asked
Which Battery Protect do I need?
How do I determine which model Battery Protect is best suited to my needs?
@brassmonkey001, to begin with I always recommend the Smart BatteryProtect over the BatteryProtect because, although it's a little more expensive, it makes setting the device so much easier through the app that it's well worth the additional expense; furthermore the Smart version adds a significantly greater degree of functionality in that you can custom-set your high/low voltage cutoff/restart thresholds to 1/100th of a volt, instead of being limited to the factory presets as is the case with the standard-version BatteryProtect.
So there's that consideration.
Otherwise, you simply need to calculate the loads that you're going to have controlled by the device. If you have <50A of anticipated loads, get the 65A model, etc. You want the version that is equivalent to your anticipated loads x 1.25... so if you expect to have right around 65A loads that you want controlled by this device, you should go the next size up to the 100A version.
A couple of critical points: This device is unidirectional in operation only, so you cannot connect it in such a manner that reverse current is ever, ever applied to it. Also, you cannot use this device between your batteries and an inverter; the exception is in the case that you have a Victron inverter (not an inverter/charger) that has a remote trigger, in which case you can use this device as the remote trigger in accordance with the new instructions posted on 10/29 regarding the proper installation/wiring instructions for these devices; this device is not to be used to interrupt an inverter's main connection to the battery, however. See here: https://www.victronenergy.com/support-and-downloads/manuals#item=manuals-batteryprotect
These new instruction supersede all previous manuals issued in print, including the manuals included with most units on the shelves today.
Any disadvantage in going for the higher rated model, apart from the higher cost? I think the 65A model would be sufficient for my needs but 100A would definitely cover me with room for future growth.
Not at all other than the larger footprint; self-consumption is identical, so that's not a concern... the only other significant difference is that the 65 uses M6 posts to connect battery/load while the 100 and 220 use M8 posts.
That simply depends on what power you need.
