News overview
Release Venus OS v2.53 and VictronConnect v5.20, effects coronavirus, new products in E-Order
April 9th, 2020

Please note that Victron Energy will be closed on Monday April 13th for Easter

 

We skipped a week and as a result there is a lot of news to share.

Several new products have been added to E-Order, including the MultiPlus-II 5kVA GX.

Earlier this week we released a major update to VictronConnect. It adds remote connectivity & configuration of Solar Chargers and more products. There is an update to VEConfigure, VE.Bus firmware 473 and Venus OS v2.53 release.

With regards to the coronavirus outbreak, there are now two severe effects for Victron, being the lockdown and closure in South Africa and shortages of recently released new products. Otherwise and all considering, the current status as well as outlook is good. More details in the coronavirus section below.

On the what we call nice-to-know side, there are three blog posts with user stories as well as one we particularly enjoyed reading, the interview with Netherland's Head Sailing Coach Jaap Zielhuis.

Concluding, there are various updated documents, and many scheduled webinars. Due to the coronavirus there are almost no real life training events any more - and the sales team has been very quick in adapting to the new situation. Check below - and on our websites - to see which are available in your language and topics of interest.

Please enjoy reading all the details below, and we hope you, your families and colleagues are in good health. We wish you all the best in these unusual times.

Yours sincerely, Reinout and Matthijs Vader

 

VictronConnect - Connect & Configure Remotely

Earlier this week we released a VictronConnect update that adds remote connectivity and configuration for Solar Chargers, BMV Battery monitors.

Watch this new video by Jono to see how it all works and read the blog in which we explain the most important changes.

 

Venus OS v2.53 - minor changes

Also released this week, Venus OS v2.53 - the software at the heart of our GX Product range. This update contains various small changes. Read this blog post for more information.
 

VEConfigure & VE.Bus firmware 473

Summary of changes:
  • In the PV Inverter Assistant, the default start frequency is lowered from 51 to 50.2 Hertz. It is now in line with the ESS Assistant. Note that this reduction makes no functional difference for systems that work with a 51 Hz start frequency. There is no need to manually set it to 51 again. Why not and more details are explained in the AC Coupling manual.
  • Redflow Zcell has been added to the ESS Battery system preconfigs.
  • The VDE grid code, the European grid code, the Belgian grid code, the TOR D4 grid code, as well as the new Denmark grid code all have a new extra setting to limit the Max AC Current during feed-in. This affects the inverter current, ie. the AC current at the output/or input so you wish, of the power pack. The reason behind this is to be able to slightly lower the maximum inverter current of a 5kVA model, to below 16 Ampere, to meet certain standard requirements. For example in Denmark our certificate is valid up to 16A inverter current only.
  • The Denmark grid code has been added & certification is completed. Certificate will be added to the website soon.

 

Coronavirus update

Globally, there are more severe lockdowns now. Let's start with the effects on production. India is currently in a country-wide lockdown, and therefore our production in India is currently on hold. Malaysia is in lockdown too, though less severe and since yesterday our production partner was allowed to slowly restart production. Due to these issues, we have been unable to build stock of new products, such as the Orion DC-DC Battery Chargers, SmartShunt and Cerbo GX as well as Inverter RS. Which is frustrating, those new product launches have been very successful and demand has surpassed our expectations. The good, and more important, news is that all other products are still in a good position – no significant stockouts and lots of stock available.

Malaysia is already restarting, and also from India the first positive news is coming that it's expected to restart production within the coming weeks. Most operators live close to the factories: once allowed they will be able to restart production quickly and efficiently. Of course this situation may change.

On the outbound side, South Africa is in a severe lockdown as well, all business are closed, including our customers and warehouse. Our thoughts are with the South Africans. All other warehouses are open and operational.

Obviously, global sales have reduced. On that note, let us repeat that Victron is a financially healthy company, and can handle several serious blows as well as possibly endured recessions. There are no reasons to worry for the long run.
 

Efficient logistics during coronavirus limitations

The coronavirus measures in some countries are affecting our shipments. Stuck, refused and returned shipments cost a lot of time for all parties involved. While these parties are already quite busy keeping up with the changing circumstances from day to day. Therefore we would like to ask for your understanding, also that some shipments can now take longer to arrive.

E-Order is updated regularly with the latest news and restrictions.Yesterday, for the first time, we saw a reduction in the number of European postal code areas that are blocked for delivery.
 
 

New products

All below products are now listed in E-Order. Some already in stock, and others available for pre-ordering. See E-Order for stock levels and availability.
 
The SmartSolar MPPT 250/100-MC4 VE.Can - SCC125110511.
This model replaces the SmartSolar MPPT 250/100-MC4 (without VE.Can)
 
BlueSolar MPPT 100/20 Retail - SCC110020070R
 
BlueSolar MPPT 100/20_48V Retail - SCC110020170R
 
The MultiPlus-II 48/5000/70-50 230V GX - PMP482506000
This model further completes the family. We already had a GX model available for our 48V 3kVA MultiPlus-II, now also in a 5000 VA variant.
 
The CAN-bus Temp. Sensor ASS000200100; for our buck-boost converters (only).
Note that the CAN-bus Temp. Sensor is really only for the Buckboost; it’s not for any other products and will not be for any other products.
 
 

New and updated documents

In our weekly update you will find the following document changes:

Certificates

Three new and/or updated certificates. The certificates available in the links, and also on the relevant product pages on our website. For all latest documentation we refer you to our website.
 

Events cancelled and webinars scheduled

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, several exhibitions and training events have been cancelled or changed into webinars. Whenever a planned venue-based training event will be run instead as a webinar, we will inform you by email.

Make sure to check our website, or the event’s website for the latest information.
 

Victron training events

Sign up for one of our training events and learn more about our products. The next training events, all of which are still accepting registration, are:

  • April 28th, - April 30th, Technical training – Solar off-grid and self-consumption in Accra, Ghana
  • May 5th, Elettricitá a bordo (nautica e automation) in Venezia, Italy
  • May 5th – May 6th, Formation installateur - Basique et site isolé in Sainte Tulle, France

For now, the above-mentioned events will take place as planned. Of course, we will inform you in time if things change. Several events are currently being re-planned to be held as webinars.


Webinars

  • April 9th, Victron AC coupled PV Systems Training (English)
  • April 9th, Session 1 – Solutions et produits (French)
  • April 14th, VictronConnect der ‘Alleskönner’ – Teil 2 (German)

For more information about our training events visit Victron Professional.

 

Upcoming exhibitions

Check our exhibition schedule online if you are interested in visiting an exhibition in your area over the coming months. Please refer to our website or the event's website to check for any cancellation:

  • May 15th – May 17th, Shanghai RV Expo in Shanghai, China
  • June 5th – June 7th, Hanseboot Ancora Boat Show 2020 in Germany
  • June 11th, - June 14th, Abenteuer & Allrad 2020 in Bad Kissingen, Germany

 

NICE TO KNOW

 

Olympic torch continues to inflame our passion

Training not postponed 
Sportsmen and women across the globe will be disappointed by the postponement of the Olympic games. Yet their striving for greatness goes on as Athletes continue to prepare. 
If you’ve ever wondered how these talented athletes earn their chance to compete on the world stage, this interview with Netherland’s Head Sailing Coach Jaap Zielhuis is for you.
 

Sailing Uma: Off-grid energy usage

“If you want to travel the world, don’t buy a couch”
With 156,000 subscribers, the Sailing Uma YouTube channel is a fun and educational resource for voyaging sailors – particularly those on a budget that do their best to avoid marinas.
Doing so means living primarily off-grid using the power of the sun for Uma’s principal energy needs. No mean feat when you consider Uma has an electric motor for auxiliary propulsion, rather than diesel.

 

Large-scale Fish Farm catches the Sun

Solar-powered agriculture in Mali
A farm in Mali, West Africa, is stretching the boundaries of what’s possible. In a landlocked country well-known for producing Cotton, Rice Millet and Corn, the Complex Agro Industrial de Baragnouma produce fish – at a rate of 5 tons a day.
Water treatment takes a lot of power – at the Baragnouma complex that power is provided by solar energy.

 

Signers …left in the dark

Power cuts are a conversation-stopper
Fulton School for the Deaf is located in the leafy suburbs of Gillitts, South Africa, and has just celebrated its 60th anniversary.  
No one in South Africa is left unaffected by the local drastic load-shedding measures. At Fulton School the children – who communicate by sign-language – cannot chat with each other during the long dark evenings, homework is left undone, and safety is impaired. They are no longer kept in the dark.