Victron isn’t cheap, well engineered quality products seldom are, but the 5 year warranty can be absolutely priceless. The other great benefit I’ve found is their technical support (they nearly always answer quickly and with practical solutions), plus the wider community of retailers and installers who know the product can also help sometimes. If you have a limited budget then you may be unable to afford their kit; but my dad always used to say “buy cheap, make sure you save for a replacement/repairs” Here is a comment from one of the community posts about the MPPT battery voltage setting: The battery voltage is automatically selected at the very first power-up of the charger. The detected figure is stored, and further automatic detection is disabled. If, however, the battery voltage is absent (or below 7 volts) the unit operates as a 12 V model and automatic detection is rescheduled for the next power-up. Note that 36 and 48 volt operation is only available on models which support these voltages - such as the MPPT 150/35. Note also that 36 volts cannot be detected automatically. Systems operating at this voltage must always be set manually. Hint: if you just want to update the firmware of a device while still keeping the automatic voltage detection active (e.g. before shipping a unit to the end customer), update the firmware as you normally would do. When the firmware update is complete, at the “Live Data Information” page select to cog wheel in the upper right corner, next the three vertical dots in the upper right corner and make sure to choose “Reset to defaults” from the drop-down menu. Now power down the unit, when the unit is powered up the next time it will perform an automatic voltage detection. I hope that helps? As for that Weller soldering iron tip, plenty of life left in it yet, just maybe not for surface mount components 🤓 All the best, stay safe.

I thought I had OCD till I started watching the Assusie German.

@OffGridGarageAustralia

3 жыл бұрын

Hope I can help you with that 💊

Matthijs Vader is the managing director of Victron Energy and Son of the founder Reinout Vader! I think it's a good sign that they are involved in answering the technical questions themselves so they know what going on on a daily basis in their company! Best regards from Holland and keep up your channel.

You always find a way to make me happy, thank you always because I am learning a lot from me

THANK YOU FRIEND, i really enjoi your "run" as i were there! Thanks to share

Yes it's ok, you just change to the correct nominal voltage after connecting. Done it many times

@peterevenhuis2663

3 жыл бұрын

I have seen 24 volt batterys drained so much that the charge controller respond as 12 volt . I came there to fault find connected my computer adjusted the setting and all okay. The hardware accept higher voltage so you don't damage anything. Ps I use for years now automatic fuse breakers to cut the power supply and never used a resistor to precharge even on my 48 volt system.

I hope it works. Eagerly waiting for the new BMS installation!

I hope so!!! Great to see a new video!

Man your video quality is great

@OffGridGarageAustralia

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you.

Hey Andy, i like watching your video's very much! Just watched this one, en wish i have seen this one earlier. I blew up my victron Mppt 75/15. First i hooked it up to my 12 volt lifepo4, no problems. Then hooked it up to my 24 lifepo4 and BOOM. I thougt it automaticly detected the 24 volt. But sadly only at the initial setup. 😬

As a postie it is funny watching your deliveries!

@OffGridGarageAustralia

3 жыл бұрын

Getting so many. I love to get new gear... Our postie is a bit... random. Nice guy but not reliable. Sometimes people up the road get our mail.

Lol! it seems we are always waiting for mail deliveries doing solar. Yes that is not a proper test only 4 days low wattage. Hopefully there will be software updates like you've mentioned. Good stuff man, cheers! 😁

SCC . man! Learnin new terms all the time ;)

Unless the designers were incredibly incompetent, having Vmax > Vbat > Vfloat should be completely harmless since Vbat > Vfloat should simply cause the PPT to shut off. The most likely danger of Vfloat > Vbat would be damaging equipment that isn't designed to take Vfloat. Shipping the PPT at the lowest voltage preset is the safest option.

Wished Victron was making BMS with active cell balancers.

@habana7638

3 жыл бұрын

That would be great, I think there is a great need for good and reliable BMS, so far it is all still questionable in terms of quality and durability.

Hi Andy, great videos to watch! Would ik make sense to have a circuit breaker between your charger and mppt controller (bridged with a switchable resistor) this way you can troubleshoot and connect safely. (I don't mind de SCC 😁) but it makes handling much easier also when a problem arises at night when you don't have lights because of an issue. Speaking of that, probably you're thinking of a emergency light in the shed which will light when the power is off. Keep on making videos, we miss so much real life technique on YT

@charlesrichards5389

3 жыл бұрын

You could use a switchable resistor, or you could have an in-line connector like an XT90-S that has a built-in resistor that makes a momentary pre-connection as the connector is being plugged together. I don't know if the built-in resistor would connect long enough to completely suppress the spark (maybe plug it together slowly?), but it's better than nothing (especially if you're forgetful). If you go that route, I advise spending a little more and getting the originals from HobbyKing.* * not a sponsor or affiliate 🙂

@OffGridGarageAustralia

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much Edward. I will have some breaker upgrades coming soon (also another 2 nice upgrades to my battery). Due to the large busbars inside the cabinet (not delivered yet), I need to do some redesign.

@8:41 "This just, like to prevent "things" from happening." LOL ...

I connected my 150/35 first to 24 Volts. And than to 48 V without checking is on the PC . The Venus gave lots of warnings, but nothing broke. It was just a short time. It is working now on 48 V fine. After the initial "branding" to a battery voltage it must set manually.

@OffGridGarageAustralia

3 жыл бұрын

Great, thanks for sharing.

Wanna see some sparks fire works hehe 😎👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Most power supplies including solar charge controllers are what is referred to as single quadrant output. That is it can provide voltage to the load, but not take it back. It can supply current to the load but no5 take it back. So if the solar controller is set to output less than the battery voltage, no damage will occur.

Dam Aussie postal service is so slow I thought you got that victron mppt back last week already.

I have the same problem with Epever Tracer 4210AN it works as PWM most of the time.If i reset the circuit breakers from the pv input it works as MPPT for a few minutes than the pv imput voltage goes down almost to battery voltage.I changed on of the controllers with victron 100/50 smartsolar and it works perfectly unlike the Epever chinese toy garbage controller.

It usually picks up the battery voltage and changes automatically.

You should open up both Victrons, and see if the one from ebay is different, old model, or simple counterfeit.

@andrewwhittaker6622

3 жыл бұрын

Can you open them for repair? My 100/50's have been reliable for year's I bought a chinese fangpusun copy it died why I tried to get it open it was totally full of white epoxy and non serviceable and a bin job

@dboekel

3 жыл бұрын

very difficult to open, and will be damaged....

Hello from germany nice Viedeos do you make

12/24 and 48 volts are auto select, only 36v needs to be set manually. The is the spec sheet for victron

@dl1oli

3 жыл бұрын

But only the first time. After it is once connected to a battery. I stores this information inside. I connected ist first to 24 V, than to 48. There where lots of warnings.

Hey hey never mind my wife said we can do it ourselfs from our post office for $1.50 US so thanks anyway and keep up the good vids, mike

@OffGridGarageAustralia

Жыл бұрын

sure, send me a message

If you would like a cheap back up controller. I use Make sky blue controllers often. If you hook them up correctly and stay below the ratings ,they work well and track fast too.

@BastelPichi

3 жыл бұрын

I have a powermr solar charge Controller in my system(makeskyblue Fake). The amps going Info the battery is a little bit off. But the biggest Problem ist that it hast no diodes to prevent Energy going back Into the solar Panel. Others than that its quite good. 70 bucks for an 60a mppt is good.

@frankz1125

3 жыл бұрын

@@BastelPichi your solar panels should have blockers on them. Also solar panels are LEDs so if you ever see your panels glowing at night ,shut off your breakers.

@BastelPichi

3 жыл бұрын

@@frankz1125 right. But still thats not cool.

@frankz1125

3 жыл бұрын

@@BastelPichi i know. I was being sarcastic. I myself have never had a problem with the real version. They are close to the same price. Might as well get the real one .

@BastelPichi

3 жыл бұрын

@@frankz1125 In germany its like that: 30a makeskyblue 100€. 60a powermr 70€. So off course i bougt the powermr

I wonder if these solar charge controllers are getting damaged from BMS disconnect events. Normally manufacturers warn that the controller may be damaged if the battery is disconnected while the solar panels are still connected.

That's it! No frog!! I am cancelling my subscription.. LOL. Just kidding. I think Victron has so much going for it, but for the price they need to be the best. I don't think they are there yet. The bluetooth is so bad too. I would rather spend more money to buy quality one time instead of cheap stuff many times for peace of mind, BUT. They have to deliver to charge such a premium price. Looking good -Bull frog! : )

@habana7638

3 жыл бұрын

Somewhat understandable that the built-in Bluetooth is less strong, Victron should increase the signal strength a little bit to compensate for this, but you can always add a Bluetooth Smart Dongle if this is a major problem, but should not be necessary. ..

@neliosamch3195

3 жыл бұрын

The frog didn't want to jump in the water because it was too cold.

Please let me know your using resistance value (ohm) and W for preventing spark?

I didn't see you replacing the BMS yet. Do you still use the faulty one? Or the one they wanted to send you? Any plans on what to replace it with? I like the app you have so much more than the one of Daly.

@OffGridGarageAustralia

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, still using the old one. Haven't had time yet. Sleep, eat, work, repeat at the moment.

Hi Andy what happen if you connect For example 155v. I have 3 panels each has 50v. When the weather is cold the voltage of each panels is 51v so together is 153v. Can I damage the controler? Will it endure a few more volts?

I set up my smart battery protect on 12V's so that I can play with the Bluetooth. Then later went into the settings and changed to 24 V before disconnecting from 12 V's without any issues. I know it's not a charge controller but it's a Victron product.. So maybe they're similar? I have wondered this also. Oregon USA

@OffGridGarageAustralia

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks John. I'm not brave enough to test it myself 😁

Hey, I got a voltage drop from my Batterie to Victron solar charger of 0,05V without load or charging. Just turned the Victron on without solar panel connected. Now I set the all the settings in the victron 0,05V lower than before to compensate the voltage drop. What do yo think? Is that the right way, or is there a better solution?

I may have missed it in earlier videos but if you are being careful to not connect the PV before the batteries what is the protection for the charge controller if the BMS disconnects the batteries with the PV connected?

@offgridwanabe

3 жыл бұрын

I have asked a few times maybe nobody understands they should have a relay to protect the charge controller from being energized from the pv.

@AndyM...

3 жыл бұрын

Good point !!! I wonder if the charge controller would try to power the inverter directly then ?

@offgridwanabe

3 жыл бұрын

@@AndyM... usually goes into a cycle off and on until it quits and maybe the inverter too.

@OffGridGarageAustralia

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah, some controllers are allergic against having solar but no battery connected (some even die). It's not a problem with the Victrons though. They just go into Absorption mode and turn down the voltage. And yes, they keep powering your load...

@offgridwanabe

3 жыл бұрын

@@OffGridGarageAustralia That is good but it can't power your load unless it is connected to battery before the bms as the bms will have discharge shut off but Ah but you say it will if the sun is out lol Cheers

Andy do you still use your JNGE 48 volt charge controller. if not would you sell it and how much. i would use it to charge my 48 volt golf cart.

Hallo, wenn Sie den Wechselrichter aus der Wand-Elektrobox rausnehmen, können Sie dies besser kühlen, denke ich.

My 40A mppt does not have fan, Cause when you have actual mppt the efficiency of these are so high thus little heat. I always open them.

Let me suggest that you read the manual for the 150/35 SmartSolar charge controller. You will discover that it says nothing about setting the system voltage prior to connection. Indeed, it is powered by the batteries, so if you had only a 48 volt battery bank, you would have been unable to set the battery voltage prior to connection. The manual also says nothing about using a pre-charge resistor. The proper way to do the connection is to turn off the main power switch, make the connections, and then turn the main power switch back on. You really should not be tinkering with the wiring while the main power switch is on.

@OffGridGarageAustralia

3 жыл бұрын

I don't read manual, no.

What size resistor did you recharge controller?

What capacitor do you use ? I need to buy one. Thx

The JNGE was doing 1000W, the Victroon 150W. I know that's not right. And simplify your life. Set charging to 14v all the time(fit to your setup of course). forget float, bulk, all that crap. No need with lifepo4.

SCC...i believed thirst this is a new feature of solar charger...hahaha

Is that issue fixed? With frizing charger I just got new 150/35 and after a week boom nothing happen from my array until reset

@OffGridGarageAustralia

Жыл бұрын

Yes, that was fixed with the next software update for these controllers back then.

How many total watts can a Victron 150v 35 amp charge controller bring in 24v ? verses a 100v 50amp in 24v

Brother would I be able to run x2 160 watt panels on a victron 100/20 ?!?

Thanks Andy. I’ll bet your cheap controller is indeed PWM. Soooo many cheap controllers from China which are advertised as MPPT, are in fact PWM. Lies! I hope the new Victron behaves!

@michaelbouckley4455

3 жыл бұрын

Andy opened the JNGE, it has a small toroidal inductor, which is a requirement for MPPT. Cheap Chinese PWM do not have one. It could be also for boost/buck of voltage, so having some MPPT-like effect. The software says MPPT. Many people would not trust cheap Chinese SCC; I had one, US $5! it outputted up to 17 volts @ 12v, which blew some LED’s, so I used a 24v to 12v, 30 Amp converter, for stable power; it output 33 volts @ 24v!! for one day; (had to run all loads in daytime). Next day a better replacement arrived, US $25 BSC3048 PWM 30Amp, up to 48 volt batteries, including many Lithium & Lifepo4 settings. Up to 100 volts solar input. It works well; no equalisation into GEL batteries; no more volts than the 28.8v Absorption, which is adjustable. Fixed 32v load over voltage protection.

@OffGridGarageAustralia

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah the JNGE is in fact an MPPT but I think their algorithm they programmed is not very good and drives the solar panels far to low. With the JNGE I only had 1050W as max while the Victron had 1500W as a max with the same panels.

@FutureSystem738

3 жыл бұрын

@@OffGridGarageAustralia Thanks Andy. I have a cheap Chinese “MPPT” controller for portable solar panels, which came with the panels. It’s is no more MPPT than a direct wire connection is, total garbage. They are such fluent liars!

Dose it tell ya to change the voltage in the book that came with it before ya hook it to 48volts

@OffGridGarageAustralia

3 жыл бұрын

I... haven't read it yet

Hi, can you pls tell me some info? Since we will be charging the 51.2V 230ah 11.7KWh Wall&Floor-mounted LiFePO4 Battery (link bellow) with 3 x 480W solar panels ( Vmp = 37.10, lmp = 12.95A), we would like to have information on which Victron MPPT controller is suitable so that the battery will be charged properly (Operatin value charge of the battery is 43V - 58V). Does the Victron 150/45 match the charging voltage? Can such a battery be simultaneously charged from the panels and at the same time transmit energy to other consumers?

Hmmm, two thumbs down again. Those two just can't stay away, can they? 😏

@OffGridGarageAustralia

3 жыл бұрын

Jealous people, can't get their battery stuff right and are angry about everything in life.

Can I use 48v with 24v batteries bank with that charger? Thank you :)

@OffGridGarageAustralia

Жыл бұрын

You could but it depends on what batteries and BMS you're using.

Can you pls tell me what is the dial setting for is located below the 3 lights

@OffGridGarageAustralia

2 жыл бұрын

You can pre-set profiles for different types of batteries. So if you want to change it, you just turn the dial without using a phone or computer to go into the settings.

@bestillandknowthatuaregod

2 жыл бұрын

@@OffGridGarageAustralia ok Thanks... what number should I select for seall lead acid batts?

@OffGridGarageAustralia

2 жыл бұрын

@@bestillandknowthatuaregod uhm, no idea what controller you have but go to victronenergy.com and have a look for your product and manual. That tells you exactly what setting you need for lead acid batteries.

@bestillandknowthatuaregod

2 жыл бұрын

@@OffGridGarageAustralia I have a Victron Blue Solar MPPT 150/35 Amp Solar Charge Controller

What is the biggest cable size to connect the batteries, 10mm2?

@OffGridGarageAustralia

3 жыл бұрын

I think so, I've got mine connected to 10mm2 without problem.

@ginco73

3 жыл бұрын

Ok, thank you

epever can be connected to any voltage, but it will not change if correct voltage is not set. why cant victron do that?

@OffGridGarageAustralia

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks John.

Hi Andy. I have sent you a couple of emails regarding charge controllers.

@OffGridGarageAustralia

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, yes, yes, I got them, read them and didn't have time to respond yet. Sorry. Tomorrow...

@NaughtyGoatFarm

3 жыл бұрын

@@OffGridGarageAustralia all good mate.

Why choose the 150/35. ? The 100/50 can handle more solor for about the same price

@OffGridGarageAustralia

9 ай бұрын

It can handle 150V?

Why dont u just buy a outback or a midnite classic

@OffGridGarageAustralia

3 жыл бұрын

Can I control them online via an app?

@fadajuiceful

3 жыл бұрын

Yes both can but the outback needs other accessories to do so but the classic dont needs any additional device to do so

@fadajuiceful

3 жыл бұрын

@@OffGridGarageAustralia I'm sure the minite classic can I've never done it with my outback tho but I've heard it can be done

Heat? Everything closed up in a cabinet.

I really learn a lot from your videos. Especially how to prevent the big spark from happening when connecting the live wire over to the charge controller. Where can I buy that small capacitor that you use? And what specific model/type should I purchase? Danke!

@FutureSystem738

3 жыл бұрын

It’s a resistor, so there isn’t a massive current flow, not a capacitor.

@sprinterdiscovery

3 жыл бұрын

@@FutureSystem738 Ok thank you!

@OffGridGarageAustralia

3 жыл бұрын

I've got some of these resistors on my website: off-grid-garage.com/inverters/

If it reset voltage automatically it make no sense to set it to different voltage. Why didn't get the 250/60 ? It is cheaper than two 150/35 and you can get 15kw with one controller.

@lesw8798

3 жыл бұрын

With 2-150/35 you can have mismatched panels combined without to much penalty.

@neliosamch3195

3 жыл бұрын

@@lesw8798 That is one valid reason. My newest panels will be 400w 10a each to be on stream of 5 in series.

@martinly1050

3 жыл бұрын

Not sure how you worked out 15Kw. The 250 is the panel voltage and the 60 is the current to the battery. At 50v 60amps yields 3Kwh

@neliosamch3195

3 жыл бұрын

@@martinly1050 You are right. I stand corrected. I need to rethink my calculation. 400w panels 10A 50v in serie x 5 is 250v and 2kw x 6 equal 12kw?

@martinly1050

3 жыл бұрын

@@neliosamch3195 not quite. The 250v is the panel side so normally 5 or 6 panels in series the you can parallel another string or two. The 60 is the maximum current to the battery. Charging a battery at 50volts 60amps require a theoretical 3kws of panels. You normally size your array to 1.33times the charger capacity.

waiting to knows what happens....

Hey Andy, is .3 really that big of a deal?

@keyem4504

3 жыл бұрын

Sure it is for LiFePo4. The difference between 3.65V and 3.95V is potentially a lot of smoke in your Garage...

@MrSummitville

3 жыл бұрын

@@keyem4504 Wouldn't the 0.3 Volts be spread across the entire battery bank - not just one cell ?

Now you have removed the cheap charge controller please remove the plastic screen covering from it, it's doing my OCD in, even now just thinking of it all half stuck on there.

@OffGridGarageAustralia

3 жыл бұрын

I had it off an put it back on. That's even worse right? 😂

@spindreams

3 жыл бұрын

@@OffGridGarageAustralia Okay you asked for it, down vote........ Joke.

On page 1 of the manual for the MPPT 150/35 it states "controller will automatically adjust itself to a 12V, 24V or a 48V system one time only. If different system voltage is required at a later stage, it must be changed manually" Again, its on the very first page of the manual. I really do wish that we would check ourselves before being critical of products and pointing fingers. Every time you point a finger there are three pointing back at you!

@OffGridGarageAustralia

3 жыл бұрын

Who's pointing fingers?

@bryanheyland7142

3 жыл бұрын

@@OffGridGarageAustralia Do you watch your own videos?

Don't know about Victron but my Midnite has a process to factory reset so it can be connected to any approved voltage.