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Hard to install Electrodacus?

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MKalman

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Mar 24, 2022
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How hard is it to install an electro Daucus? Is it fairly straightforward like does it have the same little 16 S cable connector as say a JBD.

Anything crazy about it? What kind of software do I use to monitor it? Can I use an iPhone app

If not is there a Mac app
 
sunshine_eggo said:
I personally loathe the electrodacus. It provides no inherent cut-off like a JBD, JK, DALY, etc.

What is motivating you to consider it?
Click to expand...
Basically it looks reiable. I've already ordered the JBD, just looking for something that's bullet proof as my JBD ate the dust last time at 16 months old.
 
MKalman said:
Basically it looks reiable. I've already ordered the JBD, just looking for something that's bullet proof as my JBD ate the dust last time at 16 months old.
Click to expand...

The electrodacus only signals other devices. It can't interrupt loads/charges on its own. IMHO, it's mostly useless. If you're expecting traditional BMS operation, simplicity and reliability, it's going to disappoint you.
 
sunshine_eggo said:
The electrodacus only signals other devices. It can't interrupt loads/charges on its own. IMHO, it's mostly useless. If you're expecting traditional BMS operation, simplicity and reliability, it's going to disappoint you.
Click to expand...
I see, thank you! What are the best options for BMS then, JBD, JK which failed me, and Cellmate K9?
 
sunshine_eggo said:
The electrodacus only signals other devices. It can't interrupt loads/charges on its own. IMHO, it's mostly useless. If you're expecting traditional BMS operation, simplicity and reliability, it's going to disappoint you.
Click to expand...
My ElectroDacus controls output through a 500 amp Kilo-vac ( with the economizer ) there is NO load on the BMS its self.. It worked fine until I added the Starlink. So an upgrade is in order. The one issue I have is when a cell hits 3.5 volts solar stops tell a 3% drop in capacity. ( no load support ) my upgrade includes a Victron 100/30 for load support.
 
Electrodacus works well in some situations.

It's more work and expense to install than a FET based BMS.

It's a poor-man's REC.

Good for 12 volt applications where you need high current rates that only a mechanical relay can provide.

Has a screen so if that's a feature you want it's a bonus.

Plays well with victron gear so you can control an inverter (LVC) via the remote lines or a victron charger (HVC) .

I have very automated system where the Electducus is controlling alternator regulators, DC-DC chargers, shore chargers, 500amp latching relays, big solid state relays, etc
 
Marinepower said:
Electrodacus works well in some situations.

It's more work and expense to install than a FET based BMS.

It's a poor-man's REC.

Good for 12 volt applications where you need high current rates that only a mechanical relay can provide.

Has a screen so if that's a feature you want it's a bonus.

Plays well with victron gear so you can control an inverter (LVC) via the remote lines or a victron charger (HVC) .

I have very automated system where the Electducus is controlling alternator regulators, DC-DC chargers, shore chargers, 500amp latching relays, big solid state relays, etc
Click to expand...
I see, a bit overkill for a small home DIY solar system.

I want something simple, clean and reliable (as does everyone) but not necessarily the rest of the features.

I'll try the JBD again I guess, sort of sour taste in the mouth from the JK after what I experienced. On a side note, yesterday I got it to protect high voltage in the cells while charging, but it shuts of discharge as well as charge, so both shut off and I lost power. This doesn't happen with the JBD.
 
Marinepower said:
Electrodacus works well in some situations.

It's more work and expense to install than a FET based BMS.

It's a poor-man's REC.

Good for 12 volt applications where you need high current rates that only a mechanical relay can provide.

Has a screen so if that's a feature you want it's a bonus.
Click to expand...

Agree. Except for this:

Marinepower said:
Plays well with the right victron gear so you can control an inverter (LVC) via the remote lines or a victron charger (HVC) .
Click to expand...

Fixed. It works best if it can use the 2 signal BMS assistant or directly connect to the hardware control relays. Some of the lower end Victron equipment has neither... they rely on a battery protect, and their design philosophy allegedly has the BMS triggering protection for charge termination rather than having the equipment operate inside the BMS limits. So stupid.

Marinepower said:
I have very automated system where the Electducus is controlling alternator regulators, DC-DC chargers, shore chargers, 500amp latching relays, big solid state relays, etc
Click to expand...

I think this is where it excels - odd use cases well outside your typical home/van PV storage system.
 
sunshine_eggo said:
Agree. Except for this:



Fixed. It works best if it can use the 2 signal BMS assistant or directly connect to the hardware control relays. Some of the lower end Victron equipment has neither... they rely on a battery protect, and their design philosophy allegedly has the BMS triggering protection for charge termination rather than having the equipment operate inside the BMS limits. So stupid.



I think this is where it excels - odd use cases well outside your typical home/van PV storage system.
Click to expand...
Yes that's all very true.

Works well with the Victron SCC, DC-DC chargers and Inverters (via the directly connected harware control relays). Many of the Victron stand alone shore chargers do not have this feature.

I set the Victron charge voltage to below the BMS's HVC, so the Victron's turn themselves off unless there is a problem ( e.g. cell out-of-balance, out of temp range) in which case the BMS is a second line of defence.
 
MKalman said:
How hard is it to install an electro Daucus? Is it fairly straightforward like does it have the same little 16 S cable connector as say a JBD.

Anything crazy about it? What kind of software do I use to monitor it? Can I use an iPhone app

If not is there a Mac app
Click to expand...
Also, note that the Electrodacus is max 8S (not 16S).
 
I've been using Electrodacus for about three years now with DSSR20s in my camper. I love it! No worries of what size bms to use, no need for sizing charge controller or paying for expensive charge controller. Only thing that I don't care for is having to use 60 cell solar panels only-I have a 24v system. I've had no issues; tested load and charge sources to make sure they shut off as programmed by setting EXTIO to 0 to make sure they shut off. Oh, Dacian is great-answers question quickly, great guy-he's on a google group forum
 
If you want a limited, primitive and low efficiency PV option (DSSR20) that doesn't have a current limit, it's a great solution. This is literally like cutting edge PV technology from BEFORE the mid 80s when PWM controllers were invented. :)
 
I really like not having FETs or any circuit board involved with my battery current path. But it did take me 6 months to build my battery with Orion.
 
sunshine_eggo said:
No. It's even more primitive.
Click to expand...
The DSSR20 are optional and are primarily intended to save $ on large solar charge controllers.

I agree it's not the optimal solution but perhaps a frugal one?

I have a small solar set up and run my electrodacus with a Victron MPPT. Works great in this application. BMS disables the MPPT via the remote input durring a disconnect event.
 
APhoton said:
I've been using Electrodacus for about three years now with DSSR20s in my camper. I love it! No worries of what size bms to use, no need for sizing charge controller or paying for expensive charge controller. Only thing that I don't care for is having to use 60 cell solar panels only-I have a 24v system. I've had no issues; tested load and charge sources to make sure they shut off as programmed by setting EXTIO to 0 to make sure they shut off. Oh, Dacian is great-answers question quickly, great guy-he's on a google group forum
Click to expand...
I run a ElectroDacus and I agree that Dacian is very attentive to posts on his forum. ( Reminds my of when Ralph was running Bogart Engineering )
He is however biased and opinionated about his product. This morning the 640 watt array connected to the SBMS0 was outputting 1.8 amps in cloudy conditions and the "Blue" MPPT controller with a 390 watt array was outputting 2.4 amps, On top of that the panels for this array are filthy.
For me I want load support for as long as possible which is not supported with the ElectroDacus. It appears that a a 100/50 is in my future.
 
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