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Vatrer Server Rack - battery arrived!

I decided to pull the trigger on another rack mount one, from Amazon this time. I filled my batteries by 3:30 today after days and days of meager production, and we only had 4 hours of full-sun today (clouds from 8a-11a). The extra 5% off pushed me over the line. 😀 Hopefully this one is as good as the previous.
 
The Victron SCC 250/100 is now connected in with the Vatrer 48v battery and MultiPlus II, charged to 100%
Waiting for 6awg AC wires and ferrules.

My 1600 watt solar array was churning out 1675 watts as showing both the Vatrer front panel and the Victron IOS app with shunt .

With the 250/10 SSC running on my prior @ 24v system, I never saw more than 1200 watts, even on the coldest winter day.
 
mactech said:
The Victron SCC 250/100 is now connected in with the Vatrer 48v battery and MultiPlus II, charged to 100%
Waiting for 6awg AC wires and ferrules.

My 1600 watt solar array was churning out 1675 watts as showing both the Vatrer front panel and the Victron IOS app with shunt .

With the 250/10 SSC running on my prior @ 24v system, I never saw more than 1200 watts, even on the coldest winter day.
Click to expand...
Always exciting stepping up from 24V to 48V and seeing those extra watts from the panels.
 
Questions on the Vatrer...

- Does it fit in a regular 19" server rack? I have a 42U I'd like to put it in. Some reviewer said it was 3/8" wider.
- Did it come with battery cables, and if so what gauge and roughly how long are they?
- How big a deal is it not having RS-485?

I've also been looking at the ExpertPower 48v 100Ah as that does have RS-485, and they actually have a US office, but everything else on the Vatrer seems nicer.
 
chilly2 said:
Questions on the Vatrer...

- Does it fit in a regular 19" server rack? I have a 42U I'd like to put it in. Some reviewer said it was 3/8" wider.
- Did it come with battery cables, and if so what gauge and roughly how long are they?
- How big a deal is it not having RS-485?

I've also been looking at the ExpertPower 48v 100Ah as that does have RS-485, and they actually have a US office, but everything else on the Vatrer seems nicer.
Click to expand...

The model I have is the wall mount shown in the image about 4 posts up. It comes with 2 sets of ~6ft cables, didn't measure them.
 
Brucey said:
Always exciting stepping up from 24V to 48V and seeing those extra watts from the panels.
Click to expand...

I didn't expect that and by a substantial amount too, even when it is cloudy and raining I was getting over 300w from it.

Is this because the MPPT works better at the higher 48v battery voltage?

Same solar charger, same panels.
 
mactech said:
I didn't expect that and by a substantial amount too, even when it is cloudy and raining I was getting over 300w from it.

Is this because the MPPT works better at the higher 48v battery voltage?

Same solar charger, same panels.
Click to expand...
Well it's not so much that the panels are more efficient, it's just that the SCC can deliver double the max output power charging a 48V versus 24V battery, i.e now you are maxed out at say 54V and 100A output for 5400W, previously at 27V the 250/100 was limited to around 2700W.
 
chilly2 said:
Questions on the Vatrer...

- Does it fit in a regular 19" server rack? I have a 42U I'd like to put it in. Some reviewer said it was 3/8" wider.
- Did it come with battery cables, and if so what gauge and roughly how long are they?
- How big a deal is it not having RS-485?

I've also been looking at the ExpertPower 48v 100Ah as that does have RS-485, and they actually have a US office, but everything else on the Vatrer seems nicer.
Click to expand...
It's 17.75" so yes, it will fit in a standard rack. You need a sturdy shelf to support the weight though (or something like APC rails). The cables are #6 at 27" from tip to tip.
 
LithiumSolar said:
It's 17.75" so yes, it will fit in a standard rack. You need a sturdy shelf to support the weight though (or something like APC rails). The cables are #6 at 27" from tip to tip.
Click to expand...

Thank you. That's a relief to know it fits. I have a couple of shelves and set of rails that used to hold up a 5U loaded with drives so hopefully it'll work out!
 
And the deed is done. Rackmount Vatrer on the way, plus an MCCB and extra set of bus bars.. $404 after gift cards. Now I'll be antsy for the next week!
 
#2 arrived today. 51% SOC, looked beautiful. Matched current voltage, shut everything down, wired it up, hooked it up, powered everything back on. No drama, llama. Took the opportunity to upgrade the connecting wires, though the supplied are fine for 30a.
 
plympton said:
#2 arrived today. 51% SOC, looked beautiful. Matched current voltage, shut everything down, wired it up, hooked it up, powered everything back on. No drama, llama. Took the opportunity to upgrade the connecting wires, though the supplied are fine for 30a.
Click to expand...

Yeah I wondered about the wires. @LithiumSolar mentioned they were #6 which correlates with your 30A statement. I suppose if one isn't going to draw more than 30A / 7200W it wouldn't matter. Presumably Vatrer figure most of their users are on lower end inverters and if not they'll beef up the cable as you have.

My biggest inverter is 3000W with a 6000W surge so I'm going to use the cables they send.

Good luck with your new battery! :)
 
Last edited:
My Vatrer #1 arrived yesterday. Perfect condition. Photos as per yours. It's balanced out and sharing charge current evenly with the other battery pack (48v from 4 12.8v LifePO4s). Now if only the bloody clouds would go away! This weather lately.
 

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chilly2 said:
My Vatrer #1 arrived yesterday. Perfect condition. Photos as per yours. It's balanced out and sharing charge current evenly with the other battery pack (48v from 4 12.8v LifePO4s). Now if only the bloody clouds would go away! This weather lately.
Click to expand...
I feel your pain with the clouds. We had rain a bunch this last week. RAIN! 😭 Can't charge the batteries enough to get a good stress test out of them, but they appear to be working A-OK.
 
plympton said:
I feel your pain with the clouds. We had rain a bunch this last week. RAIN! 😭 Can't charge the batteries enough to get a good stress test out of them, but they appear to be working A-OK.
Click to expand...

I guess you're kind of stuck with that up in the pnw. I actually got both to 70% SOC yesterday even with the clouds butting in (more batteries needed? ;)). Looks like cloudy days for me until the 7th.
 
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