Do you have a question about the Victron Pylontech US5000 and is the answer not in the manual?
Explains the necessity of a GX device for communication between Victron and Pylontech systems.
Outlines specific ESS settings for Pylontech batteries, including sustain voltage.
Addresses issues where the inverter/charger or GX device does not power on.
Guides on verifying Pylontech battery visibility on the GX device list and checking connections.
Instructs on checking Pylontech battery parameters like Max Charge Voltage for operation readiness.
This document outlines the integration and operational guidelines for Victron products with Pylontech lithium batteries, a combination certified by both Victron and Pylontech R&D departments. It serves as a supplementary manual to Pylontech's own product documentation, offering specific information for Victron system integration.
The Pylontech battery system, when integrated with Victron products, forms a robust energy storage solution suitable for various applications including off-grid, grid backup, and energy storage systems (ESS) for self-consumption. Each Pylontech battery module incorporates a Battery Management System (BMS) that communicates with the Victron GX device. This communication is crucial for managing the battery's operational parameters, including charge and discharge limits, state of charge (SOC), and error codes. The system is designed to support multiple battery modules connected in parallel, allowing for scalable energy storage solutions.
The core functionality revolves around the CAN-bus connection between the Pylontech battery's BMS and the Victron GX device (e.g., Cerbo GX or Venus GX). This connection facilitates the exchange of critical data, ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the entire system. The GX device acts as the central hub, receiving information from the battery and relaying instructions to other Victron components like inverters/chargers (Multi, MultiPlus, MultiGrid, Quattro) and MPPT solar chargers (VE.Direct BlueSolar and SmartSolar).
In off-grid and grid-connected ESS systems, the Pylontech battery, through its BMS, dictates the charge and discharge rates. This is managed by the Distributed Voltage and Current Control (DVCC) feature on the GX device. DVCC automatically configures battery charging parameters such as maximum charge current and target battery voltage, ensuring that the battery operates within its safe limits. This automatic configuration simplifies setup and enhances system reliability.
The system is designed to protect the battery from various adverse conditions. For instance, the BMS will restrict the charge current in cold weather to prevent damage. It also implements low and high voltage protection, disconnecting the battery if voltages fall outside the safe operating range. Over-charge and over-discharge current limits are also enforced to safeguard the battery cells.
The system offers flexible usage across different energy management scenarios. For off-grid applications, the battery provides a reliable power source, with the inverter prioritizing load demands. In grid backup scenarios, the system ensures continuous power supply during grid outages. For ESS self-consumption, the battery stores excess solar energy for later use, optimizing energy independence and reducing reliance on the grid.
Connecting multiple battery modules is straightforward, utilizing RJ-45 cables supplied by Pylontech to link the modules via their link ports. The batteries automatically detect and link to each other, eliminating the need for manual DIP switch adjustments in most cases. The battery with an empty link port 0 is designated as the master battery, which communicates with the GX device.
The Victron GX device provides a user-friendly interface to monitor the battery's status, including its SOC, voltage, current, and various parameters like maximum charge/discharge current and cell voltages. This allows users to keep track of the battery's health and performance. The system also supports remote monitoring via the VRM monitoring portal, providing detailed logs and diagnostic information.
For new installations, it is crucial to use specific Victron VE.Can to CAN-bus BMS cables (Type A or Type B, depending on the Pylontech model) for connecting the master battery to the GX device. These cables are designed for reliable communication and are different from the comms cables supplied by Pylontech.
The system's firmware is regularly updated to improve performance and reliability. Users are encouraged to keep all connected devices, including the GX device, inverters/chargers, and MPPTs, updated to the latest firmware versions. This ensures optimal operation and access to new features.
While the system is largely self-managing, some maintenance and troubleshooting features are available. The GX device's display provides immediate feedback on the battery's visibility and operational status. If the battery is not visible, users should check the GX device firmware version, CAN-bus cabling, and ensure the Pylontech system is powered on (LEDs illuminated).
The "Parameters" menu on the GX device offers diagnostic information, such as the Max Charge Voltage, which is communicated by the Pylontech BMS. This helps confirm that the battery is ready for use and communicating correctly. The "details" menu, supported by recent Pylontech firmware, provides granular information like lowest and highest cell voltages and cell temperatures, which can be crucial for diagnosing internal battery health issues.
In cases of "High Voltage" warnings or alarms, which can occur with new or unbalanced batteries, the system offers a "Limit managed battery charge voltage" feature in the DVCC menu. This allows users to temporarily reduce the voltage limit to facilitate cell balancing, which can resolve these alarms over time. Users can also try shutting down the system and physically connecting batteries in smaller groups to encourage balancing.
The Pylontech manual itself contains additional diagnostic and troubleshooting information, particularly regarding the interpretation of indicator LEDs on the battery modules. This can be a valuable resource for identifying and resolving issues at the battery level.
For more complex issues or large Pylontech systems requiring an LV-Hub, it is recommended to consult an experienced Pylontech agent. They can provide additional software for cell-level data analysis and assist with advanced troubleshooting. The Victron Community also serves as a platform for discussion and support regarding Pylontech and Victron integrations.
| Battery Type | Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) |
|---|---|
| Nominal Capacity | 100 Ah |
| Capacity | 4.8 kWh |
| Depth of Discharge | 95% |
| Maximum Continuous Discharge Current | 100 A |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0°C to 50°C |
| Communication Interface | CAN, RS485 |
| IP Rating | IP20 |
| Warranty | 10 years |
| Scalability | Up to 16 units in parallel |
| Nominal Voltage | 48V |
| Protection | Overcharge, Over-discharge, Overcurrent, Short circuit, High temperature, Low temperature |
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