RTFM!

Hardly a day goes by where we don’t say to a reader or customer “Did you actually open the installation manual?” One of those items we’ve seen one too many of are the Victron Battery Protect devices. These are great products, but like anything Victron, their manuals are typically written for Victron trained technicians not the average DIY. They are also written in a generic world view and standards applicability will need to be assessed based on the installers location eg: ABYC/ ISO /RCD etc.. If attempting to install Victron equipment as a DIY you have two choices;

1) Use a Victron trained dealer/installer (Preferred)

2) Research, research, research…

Research resources:

VICTRON SUPPORT COMMUNITY

BOAT ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS GROUP

Boat Electrical Systems is thelargest group of ABYC & ISO/RCD Electricians anywhere the net.

 

Victron Battery Protect

The Victron Battery Protect is a low-voltage disconnect device intended to protect your batteries from over-discharge. If purchasing one of these we strongly advise purchasing the “smart” battery protect. The model with smart in the name features Bluetooth for programming.It is definitely worth the extra few dollars..

What is so complicated? Honestly, I have no idea? The terminals on the Battery Protect are very clearly labeled IN & OUT?

The owners Manual is also extremely clear these are not bi-directional devices;

Despite the manual being very clear. Images like these keep popping up…

65A Victron Battery Protect: Completely Smoked!!

There are two scenarios here: the 65A current rating has been exceeded or the unit was installed in a bi-directional manner where the owner was trying to use if for both charge and discharge….

From Matthijs Vader managing director of Victron..

Despite the manual and clear terminal markings, stuff like this still happens

Are any of these failures the fault of Victron? The answer to that is a hard no… All of these failures could have burned a boat to the waterline!

Here’s the reason these are not Bi-directional

As can be seen the Victron BP’s use FET’s as the switch not a relay like the Blue Sea LVD does…Is this bad? Absolutely not, it just means you need to RTFM….

Be Safe RTFM!