Victron (Smart Solar + 3 Multiplus II + Cerbo GX) 48v setup - with JBD BMS (2p 16s) and EVE cells

[Filippo]

Hi all,

I need help. I have been persuaded to move from a plug-and-play setup to this more complex one. I thought that the Cerbo config would be easy but I am quite lost.

I do have a Smart Solar 250/85 with a Cerbo GX and a Victron MK3 interface. I need a step-by-step guide for dumbs to help me have it see my DIY battery bank with JBD BMS, I planned to use Louisvdw drivers but I don't know where to start to install them on the Cerbo.

Could some charitable soul help me? I know it could be irritating to have such incompetent folk seeking help, but I am on a small Aegean island with no many options for help.

Thank you!

 

[sunshine_eggo]

Victron can be conceptually overwhelming, but the reality is that it is very very very easy to make all the connections.

I would encourage you to explore their schematics.

System schematics - Victron Energy

A system schematic shows schematically how Victron Energy devices are connected to each other. Find schematics for your product.

www.victronenergy.com

Here is a 3 phase system for Quattros, which is essentially identical to the MP or MPII except for the second AC input. The schematics can be overwhelming, but if you just take your time and read them, they will make sense.

https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/3-Phase-5KW24V-Quattro-II-system-VEBus-BMS-2xSBP-4x200Ah-Li-Cerbo-GX-touch-50-MPPT-Generator.pdf

The MK3-USB adapter is only needed for initial programming of the inverters to place them in the desired parallel operation.

For initial programming:

MK3-USB connected to MPII #1 VE.Bus connected to MPII #2 VE.Bus connected to MPII #3 VE.Bus

For operation:

Cerbo VE.Bus connected to MPII #1 VE.Bus connected to MPII #2 VE.Bus connected to MPII #3 VE.Bus
MPPT 250/85 VE.Direct connected to Cerbo VE.Direct OR
MPPT 250/85 VE.CAN connected to Cerbo VE.CAN with a blue terminator at each end (if you have the CAN MPPT. It comes both ways).

You need a UART to USB connector from Overkill:

USB Module for BMS – Overkill Solar

overkillsolar.com

Depending on your JBD BMS, you must have a UART connector, and you may need to unplug the BT module from the UART connector. This means that you will NOT have BT access to the BMS.

As far as the driver goes, there are literally step by step instructions on the github site as well as a video. If you can't follow these without assistance, the reality is that this is probably not for you.

 

[Filippo]

Victron can be conceptually overwhelming, but the reality is that it is very very very easy to make all the connections.

I would encourage you to explore their schematics.

System schematics - Victron Energy

A system schematic shows schematically how Victron Energy devices are connected to each other. Find schematics for your product.

www.victronenergy.com

Here is a 3 phase system for Quattros, which is essentially identical to the MP or MPII except for the second AC input. The schematics can be overwhelming, but if you just take your time and read them, they will make sense.

https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/3-Phase-5KW24V-Quattro-II-system-VEBus-BMS-2xSBP-4x200Ah-Li-Cerbo-GX-touch-50-MPPT-Generator.pdf

The MK3-USB adapter is only needed for initial programming of the inverters to place them in the desired parallel operation.

For initial programming:

MK3-USB connected to MPII #1 VE.Bus connected to MPII #2 VE.Bus connected to MPII #3 VE.Bus

For operation:

Cerbo VE.Bus connected to MPII #1 VE.Bus connected to MPII #2 VE.Bus connected to MPII #3 VE.Bus
MPPT 250/85 VE.Direct connected to Cerbo VE.Direct OR
MPPT 250/85 VE.CAN connected to Cerbo VE.CAN with a blue terminator at each end (if you have the CAN MPPT. It comes both ways).

You need a UART to USB connector from Overkill:

USB Module for BMS – Overkill Solar

overkillsolar.com

Depending on your JBD BMS, you must have a UART connector, and you may need to unplug the BT module from the UART connector. This means that you will NOT have BT access to the BMS.

As far as the driver goes, there are literally step by step instructions on the github site as well as a video. If you can't follow these without assistance, the reality is that this is probably not for you.

Thank you so much for providing detailed support! I would very much like to watch the video on github but I can't locate it, would you be so kind as to provide the link?

Filippo

 

[sunshine_eggo]

Please read the github page and follow the appropriate links. I'm not trying to be a dick, but if you can't navigate the very clear instructions, this isn't for you.

 

[Filippo]

Please read the github page and follow the appropriate links. I'm not trying to be a dick, but if you can't navigate the very clear instructions, this isn't for you.

fair enough!

 

[Filippo]

I tried with both the prompt available on github and the prompt used in the YT video but I always get error 404

What am I doing wrong?

 

[sunshine_eggo]

Assuming your cerbo has an internet connection, and there are no problems there, I would conclude the github files are temporarily unavailble.

If you're not able to resolve it with a few additional installation attempts over the next several hours, I would explore these support options:

How to troubleshoot | dbus-serialbattery

How the driver works

louisvdw.github.io

 

[Filippo]

Thanks! Cerbo is online, I can see it on the VRM portal. Does the installation with microSD and reboot work?
It also seems strange that the file is only 133kb, nothing wrong with that?

 

[sunshine_eggo]

If you're still getting 404 errors, I'd post your screenshot on the github discussions page.

I've never done the MicroSD option.