Yoda's Victron MultiPlus and Solar Install - just hope I don't mess up.

[Yoda]

Next chapter. Got the replacement 30 amp shore power exterior plug wired in and then moved on to the roof access. Scaffolding is in place, but need to add more pool noodle padding and I got my Safe-T ladder extension installed (very simple) Rain stopped me from actually getting up there.



Blue pool noodle installed to protect skirt (by furnace). Need to add others against the awning roller. Scaffolding is pretty stable. Safe T ladder extension (orange) will make it easy to step through on to the top. To windy and rain to test it out. I plan to tie off the ladder at the top to the scaffolding - I want to make it snug so it cant fall down. Don't ask about that one -

Ill have DW be my spotter.

Now to put together the list of supplies I need up there and rig up the "bucket on a rope" for the stuff I forget. Not looking forward to being up there - getting too old....but its only in the mind.

Keith

[Yoda]

Well got on the roof today and look what I found.

This is the install by the dealer. They did not use a roof box, but drilled a hole next to the vent stack. Note the hole!!!!!!!!!!!! I cant find any water damage inside as the leak probably followed the stack to the tanks through the basement

I have cleaned with rubbing alcohol (swabs) resealed it with self leveling, being sure to inject a glob in the hole and then covering and leveling up outside so it is beveled away from the vent cap. I got done just in time and just in time - its starting to rain again. Probably 30 minutes cure on the Alpha sealant. Ill recheck tomorrow.

Now a million dollar question. In the go power kit they have provided #10-16 x 1" SS screws for the roof mounting plates. 2 screws per plate about 1" apart. This is what was used on the first install. Is this OK? or should I go up to at least 1/4" or a #14. I would need to drill out the existing holes in the bracket. The existing panel secured this way shows no evidence of movement, but is slightly protected by the roof curve from the wind.

I believe I can get at lease two brackets screwed into a roof truss per panel on the upwind side. My stud finder works well on the roof.

Thoughts?

Thanks Keith

[howson]

Now a million dollar question. In the go power kit they have provided #10-16 x 1" SS screws for the roof mounting plates. 2 screws per plate about 1" apart. This is what was used on the first install. Is this OK? or should I go up to at least 1/4" or a #14. I would need to drill out the existing holes in the bracket.

Cate&Rob ?
Country Campers ?
TucsonJim ?

[Cate&Rob]

Yoda
Hi Keith,

I would think that a #10 (3/16" dia) screw would be sufficient. Into a properly drilled pilot hole in the relatively thin OSB roof, the holding power of this 3/16" screw is not going to be much different than the holding power of a similar 1/4" screw. Torque these into position by hand so that you can feel that they are biting correctly into the OSB.

Rob

[Yoda]

Yoda
Hi Keith,

I would think that a #10 (3/16" dia) screw would be sufficient. Into a properly drilled pilot hole in the relatively thin OSB roof, the holding power of this 3/16" screw is not going to be much different than the holding power of a similar 1/4" screw. Torque these into position by hand so that you can feel that they are biting correctly into the OSB.

Rob

Thanks Rob. I will have mastic tape under the feet and sealant over, so they should not go anywhere.

[Yoda]

It's done and it works

Made the MC4 connections, turned on the MPPT 100/30 to the battery, then flipped the solar panel breaker. Touch 50 showed it is working. Its showing absorption while the 100/20 was in float showing no power to the battery. I am guessing the two will sync up at some point.

Panel layout with cabling tied down. Its messy - note massive hand print to the right of vent stack . Don't ask how.


Touch 50 screen showing its operational. Question - is there a way to remove unwanted lines from the device list like the tanks? Guess I need to read up more

Battery is being charged. Everything looks good.

I really like the Touch 50 as I can see everything and turn the inverter on and off as needed.

Thanks everyone for the help - I would not have gotten this done without you.

BTW if you having black and gray tank vent issues, check your roof vent cap.
Its just a little nest - more was in the vent pipe itself.

Thanks again
Keith

[howson]

Yoda
-- first, congrats!

Second, on the Touch 50 go to SETTINGS > SYSTEM SETUP and turn on the HAS DC SYSTEM setting. You'll see the DC power consumption with that setting enabled.

Third--thanks for the tip on the nests! Something to check when I get home.

[bertschb]

It's done and it works

WhooHoo! Good job Keith

[Country Campers]

Keith

That has to be so gratifying to go through all of the steps and then , voila electricity at your finger tips. Good job.

Brian

[Yoda]

Yoda
-- first, congrats!

Second, on the Touch 50 go to SETTINGS > SYSTEM SETUP and turn on the HAS DC SYSTEM setting. You'll see the DC power consumption with that setting enabled.

Third--thanks for the tip on the nests! Something to check when I get home.

bertschb Country Campers

Thanks Howard, Brian, and Brian Appreciate you folks sticking with me to the end.

Howard
Thanks for the setting tip. Is there a way to remove the unused devices from the list?

On edit - found this https://community.victronenergy.com/...vice-list.html Ill give it a try and report back.

Thanks again
Keith

[Yoda]

howson Country Campers bertschb

OK - first new issue

Both instructions worked. I now see DC currant and the device list is clean (unused devices gone)

However the Touch 50/Cerbo GX is not fully recognizing the Multiplus 3000 after reboot. It used to say Multiplus 3000 and all settings were available. Now says Multi and did not recognize the switch setting - fixed that but other setting not available - pop up note says I need to run Victron connect.

Maybe if I plug into 110 and reboot the Cerbo GX again?

Should I try unplugging / re-plugging the connection cable between the Multi and Cerbo GX ? Do I turn the Multi off first and or the Cerbo GX? If I do this do I need to power down everything then turn it back on?

Do I just power down/up just the Cerbo GX?

Thoughts?

Thanks
Keith

On edit - I also just noticed it is showing my MPPT 100/20 as 48V. When I had programed it I had it set to Auto detect. I read something on the Victron blog about powering it down PV first then battery, waiting 15 minutes then power up - battery first than PV, Will this work?

[howson]

howson Country Campers bertschb

OK - first new issue

Both instructions worked. I now see DC currant and the device list is clean (unused devices gone)

However the Touch 50/Cerbo GX is not fully recognizing the Multiplus 3000 after reboot. It used to say Multiplus 3000 and all settings were available. Now says Multi and did not recognize the switch setting - fixed that but other setting not available - pop up note says I need to run Victron connect.

Maybe if I plug into 110 and reboot the Cerbo GX again?

Should I try unplugging / re-plugging the connection cable between the Multi and Cerbo GX ? Do I turn the Multi off first and or the Cerbo GX? If I do this do I need to power down everything then turn it back on?

Do I just power down/up just the Cerbo GX?

Thoughts?

Thanks
Keith

On edit - I also just noticed it is showing my MPPT 100/20 as 48V. When I had programed it I had it set to Auto detect. I read something on the Victron blog about powering it down PV first then battery, waiting 15 minutes then power up - battery first than PV, Will this work?

I need screen shots showing your configuration, Keith. Label them clearly to show the applicable device.

[ThePowells]

[Yoda]

I need screen shots showing your configuration, Keith. Label them clearly to show the applicable device.

Thanks Howard but it has been a long day. What screen shots are you looking for? Photos of the Touch 50 screen for various devices, etc? I don't have a laptop I can hook up at this time. It's on my to get list.
Sorry for the confusion.
Thanks
Keith

I did post the question over at the Victron question and answer site too.

[howson]

Yoda use your phone's camera--doesn't have to be perfect, just readable.

Let's start with an easy one, the BATTERY setting in the MPPT.