Victron charging issue

[mcmac74]

Hi

I have a new conversion with a victron Leisure battery and solar panel, the status of which can be viewed on the victron app. I was hoping to be able to see what charge remains on the Leisure battery by looking at the app, as I feel the on board indicator is not particularly accurate ( it sometimes goes from 2 bars to 5 after a short journey) I've attached a screen grab from the app which appears to show that the Leisure battery is not being charged? Anyone got much experience reading/ figuring this? The reading same regardless of whether van engine running or not??

Thanks for any assistance
Mark

 

[Dellmassive]

That's the victron dc-dc charger screen you are looking at.... Not the battery.
.

 

[Dellmassive]

And it's not showing an output voltage... So you might have a blown dust on the battery.

 

[CAB]

Are you sure the battery is Victron?

They are good but expensive.

What can you pick up on Bluetooth, not on the Victron app?

 

[mcmac74]

That's the victron dc-dc charger screen you are looking at.... Not the battery.
.

Oh...I've had a look around the app and couldn't see anything obvious...any idea how I navigate there?

And it's not showing an output voltage... So you might have a blown dust on the battery.

What's a blown dust?

Are you sure the battery is Victron?

They are good but expensive.

What can you pick up on Bluetooth, not on the Victron app?

Yes, the paperwork and Bluetooth codes came with it

 

[Sim60]

Oh...I've had a look around the app and couldn't see anything obvious...any idea how I navigate there?

What's a blown dust?

Yes, the paperwork and Bluetooth codes came with it

I think he means 'fuse'

The DC-DC converter is not seeing the Leisure battery. Do you have an isolator fitted?

 

[t0mb0]

But is that lack of voltage on the output really indicative of no connection to the leisure battery or is it simply what it shows when the unit is off and not charging as the screen says? I don’t have a victron, but I’m sure someone with one can clarify.

It’s showing 12.6v on the input which is what you’d expect from the starter when the alternator isn’t running (as the status on the screenshot also implies). If this is with the engine running, the question is why isn’t the alternator high? How is the dc-dc configured to detect engine run, with an explicit cable signal or through voltage thresholds on the input? If the latter, try firing up the heaters and stuff to try to force it to connect the alternator.

 

[Sim60]

Have you paired the battery to the app? - ( and not just to your phone....)

Bluetooth Smart -
Pairing and Connecting
To connect to your Victron product, over Bluetooth, always connect from within VictronConnect.
Do not connect from the phone's system menu because VictronConnect will not find your Victron product.

Here is how to connect:
1. Enable the Bluetooth on your phone.
2. Open VictronConnect, and scan:
a. On a phone or tablet, pull down the screen, or tap the refresh button to initiate a scan.
b. On a computer or laptop: click the “Scan or Refresh” button on the left.
3. The first time you attempt to connect the phone will ask to pair with the Victron product. Enter the PIN code. The default PINcode is 000000 unless your device already has a random PIN code which is then printed on a sticker attached to the device
.4. The connection is complete.

 

[Lubrown]

Hi

I have a new conversion with a victron Leisure battery and solar panel, the status of which can be viewed on the victron app. I was hoping to be able to see what charge remains on the Leisure battery by looking at the app, as I feel the on board indicator is not particularly accurate ( it sometimes goes from 2 bars to 5 after a short journey) I've attached a screen grab from the app which appears to show that the Leisure battery is not being charged? Anyone got much experience reading/ figuring this? The reading same regardless of whether van engine running or not??

Thanks for any assistance
Mark

View attachment 314445

What message do you get if you click the ‘why is the device off’ link?

 

[mcmac74]

What message do you get if you click the ‘why is the device off’ link?

This one...

 

[mcmac74]

Yes both connected

 

[Dellmassive]

Orion smart - is a Dc-dc charger

Smart solar - is a solar controler

No battery listed here, so you may have a AGM dumb battery?

Are you thinking you have a lithium leisure battery?

Post some pics of the battery.

As above, the leisure battery fuse has blown or the isolator switch is off..... Taken by the Dc-dc output reading.

 

[mcmac74]

Orion smart - is a Dc-dc charger

Smart solar - is a solar controler

No battery listed here, so you may have a AGM dumb battery?

Are you thinking you have a lithium leisure battery?

Post some pics of the battery.

As above, the leisure battery fuse has blown or the isolator switch is off..... Taken by the Dc-dc output reading.

Here's best pics I could get in dark of battery and consumer unit. Thanks....

Mark

 

[Dellmassive]

That looks like a standard lead acid battery with no APP.

So you will need a voltage monitor to gauge the charge level.

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Shop cheap leisure batteries for caravans, motorhomes and RVs. Free next-day UK delivery on quality batteries from Snappy Start Batteries.

snappystartbatteries.co.uk

 

[Dellmassive]

More info ....

Thread 'Battery Monitoring -- How I Done It --'

22 Oct 2019

Battery Monitoring -- How I Done It --

Part #1

Battery monitoring is a very important part of your 12v system . . . . whether its just the vans starter battery or your leisure setup keeping an eye on the power in your battery bank will keep you from breaking down and make sure your weekends are not cut short from lack of power.

Battery monitoring is even more important with Lithium Lifepo4 batteries as the voltage stays fairly constant for 90% of the capacity.

first off lets look at a few basic 12v meters.

here a great little unit that I've been using for ages....

you can plug it...

• Dellmassive
• battery sensor dellmassive how to guide
• Replies: 333
• Forum: Electrics, Lighting, ICE, Security

• 

.

 

[mcmac74]

That looks like a standard lead acid battery with no APP.

So you will need a voltage monitor to gauge the charge level.

Cheap Leisure Batteries for Caravans & Motorhomes | Snappy Start Batteries

Shop cheap leisure batteries for caravans, motorhomes and RVs. Free next-day UK delivery on quality batteries from Snappy Start Batteries.

snappystartbatteries.co.uk

Yes it is standard lead acid...so what exactly does the app assist with if it can't tell you what charge is left on battery?

 

[t0mb0]

Yes it is standard lead acid...so what exactly does the app assist with if it can't tell you what charge is left on battery?

It allows you to set charger parameters and view charging information such as input/output voltages and currents. They can also be useful for indirectly inferring something about the state of charge of the battery because they'll tell you what phase of charging the battery is in - for example, if it's in the float stage then the battery is nearly full. If you want accurate state of charge information viewable in the same app you can install a victron shunt which usually gives a good estimate of battery SoC if set up correctly.

 

[mcmac74]

And it's not showing an output voltage... So you might have a blown dust on the battery.

Just to clarify then, the info shown in the app does not indicate any issue with my battery? (No blown fuses) Its simply a basic lead acid battery and if i want to monitor charge levels, i need an additional monitor?

Does the input voltage on first screen grab give any indication of battery health?

Will the solar part of the app be useful for monitoring( when we have some sun)

Sorry, electrics are not something I have much understanding off..

Thanks for the assistance!

 

[t0mb0]

Just to clarify then, the info shown in the app does not indicate any issue with my battery? (No blown fuses) Its simply a basic lead acid battery and if i want to monitor charge levels, i need an additional monitor?

The manual for your charger says:

When the Orion Smart is on Off state, it will not measure the output voltage, so this value will appear as '—'​

Therefore, whilst it's always possible something is wrong, the output voltage not being displayed in your app is entirely consistent with how the device operates.

The question is then, why isn't it charging if the engine is running? To answer this, go back and read my post at 16:39 above. If you can kick the alternator into firing, you should then see it charging in the app - and you can then also verify that it's actually charging the battery correctly.

Does the input voltage on first screen grab give any indication of battery health?

The input voltage is the voltage of your starter battery, so no, it doesn't tell you anything about the health of your leisure battery.

Will the solar part of the app be useful for monitoring( when we have some sun)

It will monitor how much power is being produced by the panel, how much it has historically produced over time and the current charging state (much like the DC-DC app).

Sorry, electrics are not something I have much understanding off..

Thanks for the assistance!

No problem, it is worth reading around though, so you have a basic understanding of how the system works so that you can understand what it's up to and when you might have a problem.

 

[Salty Spuds]

The manual for your charger says:

When the Orion Smart is on Off state, it will not measure the output voltage, so this value will appear as '—'​

Therefore, whilst it's always possible something is wrong, the output voltage not being displayed in your app is entirely consistent with how the device operates.

The question is then, why isn't it charging if the engine is running? To answer this, go back and read my post at 16:39 above. If you can kick the alternator into firing, you should then see it charging in the app - and you can then also verify that it's actually charging the battery correctly.




The input voltage is the voltage of your starter battery, so no, it doesn't tell you anything about the health of your leisure battery.



It will monitor how much power is being produced by the panel, how much it has historically produced over time and the current charging state (much like the DC-DC app).



No problem, it is worth reading around though, so you have a basic understanding of how the system works so that you can understand what it's up to and when you might have a problem.

Correct. With the engine off there is no output on the Orion.
This is mine as we speak, sat in the van having breakfast in Saulieu in France.