question

drivebywire avatar image
drivebywire asked

VE-Bus BMS, CCGX, VE.Direct MPPT Charger - Battery Protection through VE.Direct Connection?

Hi all,

I´m currently planning on my system for the new RV coming in May.

I plan to use two 160AH Victron Lithium with the VE.Bus BMS and a CCGX connected to a 12/3000 Multi. So far everything clear.

But how does the MPPT 100/50 come into the equation? In the VE.Bus BMS manual there is a VE.Direct non inverting direct remote cable mentioned for connecting to the BMS. When I use that, of course I don't get readouts on solar in the CCGX and can't configure my device this way and with the Victron Portal.

If I connect the VE.Direct from the MPPT to the CCGX, is the "stop charge" or "reduce charge current" signal transmitted via VE.Direct to the MPPT? Like it is to the Multi through its VE.Bus? I´m unsure because there are system diagrams with the big MPPT 150-85 VE.Can solar chargers in my desired configuration, and even these have the yellow cable for "stop charging" or "shutoff" hard wired, despite being connected via VE.Can...

I don´t get secure documentation on this - perhaps you could enlighten me ;)

All the best, Martin.

MPPT ControllersLithium BatteryBMSCCGX Color ControlVE.Direct
2 |3000
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Viewable by all users

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.

4 Answers
Paul B avatar image
Paul B answered ·

All I can sugest is give it a go and then let us all know the results. here on the forum,

someone has to do the testing and configuration, and we then pass that onto others when we can.

I suspect that it does all you are asking but I have not had a system that I have installed that has that requirement so I cant give you a cut and dried answer.

at the Moment as this has not been answered no one knows the full answer


Sorry

2 |3000
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Viewable by all users

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.

boekel avatar image
boekel answered ·

When you connect a bms to the Venus GX / Color Control GX, set it to be the 'battery monitor' and any connected MPPT's will go into 'networked' mode and listen to the BMS.

You don't need other connections, things will probably even work without changing settings (but please check them)

The CANbus connected MPPT's can have some issues with CANbus connected batteries, in those cases they have to be wired differently,

2 |3000
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Viewable by all users

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.

drivebywire avatar image
drivebywire answered ·

Thank you both (@Boekel, @Paul B) for your answers! I thought I wouldn´t get any answer at all ;-)

As it seems, all chargers except the Multis / Quadros have to be cut off using a Battery Protect; VE-direct does not the job. So, I ordered a BP220 for all 12V systems, and two BP65 for B2B-Charger and MPPT. These are switched off in case of over voltage through the BMS.

When it is installed and ready, I will post my results...


7 comments
2 |3000
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Viewable by all users

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.

boekel avatar image boekel ♦ commented ·

I think you're over complicating things.

Can you make a diagram how you intent to wire things?

the MPPT can be controlled by the Venus / CCGX, B2B charger likely has an 'enable' input you can control by the bms 'charge enable' output. And you might want to use the generator relay from the Color Control to switch this B2B charger on / off (linked through the charge enable line)

using a bp for 12V users is a good plan, but do you have such big users you need a 220A version?

0 Likes 0 ·
Show more comments
big-ste avatar image
big-ste answered ·

Hi Martin,

Is your RV a caravan or motorhome? I have a swift caravan and have done something similar but without using CCGX screen, as I'm happy using the bluetooth App on my phone. There is a way to use the BMV 712 as a relay to switch on/off for voltage protection, just am not sure how it works.

I have attached my drawing for info

cheers

Stedoc00106820190312092715.pdf


doc00106820190312092715.pdf (145.7 KiB)
2 comments
2 |3000
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Viewable by all users

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.

drivebywire avatar image drivebywire commented ·

Hi Ste,

it will be a caravan. Thank you for your drawing! Mine will be similar to this, with two 160Ah Lithium and a 12/3000/120/16 Multiplus. Charging will be done with a 50A B2B Charger and 600wP of Solar, connected to a MPPT 100/50.

Since you are not using the CCGX, you can easily use the non-inverting VE-Direct cable. This port is used by the CCGX for me, so I cannot use that.

The most elegant way to control charge stop in case of cell over voltage would be to do it via VE.Direct from the CCGX; but sources in the internet indicate this does not work (see below). So, to be sure, I planned a Battery Protect to shut off the MPPT from the batteries...

All the best, Martin.

0 Likes 0 ·
drivebywire avatar image drivebywire commented ·

Ste,

you asked for a drawing.

Attached you can see my planned configuration. It is not complete yet - but I drawed it with real dimensions of the equipment, because I want to fit it in a certain space, and pre-mount the electrical components in the middle as one module, so I only have to connect input and output in the caravan.

You can see the basic components completely, but only 12V - without the B2B charger and the BMS / CCGX / VE.Direct connections.

0 Likes 0 ·
knaus-750-autark-block.jpg (1.8 MiB)