Victron 240v/12v charger advice please

[peterc10]

As winter approaches I have bought a Victron Blue Smart IP22 charger from a Funster for use when the solars are not producing enough to keep the batteries topped up, both at home and on site. I already have a BMV 700 battery monitor so I bought a bluetooth dongle for it and also bought a battery sensor to ensure that my lithiums were not charged when the temperature is below zero. I have some queries about using these. I am new to the Victron set up and I have a Voltronic B2B and Solar controller.

I have already installed the bluetooth dongle and battery sensor and that seemed very simple. However I am having difficulty changing their PIN numbers for bluetooth access. When I access each of them using the Victron app they warn me that I should change my bluetooth PIN from the default setting. I click on the link to do so and put in a new PIN and save it. However neither saves the new PIN so I get the same warning each time. Have any funsters had this problem and if so can they tell me how to solve it please?

I want to be able to simply switch off the charger in summer when parked on the drive on EHU as there is no point in paying for electricity when the solars are producing plenty of it. However, I do not want to lose all the settings I will be putting in to suit my KS lithiums and I am not sure where to put the switch. If I put it on the 240v supply will the charger remember those settings or will it revert back to the default settings? The manual says that it will default back to the mode set, but does not make it clear if it will be the default lithium settings or not. If it does revert back to default would it be better to put the switch on the live 12v load side instead?

Finally I see that Victron have a remote monitoring system (VRM) when my phone is out of bluetooth range. I see that they sell the 4G based GloballLink 520 for when the motorhome is away from wifi at an eye watering price. When my motorhome is parked at home it is in range of the house wifi and when away we have a mifi to provide wifi. Is there a way that we can connect to these to get VRM?

I have tried looking at the Victron website to find these answers, but it seems to be very difficult to find your way round it. So many thanks for any help you can give.

 

[Hoovie]

Just a quickie on the last point to save you time looking at options .... The IP22 is not compatible with the VRM system as it has no connection port (VRM does not use Bluetooth) so the only thing you will have access to on VRM is the BMV-700 - and only then if you buy the extra device needed for VRM AND you remove the Bluetooth dongle you just bought for the BMV.

What you COULD do with what you have is get a little IP (internet, not Victron IP) camera, like a CCTV camera, point that at the BMV-700 screen and then look at the screen remotely. That is doable at little expense. The VRM solution, while very good (I have it myself) would be total overkill to monitor a single BMV.

 

[peterc10]

Just a quickie on the last point to save you time looking at options .... The IP22 is not compatible with the VRM system as it has no connection port (VRM does not use Bluetooth) so the only thing you will have access to on VRM is the BMV-700 - and only then if you buy the extra device needed for VRM AND you remove the Bluetooth dongle you just bought for the BMV.

What you COULD do with what you have is get a little IP (internet, not Victron IP) camera, like a CCTV camera, point that at the BMV-700 screen and then look at the screen remotely. That is doable at little expense. The VRM solution, while very good (I have it myself) would be total overkill to monitor a single BMV.

Thanks. I think I will give VRM a miss then.

 

[autorouter]

If I put it on the 240v supply will the charger remember those settings or will it revert back to the default settings? The manual says that it will default back to the mode set, but does not make it clear if it will be the default lithium settings or not.

On my Multiplus, it keeps all the settings when I turn off all the power, so I would imagine the IP22 charger will also keep them. But now you have the charger you can do a test to check if that's what happens. It's better to switch on the 240V side if the object is so save energy.

I'm not an expert on Victron stuff, but I notice there is an 'Expert' mode in the app that needs to be enabled to do various advanced things. Maybe changing the Bluetooth PIN is one of those.

 

[Ditcha]

Thanks. I think I will give VRM a miss then.

Peter you can have vrm quite cheaply using a raspberry pi can access settings and monitoring anywhere on your mobile.

Take a look here good guy on YouTube

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[Ditcha]

As winter approaches I have bought a Victron Blue Smart IP22 charger from a Funster for use when the solars are not producing enough to keep the batteries topped up, both at home and on site. I already have a BMV 700 battery monitor so I bought a bluetooth dongle for it and also bought a battery sensor to ensure that my lithiums were not charged when the temperature is below zero. I have some queries about using these. I am new to the Victron set up and I have a Voltronic B2B and Solar controller.

I have already installed the bluetooth dongle and battery sensor and that seemed very simple. However I am having difficulty changing their PIN numbers for bluetooth access. When I access each of them using the Victron app they warn me that I should change my bluetooth PIN from the default setting. I click on the link to do so and put in a new PIN and save it. However neither saves the new PIN so I get the same warning each time. Have any funsters had this problem and if so can they tell me how to solve it please?

I want to be able to simply switch off the charger in summer when parked on the drive on EHU as there is no point in paying for electricity when the solars are producing plenty of it. However, I do not want to lose all the settings I will be putting in to suit my KS lithiums and I am not sure where to put the switch. If I put it on the 240v supply will the charger remember those settings or will it revert back to the default settings? The manual says that it will default back to the mode set, but does not make it clear if it will be the default lithium settings or not. If it does revert back to default would it be better to put the switch on the live 12v load side instead?

Finally I see that Victron have a remote monitoring system (VRM) when my phone is out of bluetooth range. I see that they sell the 4G based GloballLink 520 for when the motorhome is away from wifi at an eye watering price. When my motorhome is parked at home it is in range of the house wifi and when away we have a mifi to provide wifi. Is there a way that we can connect to these to get VRM?

I have tried looking at the Victron website to find these answers, but it seems to be very difficult to find your way round it. So many thanks for any help you can give.

Peter if I was you I would just use your ebl charger to top up the battery on the very odd occasion you need to, if you have removed the fuse simply replace it the odd time you need it. I have the MultiPlus and have never used the charger function yet in nearly 8 months.

 

[peterc10]

Peter you can have vrm quite cheaply using a raspberry pi can access settings and monitoring anywhere on your mobile.

View attachment 678605

View attachment 678606

Take a look here good guy on YouTube

Thanks Dave, I haven't got a Raspberry Pie. However we have a couple of blackberry and apple crumbles in the freezer. Will they work??????

Seriously, you known how allergic to electronics I am. So I started to have a look at the video and about 8 minutes in the guy explains that you "just" need a VE direct port which "all Victron gear has". Unfortunately he is wrong . I now have a BMV700, with a bluetooth smart dongle attached, a smart battery sensor, and an IP22 charger. The only one of those 4 things I have that has the VE direct port is the BMV and it is being used for the BT dongle.

To be honest I can access both the Victron and KS info via bluetooth when I am sitting in my lounge. So I have come to the conclusion that I don't really need the full access anywhere in the world. Most of the time when I am not using the motorhome I am sitting on my arse in the lounge, according to Angela.

Peter if I was you I would just use your ebl charger to top up the battery on the very odd occasion you need to, if you have removed the fuse simply replace it the odd time you need it. I have the MultiPlus and have never used the charger function yet in nearly 8 months.

Too late now Dave, I have bought it ! The main problem with the EBL is that it has no temperature control to ensure that it does not charge below zero. That is why I bought the Victron battery sensor. I know the KS has that in its BMS, but I wanted a belt and braces solution, because just one mistake could be very expensive. That is also why I also have wired temperature sensors for both the Votronic B2B and Solar regulator.

The EBL will still be used to trickle charge the lead acid starter battery

 

[Hoovie]

Peter you can have vrm quite cheaply using a raspberry pi can access settings and monitoring anywhere on your mobile.

And how much of what you are showing is available if all he has is a BMV-700?

PS. That was a rhetorical question

 

[Hoovie]

As mentioned, VRM can be very handy .....
This is what I can see on my system right now -

How much power from EHU; how much my AC Load is; What the DC Loads are; What state the Multiplus is in; What my pair of Solar Controllers are bringing in (8W between the two of them!); What the various BMVs are showing (only have 4 installed ) including the power in from the Non-Victron BMV and power out drawn by the Battery Maintainer; Temperature of Freezer, Battery, Interior and also locker where all the electrics are fitted; Plus the location info (with a map) and Weather info. And you can dive into the settings of the devices, changing parameters and settings if you want to.

But ALL of that is irrelevant if the only device fitted that will talk to VRM is a single BMV-700

Seriously, you known how allergic to electronics I am. So I started to have a look at the video and about 8 minutes in the guy explains that you "just" need a VE direct port which "all Victron gear has". Unfortunately he is wrong . I now have a BMV700, with a bluetooth smart dongle attached, a smart battery sensor, and an IP22 charger. The only one of those 4 things I have that has the VE direct port is the BMV and it is being used for the BT dongle.

I have not watched that particular video (Andy from Off-grid garage has loads of fans but I find him a little silly and misleading to be perfectly honest) but the bit I highlighted from your post is very misleading from him if that is what he said.

Victron Kit can have:
NO Comms at all - For Example the IP22 BluePower Charger
Bluetooth and No Comms Port - For example the IP22 Bluesmart Charger and the Smart-TR B2B charger.
No Bluetooth but VE.Direct Port - For example the BMV-700 and the BlueSolar Controllers. And adding Bluetooth via a Dongle means VE.Direct port is tied up so not available for VRM.
Bluetooth AND VE.Direct Port - For example the BMV-712 and the SmartSolar Controllers
VE.Bus - For example the Multiplus devices
VE.Can - can't recall which devices have these. Tend to be older ones veering on obsolescence.
And maybe other standards and combos I have forgotten to mention?

 

[gerry mcg]

I don't understand the OP problem.
The victron Bluesmart charger will only charge when connected to the mains.
Is he planning on plugging in at home in the summer and doesn't want to charge as the solar copes,? If so, why plug in at home? Unless he wants to use 240v sockets at home

The IP22 Bluesmart charger will remember the custom settings put in when not plugged in and start up with the user custom settings on power on.

My IP22 charger output connect to the Votronic vcc1212-50 B2B output + and - terminals and use the same cabling to connect to the lithium leisure battery.

I've got a 100A panel mount miniature battery isolator switch mounted on the + Charger / B2B to leisure battery cable to allow me to cut charger / B2B supply to leisure battery should I want to

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[Ditcha]

And how much of what you are showing is available if all he has is a BMV-700?

PS. That was a rhetorical question

He will have room for expansion and turn to the blue side

 

[Ditcha]

As mentioned, VRM can be very handy .....
This is what I can see on my system right now -
View attachment 678675
How much power from EHU; how much my AC Load is; What the DC Loads are; What state the Multiplus is in; What my pair of Solar Controllers are bringing in (8W between the two of them!); What the various BMVs are showing (only have 4 installed ) including the power in from the Non-Victron BMV and power out drawn by the Battery Maintainer; Temperature of Freezer, Battery, Interior and also locker where all the electrics are fitted; Plus the location info (with a map) and Weather info. And you can dive into the settings of the devices, changing parameters and settings if you want to.

But ALL of that is irrelevant if the only device fitted that will talk to VRM is a single BMV-700


I have not watched that particular video (Andy from Off-grid garage has loads of fans but I find him a little silly and misleading to be perfectly honest) but the bit I highlighted from your post is very misleading from him if that is what he said.

Victron Kit can have:
NO Comms at all - For Example the IP22 BluePower Charger
Bluetooth and No Comms Port - For example the IP22 Bluesmart Charger and the Smart-TR B2B charger.
No Bluetooth but VE.Direct Port - For example the BMV-700 and the BlueSolar Controllers. And adding Bluetooth via a Dongle means VE.Direct port is tied up so not available for VRM.
Bluetooth AND VE.Direct Port - For example the BMV-712 and the SmartSolar Controllers
VE.Bus - For example the Multiplus devices
VE.Can - can't recall which devices have these. Tend to be older ones veering on obsolescence.
And maybe other standards and combos I have forgotten to mention?

What no tanks connected

Looking good with temps connected , see on venus 2. 9 you can connect to mopeka Bluetooth lpg sensors

 

[peterc10]

As mentioned, VRM can be very handy .....
This is what I can see on my system right now -
View attachment 678675
How much power from EHU; how much my AC Load is; What the DC Loads are; What state the Multiplus is in; What my pair of Solar Controllers are bringing in (8W between the two of them!); What the various BMVs are showing (only have 4 installed ) including the power in from the Non-Victron BMV and power out drawn by the Battery Maintainer; Temperature of Freezer, Battery, Interior and also locker where all the electrics are fitted; Plus the location info (with a map) and Weather info. And you can dive into the settings of the devices, changing parameters and settings if you want to.

But ALL of that is irrelevant if the only device fitted that will talk to VRM is a single BMV-700


I have not watched that particular video (Andy from Off-grid garage has loads of fans but I find him a little silly and misleading to be perfectly honest) but the bit I highlighted from your post is very misleading from him if that is what he said.

Victron Kit can have:
NO Comms at all - For Example the IP22 BluePower Charger
Bluetooth and No Comms Port - For example the IP22 Bluesmart Charger and the Smart-TR B2B charger.
No Bluetooth but VE.Direct Port - For example the BMV-700 and the BlueSolar Controllers. And adding Bluetooth via a Dongle means VE.Direct port is tied up so not available for VRM.
Bluetooth AND VE.Direct Port - For example the BMV-712 and the SmartSolar Controllers
VE.Bus - For example the Multiplus devices
VE.Can - can't recall which devices have these. Tend to be older ones veering on obsolescence.
And maybe other standards and combos I have forgotten to mention?

My brain hurts ........... to quote John Cleese

 

[peterc10]

Looking good with temps connected , see on venus 2. 9 you can connect to mopeka Bluetooth lpg sensors

I can do that using the Mopeka app. Again bluetooth and sitting on my arse in the lounge

He will have room for expansion and turn to the blue side

Fat chance. Already spent all my motorhome pocket money for this year.

 

[peterc10]

I am revisiting this earlier thread of mine to update you all that offered advice and also to get some more advice from you helpful people.

I have set up a local VE smart network and have successfully linked my BMV700 and battery sensor to it. But, for the life of me, I cannot get the IP22 charger to link to my VE smart network. I can see it in the list of devices on the app and I can get into it and change the charging parameters, but it will not read and make use of the information coming from the BMV and the battery sensor. It appears that the second hand IP22 unit I bought was an older one that is not compatible with VE smart networking. Later versions, called "Rev 2" when I go into the Victron app demo mode, can use VE networking, but not this one.

I specifically bought the Victron battery sensor so that the IP22 would know the temperature and stop charging when it gets close to zero. Demo mode for the "Rev 2" charger shows it has a low temperature cut off, but that is not available for my model of charger, even though it is said to have its own built in temperature gauge, which only appears to be used for temperature compensation (whatever that is).

When I go and research this on the Victron website and downloads I just get a headache because all of their advice seems to be aimed at those who have a degree in electronics .

Is there any way I can make this charger work in the way I want? If not it seems that I have three options. Buy a newer version IP22 and try to sell this one, or switch off the IP22 when it gets cold and hope the solars provide enough power to keep the batteries topped up, or just pray that the built in BMS stops the charging when it gets too cold.

Do I have any other options?

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[Hoovie]

So ...
the idea is you want to make sure the IP22 does not attempt to charge the batteries when they are too cold?

This is what I would do if I had YOUR setup ...

I would NOT replace the IP22 Charger if it is working. why throw money away when no need.
I WOULD get a little Temp Sensor relay (see link - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12215575...d=link&campid=5338547443&toolid=20001&mkevt=1).
I would then get a basic 30A DC relay (see link for example - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/25367248...d=link&campid=5338547443&toolid=20001&mkevt=1)
You wire +ve Output of IP22 into pin 30 of relay; Connect pin 87a of relay to battery +ve; Use Temp Sensor relay to control the 30A relay and when temp is too low, the Temp Sensor relay activates the 30A relay - and because you used the 87a pin, it actually disconnects the charger from the battery.
(You cannot use the Temp Sensor relay directly as it is too low power for the IP22 to run through)

I use these little temp sensors a lot and like them. Use them to activate fans for cooling devices when they get hot, but they are just as versatile to use when things get too cold.

 

[gerry mcg]

My IP22 victron charger pairs to a victron SmartBatterySense via VE.Networking BT network - the SBS sends battery temp info to the IP22 and one can set a low battery temp cut-off.
can you not so same?

**edit** i just re-read your post properly peterc10 . Can’t help anymore im afraid