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pmikep avatar image
pmikep asked

How does the SmartSolar know my battery is LiFePO4?

This isn't a big deal, as my SmartSolar seems to work fine.

But out of curiosity, on "page" 11 of my SmartSolar manual it says,

(Update: I don't know why the forum won't let my links show. It's

https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/Manual-SmartSolar-charge-controller-MPPT-150-35-EN-NL-FR-DE-ES-SE-IT-.pdf )

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Reset of the charge algorithm:
The default setting for restarting the charge cycle is
Vbatt < (Vfloat – 0,4V) for lead -acid, and Vbatt < (Vfloat – 0,1V)
for LiFePO4 batteries, during 1 minute.

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Okay, that's fine if one uses the default LiFePO4 setting. (Or, alternatively, Position 7 via the rotary switch with the battery type set to "Rotary.")

But I'll bet most of us have modified at least one setting in the default, which then changes the type of battery to "User Defined."

So, is my SmartSolar using 0.4V for the reset? Or 0.1V?

In this case of "User Defined," does the SmartSolar know that my batteries are still LiFePO4?

MPPT ControllersLithium Battery
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3 Answers
seb71 avatar image
seb71 answered ·

When using "User defined" as battery preset, you can set the re-bulk voltage offset yourself (you have to enable "Expert mode").

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pmikep avatar image pmikep commented ·

You're correct. I found the answer while you were typing.

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pmikep avatar image
pmikep answered ·

I feel kind of stupid now. The answer is found (buried?) in this document:

https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/MPPT_Solar_Charge_Controllers/VictronConnect_-_MPPT_Solar_Charge_Controllers-en.pdf

You have to go into the Expert Mode in the Battery Settings of the VictonConnect app. From there you can manually set the re-bulk voltage. (See the text starting at the bottom of page 10, continuing to p 11.)

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kalito avatar image
kalito answered ·

Dealing with lithium batteries with a BMS it is best that the battery controls the smart solar (external control). In my case I have my Smart Solar connected to the CerboGX via VEDirect and the lithium battery (SolarMD 7.4kWh) BMS connected to the CerboGX via VECAN, Manual settings in the SmartSolar are set for safety reasons. So the battery BMS tells the SmartSolar how to charge the battery. If the VEDirect cable is removed the CerboGx sounds an alarm and the SS stops working!

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