Table of Contents

Victron & Exide

This combination depends on Venus OS v2.90 or above, which is scheduled to be released later in 2022. Or the latest beta (see Venus OS - Beta testing).

The combination of Victron products with the Exide battery has been tested and certified by the R&D departments. The combination is actively supported by both companies.

Compatible models:

1. Introduction

1.1 Compatible Victron products

All 48V Multis and Quattros. And always a GX device is necessary in the system, since that has the canbus port which is used for the (required!) communication between the ESS battery and the Victron system.

2. GX device needed

To use the Exide ESS in Victron system, it is necessary to use a GX-device such as a Color Control GX, a Venus GX or a Cerbo GX. The GX device needs to run at least firmware v2.90. It is recommended to always use the latest Firmware version for the GX device.

3. Wiring of communication cables

A cable for the CAN-bus connection ships with the battery. This cable has only CAN-L and CAN-H connections and no ground wire. The side of the cable with pins 7 and 8 should be plugged into the GX device, and the side with pins 1 (CAN-L) and 2 (CAN-H) goes to the battery.

Exide batteries come with a CAN-bus terminator already installed/supplied. When assembling the battery from individual modules, remember to terminate the CAN-bus on the last module, using the supplied terminator. In most cases, this is already done in the factory.

Without properly connecting this cable, the battery will stop charging/discharging after several minutes. Also, the battery will not show up on the display of the GX device.

4. VEConfigure settings

4.1 General tab

4.2 Charge Settings

Charger tab

Parameter Setting
Battery type Lithium
Charge curve Fixed
Absorption voltage 51.0 V
Float voltage 50.8 V
Absorption time 1 Hr

Note: make sure to double check the float voltage after completing Assistants, and if necessary set it back to 50.8 V.

4.3 Inverter Settings

In the Inverter tab of VEConfigure

VEConfigure Inverter Parameter Setting
DC input low shut-down 42V
DC input low restart 45V
DC input low pre-alarm* 45V

* The pre-alarm setting is dependent on your preference and on site specific requirements. You may wish for this to be activated earlier in an off grid situation to allow time to start a backup generator.

4.4 ESS System Settings

If you are using the battery as part of a grid connected ESS system, please review the ESS Quickstart guide and Design and Installation Manual.

The settings that are specific to the EXIDE battery in the VEConfigure ESS Assistant are below:

Select the externally managed Lithium battery option

ESS Parameter Settings
Sustain voltage. 45V
Dynamic cut-off values set all values to 43.5V.
Restart offset: 1.2V (Default)

Due to the reliability of the grid supply and the behaviour of the sustain voltage threshold in ESS; you may wish to suppress the low voltage pre-alarm warning so that it does not trigger every day on its regular deep cycle. See ESS FAQ Q5 - about suppressing the low-voltage alarm.

5. GX device Configuration

Next, go to Settings, DVCC, and configure as follows:

Venus Settings → System Setup Parameter Value
DVCCON
Shared Voltage Sense OFF
Shared Temperature Sense OFF

6. MPPT Settings

In normal operation the MPPT charge characteristics are governed by the GX device via DVCC, with instructions from the connected EXIDE battery.

This section presumes familiarity with VictronConnect

The settings below can be set as a precautionary measure, should the MPPT ever end up in standalone mode.

MPPT Parameter Setting
Battery voltage. 48V
Absorption voltage 51V