Victron Hubble Lithium Battery Compatibility Guide

Key Takeaways

• The Hubble CloudLink is essential for official Victron compatibility and support.
• Correct CAN bus cabling and settings are critical for communication between devices.
• Ensure all Victron GX device and CloudLink firmware is up to date for stable operation.
• Proper commissioning steps, including pre-charge and fusing, prevent system damage.

How do I ensure Victron and Hubble Lithium batteries are compatible?

Ensuring compatibility between Victron and Hubble Lithium batteries primarily involves proper communication setup via the Hubble CloudLink device. This device facilitates dynamic voltage and current control, and requires specific cabling and firmware versions for both systems to operate seamlessly.

Setup and Configuration Steps for Hubble Lithium with Victron

Achieving full compatibility between your Hubble Lithium battery system and Victron Energy equipment requires careful attention to communication setup, cabling, and firmware. Follow these steps to ensure proper integration.

1. Verify CloudLink Presence:

• • Check: Determine if your Hubble battery has an integrated CloudLink (indicated by a "+" symbol in the model number, e.g., AM-5+) or if you need an external CloudLink.
  • Meaning: All Hubble batteries require a CloudLink for full and official support with Victron systems. The CloudLink's primary role is to implement dynamic and adaptive voltage and current control and extend the Victron CAN bus protocol.

2. Connect the Communication Cable:

• • Check: Use the recommended Victron VE.Can to CAN-bus BMS type A Cable 1.8m (ASS030710018) for all CloudLink-based installations.
  • Meaning: This cable ensures the correct pinout for CAN bus communication.
  • • Victron VE.Can side Pin 3 connects to Battery side Pin 6 (GND).
    • Victron VE.Can side Pin 8 connects to Battery side Pin 5 (CAN-L).
    • Victron VE.Can side Pin 7 connects to Battery side Pin 4 (CAN-H).
  • Note: External CloudLinks can also use type A or type B cables.

3. Configure CloudLink Settings:

• • Check: Access the CloudLink configuration interface. This can be done locally by connecting to its WiFi Access Point ("RIOT CL-XXXXXXXXXXX", no password, local IP http://192.168.4.1) or remotely by setting up a hotspot named "RIOT_WiFi" with password "CloudLink" for the CloudLink to connect to.
  • Meaning: Within the CloudLink settings, ensure the following are correctly set:
  • • CloudLink CAN Mode: Victron
    • CloudLink CAN Conn. To: Inverter
    • CloudLink Inverter Brand: Victron
    • CloudLink Adaptive Cell Limits: Enable
  • Note: If using an external CloudLink, ensure "CloudLink Serial Conn. To" is set to Battery. If using a model with internal CloudLink, "CloudLink RS232 Conn. To" should be Nothing.

4. Configure Victron GX Device:

• • Check: Ensure your Victron GX device (e.g., Cerbo GX or Ekrano GX) is properly configured.
  • Meaning: Navigate to the Venus OS settings and enable DVCC (Distributed Voltage and Current Control). Set the Victron GX Device CAN BMS Port to 500kbps CAN BMS.

5. Update Firmware:

• • Check: Verify the firmware versions of your CloudLink and Victron devices.
  • Meaning:
  • • Hubble CloudLink Firmware: >= 4.60
    • Victron GX Device Firmware: >= 3.00
    • Victron VE.Bus Firmware: Current release recommended
  • Note: Outdated firmware can lead to communication errors or limited functionality.

6. Commission the System:

• • Check: Follow the specific commissioning steps for your system size.
  • Meaning:
  • • Matched Systems (typically < 5kW): Before turning on batteries or inverters, connect batteries to the DC bus with fuses closed. If possible, power up inverters from the AC input first. If AC input is unavailable, turn on batteries, and their internal pre-charge resistors should energize the DC bus and charge inverter capacitors.
    • Larger Systems (> 5kW): Connections between each inverter and the DC bus must be open during commissioning. An external pre-charge resistor must be used to commission each inverter one at a time.

Compatibility Checklist

This table summarizes common compatibility issues and their solutions for Hubble Lithium batteries with Victron systems.

Communication and Pairing Details

Hubble Lithium batteries achieve seamless integration with Victron Energy systems primarily through the CloudLink device and CAN bus communication.

CloudLink Functionality

The CloudLink acts as a bridge, translating battery data into the Victron CAN bus protocol. It provides dynamic and adaptive voltage and current control, ensuring the battery operates within safe parameters set by the Victron system. It also offers high-resolution logging, often providing more detail than available in the Victron Remote Management (VRM) portal.

• Internal vs. External CloudLink: Some newer Hubble battery models, such as the Blade+, come with an integrated CloudLink. Other models require an external CloudLink device. Future models with a "+" symbol (e.g., AM-5+, AM-2+, X101+) will also feature built-in CloudLink.
• Parallel Systems: Each CloudLink can support up to 15 batteries in parallel. Up to 15 CloudLinks can be paralleled, allowing for a total of 225 modules in a single system.

CAN Bus Communication

The Victron GX device (e.g., Cerbo GX, Ekrano GX) communicates with the CloudLink via a CAN bus connection.

• Recommended Cable: The Victron VE.Can to CAN-bus BMS type A Cable 1.8m (ASS030710018) is specifically designed for this purpose. It ensures the correct pin configuration:
• • Victron VE.Can side Pin 3 to Battery side Pin 6 (GND)
  • Victron VE.Can side Pin 8 to Battery side Pin 5 (CAN-L)
  • Victron VE.Can side Pin 7 to Battery side Pin 4 (CAN-H)

Required Firmware

For reliable operation, ensure your system components meet the minimum firmware requirements:

• Hubble CloudLink: Firmware version >= 4.60
• Victron GX Device: Firmware version >= 3.00
• Victron VE.Bus Devices: Current release recommended

High Voltage (HV100) Systems

For Hubble HV100 systems, specific configurations apply:

• Modules per Stack: HV100 (HS19) systems require exactly 8 modules per stack.
• Usable Voltage Range: The usable voltage range for an HV100 (HS19) stack is 717 - 891 V.
• Capacity: Each HV100 module is 102.4 V nominal (32S LiFePO4), 100 Ah / 10.24 kWh. A full stack provides 82 kWh.

Safety: Commissioning and Fusing

Working with high-capacity lithium batteries and inverter systems requires strict adherence to safety protocols to prevent damage to equipment and ensure personal safety.

• Pre-charge Resistors: Hubble batteries have built-in pre-charge resistors to manage the in-rush currents from inverter capacitor banks.
• Fusing:
• • For parallel systems under 5kW, links between the battery bank and the inverter must be fused.
  • For parallel systems over 5kW, each battery must be fused between the busbar and the battery.
• Commissioning:
• • Before powering on any components, connect the batteries to the DC bus with all fuses closed.
  • If AC input is available, power up the inverters from the AC side first.
  • If AC input is not available, turn on the batteries, allowing their internal pre-charge resistors to energize the DC bus.
  • For larger systems, connections between each inverter and the DC bus must be open during commissioning. Use an external pre-charge resistor to commission each inverter one at a time.
• Terminal Work: Always isolate all power sources (PV, battery, AC breakers) before tightening or disconnecting battery terminals. Use insulated tools to prevent accidental short circuits, as a spanner across a battery bank can short hundreds of amps.

When to call a technician instead

While many compatibility issues can be resolved with careful configuration, some situations warrant professional assistance. You should contact a qualified solar technician or Hubble/Victron support if:

• You are unable to establish communication between the battery and the Victron GX device after verifying all cabling, settings, and firmware updates.
• The system displays persistent error codes or unexpected behavior that is not covered by the provided documentation.
• You are working with high-voltage systems (like the HV100) and are unsure about any commissioning steps or safety procedures.
• You suspect internal battery faults or damage.
• Your system is not performing as expected, and you have exhausted all troubleshooting steps.

Note that support from Hubble for Victron integration is only provided where their batteries are used with a CloudLink. Attempting to integrate without a CloudLink may void support or warranty claims.