4. Configuration and settings

In this section:

4.1. Configuration of chargers and loads

Before turning on the system, ensure that chargers and loads are correctly configured, particularly their maximum combined charge and combined discharge currents, to avoid exceeding battery limits.

Maximum charge current

The maximum continuous charge current is 1C. The maximum pulse charging current depends on the battery model. Please refer to the Lithium NG battery datasheet for details.

Tip

For optimal battery performance, a charge current of 0.3C is recommended.

Maximum discharge current

The maximum continuous discharge current is 1C. The maximum pulse discharge current is 2C for a maximum of 10 seconds.

Tip

For optimal battery performance, a discharge current of 0.5C is recommended.

Important

Chargers and loads not controlled by the BMS (via ATC and ATD) can permanently damage the battery.

Maximum battery charge- and discharge currents for 12.8V Lithium NG batteries
	12.8/100	12.8/150	12.8/200	12.8/300
Max continuous discharge current	100A	150A	200A	300A
Max pulse discharge current (10s)	200A	300A	400A	600A
Max continuous charge current	100A	150A	200A	300A
Max pulse charge current (10s)	200A	225A	400A	450A

Maximum battery charge- and discharge currents for 25.6V and 51.2V Lithium NG batteries
	25.6/100	25.6/200	25.6/300	51.2/100
Max continuous discharge current	100A	200A	300A	100A
Max pulse discharge current (10s)	200A	400A	600A	200A
Max continuous charge current	100A	200A	300A	100A
Max pulse charge current (10s)	200A	400A	450A	200A

4.2. Power up for the first time

The VE.Bus BMS NG switches on when the following conditions are met:

Battery connection: The Bat+ of the 6-pin terminal block must be connected to Battery Plus.
VE.Bus inverter/charger connection: The RJ45 labelled MultiPlus/Quattro port must be connected to a VE.Bus inverter/charger or VE.Bus inverter. This connection is essential, as the BMS derives its battery negative through the VE.Bus link.
The VE.Bus BMS assistant no longer needs to be configured via VEConfigure. This is done automatically as soon as a connection between the VE.Bus device and the BMS is established.

4.3. VE.Bus BMS NG and Lithium NG battery settings

Once powered up, use the VictronConnect app to configure the BMS settings.

Some values such as battery capacity, voltage, and the number of batteries (in total, in series, and in parallel) are automatically detected and cannot be edited. However, they should still be verified for accuracy.

Battery monitor settings:

Unlike other battery monitors, the VE.Bus BMS NG has mostly fixed parameters. This is because it is designed specifically for use with Victron Lithium NG batteries, where key settings are predefined.

Charged voltage: Voltage above which the battery monitor resets SoC to 100%, if tail current and charged detection time are also met.
Tail current: Current below which SoC is reset to 100%, if charged voltage and charged detection time conditions are met. Default: 4% (adjustable)
Charged detection time: Time the charged voltage and tail current must be maintained to trigger synchronisation. Default: 3 minutes (adjustable)
Low SoC warning level: Level at which a warning is issued before the discharge floor has been reached. Default: 12 % (adjustable)
The pre-alarm output is activated and a warning is displayed in VictronConnect when the warning is active.
Discharge floor: Default: 10% (adjustable). This parameter has two functions:
- Its primary use is to set the minimum SoC to determine how far the battery may be discharged and to ensure that there is enough energy left for self-discharge after the battery is no longer allowed to discharge (Allowed to discharge = No).
  A restricted depth of discharge extends battery life and provides backup power, e.g., for solar systems until sunrise.
  When the discharge floor is reached, a low SoC alarm is triggered, and ATC is disabled.
  Setting the discharge floor to zero (not recommended) disables this feature.
  Caution
  The discharge floor prevents full discharge and should be set to retain enough energy for self-discharge until recharging is possible.
- It determines the ‘Time remaining’ value in the VictronConnect app, calculated based on the actual discharge current and the set discharge floor.
State of charge: Allows manual setting of the current SoC.
Synchronise SoC to 100%: Manually synchronise SoC to 100%.

4.4. Update BMS and Battery firmware

Updating the VE.Bus BMS NG firmware can be carried via the VictronConnect app.

General notes on firmware updates

Newer isn’t always better – only update if necessary.
If it works, don’t break it – avoid unnecessary updates.
Read the changelog first – available on Victron Professional.

Use this feature with care. Our main advice is not to update a running system unless problems occur or before the first startup.

Notes on updating the VE.Bus BMS NG and Lithium NG battery firmware

The firmware update does not cause a full system shutdown.
During the update, the Charge disconnect output opens, preventing battery charging.
If the update fails, the Load disconnect output will open after 120 seconds as a safety measure, allowing time to retry the update.

Updating the firmware

For detailed instructions, refer to the firmware update chapter in the VictronConnect manual.
If a newer firmware version is available, VictronConnect (ensure you are using the latest app version) will notify you automatically once a connection with the VE.Bus BMS NG is established.

Which firmware version do I have?

The firmware version is visible on the VictronConnect Product info page of the BMS.

VE.Bus BMS NG