Votronic Temperature Sensor.

[MrPG]

Following on from my questions on multimeters which I wanted to use to test an additional solar panel and regulator which isn’t responding to the panel https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/multimeter.315610/page-3#posts
RoadPro who originally supplied and fitted the Votronic regulator have suggested I need a temperature sensor and are putting one in the post foc to me.
Could someone explain what this actually does? Simply if possible!

Thanks

Paul

 

[StillGoing]

The Votronic MPPT charger will vary the charge to the battery depending on the temperature of the battery. The temperature sensor fits to the negative terminal of the battery. If you have got a lithium battery, they should really have fitted a temperature sensor as part of the installation.

Have you got the Votronic MPPT charger manual? It contains a graph showing the effect of temperature on charging.

 

[MrPG]

The Votronic MPPT charger will vary the charge to the battery depending on the temperature of the battery. The temperature sensor fits to the negative terminal of the battery. If you have got a lithium battery, they should really have fitted a temperature sensor as part of the installation.

Have you got the Votronic MPPT charger manual? It contains a graph showing the effect of temperature on charging.

No I haven’t but I can download it.
Yes I have 2x100A NDS lithium.
The roof panel has its own Votronic MPPT all fitted by RoadPro.
That’s interesting as they suggested this after asking for a picture of the second controller in situ.

 

[StillGoing]

No I haven’t but I can download it.
Yes I have 2x100A NDS lithium.
The roof panel has its own Votronic MPPT all fitted by RoadPro.
That’s interesting as they suggested this after asking for a picture of the second controller in situ.

In case you can’t find it!

 

[StillGoing]

In the Votronic MPPT manual it says (see bullet 3):

Charging Programs for LiFePO4-Batteries:
 The charging regulations of the battery manufacturer are absolutely to be observed!
 An operation of the unit at a LiFePO4 battery without BMS Battery Management System and without equalization charging of the cells (balancing) as well as safety circuit is not admissible!
 A battery temperature sensor must be installed at the battery (screw to the negative pole) and connected at the unit. It serves as protection for the battery!
 If possible, the battery temperature must be kept above 0 °C.

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[Sewdhull]

My understanding is that the temperature probe is used to control battery heating and deciding to charge or not charge.

Charging Lithiums below zero Centigrade is a no no and 5 Centigrade would be my starting point. If they are in regular use they can keep themselves warm.

The NDS batteries show only to be charged above 0 Centigrade.

 

[StillGoing]

The temperature probe on the Votronic MPPT does not control battery heating.

 

[Lenny HB]

No I haven’t but I can download it.
Yes I have 2x100A NDS lithium.
The roof panel has its own Votronic MPPT all fitted by RoadPro.
That’s interesting as they suggested this after asking for a picture of the second controller in situ.

You don't use the temperature sensor with Lithium, it is for altering the charging voltage depending on battery temperature of Lead Acid batteries.

 

[peterc10]

You don't use the temperature sensor with Lithium, it is for altering the charging voltage depending on battery temperature of Lead Acid batteries.

If the setting on my Voltronic MPPT is set to LiFePo4 (which it is) the temperature sensor is set to stop charging at low voltages. That is set out in the instructions.

 

[Lenny HB]

If the setting on my Voltronic MPPT is set to LiFePo4 (which it is) the temperature sensor is set to stop charging at low voltages. That is set out in the instructions.

Looking at the charging graphs it says reduced current 0 -- 20° so not very good you want it to not charge at +4° or +5° like Victron do.

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[MrPG]

You don't use the temperature sensor with Lithium, it is for altering the charging voltage depending on battery temperature of Lead Acid batteries.

Lenny HB now this is interesting as RoadPro haven’t fitted one to the regulator for the roof panels but are suggesting this for the plug in panel?

Paul

 

[Lenny HB]

Lenny HB now this is interesting as RoadPro haven’t fitted one to the regulator for the roof panels but are suggesting this for the plug in panel?

Paul

Surely you would be using the plug in panel when the van is in use so the batteries would be warm.

 

[TrudeandDall]

Looking at the charging graphs it says reduced current 0 -- 20° so not very good you want it to not charge at +4° or +5° like Victron do.

The Votronic manual for my MPPT says that
'LiFePO4 Batteries:
Effect: In case of abnormal battery temperatures, such as <-20 °C, >50 °C, the charging voltage will be reduced strongly to
safety charging voltage, approx. 12.80 V, for battery protection, and the maximum charging current rate will be halved.
Battery charging is then interrupted, but the supply of consumers being possibly connected will be continued by the solar
controller until the battery temperature is in the admissible range. After that, automatic charging will be resumed.
Below 0 °C, the charging current will be reduced very strongly for battery protection, and longer charging times can be
expected."

I am not sure what in terms of volts/amps " Very Strongly" means......
My Lifepo4 BMS is set for protection below 2 degrees and to resume above 5 degrees. During the recent big freeze when the BMS was in protection mode, and it was very sunny for 5 days, I was hoping to see, via the shunt, what volts/amps the solar was putting into the system. However 9 Inch of frozen snow on the panel for the entire period, rather made a mess of that idea!

 

[Sewdhull]

lifepo4 cells can be charged at something like 0.1 to 0.05C sub zero. I'm unsure why you would want to however, better to use some power to heat the battery (heating pad perhaps) and then charge at a higher rate, both the discharge and subsequent charge will then heat the battery.

I made a motorcycle battery and added a small heat pad and gave the battery a little insulation and all was well, the bms would look after the cells and the battery would be kept over zero with the heating pad. I did find however that the actual starting of the bike warmed the battery effectively.

Charging sub zero can/will, depending on the charge rate, cause physical damage to the battery cells.

 

[MrPG]

lifepo4 cells can be charged at something like 0.1 to 0.05C sub zero. I'm unsure why you would want to however, better to use some power to heat the battery (heating pad perhaps) and then charge at a higher rate, both the discharge and subsequent charge will then heat the battery.

I made a motorcycle battery and added a small heat pad and gave the battery a little insulation and all was well, the bms would look after the cells and the battery would be kept over zero with the heating pad. I did find however that the actual starting of the bike warmed the battery effectively.

Charging sub zero can/will, depending on the charge rate, cause physical damage to the battery cells.

I don’t think my problem is the temp of the batteries which are underneath the drivers seat. And as Lenny HB said I’ll be using a plug in solar when it’s warm. The regulator thinks it’s night time.

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[Lenny HB]

Which MPP controller do you have?
There are problems with the 430 with Lithium.

 

[MrPG]

The Votronic MPP 250 Duo.
I have two and the one running the roof panel is fine. It’s the ancillary one for a plug in panel that thinks it’s dark all the time.

 

[Lenny HB]

The Votronic MPP 250 Duo.
I have two and the one running the roof panel is fine. It’s the ancillary one for a plug in panel that thinks it’s dark all the time.

Try pulling the fuse in it and replacing.
One the 430 they wouldn't start in the morning, pulling and replacing the fuse they would work all day until the next morning.

 

[MrPG]

Try pulling the fuse in it and replacing.
One the 430 they wouldn't start in the morning, pulling and replacing the fuse they would work all day until the next morning.

I’ve done that as I tested the fuse.
I think as RoadPro fitted both I’m going to insist they check it . I’m only 15 mins away from them. They’ve answered my emails about it and suggested different things but they appear reluctant to check it over physically.