I'm planning to swap out my aging 660 Ah AGM battery bank, which gives about 3.25 kWh of usable energy, for a VATRER 12.8 V 460 Ah LiFePO4 battery. The details are [here](https://www.vatrerpower.com/products/vatrer-12v-460ah-low-temp-cutoff-lifepo4-rv-battery-built-in-250a-bms-max-3200w-power-output-bluetooth-rv-version). My current setup includes two Victron Multiplus 12/2000/80 inverters, Victron MPPT charge controllers, and a Cerbo GX (no SmartShunt yet). I'm aware that the VATRER isn't a Victron-branded battery, but its voltage, current, and BMS specs seem to align with my Victron components. I'm planning to set the Victron system to the LiFePO profile (14.2–14.6 V bulk/absorb, float at 13.5 V) and add a Victron SmartShunt later for accurate state of charge (SOC) monitoring. Before I commit, I have a few questions: 1) Are there any potential issues with using a VATRER battery with my Victron system? 2) Is the 250 A BMS sufficient for two Multiplus units? 3) Should I prioritize getting a SmartShunt now, or is monitoring via app/voltage okay for a while? 4) Has anyone successfully set this up, especially for long-term cloudy days? Any insights would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
You should be able to get accurate SOC from the battery's Bluetooth app, but keep in mind that it won't integrate with the Victron system directly. Lots of folks are moving away from using Victron's own batteries these days, so if the VATRER supports LiFePO4 profiles, you're good to go! One thing to watch out for, though: a 250 A BMS can handle around 3250 W. When running two 2000 W inverters together, you might trip the BMS, so keep that in mind.
Totally agree, you don't have to stick to Victron batteries. Just make sure to set your charging profiles according to the battery manufacturer's guidelines, and you should be fine! As for the SmartShunt, it's nice to have for accurate SOC readings, but it's not essential. The MPPT will provide power based on what the BMS allows, so as long as you keep an eye on your load, you’re good.
Exactly! But do consider your peak power needs when using those Multiplus units together—it could pull quite a bit from the battery if you're not careful.
True, but there are ways to hook various third-party batteries into the Victron system. Check out the compatibility list on Victron's site!