Victron BlueSolar charge controller

[anthonyp0808]

I use 2 Victron 100/50 - each with 2x325 watt panels attached. Happy with the results.

The bluetooth data dongle interfaces to the Victron Connect app which is pretty basic. Definately not a battery monitoring system. Some screen shots attached. Not much other information is available.

As you can see I am getting 22 amps (44 total) at 8:30 am - currently at Lat : 36.26099 | Long : 29.36896.

Easly get 60+ Amp/hour total later in the day

[john61ct]

If they built a good BM in then the price wouldn't be so competitive, and no one would buy their add-ons.

BMV-702 is a great unit.

[Typhoon]

Originally Posted by anthonyp0808

I use 2 Victron 100/50 - each with 2x325 watt panels attached. Happy with the results.

The bluetooth data dongle interfaces to the Victron Connect app which is pretty basic. Definately not a battery monitoring system. Some screen shots attached. Not much other information is available.

As you can see I am getting 22 amps (44 total) at 8:30 am - currently at Lat : 36.26099 | Long : 29.36896.

Easly get 60+ Amp/hour total later in the day

Whats the range of adjustment on the app for the Bluepower , can you turn the float absorption and equalize right off ? Thinking of using one for a LifeP04 set up .

Regards John.

[john61ct]

I haven't heard of any controller that has a "stop charging" option.

People either set float at 13.2V, or have an external monitor like BMV-702 or a BMS cut off charging via relay.

Best setting for absorb in normal usage cycling IMO is 3.45Vpc, or 13.8V for 4S.

[anthonyp0808]

See below screen for float adjustment- defaults shown but you can change it

[Typhoon]

Yes I would like to set it at 13.2 to 13.4 . No float of course.

This will just be a little boost if I am away from the boat for a week or more , just to keep the fridges down .

Just looking for the best solution for my LifePo4 bank.

The Victron does look like it will do the job simply .

Regards John.

[john61ct]

In practice, "no float" means Vfloat = Vabsorb

[Typhoon]

So that means it will just bulk charge and stop at the assigned voltage , right ?

Regards John

[john61ct]

Bulk is before the target Vabsorb is reached, constant current CC.

Then comes Absorb, declining current constant voltage CV.

With lead banks, you want to get all the way to 100% Full, which means not dropping to lower Float voltage until current at Vabsorb has dropped to a small fraction of capacity, say 2%, or 2A per 100AH.

There is no 'stop' until the sun goes down.

With LFP that's a problem, which most workaround by setting a very low float like 13.2

[SailsTeam]

Mine works great! They sell a battery monitor that will connect with the bluetooth thing. Buy a bigger one than you need if you are even remotely thinking about adding more panels later. I am going to have to sell mine and get a bigger one if I add any more solar panels because I got one of their smaller models.

[john61ct]

No real harm in using two smaller controllers rather than one big one. In fact better vs shading issues, and/or mismatched panel sets, should ideally be the same specs per controller.

[SailsTeam]

Originally Posted by john61ct

No real harm in using two smaller controllers rather than one big one. In fact better vs shading issues, and/or mismatched panel sets, should ideally be the same specs per controller.

Yeah I was thinking about that. I am considering completely separating my engine/house battery systems and just put a charger on each one. Anyone tried the Victron battery monitor? I have a an imported one like the following but with 100 amp capacity. I haven't installed it yet though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGp2wDAfC1k

[Tessellate]

Originally Posted by SailsTeam

I am considering completely separating my engine/house battery systems and just put a charger on each one.

That would be a pretty strange thing to do. Most of the time your engine alternator has no trouble keeping the engine battery charged up. A solar panel dedicated to the eng battery would be mostly a waste, unless there's some weird situation I'm not aware of.
A battery combiner like the Blue Sea ACR, if you don't already have one, makes more sense.

[Matt Johnson]

Originally Posted by SailsTeam

Yeah I was thinking about that. I am considering completely separating my engine/house battery systems and just put a charger on each one. Anyone tried the Victron battery monitor? I have a an imported one like the following but with 100 amp capacity. I haven't installed it yet though.

I looked at one like you posted (not wireless), but the shunt they sell with it is frighteningly cheap looking. The low cost monitor's shunts typically are 75mv vs the more common 50mv on the better quality units, so you can't just switch to a blueseas or some other brands shunt.

Depending on what you'd like to monitor, the new Bluesea 1732 ammeter is nice, basic, but cheap.

Matt

[SailsTeam]

Originally Posted by Tessellate

That would be a pretty strange thing to do. Most of the time your engine alternator has no trouble keeping the engine battery charged up. A solar panel dedicated to the eng battery would be mostly a waste, unless there's some weird situation I'm not aware of.
A battery combiner like the Blue Sea ACR, if you don't already have one, makes more sense.

The plan was to hook the alternator up to charge the house bank not the starter batteries then use a very small solar panel to keep the starter batteries charged. the Blue Sea ACR has a VERY high cut in voltage which makes it nearly worthless with a small 200w solar setup. It is mostly for alternator charging. Either way that could be used with the system I describe. Having a battery switch with 1, 2 and both is just asking for trouble. I've been on boats with all batteries drained. Not looking to do that again. Not fun!!!


The plan is to have the engine starter cables long enough to manually disconnect them from the starter batteries if they go bad and hook them up to the house bank. Combining dead batteries with good house batteries is a terrible idea. What were they thinking putting these switches in boats?