3.7. VE.Direct port
The VE.Direct port is used to communicate with the solar charger. It can be used for several purposes:
• To connect to a monitoring device, such as a GX device or the GlobalLink.
• To connect with the VictronConnect App.
• For external control.
Special cables or interfaces are needed to connect to this port:
•
- used to connect to a GX device or the GlobalLink.
•
- used to connect via USB to the VictronConnect App.
•
VE.Direct Bluetooth Smart dongle
- used to connect via Bluetooth to the VictronConnect App.
•
VE.Direct TX digital output cable
- used for streetlight control or to create a virtual load output.
•
VE.Direct non inverting remote on/off cable
- used to remotely switch the solar charger on or off.
3.8. VE.Can ports
The VE.Can ports are used to communicate with the solar charger. It can be used to connect to a monitoring device, such as a
GX device.
It is possible to connect several "daisy chained" VE.Can solar chargers (or other VE.Can devices) to a single GX monitoring
device. All interconnected solar chargers will synchronise their charge algorithms.
When connecting to this port, a
is used (not included). The first and last device in the chain needs to have a
installed (2 pieces are included). A connection example is shown in below figure.
RJ45 cable
RJ45 cable
VE.Can RJ45 terminator
VE.Can RJ45 terminator
Example of two VE.Can solar chargers connecting to a single GX device
3.9. Battery charging
3.9.1. Adaptive 3-stage battery charging
The solar charger is a 3-stage charger. The charge stages are: Bulk – Absorption – Float.
Bulk
During the bulk stage the solar charger delivers the maximum charge current, to rapidly charge the batteries. During this stage
the battery voltage will slowly increase. Once the battery voltage has reached the set absorption voltage, the bulk stage stops and
the absorption stage will commence.
Absorption
During the absorption stage the solar charger has switched to constant voltage mode. The current flowing to the battery will
gradually decrease. Once the current has dropped below 2A (tail current), the absorption stage stops and the float stage will
commence.
When only shallow discharges occur the absorption time is kept short. This to prevent overcharging of the battery. But if the
battery was deeply discharged, the absorption time is automatically increased, to make sure that the battery is fully recharged.
Float
During the float stage the voltage is reduced and batteries full charged state is maintained.
A storage stage is not needed for a solar charger, unlike is the case for an AC charger, since at night there is
no solar power, so battery charging will stop.
MPPT solar charger manual
Page 6
Features
