Quattro (with firmware xxxx400 or higher) Australia

On delivery, the Quattro is set to standard factory values. In general, these settings are selected for single-unit operation. Settings, therefore, do not require changing in the event of stand-alone use.

Settings that are not self-explanatory are described briefly below. For further information, please refer to the help files in the software configuration programs (see Section 5.3).

Inverter frequency

Output frequency if no AC is present at the input.

Adjustability: 50 Hz; 60 Hz

Input frequency range

Input frequency range accepted by the Quattro. The Quattro synchronises within this range with the voltage present on AC-in-1 (priority input) or AC-in-2. Once synchronised, the output frequency will be equal to the input frequency.

Adjustability: 45 – 65 Hz; 45 – 55 Hz; 55 – 65 Hz

Input voltage range

Voltage range accepted by the Quattro. The Quattro synchronises within this range with the voltage present on AC-in-1 (priority input) or on AC-in-2. After the back feed relay has closed, output voltage will be equal to input voltage.

Lower limit: 180 – 230 V

Upper limit: 230 – 270 V

Inverter voltage

Output voltage of the Quattro in battery operation.

Adjustability: 210 – 245 V

Stand-alone / parallel operation / 2-3 phase setting

Using several devices, it is possible to:

To this end, the devices must be mutually connected with RJ45 UTP cables. Standard device settings, however, are such that each device operates in stand-alone operation. Reconfiguration of the devices is therefore required.

AES (Automatic Economy Switch)

If this setting is turned “on”, the power consumption in no-load operation and with low loads is decreased by approx. 20 %, by slightly “narrowing” the sinusoidal voltage. Not adjustable with DIP switches. Applicable in stand-alone configuration only.

Search mode

Instead of the AES mode, the search mode can also be chosen (with help of VEConfigure only). If search mode is “on”, the power consumption in no-load operation is decreased by approx. 70 %. In this mode the Quattro, when operating in inverter mode, is switched off in case of no load or very low load, and switches on every two seconds for a short period. If the output current exceeds a set level, the inverter will continue to operate. If not, the inverter will shut down again.

The Search Mode “shut down” and “remain on” load levels can be set with VEConfigure.

The standard settings are:

Not adjustable with DIP switches. Applicable in stand-alone configuration only.

Ground relay (see appendix B)

With this relay (E) the neutral conductor of the AC output is grounded to the casing when the back feed safety relays in the AC-in-1 and the AC-in-2 inputs are open. This ensures the correct operation of earth leakage circuit breakers in the outputs.

Not adjustable with DIP switches.

Charging characteristics

The standard setting is “Four-stage adaptive with BatterySafe mode”. See Section 2 for a description. This is the best charging characteristic. See the help files in the software configuration programs for other features. “Fixed” mode can be selected with DIP switches.

Battery type

The standard setting is the most suitable for Victron Gel Deep Discharge, Gel Exide A200, and tubular plate stationary batteries (OPzS). This setting can also be used for many other batteries: e.g. Victron AGM Deep Discharge and other AGM batteries, and many types of flat-plate open batteries. Four charging voltages can be set with DIP switches.

Automatic equalisation charging

This setting is intended for tubular plate traction batteries. During absorption the voltage limit increases to 2,83 V/cell (34 V for a 24 V battery) once the charge current has tapered down to less than 10 % of the set maximum current.

Not adjustable with DIP switches.

See “tubular plate traction battery charge curve” in VEConfigure.

Absorption time

This depends on the bulk time (adaptive charging characteristic), so that the battery is optimally charged. If the “fixed” charging characteristic is selected, the absorption time is fixed. For most batteries, a maximum absorption time of eight hours is suitable. If an extra high absorption voltage is selected for rapid charging (only possible for open, flooded batteries!), four hours is preferable. With DIP switches, a time of eight or four hours can be set. For the adaptive charging characteristic, this determines the maximum absorption time.

Storage voltage, Repeated Absorption Time, Absorption Repeat Interval

See Section 2. Not adjustable with DIP switches.

Bulk Protection

When this setting is “on”, the bulk charging time is limited to 10 hours. A longer charging time could indicate a system error (e.g. a battery cell short-circuit). Not adjustable with DIP switches.

AC input current limit AC-in-1 (generator) and AC-in-2 (shore/grid supply)

Factory setting: 50 A for AC1 and 16 A for AC2.

In case of parallel units the minimum and maximum values have to be multiplied by the number of parallel units.

UPS feature

If this setting is “on” and AC on the input fails, the Quattro switches to inverter operation practically without interruption. The Quattro can then be used as an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for sensitive equipment such as computers or communication systems.

The output voltage of some small generating sets is too unstable and distorted for using this setting – the Quattro would continually switch to inverter operation. For this reason, the setting can be turned off. The Quattro will then respond less quickly to voltage deviations on AC-in-1 or AC-in-2. The switchover time to inverter operation is consequently slightly longer, but most equipment (computers, clocks or household equipment) is not adversely impacted.

Recommendation: Turn the UPS feature off if the Quattro fails to synchronise, or continually switches back to inverter operation.

Dynamic current limiter

Intended for generators, the AC voltage being generated by means of a static inverter (so-called “inverter” generators). In these generators, rotational speed is down-controlled if the load is low: this reduces noise, fuel consumption and pollution. A disadvantage is that the output voltage will drop severely or even completely fail in the event of a sudden load increase. More load can only be supplied after the engine is up to speed.

If this setting is “on”, the Quattro will start supplying extra power at a low generator output level and gradually allow the generator to supply more, until the set current limit is reached. This allows the generator engine to get up to speed. This setting is also often used for “classical” generators that respond slowly to sudden load variation.

WeakAC

Strong distortion of the input voltage can result in the charger hardly operating or not operating at all. If WeakAC is set, the charger will also accept a strongly distorted voltage, at the cost of greater distortion of the input current.

Recommendation: Turn WeakAC on if the charger is hardly charging or not charging at all (which is quite rare!). Also turn on the dynamic current limiter simultaneously, and reduce the maximum charging current to prevent overloading the generator if necessary.

BoostFactor

Change this setting only after consulting with Victron Energy or with an engineer trained by Victron Energy! Not adjustable with DIP switches.

Three programmable relays

The Quattro is equipped with 3 programmable relays. The relays can be programmed for all kinds of other applications, for example as a starter relay for a generating set. The default setting of the relay in position I (see appendix A, upper right corner) is “alarm”. Not adjustable with DIP switches.

Two programmable analog/digital input/output ports

The Quattro is equipped with 2 analog/digital input/output ports.

These ports can be used for several purposes. One application is communication with the BMS of a lithium-ion battery.

Not adjustable with DIP switches.

Frequency shift

When solar inverters are connected to the output of a Quattro, the excess solar energy is used to recharge the batteries. Once the absorption voltage is reached, the Quattro will shut down the solar inverter by shifting the output frequency 1 Hz (from 50 Hz to 51 Hz for example). Once battery voltage has dropped slightly, the frequency returns to normal and the solar inverters will restart. Not adjustable with DIP switches.

Built-in Battery Monitor (optional)

The ideal solution when Quattro units are part of a hybrid system (diesel generator, inverter/chargers, storage battery, and alternative energy). The built-in battery monitor can be set to start and stop the generator:

Not adjustable with DIP switches.

All settings can be changed by means of a computer.

The most common settings can be changed by means of DIP switches (see Section 5.5).

It is possible to update older units, as long as that same 7 digit number starts with either 26 or 27. When it starts with 19 or 20 you have an old microprocessor and it is not possible to update to 400 or higher.

For changing settings with the computer, the following is required:

To this end, a VE.Net panel and the VE.Net to VE.Bus converter is required.

With VE.Net all parameters are accessible, with the exception of the multi-functional relay and the VirtualSwitch.

Introduction

A number of settings can be changed using DIP switches (see appendix A, position M).

A note on used terminology:

A system in which more than one Quattro is used to create a single AC phase is called a parallel system. In this case one of the Quattro units will control the whole phase, this one is called the master. The others, called slaves, will just listen to the master to determine their action.

It is also possible to create more AC phases (split-phase or 3-phase) with 2 or 3 Quattro units. In this case the Quattro in Phase L1 is called the Leader. The Quattro in phase L2 (and L3 if available) will generate the same AC frequency but will follow L1 with a fixed phase shift. These Quattro units are called followers.

If more Quattro units are used per phase in a split-phase or 3-phase system (for instance 6 Quattro units are used to build a 3-phase system with 2 Quattro units per phase) then the Leader of the system is also the Master of phase L1. The Followers in phase L2 and L3 will also take the Master role in phase L2 and L3. All others will be slaves.

Setting up parallel or split-phase/3-phase systems should be done by software, see paragraph 5.3.

General procedure:

Turn the Quattro on, preferably unloaded and without AC voltage on the inputs. The Quattro will then operate in inverter mode.