Victron Hubble Battery Compatibility: Setup and Settings Guide

Key Takeaways

• A Hubble CloudLink is essential for full compatibility and official support with Victron systems.
• Correct CAN-bus communication settings on the CloudLink and DVCC settings on the Victron GX device are critical.
• Fallback voltage parameters for charge, cutoff, restart, and sustain vary by battery chemistry and system voltage.
• Always follow specific fusing and wiring guidelines based on inverter size for safe parallel installations.
• Ensure all required components and firmware versions are up-to-date before commissioning.

How to Ensure Victron and Hubble Battery Compatibility?

To ensure full compatibility and receive official support for your Hubble Lithium batteries with Victron products, you must use a Hubble CloudLink. This device facilitates communication and implements dynamic control between the battery and the Victron system. Correct configuration of both the CloudLink and your Victron equipment is necessary for optimal performance and safety.

Essential Components for Victron-Hubble Integration

Successful integration of Hubble Lithium batteries with a Victron system requires specific hardware and software. The Hubble CloudLink plays a central role in this setup, enabling advanced communication and control.

Required Components

You will need the following components for a compatible setup:

• Hubble Battery: The lithium battery itself.
• Hubble CloudLink & Cables: This is required for all Hubble batteries. If your battery is a '+' model (e.g., Blade+, AM-5+, AM-2+, X101+), it has a CloudLink built-in. For other models, an external CloudLink is necessary.
• Victron Type A BMS Cable: This cable connects the CloudLink to the Victron GX device.
• Laptop or Cellphone: For configuring the CloudLink and Victron devices.
• Victron GX Device: A Victron Cerbo GX or Ekrano GX is recommended for system monitoring and control.

The Role of the Hubble CloudLink

The CloudLink's primary function is to implement dynamic and adaptive voltage and current control. It also enables the extended Victron CAN bus protocol, which is crucial for seamless communication. Beyond control, the CloudLink provides a powerful dashboard with high-resolution logging, offering detailed insights into battery performance.

Configuring Your Hubble CloudLink

Before connecting your Hubble battery to a Victron system, you must configure the CloudLink and ensure all firmware is up-to-date.

Firmware Requirements

Ensure the following minimum firmware versions are met:

• CloudLink: Version >= 4.60
• Victron GX Device: Version >= 3.00
• VE.Bus Firmware: The current recommended release.

CloudLink Connection Steps

1. Connect the Battery side of the Victron Type A BMS cable into the CloudLink CAN port.
2. Connect the Victron side of the Type A cable to the CAN BMS port on the GX device. This port must be configured for 500kbps CAN BMS communication.
3. After saving and confirming your CloudLink settings, click "Reboot" for the changes to take effect.

CloudLink Configuration Settings

The following settings should be applied to your Hubble CloudLink:

Victron System Settings for Hubble Batteries

Once the CloudLink is configured, you need to adjust specific settings within your Victron system to ensure proper communication and operation with Hubble batteries.

Victron Venus OS > DVCC Settings

Dynamic Voltage and Current Control (DVCC) settings on your Victron GX device must be configured as follows:

VictronConnect Multi RS Settings

For Victron Multi RS inverters, configure these settings using VictronConnect:

VictronConnect MPPT & MPPT RS Settings

For Victron MPPT and MPPT RS solar charge controllers, use VictronConnect to set:

Ve.Configure 3 Settings

If you are using Ve.Configure 3 for your Victron inverter/charger, apply these settings:

Fallback Voltage Parameters for Hubble Batteries

The following tables provide fallback voltage parameters for various Hubble battery chemistries and system voltages. These values are used in the Victron settings outlined above.

48V Systems

24V Systems

12V Systems

Safety: Safe Installation Practices for Hubble Batteries

Proper installation and wiring are critical for the safe operation and longevity of your Hubble battery system. Always adhere to these guidelines:

• Pre-charge Resistors: Hubble batteries have built-in pre-charge resistors. These help manage in-rush currents, especially from the capacitor banks in Victron low-frequency inverters. If AC input is not available, you can turn on the batteries, and the internal pre-charge resistor should energize the DC bus and charge the inverter capacitors.
• Fusing: Links between the battery bank and the inverter must be fused. This protects the system from overcurrents.
• Parallel Installations:
• • Inverters 5kW or Smaller: When installed in parallel with inverters of 5kW or smaller, batteries can be daisy-chained. However, ensure that negative and positive leads are drawn diagonally across the battery bank to promote even current distribution.
  • Inverters Larger than 5kW: For systems with inverters larger than 5kW, each battery must be individually wired to a busbar. Additionally, each battery must be fused between the busbar and the battery.
• Commissioning Sequence:
• • Before turning on the batteries, inverters, or commissioning the system, ensure the batteries are connected to the DC bus with all fuses closed.
  • If possible, power up the inverters from the AC input before turning on the batteries.

When to call a technician instead

While many configuration steps can be performed by a knowledgeable user, certain situations warrant professional assistance. If you encounter persistent communication errors, unexpected shutdowns, or if you are unsure about wiring configurations, especially for systems with inverters larger than 5kW, it is best to consult a certified solar technician. Incorrect wiring or settings can lead to system damage or safety hazards. Always prioritize safety and ensure all connections are secure and correctly made.