4. VictronConnect setup, configuration and operation

In this section:

4.1. Setup

The following steps are necessary to successfully connect the SmartSolar MPPT RS via Bluetooth and the VictronConnect app:

Make sure that Bluetooth is enabled on your SmartSolar MPPT RS. Bluetooth is enabled by default.
Tip
If Bluetooth has been diabled before then you'll need to connect to the SmartSolar MPPT RS using a VE.Direct to USB interface and the VictronConnect app to enable it again.
Download and install the VictronConnect app from the App Store or Google Play.
Open the VictronConnect app and scroll through the list of devices for the SmartSolar MPPT RS.
Tap on it to launch the pairing dialog. Enter the default pairing code which is either 000000 or is a unique PIN printed on the serial number sticker of the SmartSolar MPPT RS.
It is strongly advised, when prompted, to change the default PIN to a different one of your choice.
Once pairing is successful then the Overview page will be displayed.

4.2. Overview page

The main overview page provides at-a-glance information of the SmartSolar MPPT RS. It is divided into three tabs:

Status: Instant readout of the basic state of the MPPT charger.
History: View up to the last 30 days of solar and battery data.
Trends: Review current trend data.

Status tab:

Solar: Total solar power of all trackers.
The details of each tracker are shown below the total, including Voltage, Power and Current.
Battery: Shows the battery Voltage, charging current and state.
Relay: Displays the the state of the relay contacts, Open or Closed.
If the relay mode is set to manual, then the Open or Closed state can also be controlled here.

More detailed state information:

In case the SmartSolar MPPT RS is not charging, an information tip will appear below the "State" field.

Tap this information field to bring up a popup window which will provide more information and some troubleshooting tips.

History tab:

Up to 30 days of historic data is displayed.
Bar graphs show the solar yield in kWh. The shaded areas highlight the time spend in the different charging stages.
The "Solar panel" area records the total solar yield in kWh, maximum PV power and voltage.
Maximum and minimum battery voltages are stored in the "Battery" section.
If any errors were raised that day then they are shown with an orange circle.
Lifetime total energy produced by the connected SmartSolar MPPT RS. The totals can be reset and so "Since reset" keeps the record yield since then.
To export the graph as a .csv you can tap the triangular three dot icon at the top of the graph area. You'll then be presented with various methods by which to share the .csv (e.g. email, WhatsApp etc.).

Tip

Tap the fragmented square icon in the top left of the graph area to rotate the graph. This will allow you to see a wide view of the graph with more days displayed at once.

Trends tab:

Two different data points can be selected using the drop down menus just above the graph.
A graph will be rendered according to the selected parameters.

4.3. Settings page

The Settings menu is accessible by pressing the cog wheel from the top right of the Overview page.

The following menu options are available:

Battery: Adjust the charging parameters for the battery.
Solar: Switch PV optimisation on or off and set custom names for each PV tracker.
Relay: Select from a variety of relay modes for the internal relay.
Display: Choose how the LCD backlight behaves and preferred temperature unit.

Tap the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the settings page to perform the following actions:

Import settings from file: Import previously saved settings from a file in the settings library.
Save settings to file: Save the current settings to a file which will be stored in the settings library. This file can be used as a backup to restore settings on this EV Charging Station NS or to easily apply the same settings to another one.
Share settings: Share the settings file via email or other social apps which may be in use on the Android or iOS device for example.
Product info: Displays the EV Charging Station NS model number and serial number. There is also a switch to enable or disable Bluetooth. See the Product info section for more information.
Reset to defaults: Reset all settings to the factory defaults. This will mean that any customised settings will be lost and setup will need to be performed again or imported from a previously saved settings file.

4.4. Product info

To get to the Product info page, tap the 3 vertical dots icon from the Settings page.

Product: Shows the product name and the model number.
Serial number: Shows the serial number of the SmartSolar MPPT RS.
NEMA2000 device instance: Displays the network device instance number for this particular device.
Pin code: The Pin code is hidden but it can be changed using the change button to the right.
Custom name: Change the friendly name of the SmartSolar MPPT RS.
Firmware: Displays the current firmware version running on the SmartSolar MPPT RS.
Bootloader: The bootloader version.
Bluetooth: Enable or disable the Bluetooth functionality of the SmartSolar MPPT RS.
Warning
Note that if you disable Bluetooth then connection to this device via Bluetooth will not longer be possible after you return to the Device list or exit the VictronConnect app. You'll need to connect using a VE.Direct to USB interface in order to enable Bluetooth again.
Instant readout via Bluetooth: Enable this setting to display the most important data of the SmartSolar MPPT RS on the Device list page.
Instant readout details: Tap "SHOW" to see the encryption data used for the Instant readout.

Lock product settings: Use this option to lock the settings of the SmartSolar MPPT RS with a password. This will prevent others from changing critical settings without the password.
Tap "Add lock" to proceed to the "Lock product settings" page.
- Product settings password: Supply a password which will be used to unlock the product settings.

4.5. Battery

The Battery settings page allows adjustment of all of the parameters related to the battery which is connected to the SmartSolar MPPT RS. Some options will be greyed out if a fixed battery preset is selected. A "User defined" battery preset will allow all of the settings to be adjusted.

Battery voltage: This option is always greyed out for the SmartSolar MPPT RS because it is only a 48V product.
Max charge current: Adjust the maximum current that the SmartSolar MPPT RS will deliver to its battery terminals. By default, this is set to the maximum value. You may wish to reduce this if, for example, you have a smaller battery connected which cannot accept the maximum charge current.
Charger enabled: Toggle this setting to enable or disable the charger. The batteries will not be charged if this setting is disabled.
Battery preset: Use this to select the battery charge algorithm.
- Built-in preset: Select one of the built-in presets (Normal, High and LiFePO4 2-wire BMS).
- User defined: All parameters can be customized manually.
- Select preset: Select a type from the VictronConnect app battery presets.
- Create preset: Create a new custom battery preset in the VictronConnect app.
- Edit presets: Edit an existing battery preset in the VictronConnect app.

Remote mode: Configure what is connected to the REMOTE_L and REMOTE_H inputs on the user connector.
- Remote on/off: A simple on/off switch to turn the SmartSolar MPPT RS on or off.
- 2-wire BMS: Use a wired BMS with allow-to-charge and allow-to-discharge signals like the SmallBMS. Note if 2-wire BMS is selected, then the unit will not start up until one is connected.

Expert mode: This on/off toggle enables editing expert settings in case your equipment has special requirements. See "Expert mode" section for details.

BMS controlled: This item is only visible in case the unit is controlled remotely by a BMS. This is automatically enabled when the SmartSolar MPPT RS detects that it is connected to a system with a BMS. Click this field to change.
A confirmation box will pop up. Select "OK" to reset BMS control. The SmartSolar MPPT RS will no longer be controlled by a BMS. BMS control will be automatically enabled the next time it is connected to a system which has a BMS.

Charge voltages:

Absorbtion voltage: Set the absorbtion voltage.
Float voltage: Set the float voltage.
Equalization voltage: Set the equalization voltage.

Equalization:

Automatic equalization: Set-up the frequency of the auto equalize function. Available options are between 1 and 250 days.
Equalization is typically used to balance the cells in a lead battery, and also to prevent stratification of the electrolyte in flooded batteries. Whether (automatic) equalization is necessary, or not, depends on the type of batteries, and their usage. Consult your battery supplier for guidelines.
When the Automatic equalization cycle has initiated, the charger applies an equalization voltage to the battery as long as the current level stays below the equalization current percentage setting of the bulk current.
In the case of all VRLA batteries and some flooded batteries, automatic equalization ends when the voltage limit (maxV) has been reached, or after a period equal to (absorption time/8) - whichever comes first.
For all tubular plate batteries and also for the user-defined battery type, automatic equalization will end after a period equal to (absorption time/2).
For the lithium battery type, equalization is not available.
When an automatic equalization cycle is not completed in one day, it will not resume the next day. The next equalization session will take place according to the interval set in the 'Auto Equalization' option.
When an automatic equalization cycle is not completed in one day, it will not resume the next day. The next equalization session will take place according to the interval set in the 'Auto Equalization' option.
Manual equalization: Tap "Start now" to begin equalization immediately. The duration is limited to 1 hour. This should only be initiated when absorbtion or float stages and when there is sufficient sunlight.

Voltage compensation:

Temperature compensation: Many types of battery require a lower charge voltage in warm operating conditions, and a higher charge voltage in cold operating conditions.
The configured coefficient is in mV per degree Celsius for the whole battery bank, not per cell. The base temperature for the compensation is 25°C (77°F), as shown in the chart below.
With a temperature sensor installed to the User I/O connection block; the actual battery temperature will be used for compensation; throughout the day.

Battery limits:

Low temperature cut-off: This setting can be used to disable charging at low temperatures as required by lithium batteries.
For lithium Iron Phosphate batteries this setting is preset at 5 degrees Celsius, for the other battery types it is disabled. When creating a user defined battery the cut-off temperature level can be adjusted manually.

When "Expert mode" is enabled, the following additional settings will become available:

Bulk:

Re-bulk voltage offset: Set the voltage offset that will be used over the float voltage setting that will determine the threshold that the charge cycle will restart.
For example, a Re-bulk voltage offset off 0.4V and a float voltage setting of 54.0 V, the voltage threshold that will be use to restart the charge cycle will be 53.6 V. In other words, if the battery voltage drops below 53.6 V for one minute, the charge cycle will restart.

Absorbtion:

Absorbtion duration: Select "Fixed" or "Adaptive". When you tap on the box to the right a detailed explanation for each option will pop up.
Maximum absorbtion time: Set the absorption time limit. Only available when using a custom charge profile.
Tail current: Set the current threshold that will be used to finish absorption phase before the maximum absorption time expires. When the battery current gets below the tail current for one minute, the absorption phase will end. This setting can be disabled by setting it to zero.

Equalization:

Equalization current percentage: Set the percentage of the Max charge current setting that will be used when equalization is performed.
Automatic equalization: This can be enabled and a periodic equalization cycle can set to start.
Equalization stop mode: Choose whether to stop equalization based on a certain voltage or by a fixed amount of time.
Maximum equalization duration: Set the maximum time that the equalization phase will last.
Manual equalization: Tap the "Start now" button to begin equalization immediately. The maximum duration of this event will be 1 hour.

4.6. Solar

This page allows setting the Partial shading detection algorithm and giving each tracker a custom name.

PV optimisation:

Partial shading detection: The default setting is enabled. It is recommended to leave this setting enabled. In some specific solar installations it may need to be disabled.

PV trackers names:

Each tracker can be given a custom name. The column on the left will always display the tracker number and the column on the right will show the custom name if given.
The custom name will also be shown on the LCD on the front of the SmartSolar MPPT RS.
Tap on the row to set a custom name.

4.7. Relay

A programmable relay is available in the SmartSolar MPPT RS. The contacts are accessible via the User I/O terminals. See the User I/O functions table for the pinout.

Relay mode: By default, the box is empty. Tap in the box to select or change the mode of operation for the relay.
Minimum closed time: Defines the minimum amount of time that the relay will be closed after meeting a closure condition. This prevents quickly changing conditions from opening and closing the relay too often.

Relay mode

One of several relay modes can be selected from the list:

Relay always off: The relay is always off and will not operate under any condition, there are no other configurable options. Use this option if you don't plan to use the relay.
Panel voltage high: The option will switch the relay on and off based upon user defined high parameters.
- Panel high voltage: The relay switches ON when this value is exceeded.
- Clear panel high voltage: The relay switches OFF then the panel voltage falls below this value.
High temperature (dimming): This option switches the relay ON when the charger output current is reduced due to high temperatures. Use this option to for example switch an external fan.
Battery voltage low: This user defined option switches the relay on when the battery voltage falls too low, This can be used to disconnect loads to prevent further discharge when the battery is low.
- Battery low voltage relay: Switches the relay ON when the battery voltage falls below the set value.
- Clear battery low voltage relay: Switches the relay OFF when the battery voltage rises above the set value.
Equalization active: This option switches the relay ON when the manual equalization mode is active.
Error state: This option switches the relay ON when there is an error.
Defrost option (temp < -20°C: This option switches the relay ON when the Charger temperature falls below -20 degrees Centigrade.
Battery voltage high: This user defined option switches the relay ON when the battery voltage exceeds a set value. This option could be used to switch a load on when the battery goes above a certain voltage.
- Battery high voltage relay: Switches the relay ON when the battery voltage exceeds this level.
- Clear battery high voltage relay: Switches the relay OFF then the battery voltage falls below this value.
Float or storage state: This option switches the relay ON when the charger is in the float or storage state. In float state the battery could be considered full and so the a load such as a water heater could be switched on to use excess solar energy.
Day detection (panels irradiated): This option switches the relay ON whilst the solar panels are providing energy. This can be used as a simple day or night detection, for example to switch outdoor lighting off or on using the NC contact of the relay.
Manual control: Use this option to control the relay manually from the Settings - Relay page or from the Overview page.

4.8. Display

These settings define the behaviour of the front panel LCD backlight and the temperature unit that it will display.

Display backlight: Set up whether the front panel LCD backlight will be on or off.
- Always off: The backlight will always be off.
  The LCD may still be readable under strong ambient light but it will not emit light.
- Always on: The LCD backlight is always on making it easy to read at a glance at any time.
- Automatic: The LCD backlight is only on when the device is active.

Temperature unit: Select which temperature unit will be used by the front panel LCD.
- Celcius: Temperature is displayed in °C.
- Fahrenheit Temperature is displayed in °F.

Note

This setting only affects the temperature unit on the front panel LCD.

Isolated SmartSolar MPPT RS