilised charging the battery). The General Flag Relay control is set to 'open to start generator' (as it wasn't ignoring AC2 at all when set the other way. Brain got a bit fried with all the double negative implications).

The system is newly connected and this morning the battery fell below 30% and the grid didn't kick in (AC in 2 was not un-ignored). I'm trying to figure out why this is. Is it because i'm also using the Cerbo to start the generator proper via the Cerbo Relay 1 and there's a conflict? Is it because i'm asking it to stop the generator (Grid) if AC1 (Generator proper) is available?

Any thoughts gratefully received.

Regards

Richard

Incidentally, I'm really liking the controls section that opens up in the VRM Dashboard, especially the generator controls, excellent work Victron techs. As a separate item to the above, can i request a second generator control please to either control Relay 2 on the cerbo (and thence via wired pair to an input on the Quattro) or (better still) the General Flag relay as AC Ignore. Can i also request naming options for the second and the trackers on the Smart Solar (to be able to label the arrays).

Hi, I would not use VS but assistants and there you can set the charge current to 0 in case you would like to pass through (not ignore AC input).

@chrichri Thanks but if you're referring to my query, I have used assistants as I have the two signal BMS assistant and therefore am prohibited from using Virtual Switch. I would generally agree that the Assistants seem better.

This seems to be resolved. I noticed that adding the battery state reporting from the Quattro onto the VRM dashboard showed that SoC was always at 100% so i suppose basing the switching on SoC was only seeing this 100%. I therefore changed to battery voltage for the switching and that has now worked successfully. The input current limit is useful to be able to control the rate at which the grid is used to feed the loads and charge the battery as it allows for the sun to come up and take on the loads and charging rather than set an arbitrary switch off value (which is necessary) and run the grid at full speed to get there when its a short time over discharge and waiting a little can allow the sun to take the reins.

@Alexandra Well I thought I had this sorted until today with very low sun and a battery discharging approaching my grid cut-in point of 51.2v for 10 seconds. This came and went as I watched the battery discharge below this and no response from the Quattro. I thought I witnessed this working when I first tested it, but now I'm beginning to doubt myself. It certainly switches the grid on when the load goes above 6688w for 10 seconds and cuts the grid off when the load gets below 2000w for 60 seconds, this is easy to prove. The only way i can prove the ignore AC by battery voltage is to set a level and wait.

The other thing I keep getting is a warning on the VRM Dashboard pop up saying "Warning-Realtime connection disabled due to GX Device Overload" which I am now seeing on and off with no real reason that I can see other than it seeming to show more when the battery is below 51.2v. The Cerbo shares a fairly tight control box with relays and AC cabling close by. I've been unsure if this was going to cause any EMC related issues but couldn't find anything that would indicate it being susceptible.

Again, any thoughts why these might be happening gratefully received.

Not sure if this is significant but last night we had a thunderstorm. The nearest strike was 1/2 mile away and I have a ground rod at the generator and surge protection both on the grid connection and on the output from the Quattro down at the house end (about 30 metres cable away).

Thank you @Alexandra, when you say a 'VE Bus restart' do you mean to cycle the power on the VE Bus product, in this case the Quattro? I did a reboot on the Cerbo but tis made no difference.

I've not used the MK3 as I've always had a good experience with the Remote VE Config via the VRM.

The VRM logging seems spot on It is just throwing this warning and stopping the real time view every so often. Its the only system I've seen it on and its not overly complex. One thing i do suspect is the non-isolated tank sender for the fuel. One side is tied to ground which is also earthed and is B-12v connected to the ground side of the Cerbo digital input. I've now resolved to isolate this ground connection to at least eliminate it.

I did try the generator assistant early on and had it not bring on the grid. I might revisit this as I think at the time it was looking at SoC rather than at battery voltage from the BMS.

You are spot on, the battery voltage and SoC don't correspond. The 51.2 seems to equate to 0% probably due to be setting the battery capacity at 80% of its true capacity. I may change this to better correspond.

I'm beginning to think that ESS may be the better way to go but will give the ignore AC another test with the voltage up a bit so I don't have a panic on with the battery getting too low.

I set the relay to cut the grid in at below 52.2v and back out again at 53.1v and all worked well.

@Alexandra Curious to know if a VE Bus Restart can be initiated automatically or at least with one of the inputs that could maybe be linked to relay 2 on the Cerbo.

I notice a VRM update this morning. We will se if this stops the 'Cerbo overload' warnings.

Hi again @Alexandra, I'm still experiencing issues with the Quattro not cutting in the grid. It seems to work when I first set it up but fail at some point thereafter.

I am using a third party BMS on DVCC but have not had any issues since re-routing the USB cable (it was causing the whole system to black out due to EMI issues) and adding some ferrite common mode filters. I can only think this would simply shut the whole system down if there was a disconnection or data loss between the BMS and the Cerbo (like it has done twice before addressing the EMI issues) rather than just interrupt the Quattro's tracking of voltage (which continues to be displayed on the VRM ok).

I should also say this Quattro has been back to a Victron repair facility for accidental contact with the Aux terminals to the battery and returned repaired.

If there's any way of looking to see if there a data interruption or a fault log id be grateful to know.

Thanks as always.