mentler2
New Member
Does anyone here have experience with the Pika/Generac B Link DC/DC converter? Model identifier is B301c. Can I use it to control the charging profile to my flooded lead acid battery bank? The specs on my unit suggest I can, but I'd appreciate hearing from any current owners/installers about your experience. The details get pretty specific, so I've broken those down in the sections below.
Details:
Reasons I believe I may be able to use this converter:
1) The B Link is used in both the Pika Coral and the Generac PWRcell Cabinet to manage charge to the batteries.
2) I've found a news article of a Pika director claiming the B Link can be used to charge lead acid batteries [1].
3) The Pika Coral is designed to utilize AGM lead acid batteries [2].
However, I've found inconsistencies in the listed specifications, which gives me pause. The specs on the Coral claim a usable voltage range of 100-180 V, while the specifications on the PWRcell Cabinet claim a nominal voltage of 380 V [3], and the label on my actual unit lists 80-360 V [4].
I've already reached out to Generac and asked if they can supply documentation. Ya'll'll be unsurprised to hear I didn't get a response.
My full system specifications, and links to the referenced documentation, are below.
Battery Bank:
Capacity = 11.6 kAh (Roughly. Actual capacity is dependent upon charge and discharge rate)
Voltage = 18 V (Could also be 12V or 24V. I'm happy to rewire the cells if doing so allows me to use the B Link)
Cells [5]: Nine (Currently, but I have to option to purchase more, if necessary)
Make/model: Crown Battery/2CRP1880
Voltage: 2 V
Capacity: 1300 Ah
Solar Array:
Voltage, max = 92 V
Current, max = 9 A
Panels [6]: Three 265 W panels
Make/Model: Suniva/Optimus Series, OPT 265-60-4-1B0
Voltage, max: 30.7 V
Current, max: 8.64 A
And finally, my detailed questions:
1. Are the specifications listed on the Coral and the PWRcell Cabinet inconsistent because they're based on battery specifications, and not B Link converter specifications?
2. Am I going to fry something if I wire the B Link between my panels and battery bank?
3. Will the B Link even behave correctly as a battery management system if it isn't connected to an inverter?
4. If "no" to the previous question, is there a way for me to interface with the B Link using a laptop to give it the instructions or configuration settings it needs?
5. Will the B Link be able to detect flooded lead acid batteries?
6. Will I be able to use the B Link to set a maximum charge current, maximum charge voltage, float voltage, and equalization voltage?
[1] https://www.saurenergy.com/solar-en...nverter-receives-etl-listing-ul-1741-standard
[2] pika_coral-smart-battery-SB14A -IM.pdf
[3] pwrcell_batterycabinet_specsheet.pdf
[4] unitLabel.jpg
[5] 2CRP1880_Specifications.pdf
[6] suniva-OptimusSeries-brochure.pdf
Details:
Reasons I believe I may be able to use this converter:
1) The B Link is used in both the Pika Coral and the Generac PWRcell Cabinet to manage charge to the batteries.
2) I've found a news article of a Pika director claiming the B Link can be used to charge lead acid batteries [1].
3) The Pika Coral is designed to utilize AGM lead acid batteries [2].
However, I've found inconsistencies in the listed specifications, which gives me pause. The specs on the Coral claim a usable voltage range of 100-180 V, while the specifications on the PWRcell Cabinet claim a nominal voltage of 380 V [3], and the label on my actual unit lists 80-360 V [4].
I've already reached out to Generac and asked if they can supply documentation. Ya'll'll be unsurprised to hear I didn't get a response.
My full system specifications, and links to the referenced documentation, are below.
Battery Bank:
Capacity = 11.6 kAh (Roughly. Actual capacity is dependent upon charge and discharge rate)
Voltage = 18 V (Could also be 12V or 24V. I'm happy to rewire the cells if doing so allows me to use the B Link)
Cells [5]: Nine (Currently, but I have to option to purchase more, if necessary)
Make/model: Crown Battery/2CRP1880
Voltage: 2 V
Capacity: 1300 Ah
Solar Array:
Voltage, max = 92 V
Current, max = 9 A
Panels [6]: Three 265 W panels
Make/Model: Suniva/Optimus Series, OPT 265-60-4-1B0
Voltage, max: 30.7 V
Current, max: 8.64 A
And finally, my detailed questions:
1. Are the specifications listed on the Coral and the PWRcell Cabinet inconsistent because they're based on battery specifications, and not B Link converter specifications?
2. Am I going to fry something if I wire the B Link between my panels and battery bank?
3. Will the B Link even behave correctly as a battery management system if it isn't connected to an inverter?
4. If "no" to the previous question, is there a way for me to interface with the B Link using a laptop to give it the instructions or configuration settings it needs?
5. Will the B Link be able to detect flooded lead acid batteries?
6. Will I be able to use the B Link to set a maximum charge current, maximum charge voltage, float voltage, and equalization voltage?
[1] https://www.saurenergy.com/solar-en...nverter-receives-etl-listing-ul-1741-standard
[2] pika_coral-smart-battery-SB14A -IM.pdf
[3] pwrcell_batterycabinet_specsheet.pdf
[4] unitLabel.jpg
[5] 2CRP1880_Specifications.pdf
[6] suniva-OptimusSeries-brochure.pdf