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Post by kris on Oct 2, 2021 12:00:12 GMT
The motorised switches do seem overly complicated. Still happy with the bgb-250 and my confidence in it has grown as I’ve seen it work a few times. Yeah. I might look into this option. I'm not smart enough to figure out what the Tyco relay needs to operate it. To be honest it was Nicks input that helped me get the bmv to control the relay. So you need the victron battery monitor to control it. The company who sells it don’t recommend using as I am doing, so I don’t know if I can fully recommend it. It is less than a year it’s been used for. On the few occasions it’s tripped out (low battery voltage,) I’ve turned the load off before it reconnects so there’s no load on when it kicks in again.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2021 12:15:49 GMT
Yeah. I might look into this option. I'm not smart enough to figure out what the Tyco relay needs to operate it. To be honest it was Nicks input that helped me get the bmv to control the relay. So you need the victron battery monitor to control it. The company who sells it don’t recommend using as I am doing, so I don’t know if I can fully recommend it. It is less than a year it’s been used for. On the few occasions it’s tripped out (low battery voltage,) I’ve turned the load off before it reconnects so there’s no load on when it kicks in again. I don't have a victron, I have a xantrex battery monitor, but manged to wire the relay output from that to operate the motorised switch ok, or so I thought anyway. Perhaps I didn't.
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Post by kris on Oct 2, 2021 12:19:23 GMT
To be honest it was Nicks input that helped me get the bmv to control the relay. So you need the victron battery monitor to control it. The company who sells it don’t recommend using as I am doing, so I don’t know if I can fully recommend it. It is less than a year it’s been used for. On the few occasions it’s tripped out (low battery voltage,) I’ve turned the load off before it reconnects so there’s no load on when it kicks in again. I don't have a victron, I have a xantrex battery monitor, but manged to wire the relay output from that to operate the motorised switch ok, or so I thought anyway. Perhaps I didn't. If it has a relay output then it will probably do the job. As for if you wired it right you’ll probably have to ask Nick.
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Post by kris on Oct 2, 2021 12:20:59 GMT
It is annoying when something as expensive as the motorised switches are and isn’t up to the job.
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Post by Telemachus on Oct 2, 2021 12:30:56 GMT
It is annoying when something as expensive as the motorised switches are and isn’t up to the job. Agreed, but I suspect the designed intended for it to be used from time to time to keep things freed up.
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Post by Telemachus on Oct 2, 2021 12:37:21 GMT
To be honest it was Nicks input that helped me get the bmv to control the relay. So you need the victron battery monitor to control it. The company who sells it don’t recommend using as I am doing, so I don’t know if I can fully recommend it. It is less than a year it’s been used for. On the few occasions it’s tripped out (low battery voltage,) I’ve turned the load off before it reconnects so there’s no load on when it kicks in again. I don't have a victron, I have a xantrex battery monitor, but manged to wire the relay output from that to operate the motorised switch ok, or so I thought anyway. Perhaps I didn't. You can use the Xantrex to operate a BGB-250 if you like. The Xantrex is quite similar to the BMV712, but the latter is better IMO because it uses much less current and has a changeover relay rather than just a NO relay. But fortunately, the NO function of the Xantrex is what you need to operate the BGB-250 since the latter requires a wire to be pulled down to 0v to switch it off. As I recall the BGB-250 manufacturer was concerned about the surge current on switch-on taken by an inverter’s large input capacitors. At a pinch one could disconnect the inverter eg at the fuse, then after turning the BGB back on again, charge up the capacitors relatively slowly (ie in a couple of seconds) by putting a low value resistance across the fuse, then reinstate the fuse. Obviously this hasn’t been a problem for Kris but it might depend on the model of inverter fitted.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2021 12:45:54 GMT
I don't have a victron, I have a xantrex battery monitor, but manged to wire the relay output from that to operate the motorised switch ok, or so I thought anyway. Perhaps I didn't. You can use the Xantrex to operate a BGB-250 if you like. The Xantrex is quite similar to the BMV712, but the latter is better IMO because it uses much less current and has a changeover relay rather than just a NO relay. But fortunately, the NO function of the Xantrex is what you need to operate the BGB-250 since the latter requires a wire to be pulled down to 0v to switch it off. As I recall the BGB-250 manufacturer was concerned about the surge current on switch-on taken by an inverter’s large input capacitors. At a pinch one could disconnect the inverter eg at the fuse, then after turning the BGB back on again, charge up the capacitors relatively slowly (ie in a couple of seconds) by putting a low value resistance across the fuse, then reinstate the fuse. Obviously this hasn’t been a problem for Kris but it might depend on the model of inverter fitted. Thanks Nick. Sounds a bit complicated. The inverter we have, is also a xantrex one, prosine 1000 iirc. I might forego the safety shut off altogether and rely on charging from solar alone using the manually configurable MPPT and the BMS. Not ideal, but better than living under a false sense of security. Assuming, of course they don't fail too.
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Post by kris on Oct 2, 2021 12:51:40 GMT
I don't have a victron, I have a xantrex battery monitor, but manged to wire the relay output from that to operate the motorised switch ok, or so I thought anyway. Perhaps I didn't. You can use the Xantrex to operate a BGB-250 if you like. The Xantrex is quite similar to the BMV712, but the latter is better IMO because it uses much less current and has a changeover relay rather than just a NO relay. But fortunately, the NO function of the Xantrex is what you need to operate the BGB-250 since the latter requires a wire to be pulled down to 0v to switch it off. As I recall the BGB-250 manufacturer was concerned about the surge current on switch-on taken by an inverter’s large input capacitors. At a pinch one could disconnect the inverter eg at the fuse, then after turning the BGB back on again, charge up the capacitors relatively slowly (ie in a couple of seconds) by putting a low value resistance across the fuse, then reinstate the fuse. Obviously this hasn’t been a problem for Kris but it might depend on the model of inverter fitted. To be honest I think the person who I talked to at the suppliers was covering his own ass. It isn’t that complicated rusty and works really well. I’m much happier knowing that I have a low voltage cutout. Ps I use a victron 12v 3000w inverter.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2021 12:52:40 GMT
You can use the Xantrex to operate a BGB-250 if you like. The Xantrex is quite similar to the BMV712, but the latter is better IMO because it uses much less current and has a changeover relay rather than just a NO relay. But fortunately, the NO function of the Xantrex is what you need to operate the BGB-250 since the latter requires a wire to be pulled down to 0v to switch it off. As I recall the BGB-250 manufacturer was concerned about the surge current on switch-on taken by an inverter’s large input capacitors. At a pinch one could disconnect the inverter eg at the fuse, then after turning the BGB back on again, charge up the capacitors relatively slowly (ie in a couple of seconds) by putting a low value resistance across the fuse, then reinstate the fuse. Obviously this hasn’t been a problem for Kris but it might depend on the model of inverter fitted. To be honest I think the person who I talked to at the suppliers was covering his own ass. It isn’t that complicated rusty and works really well. I’m much happier knowing that I have a low voltage cutout. Got a linky to the one you bought please?
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Post by Telemachus on Oct 2, 2021 12:56:10 GMT
You can use the Xantrex to operate a BGB-250 if you like. The Xantrex is quite similar to the BMV712, but the latter is better IMO because it uses much less current and has a changeover relay rather than just a NO relay. But fortunately, the NO function of the Xantrex is what you need to operate the BGB-250 since the latter requires a wire to be pulled down to 0v to switch it off. As I recall the BGB-250 manufacturer was concerned about the surge current on switch-on taken by an inverter’s large input capacitors. At a pinch one could disconnect the inverter eg at the fuse, then after turning the BGB back on again, charge up the capacitors relatively slowly (ie in a couple of seconds) by putting a low value resistance across the fuse, then reinstate the fuse. Obviously this hasn’t been a problem for Kris but it might depend on the model of inverter fitted. To be honest I think the person who I talked to at the suppliers was covering his own ass. It isn’t that complicated rusty and works really well. I’m much happier knowing that I have a low voltage cutout. On the one hand, one could ask “when I had LA batteries, how often did I let them go completely flat (below 10v)? And the answer is probably “never”. But then again, Li batteries are sneaky. They give no warning of being flat until suddenly … they are flat! £200 (for the BGB-250) to ensure against wrecking £2k’s worth of batteries. So if you think there is a more than 10% chance of accidentally letting the batteries go flat in say 10 years, it does probably make financial sense.
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Post by kris on Oct 2, 2021 12:57:21 GMT
To be honest I think the person who I talked to at the suppliers was covering his own ass. It isn’t that complicated rusty and works really well. I’m much happier knowing that I have a low voltage cutout. Got a linky to the one you bought please? This is the one although I bought it from a Uk supplier, that I can’t remember the name of at the moment. They where very helpful, I bought over the phone and got a substantial discount just for asking. www.samlex.com/product/bgb-250/
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Post by Telemachus on Oct 2, 2021 12:58:45 GMT
You can use the Xantrex to operate a BGB-250 if you like. The Xantrex is quite similar to the BMV712, but the latter is better IMO because it uses much less current and has a changeover relay rather than just a NO relay. But fortunately, the NO function of the Xantrex is what you need to operate the BGB-250 since the latter requires a wire to be pulled down to 0v to switch it off. As I recall the BGB-250 manufacturer was concerned about the surge current on switch-on taken by an inverter’s large input capacitors. At a pinch one could disconnect the inverter eg at the fuse, then after turning the BGB back on again, charge up the capacitors relatively slowly (ie in a couple of seconds) by putting a low value resistance across the fuse, then reinstate the fuse. Obviously this hasn’t been a problem for Kris but it might depend on the model of inverter fitted. Thanks Nick. Sounds a bit complicated. The inverter we have, is also a xantrex one, prosine 1000 iirc. I might forego the safety shut off altogether and rely on charging from solar alone using the manually configurable MPPT and the BMS. Not ideal, but better than living under a false sense of security. Assuming, of course they don't fail too. Yes complicated, BUT, if the thing never operates in anger, there is no complication. If it does operate, that complication is better than ruined batteries, I suggest! And since your inverter is a good bit smaller than kris’ chances are it will be fine for the 1 or 2 reconnection events in its lifetime anyway, even without the faff of a slow recharge of the capacitors.
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Post by kris on Oct 2, 2021 13:03:30 GMT
To be honest I think the person who I talked to at the suppliers was covering his own ass. It isn’t that complicated rusty and works really well. I’m much happier knowing that I have a low voltage cutout. On the one hand, one could ask “when I had LA batteries, how often did I let them go completely flat (below 10v)? And the answer is probably “never”. But then again, Li batteries are sneaky. They give no warning of being flat until suddenly … they are flat! £200 (for the BGB-250) to ensure against wrecking £2k’s worth of batteries. So if you think there is a more than 10% chance of accidentally letting the batteries go flat in say 10 years, it does probably make financial sense. especially true as my batteries where £3000 and I paid £150 for the bgb250
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2021 13:14:36 GMT
On the one hand, one could ask “when I had LA batteries, how often did I let them go completely flat (below 10v)? And the answer is probably “never”. But then again, Li batteries are sneaky. They give no warning of being flat until suddenly … they are flat! £200 (for the BGB-250) to ensure against wrecking £2k’s worth of batteries. So if you think there is a more than 10% chance of accidentally letting the batteries go flat in say 10 years, it does probably make financial sense. especially true as my batteries where £3000 and I paid £150 for the bgb250 My batteries were 500 quid, so less of an investment. I just got fed up with rubbish LA batteries and wanted something better.
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Post by kris on Oct 2, 2021 13:18:32 GMT
especially true as my batteries where £3000 and I paid £150 for the bgb250 My batteries were 500 quid, so less of an investment. I just got fed up with rubbish LA batteries and wanted something better. You’ll definately notice the difference with the lithium batteries, they are a game changer really. I can see your dilemma though if the batteries only cost £500 and you’ve already spent money on the motorised switch.
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