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I plan on installing a Multiplus 3000 and an SmartSolar 100/30 MPPT charger. The internal BMS of my batteries does not provide low temperature cutoff. As such, I was planning on installing a temperature sensor for the purposes of monitoring when the batteries are too cold to charge, and connecting it to the Multiplus. Can the Multiplus share this temperature directly with the MPPT controller if I set up a VE.Bus network? I do not plan on using a Victron BMS.
Thanks.
@kafolske, unfortunately not, as the MultiPlus is VE.Bus and the MPPT is VE.Direct or VE.Smart... the two do not talk to each other at all.
Your best, lowest-cost solution is a Smart BatterySense. Under US$40.00, sticks directly to the case of your battery, and transmits the temperature and voltage data to the Smart MPPT over a VE.Smart network.
Keep in mind if you are using shore on the Smart Battery Sense will not prevent the multi from charging below freezing. However it's easier to monitor that BEFORE you enable the charger.
Also keep in mind that the Multi Temp is only for Lead Acid charge compensation and can't provide native low temp disconnect for the charger. Maybe this is something that Victron could implement with a software update, but as of now, I don't think that's possible. You'd have to rig up another temp source (or use a BMV relay with an assistant to disconnect the charger) if it's just the multi.
Ah well if you enable Lithium mode in the Multi or Quattro (in "charger" settings) and have the MultiPlus temperature sensor installed, the Multi will disable charging below 5C.
If using drop-in LFP banks like Battle Borns or Victron SuperPacks, no Assistants are needed... if using Victron Smart LFPs with external BMS, then you have to load the associated Assistants for it to work.
I was planning on adding a separate temperature sensor to the Multiplus and using this to disable charging by it...separately since it doesn't communicate with the Solar charger.
@Justin Cook - Bay Marine Supply USA
You said "if you enable Lithium mode in the Multi or Quattro (in "charger" settings) and have the MultiPlus temperature sensor installed, the Multi will disable charging below 5C.
If using drop-in LFP banks like Battle Borns or Victron SuperPacks, no Assistants are needed... if using Victron Smart LFPs with external BMS, then you have to load the associated Assistants for it to work"
I tried this and sadly it didn't seem to work on my Multi 12/3000. I saw the note about Victron Connect and it certainly implies this. I wonder if this feature only works like this when you have a Smart VE.Dongle connected?
Have you had this working with Multipluses with no Smart VE.Dongle?
I saw the info in there about different types of Lithium and I am wondering also how the Multiplus would actually know if you have a drop-in LFP (as it is just a Drop-in and so only has the +ve/-ve connections - no comms outside that?). The only setting for those drop-ins to tell the Multiplus they are fitted is the "Lithium" check box in 'Charger' settings I think?
I found to get the charger to turn off I needed to load the 2-way BMS Assistant in VE.Configure and configure it to use the Aux input - and then wired up a cable to the Aux to have an external trigger.
I really would prefer to have the Multi use the temp sensor that it comes with - and is generally connected - to disable the charger at low temp with Lithium - and with a settable option as well, not just a "disable under 5C (some Drop-in Lithiums can actually be charged below 5C - Relion have their LT model which can be charged down to -20C).
I am quite surprised - and pretty disappointed - Victron have not got a better set of Lithium options within VE.Config :(
