Solar panel calculations
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Nabsim
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I run a Votronic 250 Duo side by side with a Victron 100/20. The differences are, the Victron has Bluetooth where the Votronic has a display (extra cost. The Votronic is a fraction of the size of the Victron. The Victron has never harvested better than the Votronic whenever I check, usually the same of an amp lower.
I don’t know how anyone can say the Votronic isn’t as good, what data is this being based on! I suspect it’s just the blue virus that people catch rather than anything else.
wildebus
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It is an option, but if it is possible you will want Bluetooth at a later stage, it is a much better idea to get the models with the integrated Bluetooth to start with - and sometimes even if you DON'T really want Bluetooth anyway.
Reasons ......
The Bluetooth equipped versions are cheaper than non-bluetooth + Dongle
If you add the Bluetooth Dongle, you cannot use the VE.Direct port with a Venus OS device such as a Cerbo GX
It is a LOT easier to configure a device with the VictronConnect app than using the manual switch and jumper
If you have Bluetooth, you will have access to the firmware updates that a non-Bluetooth device will not have
Victron are adding some non-Bluetooth features into the firmware space that only Bluetooth equipped devices have, so if you opt for a non-Bluetooth device, you can miss out on some new features (and the Bluetooth Dongle will not make them available)
So, yes, you CAN add Bluetooth with the dongle. But NO, it is not the same or as flexible as getting integrated Bluetooth as well as being a more expensive way to do it.
The Cerbo GX has Bluetooth, but as far as I am aware (unless been recent changes), it does not and can not use Bluetooth to talk to any other Victron devices and you need to use the appropriate cables - VE.Direct usually but some use the VE.Bus and occasionally VE.CAN - to physically connect.
Maybe someday this will change, but assume it won't is the best thing to do.
If you have the VE.Direct devices connected to Cerbo GX, you can use the VictronConnect Smartphone app to talk to both Bluetooth and non-Bluetooth Devices and also update firmware etc, so the Bluetooth is not that important.
BUT ... as I said above, Victron have started to use the Bluetooth area of the firmware to add features that you could miss out on if you don't have Bluetooth. For example, they have added the long overdue "remember battery SOC" setting on the BMV-712 and SmartShunt battery monitors. But the non bluetooth monitors, such as the BMV-701, do not get this as they added it into the Bluetooth firmware, although nothing to do with the Bluetooth function.
wildebus
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I prefer the Victrons for a couple of reasons
Connectivity - you can see on your phone what is happening; you have a history log and you can adjust the settings more easily than on the Votronic. You can also (and this is for ME, a key thing) connect to a full monitoring setup.
Warranty - you get a 5 year warranty with the Victron. Victron have a log of every devices serial number and when it was sent out to which distributor.
So if you have a problem with a device within the warranty period, you can get it replaced very easily.
If you don't know where it came from (maybe already fitted in a used Motorhome?), you can find out which distributor sold it and when.
If the distributor is no longer in business, then Victron will sort out the replacement via another distributor.
Voltronic stuff goes wrong. Victron stuff goes wrong. ALL stuff goes wrong. But getting replacements for failed Victron stuff is a piece of ****.
And right now, the Victron solar controllers are far better value then Votronic (unless Votronic have dropped their prices big time to compete?)
trevskoda
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Many people like me dont want smart google spy/tracking phones, hence the votronic does the biz, and simple, bit like me.
wildebus
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true.Many people like me dont want smart google spy/tracking phones, hence the votronic does the biz, and simple, bit like me.
This is why you don't have TPMS either (no need with wooden wheels and solid tyres
)
trevskoda
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Ph zombie.
trevskoda
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Its not a renault splinter.true.
This is why you don't have TPMS either (no need with wooden wheels and solid tyres
maingate
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I was happy with my Votronic. It is an MPPT duo controller so they do exist despite what was said erroneously in an earlier post. They are also very easy to instal to a lot of motorhome 12 volt systems.
SimonM
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I have finally had the roof correctly measured and have the room to comfortably fit 2 x 175w and 1 x 140w panels = 490w.
1 x 175w rh rear, the 140w lh rear (the aerial gets in the way) and 1 x 175 along the side of the front skylight.
I think that should suffice as it more than doubles the 220w I had on my Burstner
1 x 175w rh rear, the 140w lh rear (the aerial gets in the way) and 1 x 175 along the side of the front skylight.
I think that should suffice as it more than doubles the 220w I had on my Burstner
wildebus
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Very similar to what Andy and I fitted to his van - that was 1 x 175W and 2 x 140W panels, and where you had reverted to a 140W instead of a 175W due to the aerial on the roof was exactly the same situation for him.
If you are going for a Victron controller, you will need the 100/50 model, but right now they are cheap (you can get a 100/50 now on-line for the same price I paid for a 100/30 on a trade price just a few months ago!)