CONTROLLING DEXT AND VICTRON BP 220

[jwals...@gmail.com]

HELLO EVERYONE, I WILL BE USING 2 DSSR20S TO CONTROL 3 180 WATT SOLAR PANELS, I WILL ALSO USE A VICTRON BP 220 TO CONTROL CHARGING BUSS. CAN I USE ONE EXTIO TO CONTROL BOTH DSSR20S AND THE BP? I BELIEVE TO BP AMERAGE DRAW TO BE LESS THEN 10mA. I ALSO HAVE DSSR20S WITH DIVERSION, I HAVE A 12VDC. SYSTEM, WHAT SIZE HEATING ELEMENT CAN I USE TO HEAT SAY A 5 GALLON WATER HEATER? THANK YOU!!!! JOHN ONE MORE THING, SORRY, WHAT IS A GOOD SOURCE FOR SMALL FERRULES FOR THE 16 PIN CONNECTOR, USING CAT 6E CABLE AND 22AWG WIRE.

[sailingharry]

The Smart BP (the one with Bluetooth) is a pretty amazing device.

The online manual is here:  https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/Smart_BatteryProtect_12V_24V/114439-Smart_BatteryProtect-pdf-en.pdf

To do what you need, you will need to set it to "Lithium" mode.  This makes is a pretty "dumb" "Smart BP" -- it no longer monitors anything, and becomes a simple switch, immediately doing exactly what it is told.  This the mode you want.

If you go to item 10 on page 3, it discusses remote control.  The BP can be turned on/off by any of three methods -- pick the one you like.

1)  A switch that shorts the H and L pin on the remote.

2)  Providing 12V to the H pin (12V makes it conduct, when disconnected it stops conducting)

3)  Providing Ground to the L pin (grounded, it conducts, ungrounded it stops).  This is what I use on my installation, but I have different configuration than you.

I don't know what the DSSR requires to operate -- but, I'm about 99% sure that one of the three BP modes will work with it!

I'm a bit of a champion of the BP.  It's pretty awesome.  Cheap, easy, flexible, and does what it says on the tin.

[Dacian Todea (electrodacus)]

John,

I asumme you use a DEXT16 to control the two DSSR20's with diversion ?

I'm guessing one DSSR20 controls one 180W panel and the other two 180W panels in parallel. Do you want to divert from all 3 panels or just the DSSR20 that has the two 180W panels ?

The model of the panels will be useful to know in order to recommend a heating element.

About ferules,

Here is one that will work https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/detail/wago-corporation/216-301/13549639

You can search for other models but make sure this dimensions are as flows  

L1  -  8mm 

D -  less than 2.5mm  Usually they will provide D1 and that will need to be less than 2mm since the walls are usually 0.25mm

[Dacian Todea (electrodacus)]

Using all 3 solar panels means 24 to 26A so you should look for a 24V 600W heating element like this one https://www.amazon.com/Dernord-Heating-Submersible-Stainless-Immersion/dp/B01CNMI66M

Of course I do not know if this particular heating element fits your water heater but one that is rated 24V 600W will be good match for those 3 panels.

Assuming around 400W typical heating the water 5 gallon (around 20 liters) and 1.16Wh required to heat 1liter by 1 degree Celsius then

To heat that by 40 degree Celsius from 20C (68F) to 60C (140F) will require   40C * 20liters * 1.16 = 928Wh so about two to three hours of sun to heat that amount of water to 60C (140F)

Yes BP220 can be controlled by the same EXT IOx as it was answered above.  

You did not mentioned if you are using the DEXT16 ?