Max PVOUT Current on SBMS0

[Steve]

Running eight 280Ah LFP, two DSSR20s and two pairs of 230W panels providing 460W @ 24V each. What would be the appropriate Max PVOUT Current setting on the SBMS0?

[Dacian Todea (electrodacus)]

You do not need to set a max PVOUT current since most likely you are not using a dual PV array.

Likely the entire array is controlled by EXT IO4 set as type 1 since the most you will see from 4x 230W panels will be 40A and 40A is not a problem for a 280Ah LiFePO4 battery.

That settings if for cases where you have a much larger PV array than the battery can handle. 

So say you want to limit the max charge current 60A to not stress the battery but you have a PV array capable of 180A

In that case you can split the PV array in to two arrays one capable of 60A and the other capable of 120A and control the 60A array with EXT IO4 set as type 1 and control the larger array with EXT IO5 set as type 6

Then you can set a max PVOUT limit of 60A and that way when it is full sun at noon just the small 60A PV array will be charging the battery with the large array being disconnected but when current from small array drops below 30A then the large array is connected to charging and the small array is disconnected to maintain close to 60A and then even later in the day when there is even less sun both arrays will be connected assuming they are below 60A.

That max PVOUT settings is used only when you have two arrays controlled by a type 1 and a type 6 and then SBMS0 can limit the current by selecting small array, large array or both to keep charge current around the limit that you set. When you do not have a type 6 settings for any of the EXT IOx the max PVOUT settings is ignored.