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Victron Inverters and lead acid batteries

Neilthurston99

Neilthurston99

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Joined
Dec 7, 2023
Messages
41
Location
Lytham
I am having problems with a Victron Phoenix 12/500 inverter and the red and green lights are flashing fast.

I am worried that this kit is not suitable for lead acid batteries as witha direct feed from a lead acid battery, i still get red and green lights flashing fast.

Does anyone out there have experience of a solar build using lead acid batteries and Victron inverters ?
 
upnorthandpersonal said:
Victron works fine with lead acid.

Check this: https://community.victronenergy.com/questions/32481/12500-led-unknown-fault-indication.html

Can you find the exact blinking pattern? That would tell you the issue.
Click to expand...
Hey - much appreciate the help !

Just tried to upload a video of the flashing green and red lights but the upload does not allow video files.

Both red and green lights are flashing simultaneously at about two flashes per second each.

Does that help at all ?
 
Did you try the application to identify? From the link I posted:

"Recommend that you download the Victron Toolkit app here: https://www.victronenergy.com/support-and-downloads/software (scroll down until you see the download for the Victron Toolkit App); this app has, among other things, an LED code definition database where you select your device and then you can scroll through the various error code definitions, shown graphically by flashing LEDs on the device you select, until you find the one that matches what you're seeing."

Yeah, you can't upload video here directly, but if you put it one some hosting (like YouTube), you can link to it. Video files tend to be too large, so we don't allow it here since it would bog down everything.
 
Thanks for taking the time to reply and i already have tried the Victron connect app - but can not connect to it via raspberry pi with Venus OS loaded onto it. I have registered the R Pi with VRM and it syncs nicely with the smart shunt but does not register the Victron 12/500 inverter.

It did before so I have got the system working in the past, but, for some unknown reason to myself, now error lights flash on the inverter and i cant see the device when i connect it to the Raspberry Pi and is not shown as a device for some reason.
 
I just installed it to check myself and checked that the blinking pattern (I found it in the VE.Direct one, is yours?) and seems to indicate high temperature.
 
Hello All

First, big thanks to all. I am a newbie and this board is a good send !

I have installed the toolkit and the flashing sequence on the inverter suggests "updater active".

I have searched on the Victron Community board in hope to learn more about this error message and can't find anything...

I bought the inverter used off eBay so I don't have a vendor to ask so any thoughts would be much appreciated 👍
 
Prior - using Victron Connect I could find the inverter and it was a found device.

Now, the inverter can not be found by the raspberry pi so if it is updating, I don't know how it can as for some reason it does not seem to be "talking" to the raspberry pi / Venus OS.

The raspberry pi is the pi 4, brand new and seems to be working fine.
 
Is there any way to do a factory reset of the phoenix 12/500 as the previous owner might have had some strange configurations?
 
I was having problems with the charge controller though before the system went wonky which is now partially fixed.

Does the charge controller need to be connected to the solar panels for the settings to be adjusted as the build, connected to a battery is now in my kitchen?

The build is to be put in my allotment which is about one hour drive away.
 
Neilthurston99 said:
I was having problems with the charge controller though before the system went wonky which is now partially fixed.
Click to expand...

What sort of problems?

Neilthurston99 said:
Does the charge controller need to be connected to the solar panels for the settings to be adjusted as the build, connected to a battery is now in my kitchen?
Click to expand...

No. Power via battery should be fine.

Neilthurston99 said:
The build is to be put in my allotment which is about one hour drive away.
Click to expand...

My system is about 3.5 hours away. You can see it in the "My VRM" link below in my sig.
 
The charge controller on the one hand seemed to be properly installed and was visible as a device on Victron Connect. A voltage was showing on the Victron Connect app from the panel but the controller was not charging the battery. I think it might be a simple configuration problem as the build is new as well as me to the solar world. All the pre set charge configurations on the Victron charge controller are for lithium batteries - I am using lead acid.
 
Currently, the charge controller is not visible on Victron Connect. I am using a raspberry pi with Venus OS that connects by USB to the inverter, battery shunt and charge controller
 
Rest assured. All Victron hardware was designed initially for lead acid. Support of Lithium has been added over the years.

Is it visible on VRM?

Are you using genuine Victron VE.Direct to USB or DIY cables?
 
The Charge Controller is not visible on VRM.

I am using genuine Victron cables at a very hefty price tag each...

I think there might be a wiring fault as I might not have crimped properly, so, before I waste anyone's valuable time on here I am going to check the basics first...
 
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