10. VE.Bus Inverter/charger monitoring
10.1. Input current-limiter setting
This chapter explains the implications of enabling or disabling user control of the input current-limiter setting, as seen in the above menu (Device List → [your inverter/charger].
The limit as set by the user in the Cerbo GX will be applied to all inputs where the 'Overruled by remote' setting in VEConfigure is enabled:
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Using the example of a boat with two AC inputs and a Quattro where:
A Genset capable of delivering 50A is connected to input 1;
Shore power is connected to input 2 (available power depends on the rating of the harbour power-supply).
Configure the system exactly as in above VEConfigure screenshot. Input 1 has priority over input 2, therefore the system will automatically connect to the genset whenever it is running. The fixed input current limit of 50A will be applied. And when the genset is not available, and mains is available on input 2, the Quattro will use the input current limit as configured in the Cerbo GX.
Two more examples: (In both cases, if you disable 'Overruled by remote', setting a current limit in the Cerbo GX will have no effect. And if you enable 'Overrule by remote' for both inputs, the current limit set in the Cerbo GX will be applied to both inputs.)
Minimum input current limit values
When PowerAssist is enabled in VEConfigure, there is a minimum input current limit. The actual limit differs for each model. After setting the input current to a value below the limit, it will automatically be increased again to the limit.
Note that it is still possible to set the input current limit to 0. When set to 0, the system will be in passthrough (charger disabled).
Parallel and three-phase systems
The configured AC input current limit is the total limit per phase.
10.2. Phase rotation warning
The AC supply, either Generator or Grid, to a three phase inverter/charger system needs to be in the correct rotation, also known as sequence. If not, then the inverter/chargers will not accept the AC supply and remain in Inverter mode.
The Phase rotation warning will be raised in such case. To resolve the issue, change the wiring on the AC input: swap either one of the phases, effectively changing the rotation from L3 → L2 → L1 to L1 → L2 → L3. Or reprogram the Multis and modify the phase assigned to match the wiring.
On the GX device itself, the warning will popup as a notification on the GUI:
Also, it is visible in the menus:
On the VRM Portal, it is visible in the VE.Bus Alarms & warnings widget on the Advanced page and will be listed in the Alarm Log on VRM. Furthermore, an email is sent; using the VRM Alarm Monitoring system.
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10.3. BMS connection lost alarm
This alarm is triggered once the inverter/charger has received CVL/CCL or DCL data from a managed battery and will shut down if the battery is disconnected or communication with the battery get lost. The alarm is also raised when the inverter/charger has lost connection to a VE.Bus BMS.
Note that the system will also display a Low battery voltage alarm. However, the cause of this alarm is not a low battery voltage, but the lack of information from the battery due to lost communication.
To resolve the alarm, restore the connection with the BMS or restart/power cycle the inverter/charger. A restart can be performed from the Advanced menu of the VE.Bus device.
10.4. Grid failure monitoring
When this feature is enabled, an alarm is raised when the system hasn't been connected to the AC input configured to be Grid or Shore for more than 5 seconds.
The alarm shows as a Notification in the GUI and as an alarm on the VRM Portal. It is also available on ModbusTCP / MQTT.
Recommend to use for backup systems. But also for yachts or vehicles on shore power.
Note that this settings monitors that the system is connected to grid/shore. Generator monitoring is already available as part of the Generator start/stop function and not part of this.
Note
Do not use this feature in systems that use the Ignore AC Input settings in our inverter/chargers: when the system ignores the AC input, ie. runs in island mode, as intended, even though grid is available, it will report a grid failure.
10.5. Advanced menu
The Advanced menu can be accessed from Device List → [Multi or Quattro] → Advanced and contains options for equalisation, redetect and restart VE.Bus system and shows the ESS relay test status.
Equalisation: Starts equalisation. See Multi or Quattro documentation for details.
Redetect VE.Bus system: Clears the cache on the Cerbo GX that has certain data of the VE.Bus system stored to keep the boot time as short as possible. Use this feature if, for example, a VE.Bus BMS used to be part of a system and is no longer used or replaced by a Lynx Smart BMS. When using Redetect VE.Bus system, the inverter/charger does not switch off for a couple of seconds like it would do when using Restart VE.Bus system.
Restart VE.Bus system: Restarts the inverter/charger (just like switching it off and on again from the main rocker switch at the front) if it failed to restart automatically (after 3 attempts), for example, after a (very) heavy overload; or three overloads in a row. Any persistent errors such as a repeated and unrecoverable overload error, are deleted.
AC Input 1 ignored: Status of the AC Input 1 flag
ESS Relay test: Shows the status of the ESS Relay test. Only relevant when its an ESS system. See Q9 in the ESS Manual FAQ for details.
10.6. Alarm status monitoring
The Alarm status monitoring page can be accessed from Device List → [Multi or Quattro] → Alarm status. It displays diagnostic information on specific parameters to help with troubleshooting and provides additional information on the VE.Bus error 8/11.
10.7. VE.Bus alarm setup menu
When using a VE.Bus system, it is possible to configure the severity of problems on the VE.Bus system that should cause a notification to show up on the Cerbo GX (and make it beep).
To change the VE.Bus alarm & warning notifications, proceed as follows:
On the Remote Console, go to Device List → [your VE.Bus product] → Alarm setup
Choose between the following notification settings for each alarm:
Disabled: The Cerbo GX will never beep or show a notification. Not recommended.
Alarm only (default): The Cerbo GX will only beep and show a notification when the VE.Bus system switched off in an alarm condition. Warnings are ignored.
Alarm & warnings: The Cerbo GX will beep and show a notification on all selected alarms and warnings.
Scroll to the bottom of the list and enable or disable VE.Bus error notification.
When all done, don't forget to change the access level to user when required.
10.8. Device menu
The Device menu (Device List → [Multi or Quattro] → Device) offers device-related parameters such as custom name setting, firmware version, serial numbers (in the sub-menu) and more that can be used for diagnostic.
10.9. Solar & Wind Priority
The solar and wind priority function ensures that solar and wind energy are used to charge the battery. At the same time, shore power is only used to prevent the battery from becoming too deeply discharged.
When activated, the system remains in this mode, called Sustain, for seven days; if there is not enough sun or wind, a full charge cycle will take place, charging the batteries to 100%. This ensures they remain in optimal condition and are ready for later use.
After these seven days, the system will not return to sustain mode. Instead, it will keep the batteries fully charged and prioritise solar power over shore power wherever possible during the day to run DC loads such as pumps and alarm systems.
For details and configuration, please see the Solar & Wind Priority manual.