Victron energy Quattro 24/8000/200 Manuel page 5

Solar energy
The Quattro is extremely suitable for solar energy applications. It can be used for building autonomous systems as well as
mains-coupled systems.
Emergency power or autonomous operation on mains failure
Houses or buildings provided with solar panels or a combined micro-scale heating and power plant (a power-generating central
heating boiler) or other sustainable energy sources have a potential autonomous energy supply which can be used for
powering essential equipment (central heating pumps, refrigerators, deep freeze units, Internet connections, etc.) during a
power failure. A problem in this regard, however, is that mains-coupled solar panels and/or micro-scale heating and power
plants drop out as soon as the mains supply fails. With a Quattro and batteries, this problem can be solved in a simple manner:
the Quattro can replace the mains supply during a power failure. When the sustainable energy sources produce more power
than necessary, the Quattro will use the surplus to charge the batteries; in the event of a shortfall, the Quattro will supply
additional power from its battery energy resources.
Programmable with DIP switches, VE.Net panel or personal computer
The Quattro is supplied ready for use. Three features are available for changing certain settings if desired:
- The most important settings (including parallel operation of up to three devices and 3-phase operation) can be changed in a
very simple manner, using Quattro DIP switches.
- All settings, with exception of the multi-functional relay, can be changed with a VE.Net panel.
- All settings can be changed with a PC and free of charge software, downloadable from our website www.victronenergy.com
2.2 Battery charger
Adaptive 4-stage charging characteristics: bulk – absorption – float – storage
The microprocessor-driven adaptive battery management system can be adjusted for various types of batteries. The adaptive
function automatically adapts the charging process to battery use.
The right amount of charge: variable absorption time
In the event of slight battery discharge, absorption is kept short to prevent overcharging and excessive gas formation. After
deep discharging, the absorption time is automatically extended in order to fully charge the battery.
Preventing damage due to excessive gassing: the BatterySafe mode
If, in order to quickly charge a battery, a high charge current in combination with a high absorption voltage has been chosen,
damage due to excessive gassing will be prevented by automatically limiting the rate of voltage increase once the gassing
voltage has been reached.
Less maintenance and aging when the battery is not in use: the Storage mode
The Storage mode kicks in whenever the battery has not been subjected to discharge during 24 hours. In the Storage mode
float voltage is reduced to 2,2V/cell (13,2V for 12V battery) to minimise gassing and corrosion of the positive plates. Once a
week the voltage is raised back to the absorption level to 'equalize' the battery. This feature prevents stratification of the
electrolyte and sulphation, a major cause of early battery failure.
Two DC outputs for charging two batteries
The main DC terminal can supply the full output current. The second output, intended for charging a starter battery, is limited to
4A and has a slightly lower output voltage.
Increasing service life of the battery: temperature compensation
The temperature sensor (supplied with the product) serves to reduce charging voltage when battery temperature rises. This is
particularly important for maintenance-free batteries, which could otherwise dry out by overcharging.
Battery voltage sense: the correct charge voltage
Voltage loss due to cable resistance can be compensated by using the voltage sense facility to measure voltage directly on the
DC bus or on the battery terminals.
More on batteries and charging
Our book 'Energy Unlimited' offers further information on batteries and battery charging, and is available free of charge on our
website (see www.victronenergy.com -> Support & Downloads' -> General Technical Information). For more information on
adaptive charging, please also refer to the General Technical Information our website.
2.3 Self consumption – solar energy storage systems
When the Multi/Quattro is used in a configuration in which it will feed back energy to the grid it is required to enable grid code
compliance by selecting the grid code country setting with the VEConfigure tool.
This way the Multi/Quattro can comply to the local rules.
Once set, a password will be required to disable grid code compliance or change grid code related parameters.
If the local grid code is not supported by the Multi/Quattro an external certified interface device should be used to connect the
Multi/Quattro to the grid.
The Multi/Quattro can also be used as a bidirectional inverter operating parallel to the grid, integrated into a customer designed
system (PLC or other) that takes care of the control-loop and grid measurement, see
http://www.victronenergy.com/live/system_integration:hub4_grid_parallel
Special note for Australian customers: IEC62109.1 certification and CEC approval for off-grid use does NOT imply approval for
grid-interactive installations. Additional certification to IEC 62109.2 and AS 4777.2.2015 are required before grid-interactive
systems can be implemented. Please check Clean Energy Council website for current approvals.
3