Our Blog - We LIKE TO talk alot
Read about what we're up to and what our manufacturers and customers have been doing
 Good evening! After lots of hours designing, programming, testing by many people involved, I can now announce CCGX v2.00: an upgrade packed with new features and improvements. There are two highlights: First of all the user interface has been improved: the overview better adopts to the installed system. And behind each entry in the device list, you can now see the main parameters. Secondly, v2.00 marks the release of ESS. Short for Energy Storage System, it is the result of all experiences learned from the Hubs. We have combined all options in one, simplifying setup and configuration. Also, ESS has several new features, and it is much easier to understand how it works and why it is doing what it is doing. Most of the Hub-1 and Hub-2 policies are now deprecated for new installs, as is the Hub-4 Assistant. Besides those two major changes, there is more:
Now with all that out of the way, get a coffee or tea and start reading. There is so much news that even after all the time spent writing this blog post, I am still not entirely sure if everything is covered properly! Note that for ESS there be a webinar to explain all the new functionalities. Improved overviews The overview can now show both MPPT Solar Charger power and PV Inverter power at the same time. Improved device list In the device list you can now see the main state of each device, saving extra button presses: You may have noticed the temperature sensors and three fuel tanks: this screenshot has been taken from a Venus GX, a new product on which we’ll explain more next year. ESS Systems Short for Energy Storage System, ESS is a combination of standard multipurpose Victron products, together configured for ESS. In the system, there must at least be one inverter/charger and also the CCGX. The Multi or Quattro is configured with the ESS Assistant. ESS can:
Overload or temperature alarm with phase information This is really handy when diagnosing issues on split and three-phase installations. The phase information is also visible on the VRM Portal and alarm emails. Also, the high DC ripple alarm is now shown per phase. Remotely restart a Multi or Quattro system after it locked out Use this option to restart a system once it has locked itself out. This means it’s no longer required to switch all units off one by one and then switch them back on again by using the rocker switches on the Multi or Quattro. Also, using Remote Console, this can now be done remotely! Further improved CCGX synchronisation options 1: removed the Synchronize VE.Bus SOC config option This user setting has been removed: there is no need to set it manually as the CCGX will now activate it automatically when it detects that there is a Multi or Quattro installed, and an external battery monitor. 2: eliminated the need for a BMV in a simple Multi + MPPT solar system To get proper state of charge reading for the battery, it used to be necessary to install a BMV for systems with MPPT Solar Chargers. Not anymore: the CCGX will continuously inform the Multis or Quattros about the MPPT charge current, which is then used in the SOC algorithm. It is not necessary to enable this feature: it is automaticall 3. Synchronisation mechanisms are now visible Above two explained mechanisms, as the Solar charger voltage control one (used by ESS and Hub-1), are now visible in the System setup menu: ESS – Zero feed-in with a Fronius PV Inverter The ESS system can control the Fronius Power Reduction feature, resulting in a nice zero feed-in system. Herewith, it is no longer necessary to use the Prevent feedback option of the Hub-2 Assistant. By staying connected to the grid, instead of switching back and forth to inverter mode, flickering of lights, and also the occasional (avoidable) overload shut down are now eliminated. Before I go on and explain how to set this up with a Fronius, first I’d like to discuss doing this for other brands of PV Inverters: I have come across several installations where Hub-2 with “prevent feedback” is used, and were having problems. Lately, I started to take a step back: instead of diving into the details; I first asked why the system is setup like that? Two often heard reasons are:
Once up and running, the Fronius entry in the Device list shows the actual power limit of the inverter: Generator start/stop improvements There is a new feature: “Do not run genset when AC 1 is in use”. It is intended for backup systems, with a Quattro, having mains on AC in 1, and Genset on AC in 2. When this option is enabled, the Genset will only be started after a mains failure. And in the case of a mains failure, the Genset will automatically be stopped again as soon as the mains is restored. Also, there are now multiple measurements for the AC load condition that can be selected. There are three options to choose from:
More changes
|
