Victron Soluna Battery Compatibility: Setup and Troubleshooting

Key Takeaways

• Communication issues between Soluna batteries and Victron GX devices are often due to incorrect CAN-Bus cabling or missing terminators.
• A Victron GX device is required for Soluna battery integration into Victron Energy systems.
• Ensure both your Victron GX device and Soluna battery firmware meet the specified minimum version requirements.
• If communication problems persist after thorough checks of cables and firmware, consult a qualified solar technician.

Why isn't my Soluna battery communicating with my Victron GX device?

The most common reason a Soluna battery fails to communicate with a Victron GX device is an improper CAN-Bus cable connection or a missing terminator. The first thing you should check is the physical cable connection and the correct placement of any required terminators.

Diagnosis Steps

Follow these steps to diagnose communication issues between your Soluna battery and Victron GX device.

1. Verify GX device presence: Confirm that a Victron GX device is installed in your system. A GX device is required for Soluna batteries to integrate with Victron Energy systems.
2. Check CAN-Bus cable type: Ensure you are using the correct Victron VE.Can to CAN-bus BMS type A Cable, which has part number ASS030710018. Using an incorrect cable can prevent communication.
3. Inspect cable connections:

• • On the Soluna battery side, connect the cable labeled "Battery BMS" into the battery's Can2 port.
  • On the Victron GX device side, connect the cable labeled "Victron VE.Can" into one of the GX device's VE.Can sockets. Incorrect orientation or port selection will prevent communication.

4. Confirm CAN-Bus termination:

• • The Soluna battery has a built-in CAN terminator, so no external terminator is needed on the battery itself.
  • On the Victron GX device, a VE.Can terminator must be inserted into the unused VE.Can socket. Missing this terminator can disrupt the CAN-Bus signal.

5. Check firmware versions:

• • Verify that your Victron GX device is running firmware version v3.60 or newer.
  • Confirm that your Soluna battery has firmware version JC3.30 or newer. Outdated firmware can cause compatibility problems.

6. Observe GX device display: After checking connections and firmware, power cycle your system if safe to do so. Then, check the Victron GX device display to see if the Soluna battery is reliably detected and displayed. If it is not, communication issues persist.
7. Check for sleep mode: If the battery and inverter lose communication for 10 minutes, the Soluna battery will enter sleep mode. If the battery is in sleep mode, restoring communication requires addressing the underlying cause of the communication loss.

Cause/fix table

Soluna Battery and Victron System Integration

Integrating Soluna batteries with Victron Energy systems relies on proper communication settings and hardware. The system requires a Victron GX device to manage the battery.

Communication Protocol: Soluna batteries communicate with the GX device using BMS-Can (500 kbit/s). This protocol allows the battery's Battery Management System (BMS) to share critical information like state of charge, voltage, and current with the Victron system.

Cable and Connections:

• Cable: Use the Victron VE.Can to CAN-bus BMS type A Cable (part number ASS030710018).
• Battery Side: Connect the cable's "Battery BMS" labeled side to the Soluna battery's Can2 port.
• GX Device Side: Connect the cable's "Victron VE.Can" labeled side to one of the VE.Can sockets on the GX device.

Termination:

• Soluna Battery: The Soluna battery includes a built-in CAN terminator, so no external terminator is needed on the battery side.
• GX Device: A VE.Can terminator must be inserted into the unused VE.Can socket on the GX device to properly terminate the CAN-Bus line.

Firmware Requirements:

• Victron GX Device: Minimum firmware version v3.60.
• Soluna Battery: Minimum firmware version JC3.30.

Automatic Settings: When a Soluna battery is properly connected to a GX device, certain settings are automatically configured:

• DVCC (Distributed Voltage and Current Control): Enabled.
• SVS (Shared Voltage Sense): Enabled.
• SCS (Shared Current Sense): Disabled.
• STS (Shared Temperature Sense): Disabled. The Soluna battery automatically controls the Charge Voltage Limit (CVL) within the Victron system.

For further details on battery selection and system design, you can explore general information on solar batteries.

Safety

When working with any battery system, always prioritize safety. Although specific safety facts for Soluna batteries were not detailed in the provided source, general electrical safety practices apply:

• Disconnect Power: Always disconnect all power sources (solar, grid, battery) before making or breaking electrical connections.
• Insulated Tools: Use insulated tools to prevent accidental short circuits. A spanner across a battery terminal can short hundreds of amps, causing severe burns or equipment damage.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wear appropriate PPE, including safety glasses and insulated gloves, especially when handling battery terminals or wiring.
• Avoid Short Circuits: Be extremely careful to avoid shorting battery terminals, as this can lead to fire, explosion, or severe injury.
• Ventilation: Ensure adequate ventilation in the battery installation area to prevent heat buildup.

When to call a technician instead

While many communication issues can be resolved with careful troubleshooting, there are limits to DIY repairs. You should call a qualified solar technician if:

• You are uncomfortable working with high-voltage DC systems.
• You have followed all troubleshooting steps and the communication issue persists.
• You suspect internal battery damage or a fault with the Victron GX device that requires specialized tools or knowledge.
• The issue involves opening the battery enclosure, which should only be performed by authorized service personnel to avoid voiding warranties or causing further damage.
• You are unsure about any step in the diagnosis or repair process.