question

Hi, yes, that was exactly what was said in training, and if we wanted to see AC-OUT2 power we had to install a ET112, which i got. Now I am struggling to do so.
On advice of my distributor I am going to install an additional ET112 just after grid, that way we hope that it will measure total consumption from grid, minus the power ofver AC-OUT1 and the rest will go to AC-OUT2. My issue with this is that it will only work in on-grid environments.
Then something i want to mention, both AC-OUT1 and AC-OUT2 power is currently displayed out CRITICAL LOAD on CCGX, combined. Any idea why? Do you think it takes the power coming in on AC-IN1 and puts it there? I was under the impression it measures the power on DC-Charger, AC-IN1, AC-IN2 and AC-OUT1, but not AC-OUT2. Point is if it measure on DC-Charger, AC-IN1 and AC-OUT1, the difference should be allocated to AC-OUT2, right?

@warwick

AC-out2 is -not- directly coupled to AC-in, it has it's own relay to switch off, and you can use assistants to set the behavior of AC-out2 as needed. (like switch off on low SOC)

Hi @Riaan Barkhuizen, thx for the feedback.

@TiaanGreensun is my distributor, i did not know he also created a post.

Hi @Daniël Boekel (Victron Energy Staff)

Thank you very much for the detailed response. Sorry that I broke the '1 question rule', intention was not only to get an answer on the 1 major question, but also to have a post as a referral for future installers.

This post was not intended as question of system design, the design was approved by 2 distributors. It was intended as a project overview to help me resolve the last few issues with the help of community.

I am an installer, I attended every event since May 2019. We have not yet had an in-depth discussion on ESS (which was not my major concern as there are a few in-depth article on it).

My main question was highlighted and about measuring power on AC-OU2: In training it was mentioned that the Quattro cannot measure current out on AC-OUT2, and that we need a ET112 to do that. My distributor confirmed that was their understanding also. We just did not know HOW to do it, by creating this post i was hoping someone would just send me a link on HOW. You did say this is not possible, I will liaise with my distributor to confirm if this was a misunderstanding.

I can see that the way i structured my post could have been frustrated to you with the many questions, and for that i apologize and thank you for your systematic answers. Some replies to your feedback separate.

I'm going to try to answer some of the questions, but really, my only answer should be:

-Please get an experienced Victron installer involved, as yes you can do this yourself, but for such a system you need to learn about everything any installer knows already. therefore the official policy here is also:

https://community.victronenergy.com/questions/5889/new-victron-community-guidelines.html

Not really the place for System Design

Long, multifaceted issues involving system design, multiple run on questions with very specific installation and nuanced details are not really well suited for the structure of the community. It is best to have a single question with a clear title per post. More complex enquires are best be directed towards your distributor.

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>>Noted sorry.

• 2x Solar MD 3.7 with DataloggerV2

So the 'Solar MD's are 'sunspec' compatible? e.g. no need for ET112?

>> I think you are confused with DataLoggerV2 and Energy Logger, DataLoggerV2 is a Solar MD product and required to communicate to GX on CAN.Bus. This was not a question, this was to make sure no-one said, "Hey, you need a DataloggerV2 if you install a Solar MD"

• 2x Solis 4kW G4 1ph Grid-Tie Inverter, each with a ET112

Solis not sunspec compatible? its usually best to use an inverter that is, cheaper and easier.

>> Not a question, just a statement. I was recommended to install a ET112 with ALL Grid-Tie inverters to display power generation on GX;

• extra ET112 for measuring AC-OUT2;

That doesn't work unfortunately

>> This was my question, will get feedback from distributor.

• See power output on essential and non-essential loads on CCGX and VRM;

only loads between grid meter (you could use the 'extra' ET112 for that) and Quattro/Multi are shown as 'non essential'

>> Issue is it will only display non-essential load in on-grid period, thus the reason i wanted to put in on AC-OUT2, but again, will refer back to distributor;

• be able to close the relay on AC-OUT2 in an off-grid environment (load shedding) and power non-essential loads if there is enough power available from PV;

The behavior of AC-out2 is fully configurable using assistants, this changes the standard behavior (standard: power AC-out2 when Ac-in is available)

>> Not worried about this as it will be easily taken care of with assistants;

• In On-grid periods power both AC-OU1 and AC-OUT2 with PV first;

This is standard behavior with ESS systems

>> Yes, not a question, System Design statement, sorry

• Only charge batteries from PV

Also standard behavior - until batteries drop 5% lower than the set minimum SOC level in the ESS settings, the system will then recharge the batteries back to the set level. Also, when 'sustain' mode becomes active (setting in ESS assistant), system will slowly charge up to 'sustain' level

>> Yes, another System Design statement, sorry

I want too see who has done something like this, and get feedback and collaborate please.

The thing is: you've asked so many questions, it is about all the information learned in a 2 day Victron training, assuming attendees have enough background knowledge. That doesn't mean these questions cannot be answered, but it will lead to an unreadable topic. Hence the 'one question per post' rule

>> Ok will do

Issues arrived:

• Will the Solis inverters give an error during in off-grid if a CT clamp is configured? The theory is it should use the CT clamp during on-grid and frequency shifting from the Quattro during off-grid to regulate power output. Was advised it should not give an error, will give feedback, we are close to powering up the PV;
  • Since i started this post some feedback came back, Solis said there is a 'Fail-safe - Disabled" i have to select to avoid this error;

The CT clamp has no influence what so ever on the PV inverter.

>> This one both my Victron distributor and Solis distributor will disagree with. Maybe i misunderstood you, but the Solis will require a CT clamp to avoid feeding to the grid, but again it is then the wrong platform, sorry.

• Since my requirement is to power AC-OUT2 loads in daytime and if the PV is strong (still not sure how we will be configuring this, will get to it later) I had to connect the non-essentials on AC-OUT2 instead of leaving it on the DB as the manual suggest. My biggest question is how do i program the CCGX to display the AC-OUT2 on the CCGX/VRM with a ET112? The only options are inputs (Grid, Generator and PV Inverter, the last one i will be using for the Solis PV Output).

Displaying the output on AC-out2 seperately from AC-out1 is not possible

>> My main issue, will refer to distributor

• Assistance to program the Quattro to only charge batteries from PV;

ESS assistant does that for you

>> Thank you, this was another question, but will refer all outstanding questions on this to distributor and refer to ESS manual, as it did not do it so far. This is definitely one of those cases where i just "missed a tick-box or something small like it" somewhere :)

• I found assistance to program AC-OUT2 to close during Off-grid here: https://community.victronenergy.com/questions/1343/enabling-multi-ac-output-2-during-grid-outage.html

that works very well, my advice is to use the 'generator start/stop' assistant, as you can also set other values, like low voltage (good for when SOC calculations are off), and availability of AC-input.

>> Thank you very much!!!