3. Installation
Warning
This product should be installed by a qualified electrician.
During installation ensure that the remote connector with wire bridge is removed (or switch off the remote on/off switch if installed) to be sure that the inverter cannot be switched on unexpectedly.
3.1. Physical installation
For a dimension drawing of the inverter, see the Appendix of this manual.
3.1.1. Location
To ensure a trouble free operation of the inverter, it must be used in locations that meet the following requirements:
Avoid any contact with water. Do not expose the inverter to rain or moisture.
Install the inverter in a dry and well-ventilated area.
For best operating results, the inverter should be mounted on a flat surface.
Mount as close as possible to the batteries. Try and keep the distance between the product and the battery to a minimum in order to minimize cable voltage losses.
There should be a clear space of at least 10cm around the appliance for cooling. Do not obstruct the airflow around the inverter. When the inverter is running too hot, it will shut down. When the inverter has reached a safe temperature level, the unit will automatically restart again.
Do not place the unit in direct sunlight. The ambient air temperature should be between -20°C and 40°C (humidity <95% non-condensing). Note that in extreme situations the inverter’s case temperature can exceed 70°C.
Warning
Excessive high ambient temperature will result in a reduced service life, reduced peak power rating or shutdown of the inverter.
Never mount the inverter directly above the batteries.
For safety purposes, this product should be installed in a heat resistant environment if it is used with equipment where a substantial amount of power is to be converted. You should prevent the presence of e.g. chemicals, synthetic components, curtains or other textiles, etc., in the immediate vicinity.
3.1.2. Mounting
The inverter is designed to be vertically wall mounted. However, it can also be mounted horizontally or lying down, but these positions will not offer optimum cooling.
The inverter ships with a wall mounting bracket and 5 screws.
Mount the inverter as follows:
Mount the mounting bracket on a wall, using 3 screws.
Remove the bottom cover from the inverter.
Hang the inverter on the wall mounting bracket.
Ensure that the inverter has slotted correctly into the wall bracket.
Secure the inverter on the wall using the mounting holes in the bottom right and bottom left of the inverter, using the remaining 2 screws.
Caution
The interior of the product must remain accessible after installation.
3.2. Electrical installation
For a connection overview drawing of the inverter, see appendix Connection overview.
3.2.1. Battery connection
In order to fully utilize the full capacity of the inverter, it is important to use batteries with sufficient capacity and battery cables with sufficient cross section.
There is no safety fuse inside the inverter. A safety fuse should be installed externally.
See below table for the recommended battery cable cross section, safety fuse rating and battery capacity for each inverter model.
Inverter model | Cable cross section 0-5m | Cable cross section 5-10m | Fuse rating | Battery capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
12/1600 | 1 x 70mm² | Not recommended | 250A | 300 - 800Ah |
24/1600 | 1 x 35mm² | 1 x 70mm² | 125A | 150 - 400Ah |
48/1600 | 1 x 16mm² | 1 x 25mm² | 60A | 75 - 200Ah |
12/2000 | 1 x 70mm² | Not recommended | 300A | 350 - 1000Ah |
24/2000 | 1 x 50mm² | 1 x 95mm² | 150A | 200 - 500Ah |
48/2000 | 1 x 25mm² | 1 x 50mm² | 80A | 100 - 250Ah |
12/3000 | 1 x 90mm² | 2 x 70mm² (*) | 400A | 400 - 1200Ah |
24/3000 | 1 x 50mm² | 2 x 50mm² (*) | 250A | 200 - 700Ah |
48/3000 | 1 x 35mm² | 2 x 35mm² (*) | 125A | 100 - 400Ah |
24/5000 | 1 x 90mm² | 2 x 95mm² (*) | 400A | 300 - 1500Ah |
48/5000 | 1 x 70mm² | 2 x 70mm² (*) | 200A | 150 - 700Ah |
(*) One cable must be sized to carry the rated fuse current without overheating. Do not locate battery cables in a closed conduit. Please follow local installation rules.
Sufficient cable thickness and appropriate sized batteries are an important factor. Please consult your supplier or see the relevant sections of our books: Energy Unlimited and Wiring Unlimited, both downloadable from our website.
Battery connection procedure
Warning
Use an insulated box spanner in order to avoid shorting the battery.
The maximum torque is 11Nm.
Avoid shorting the battery cables.
Proceed as follows to connect the battery cables:
Be aware that reverse polarity connection (+ to – and – to +) will cause damage to the inverter.
Connect the battery cables to the + (red) and the - (black) battery terminals.
Secure the battery connections tightly, while not exceeding the maximum 11Nm torque. A tight connection will reduce the contact resistance as much as possible.
3.2.2. Solar connection
Be aware that reverse polarity connection of the solar panel wires can cause damage to the inverter.
Connect the solar panel cables to the positive (red) and the negative (black) PV terminals.
Secure the PV connections tightly. A tight connection will reduce the contact resistance as much as possible.
Warning
Do not connect a battery or DC Power supply to the Solar connection. This will cause damage to the inverter.
3.2.3. Chassis to ground connection
Wire size for connecting the inverter chassis to ground:
The earth conductor from the earth lug on the chassis to ground should have at least half the cross-section of the conductors used for the battery connection.
The earth lug on the chassis is a M6 bolt.
The AC output is not isolated from the DC input. The AC output Neutral is connected to chassis/ground. If the installation requires a floating neutral, the neutral to ground link needs to be removed. See appendix Installation information floating ground 1600VA and 2000VA models or appendix Installation information floating ground 3000VA and 5000VA models on how to do this.
3.2.4. Remote connector
Remote on/off control of the inverter can be achieved with a simple on/off switch connected to the inverter remote connector.
The inverter will switch on when it has been switched to ON or ECO mode and when:
Contact is made between the remote connector H (left) terminal and L (right) terminal, for example via the wire bridge, a switch or the Inverter control panel.
Contact is made between the remote connector H (left) terminal and battery positive.
Contact is made between the remote connector L (right) terminal and battery negative.
Some usage examples of the remote connector are:
If the inverter is situated in a vehicle and is only allowed to operate when the engine is running. Connect the remote connector H (right) terminal to the vehicle ignition switch.
If the inverter is connected to a lithium battery the inverter can be controlled by the lithium battery BMS.
Warning
For safety purposes, the inverter can be turned off completely by removing the remote connector. Do this by pulling the remote connector out of its socket. This ensures that the inverter cannot be turned on anymore via its switch, push button or Bluetooth. The user can now be certain that the inverter is definitely turned off and it cannot be accidentally turned back on by another user.
Inverter control panel
If a Inverter Control VE.Direct panel is used, it needs to be connected to the inverter remote connector as is indicated in below image. Note that the connection is polarity dependent for proper operation.
3.2.5. VE.Direct connection
The VE.Direct connection can be used for monitoring of the inverter via a GX device, or to connect to the VictronConnect app.
The following items can be connected:
A GX device or GlobalLink 520 using a VE.Direct cable.
A GX device using a VE.Direct to USB interface.
A computer running the VictronConnect app using the VE.Direct to USB interface.
A phone or tablet running the VictronConnect app using the VE.Direct Bluetooth Smart dongle.
3.2.6. Programmable relay
The programmable relay can be connected to an external circuit, for example an alarm circuit, a generator remote start circuit or a monitoring circuit.
Some usage examples are:
Remote start a generator when the inverter has a low battery alarm.
Drive an extraction fan when the inverter has a temperature alarm.
Activate an alarm light or a buzzer when an inverter alarm occurs.
The programmable relay has 3 connections:
Normally closed (NC).
Common (COM).
Normally open (NO).
Depending on its programming the relay will make contact between "common" and "normally closed" or between "common" and "normally open".