Visit our Popular Forums

Ivanvet · 12-05-2019, 16:24

Hi,
I just installed 4x110W Sunpower panels, each connected to their individual MPPT controllers, and I would like to know if I can 'group' the output of all of the panels together.
As they are now, I can see each MPPT individually, and see their output on my phone through the Victron app. I already have a battery monitor (Xantrex Link 1000), so I didn't buy the Victron battery monitor (BMV-712 I believe it is).

There is a product that Victron sells (MPPT control) but it seems like each controller needs to connect to the monitor with a cable, then use a bluetooth dongle... and I don't want that.

I could install a shunt (with the BMV-712) on the negative wire (arrow) after the bus bar (only information from all the solar panels), and from there I would send it to the 'final' shunt. Would that make sense? Does the BMV-712 shows historical solar data, similar to what it can be seen for each individual panel? Any other product that would do what I'm looking for?

Thanks in advance,

I.
S/V Balú

LoudMusic · 12-05-2019, 16:59

All the Victron equipment can be paired together. Once this is done the BMV 712 will tell the MPPTs what to do.

I think ... Pretty sure I read that somewhere

billknny · 12-05-2019, 18:18

Victron tech service is quite good. Why not just call them????

FlyingScot · 12-05-2019, 19:41

Likely better Victron specific answers here.
https://community.victronenergy.com/index.html

Ivanvet · 12-05-2019, 19:49

Yes, I asked the same question there, and am waiting for the answer. I figured I would ask here too, in case someone has gone through the same situation.

FlyingScot · 12-05-2019, 19:59

You can also download the owner's manuals for all their devices.
Have you considered the Octo GX? https://www.victronenergy.com/panel-...toring/octo-gx

I thought that would work when I researched for my 4 controller setup.

Good luck.

smac999 · 12-05-2019, 21:36

The712 would not be the correct choice. As the ah will only go up and not down. It will just show full all the time. And would only be useful as a amp gauge. There would be much cheaper choices as just an amp gauge

There would be better solar products that are designed for one way ah.

Also if you bought a victron color gx screen. You should be able to plug all controllers into it via ve direct cables. (2 will need USB converters).

I have not tried it. But it should work. And you’ll see all solar data on one screen. Not sure about history.

smac999 · 12-05-2019, 21:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

You can also download the owner's manuals for all their devices.
Have you considered the Octo GX? https://www.victronenergy.com/panel-...toring/octo-gx

I thought that would work when I researched for my 4 controller setup.

Good luck.

Huh I had not see. That. If you connect multiple mppts to it. Can you connect on-board with the Bluetooth app and see the total? Or is this only for a remote portal ?

If you plugged them all into this. And then run a ve bus cable to a color gx screen. I wonder what you would get. I wonder if you could see each panel data.

EmeraldCoastSailor · 13-05-2019, 09:17

Just curious why four separate controllers?

FlyingScot · 13-05-2019, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by smac999

Huh I had not see. That. If you connect multiple mppts to it. Can you connect on-board with the Bluetooth app and see the total? Or is this only for a remote portal ?

If you plugged them all into this. And then run a ve bus cable to a color gx screen. I wonder what you would get. I wonder if you could see each panel data.

I was planning to view the data on a laptop or possibly a tiny boat pc. The manuals for those products may show exactly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmeraldCoastSailor

Just curious why four separate controllers?

OP may have other reasons but mine are (in no particular order):

Cost, cheaper to buy 4 small than one large + spare. Much cheaper actually.
No serial vs parallel arguments.
Maximum harvest.
Built in redundancy.

Negatives:
More wiring and mounting.

Yellowjacket · 13-05-2019, 12:31

I think of the basic Victron app as a window that will only "see" one Victron MPPT at a time when looking at solar controllers, but you can easily switch between them, possibly by creating a different network for each controller. I think there are advantages to this.

If I see the specs on 110 Watt panels correctly (~18 volts, ~6 amps), you have ability to wire two, or even three of your panels in series using one of your existing 75/10 controllers.

Monitoring the 712, the app will see the total amps to or from the battery, plus battery temp if so configured (or start battery), percent of charge, and other info that applies to your battery bank, as opposed to the controllers.

Emouchet · 13-05-2019, 12:32

I do not understand what you are trying to achieve ?

The BMV-712 will monitor amps going in and out of the battery bank, what ever the number of MPPT controller you have. This monitor will basically tell you if the batteries are full or not, what amps is needed to get full and what amps are going in our out.

If the MPPTs are connected properly to the BMV-712 shunt circuitry (they should), the charge current from the MPPTs will be included in the BMV stats info.

The BMV-712 will NOT control the MPPT.

Each MPPT is monitoring voltages of the battery bank to decided if a charge cycle is needed or not, and when to start or stop charging, when to switch from bulk to absorption or float charging mode. Based on that they will charge from solar or not.

Make sure all MPPT are programmed the same way, with same voltage bulk, abs and float level otherwise some will stop/start at different battery state of charge. You do not want that as it would impose non ideal cycles to the batteries.

smac999 · 14-05-2019, 09:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellowjacket

If I see the specs on 110 Watt panels correctly (~18 volts, ~6 amps), you have ability to wire two, or even three of your panels in series using one of your existing 75/ 10

The 10 a rating is between battery and controller. Which would be about 8-9a per panel. So you can only put one.