A real world comparison between Mono, Poly, PERC and Dual PV Modules.
* This is a field test and the results are specific for this installation on this location please research which is the best solution for your own situation as the results can be different based on environmental influences.
Total solar yield as of 27/03/2023 when the results were reset:
Mono: 9158 kWh
Split-cell: 9511 kWh
Poly: 9113 kWh
Perc: 9471 kWh
Perc-east: 1970 kWh
Perc-west: 1730 kWh
When delivering your popular chilled or frozen products, you'll want to have a hassle-free power solution that lets you keep your eyes on the road while keeping the food perfectly chilled for consumption. More and more cities now demand that engines are switched off when parked, some cities prohibit the use of noisy generators in their centres. The electric stand by option offered by many manufacturers is the solution here. When the engine is switched off, the service battery powers the refrigerator equipment to keep the goods cool.
The Victron Energy modular system components allow cooling professionals to build a complete system that fits exactly to the required specifications and budget. The advantage of working with just one brand means having just one clear contact for upgrades or to resolve any rare issues that may occur. The global network of Victron Energy Professionals has over 45 years of experience and are ready, willing and able to translate your challenges into robust solutions that put the power of know-how right by your side.
Depending on the volume that needs to be cooled, different options are offered by the cooling equipment manufacturers. Small vans can rely on cooling equipment in electric stand-by mode that are based on DC powered (12/24V) cooling. Larger trucks or trailers are better off with AC (110/230V) based stand by cooling, due to wiring complications that come with these high energy consumers.
For now, let's assume we're designing for an average size DC cooling system based on the Mercedes Sprinter van.
The daily energy consumption is calculated by adding up the sum of all consumers X how much time they will be used in a day: 750W x 2,5 hrs running on standby mode from the battery. Add all the Watts of the simultaneously used consumers to calculate the required peak power.
Find below some of the main design considerations explained, click on the questions for our engineers' recommendations.
Master all challenges that come with combining (smart) alternators, starter and service batteries (lithium or lead-acid) with our wide range of DC-DC chargers, battery combiners or Smart BMS products. Our solutions are specially designed for vehicles and make sure both lead-acid and lithium service batteries can be properly (dis)charged, without damaging the (smart) alternator(s) or the batteries.
Limiting current from 2 different sized alternators to not exceed the maximum charge current of the lithium battery.
Thanks to the fast charging characteristics of Lithium, the chosen Lithium battery has a recommended continuous charge current of 100 Amps (max 400A, but due to cycle life 100A is recommended as per the datasheet). Mercedes engineers recommend not to take more than a 50% continuous charge current from the 80A smart alternator, which then safely delivers 40 Amps, not enough to benefit from the full charge current potential of the battery. The only available high-power alternator that fitted the particular engine was an unregulated one, rated with 180 Amps. Again, only using 50% continuously to not overload the second alternator delivers the total charge capacity to 130 Amps, enough to charge the starter battery and the service battery at the same time.
The engine's alternator: 40 Amps (80A/2)
The second alternator: 90 Amps (180A/2)
Total charging safe capacity: 130 Amps
To ensure the recommended charge current of the Lithium battery (100A) and the alternators are not exceeded, Current Limiting needs to be applied.
2x Orion-Tr 12/12-18: To charge the service battery with the engines standard alternator, this professional ‘Battery-to-Battery' DC-DC charger requests a safe charge current from the smart alternator. In fact, two Orions are connected in parallel to meet the 40 Amps charge current, which is delivered directly to the service battery through the Smart BMS Current Limiter.
To meet the maximum charge potential, but not exceed it, the current from both alternators also needs to be retrieved within safe margins of the battery (current limiting required):
Battery Management System BMS 12/200: to limit the total charge current (also from the high powered alternator) and to protect the Lithium battery from excessive (dis)charge, this compact and robust solution is the perfect choice for systems with a load up to 200A. The device consists of a Battery Management system, Current Limiter, Battery Combiner and BatteryProtect in one. This manages and charges the Lithium battery quickly and efficiently. It limits the charge current to the safe zone of the alternator output specifications, to prevent the alternator from overheating or early wear and prevents excessive discharge of the battery.
How do the system design considerations translate into a robust system?
Vehicles and boats are equipped with engine(s) that generate the power to move, but also generate electrical energy through alternators. Alternators generate electrical energy with a direct current (DC) from mechanical energy, which is used to store the energy in the battery bank or power DC-equipment directly.
Small engines usually have small alternators, larger engines usually have larger alternators, sometimes they are even equipped with (extra) high-output alternators to increase the output. Vehicles, especially with Euro 4/5 engines, may come with smart (variable voltage) alternators, controlling the output based on vehicle operating conditions. This renders it unsuccessful at charging a secondary battery system to a usable level. Lithium service batteries may put a heavy load on the engine’s alternator, which probably needs to be protected from overheating or early wear.
Whatever your engine’s alternator, or service battery type, Victron Energy offers a wide range of solutions to safely connect any alternator to any battery bank, without damaging the smart alternator or batteries. Please check our datasheets for more information. Also, check your manufacturer's documentation to see what output your alternator can provide. With Lithium service banks and conventional or smart alternators we recommend to calculate with 50% the alternator output spec, to not overload the alternator.
See all our DC-DC chargers See all our Battery Combiners See all our (Smart) BMS options
Battery management systems take excellent care of Lithium batteries, protecting the individual cells of LiFePO4 batteries against over voltage, under voltage and over temperature and will shut down or reduce charging (VE.Bus products only) or disconnect the loads when this occurs.
Victron Energy offers several BMS options, in general the VE.Bus BMS and smallBMS signal separate devices to disconnect the charging (Cyrix-Li, DC-DC chargers) or disconnect the loads (BatteryProtect), the other (Smart) BMS versions are designed for vehicles or boats and offer more ‘all-in one’ functionalities.
See all our Battery Management Systems
A battery monitor is like a "fuel gauge" for your battery. It records how much power is consumed and charged. The battery monitor calculates the state of charge, remaining capacity and time till empty. The battery voltage does not give an accurate indication of how full the battery is (especially not under load). A battery monitor does.
Victron Energy battery monitors keep track of historical data, like the number of charging cycles, deepest discharge, highest voltage, lowest voltage and so on. It will alert you to critical conditions such as low voltage or low charge and can even shut down the entire power supply to avoid expensive battery damage, or start a generator.
Victron offers battery monitors with or without display, Smart versions allow you to track the detailed data and adjust settings in our free VictronConnect app. See all our Battery Monitors
The BatteryProtect disconnects the battery from non-essential loads before it is below a pre-set level (a complete discharge would damage the battery) or before it has insufficient power left to crank an engine.
There is more to a Victron Energy BatteryProtect. Built-in shutdown delays ensure vital electronics aren’t disconnected in error, i.e. when starting an engine causes a short drop in voltage. It will also automatically reconnect everything when the battery is sufficiently recharged.
The BatteryProtect has a remote switch, so it can be turned on/off via a BMS or switch. The smart version is programmable via the VictronConnect app.
DC-DC converters, or battery-to-battery chargers (converters with built-in charge algorithms) are used in dual battery systems, where the (smart) alternator and the start battery are combined with the service battery (of equal or different voltages) to charge it. They can also be used to charge applications that have dedicated batteries (eg. bow thrusters), or to power applications that have a voltage different than the service battery bank.
Most DC-DC chargers can be used in 12V or 24V systems and all are suitable for both lead acid and lithium batteries. Some DC-DC charger models can be parallel connected to increase the output current. DC-DC chargers are a perfect and safe solution to charge Lithium battery banks from smart alternators (and lead-acid batteries for that matter).
Charging lithium batteries from the alternator
Most alternators cannot be directly connected to lithium batteries. A lithium battery will draw more current than the alternator can supply, which may result in permanent alternator damage. To not damage the alternator, current limiting is one of the options to stay within the safe zone of the alternator.
Victron offers multiple solutions to solve this problem, of which one of them are the DC-DC converters:
DC-equipment is designed to work directly with the power coming out of the battery bank (Direct Current). Especially vehicles and boats can have (a lot of) DC equipment on board (such as control panels, lights, navigation equipment, auto pilot, depth sounders, etc).
Some smaller off-grid systems can solely run on DC, with 12V lights, TV’s or fridges. Larger systems may combine AC and DC consumers.
In any case, it is important to protect the battery against excessive discharge, for this Victron offers the ‘BatteryProtect’.
The service battery stores power for the system's consumers, providing autonomous power especially for moments when input power sources aren’t (fully) available.
Victron Energy offers several battery technologies, all designed for professional performance, reliability and long service life in the most demanding environments. They come with a 2 year worldwide warranty and our datasheets offer a fair picture of the performance and expected life cycles, meaning no investment surprises along the way.
While there are multiple technologies to choose between, the main choice is between lead-acid and lithium which mainly depends on the expectations of the performance, cost-per-cycle and physical aspects (size/weight).
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The service battery stores power for the system's consumers, providing autonomous power especially for moments when input power sources aren’t (fully) available.
Victron Energy offers several battery technologies, all designed for professional performance, reliability and long service life in the most demanding environments. They come with a 2 year worldwide warranty and our datasheets offer a fair picture of the performance and expected life cycles, meaning no investment surprises along the way.
While there are multiple technologies to choose between, the main choice is between lead-acid and lithium which mainly depends on the expectations of the performance, cost-per-cycle and physical aspects (size/weight).
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Starter batteries are needed to start your engine(s). These batteries are engineered to deal with a large discharge current and enjoy a different technology compared to service batteries. To avoid accidental draining of the starter battery, it should always be isolated from the service batteries. Victron Energy offers multiple solutions for different system types.
Victron Energy offers several Battery Combiners. More comprehensive ways to safely connect the starter- and service battery are also available, including connecting a Battery Combiner to a BMS, all-in-one Smart BMS products or DC-DC chargers. These options may offer more control and configuration options, especially to protect non-regulated alternators from overheating and Lithium batteries from excessive (dis)charging.
See all our Battery Combiners See all our DC-DC chargers See all our (Smart) BMS options
All Victron Energy smart products can be monitored and controlled from the palm of your hand. Just connect the VictronConnect App via Bluetooth and you’ll have direct access to the performance data of your system. You can also easily change settings, turn devices on or off and much more.
Non-smart devices with a VE.Direct port can also become smart, through the use of the VE.Direct Bluetooth Smart dongle
It is also possible to monitor and control your system remotely. VictronConnect-Remote functionality enables Victron products with a VE.Direct interface to be accessed remotely through a GX product, via the VRM online portal. This powerful feature allows full product configuration and monitoring from practically anywhere in the world using the VictronConnect app. The user interface experience is just like the products were connected locally using Bluetooth or a wired VE.Direct to USB interface.
See what the VictronConnect app can do See our GX-devicesAs you are always on the road, you’ll want reliable but cost-effective solutions that power you through the years ahead. It’s important that you can select power supplies that match your exact needs and live up to their spec so they won’t let you down. Victron Energy has a wide range of modular connected products that stay true to their promise. They are Powered by know-how, thanks to 45 years of mastering power challenges with innovation.
Our robust systems have been proven to deliver unequalled reliability time and time again. This is marked by our worldwide market leadership in power supply equipment for Ambulances, this is illustrated by countless stories of 40+ year old Victron Energy inverters still doing what they were built to do.
When making power supply investment decisions, calculations purely based on price can be deceptive. Their true performance and expected service life cycle are equally important. Good thing Victron Energy equipment lives up to their specifications, both in terms of performance and expected life cycle (when used as designed). Our 5 year warranty and fair and fast repair policies mean your investments are protected and under most circumstances, won’t let you down.
Whatever powers your vehicles’ electronics, or toolset you are bringing for the job, Victron Energy has one the widest ranges of power supply equipment in the market to power your works of genius. The advantage of working with just one brand that covers it all means having just one contact for upgrades or resolving any rare issues that may occur. Our global network of Victron Energy Professionals are trained with 45 years of problem solving experience. They can translate your challenges into robust solutions that will keep you satisfied and your investments secure for years to come.
Our well established global network of local Victron Professionals is dedicated to help find an optimal solution for your challenge.
At Victron we find it essential that customers are serviced and supported quickly and competently. This is why our global network of Victron Professionals pack the highest level of technical know-how and are committed to deliver repairs as fast as possible.
So you can start or continue your journey, wherever you're headed.
