ricardocello
Watching and Learning
I've got two stacked Victron Quatto 5k/48s feeding a Victron 100A autotransformer to balance loads between the two Quattros.
Zero-load power consumption including all DC devices with PV power disconnected is 101 W ("idle power", but I hate that name).
@740GLE @sunshine_eggo
I've got a ~1200W heater load for testing efficiency.
I have a switchable relay to take the load output neutral from either the Autotransformer or the combined neutral of the Quattros.
When the autotransformer neutral is not used, the L1 and L2 are still connected, incurring a small inefficiency.
This test is running on inverter power only, no grid.
DC Power is measured by Victron SmartShunt.
DC Power consumers include the two Quattros, a SmartSolar 250/100, a SmartSolar 250/70, a SmartShunt, a Cerbo GX, and an active relay.
PV power is not connected.
When balancing the load with the autotransformer:
AC Power: L1 Quattro 591 W, L2 Quattro 570 W
DC Power: 1265 W
Efficiency: 91.8%
When not balancing the load with the autotransformer (using Quattros only):
AC Power: L1 Quattro 1207 W, L2 Quattro 0 W
DC Power: 1355 W
Efficiency: 89.1%
I wasn't expecting that.
For this test, balancing both Quattros with the Autotransformer is more efficient.
The AC power readings from the Quattro aren't always that accurate, but they stayed within a few watts during the test.
Need bigger loads to test with.
Original thread:
I just actually measured zero-load with no PV input, just 2x Quatto + Cerbo GX + Engaged Neutral Relay + mppt 250/100 + 250/70 = 101 W
The autotransformer inefficiency is only a few watts unloaded, but I don't know how efficient it is when actually balancing the loads.
Zero-load power consumption including all DC devices with PV power disconnected is 101 W ("idle power", but I hate that name).
@740GLE @sunshine_eggo
I've got a ~1200W heater load for testing efficiency.
I have a switchable relay to take the load output neutral from either the Autotransformer or the combined neutral of the Quattros.
When the autotransformer neutral is not used, the L1 and L2 are still connected, incurring a small inefficiency.
This test is running on inverter power only, no grid.
DC Power is measured by Victron SmartShunt.
DC Power consumers include the two Quattros, a SmartSolar 250/100, a SmartSolar 250/70, a SmartShunt, a Cerbo GX, and an active relay.
PV power is not connected.
When balancing the load with the autotransformer:
AC Power: L1 Quattro 591 W, L2 Quattro 570 W
DC Power: 1265 W
Efficiency: 91.8%
When not balancing the load with the autotransformer (using Quattros only):
AC Power: L1 Quattro 1207 W, L2 Quattro 0 W
DC Power: 1355 W
Efficiency: 89.1%
I wasn't expecting that.
For this test, balancing both Quattros with the Autotransformer is more efficient.
The AC power readings from the Quattro aren't always that accurate, but they stayed within a few watts during the test.
Need bigger loads to test with.
Original thread:
Rated zero-load power consumption of each Quattro is 35W, so with two that is 70 W.What’s your idle consumption on that set up, or is it too depressing to share?
I just actually measured zero-load with no PV input, just 2x Quatto + Cerbo GX + Engaged Neutral Relay + mppt 250/100 + 250/70 = 101 W
The autotransformer inefficiency is only a few watts unloaded, but I don't know how efficient it is when actually balancing the loads.
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