Victron energy Lynx Ion User Manual

Lynx Ion

EN

Manual

24V/180Ah Lithium Ion Batteries

Copyrights  2012 Victron Energy B.V.

All Rights Reserved

This publication or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form, by any method, for
any purpose.

For conditions of use and permission to use this manual for publication in other than the
English language, contact Victron Energy B.V.

VICTRON ENERGY B.V. MAKES NO WARRANTY, EITHER EXPESSED OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, REGARDING
THESE VICTRON ENERGY PRODUCTS AND MAKES SUCH VICTRON ENERGY
PRODUCTS AVAILABLE SOLELY ON AN “AS IS” BASIS.

IN NO EVENT SHALL VICTRON ENERGY B.V. BE LIABLE TO ANYONE FOR SPECIAL,
COLLATERAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH
OR ARISING OUT OF PURCHASE OR USE OF THESE VICTRON ENERGY PRODUCTS.
THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE LIABILITY TO VICTRON ENERGY B.V., REGARDLESS OF
THE FORM OF ACTION, SHALL NOT EXCEED THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE
VICTRON ENERGY PRODUCTS DESCRIBED HERE IN.

Victron Energy B.V. reserves the right to revise and improve its products as it sees fit. This
publication describes the state of this product at the time of its publication and may not
reflect the product at all times in the future.

1

1 SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

1.1 In general

Please read the documentation supplied with this product first, so that you are familiar with
the safety signs en directions before using the product.
This product is designed and tested in accordance with international standards. The
equipment should be used for the designated application only.

The product contains no internal user-serviceable parts. Do not remove the front panel and
do not put the product into operation unless all panels are fitted. All maintenance should be
performed by qualified personnel.

Never use the product at sites where gas or dust explosions could occur. Refer to the
specifications provided by the manufacturer of the battery to ensure that the battery is
suitable for use with this product. The battery manufacturer's safety instructions should
always be observed.

1.2 Installation

WARNING: DANGER OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK

The product is used in combination with a permanent energy source (battery).
Even if the equipment is switched off.

WARNING: do not lift heavy objects unassisted.

Read the installation instructions before commencing installation activities.

Ensure that the connection cables are provided with fuses and circuit breakers. Never
replace a protective device by a component of a different type. Refer to the manual for the
correct part.

Check before switching the device on whether the available voltage source conforms to the
configuration settings of the product as described in the manual.

Ensure that the equipment is used under the correct operating conditions. Never operate it
in a wet or dusty environment.
Ensure that there is always sufficient free space around the product for ventilation, and that
ventilation openings are not blocked.
Install the product in a heatproof environment. Ensure therefore that there are no chemicals,
plastic parts, curtains or other textiles, etc.in the immediate vicinity of the equipment.

2

1.3 Transport and storage

On storage or transport of the product, ensure that the battery leads are disconnected.

No liability can be accepted for damage in transit if the equipment is not transported in its
original packaging.

Store the product in a dry environment; the storage temperature should range from –20°C to
60°C.

1.3.1 Storage instructions of Lithium batteries

Store the Lithium batteries always fully charged.

Check the voltage of the stored Lithium battery periodically. If the voltage is dropped below
24V, recharge it. Because of the battery management electronics there is always a leakage
current which will eventually empty the battery. The weekly consumption of the BMS inside
a 24V/180Ah battery, when not connected to the Lynx Ion, is approximately 2Wh per week.

1.3.2 Storage instructions of a complete system (Lithium batteries with Lynx)

Lithium batteries will permanently damage when fully drained. The system has a small self­discharge which needs to be taken into account when storing the system. It is best to
always store the batteries fully charged.

•

Standby consumption 24V Systems: 77mW for the Lynx Ion (standby) and 28mW
per installed battery.

•

Standby consumption 48V systems: 187mW for the Lynx Ion (standby) and

Two calculation examples:

Note:

From Lynx Ion firmware v1.17 and onwards there has been a significant improvement. The
standby consumption of a Lynx Ion with firmware version v1.16 or lower is approximately
0,8W @ 26,2V and 1,5W @ 52,4V, instead of 77mW and 187mW. The Lynx Ion firmware
version is displayed at the Diagnostics page on the Ion Control display. It is also printed on
a label, which can be found on the back of the Lynx Ion. To update the firmware, contact
your Victron Energy representative.

160mW per installed battery.

•

A full single 24Volt battery connected to a Lynx Ion which is in standby will last
approximately 1800 days. The same system, but then automatically switched to
standby mode due to under voltage will last approximately 90 days.

•

A full 48Volt system with two batteries in series, connected to a Lynx Ion which is
in standby will last approximately 725 days. The same system which has
automatically disconnected and switched to standby mode due to under voltage
will last approximately 37 days.

3

2 DESCRIPTION

2.1 System components

• One or more 24V 180Ah Lithium-Ion batteries.

• The Lynx Power In. A modular dc busbar.

• The Lynx Ion is the battery management system (BMS) that controls the

batteries. A 350 Ampère safety relay is inside the Lynx Ion.

• The Lynx Shunt VE.Can, a battery monitor including the main fuse. Note that the
fuse needs to be purchased separately.

• The Lynx Distributor, a DC distribution system with fuses.

• Optionally, the Ion Control, a digital control panel.

2.1.1 Battery Management System

Every individual 24V/180Ah Lithium-Ion battery has an onboard Battery Management
System, which monitors and protects the battery on cell level. The Lynx Ion communicates
with all battery packs via the BMS CAN-Bus and monitors the system as a whole.

2.1.2 Safety

When designing the Victron Lithium-Ion battery system, a lot of thought was put into the
safety aspect of the system. Each battery is equipped with a BMS to monitor the
performance on a cell level. To monitor the global performance we have chosen the Lynx
Ion. This serves as a master unit and controls the individual batteries. This way the system
as a whole can function at its best, ensuring a maximum return. The battery differentiates
itself from other batteries thanks to its safety contactor. This breaks the connection between
the battery and the rest of the system when the Lynx Ion is unable to disconnect the
external equipment due to complications.

2.1.3 User interface: Ion Control

The Ion Control is a digital control panel for the system.

4

LED

state Description

Battery

status LED

State Description

Battery BMSCAN

-

Bus error

LED

State Description

Battery

BMS

CAN-Bus status

LED

State Description

3 LED INDICATIONS

3.1 Lynx Ion LED indications

Blinking fast Initialization / Waiting for start. Press the start button to start

On Running
Blinking Balancing active
Flashing 1 time Standby mode
Flashing 2 times Voltage error
Flashing 3 times Temperature error
Flashing 4 times Initialization / Connection error

3.2 Battery LED indications

On BMS Running
Toggle slow Balancing / BMS stopped
Toggle fast BMS Error

Off No error in CAN-Bus
Single flash CAN-Bus passive error
On CAN-Bus bus-off

On CAN-Bus operational
Toggle slow CAN-Bus pre-operational
Single flash CAN-Bus stopped

the BMS.

5

current high

enough to melt such items, leading to severe burns.

4 INSTALLATION

This product may only be installed by a qualified electrical engineer.

4.1 Safety precautions

1. Be careful when using metal tools in vicinity of batteries. Dropping a metal tool
onto a battery might cause a short-circuit and possibly an explosion.

2. Always use isolated tool when working with batteries.

3. Remove personal metal items such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, and
watches when working with a battery. A battery can produce a short-circuit

4.2 Location

The product must be installed in a dry and well-ventilated area, as close as possible to the
batteries.

Excessively high ambient temperature will result in a reduced battery lifetime.

The interior of the Lynx components must remain easily accessible after
installation.

Try and keep the distance between the Lynx components and the battery to a minimum in
order to minimize cable voltage losses.

For safety purposes, this product should be installed in a heat­resistantenvironment. You should prevent the presence of e.g. chemicals,
syntheticcomponents, curtains or other textiles, etc., in the immediate vicinity.

4.3 Mounting

The Lynx system must be mounted on a wall. Every Lynx is provided with holes for
mounting. See Appendix B.

6

to right:

rgers and energy consumers at the Lynx Distributor.

For installation of the Victron Lithium

between the Lynx units are connec

4.4 Connecting the Lynx components

The Lynx system must be connected in the following order from left

1. Lynx Power In (optional)

2. Lynx Ion

3. Lynx Shunt VE.Can

4. Lynx Distributor (optional)

Procedure

1. First remove all fronts from the Lynx components.

2. Connect each Lynx to each other from left to right.

3. Mount the Lynx system to the wall.

4. Connect your cha

5. Install the Victron Lithium-Ion batteries.
battery we refer to the Lithium-Ion manual.

Make sure that the connections
This prevents series resistance at the connections.

Do not use washers between the connections.

-Ion

tedtightly.

7

4.5 Connection of the BMS CAN-Bus network

To connect the BMS CAN-Bus communication network you will need:

• CAT5 cable with RJ45 connectors

• Two termination resistors (supplied with the Lynx Ion)

Procedure

1. Use connection A of the Lynx Ion, top left pair of RJ45 connectors. Connect the
other end of the CAT5 cable to the first battery.

2. Then connect it to the second battery (if there is one) with the next CAT5 cable.

3. Repeat this until all batteries are connected.

4. Place a termination resistor in the last connected battery.

5. Place the other termination resistor in the Lynx Ion, connection A.

Now the BMS CAN-Bus network is connected.

4.6 Connection of the VE.Can network

The Lynx Ion is communicating with the Lynx Shunt through VE.Can. This is mandatory.
The VE.Can network is also used to connect the Ion Control.

To connect the Lynx Ion to the Lynx Shunt VE.Can you will need:

• One CAT5 cable with RJ45 connectors

• Two termination resistors (supplied with the Lynx Shunt VE.Can)

Procedure

1. Use connection D of the Lynx Ion, the pair of RJ-45 sockets at lower left. Connect
the CAT5 cable to the Lynx Ion, connection D (see Appendix A).

2. Connect the other end of the CAT5 cable to the Lynx Shunt VE.Can.

3. Now place the termination resistors. One in the Lynx Ion and one in the Lynx

Now the Lynx Ion and the Lynx Shunt are connected.

Shunt.

8

4.7 Connection of the Victron Lithium-Ion batteries

Never short a Lithium-Ion battery. There will flow a very high current and can
lead to damage of the battery and its environment.

Always use isolated tools when installing batteries.

To connect the Victron Lithium-Ion batteries make sure you have followed all the steps
above.

Connection of the Lithium-Ion batteries must be done by the following procedure.

Procedure

1. Connect the ‘-’ connection to cable to the Lynx Power In.

2. Now connect the other end to the first battery.

3. Connect the ‘+’ contact of the battery to the Lynx Power In. Be aware of the little

4. The Lynx Ion will now start and is placed in standby state.

sparking when connecting the cable to the Lynx Power In. (If two batteries are
placed in series, connect the ‘+’ contact to the ‘-’ of the next battery).

Make sure a main switch is connected between the ‘+’ of the battery and the
Lynx Power In.

If parallel connections of batteries are made

• Be sure that the battery state-of-charge is equal for each battery.

• Keep wire lengths exactly the same. Otherwise imbalance occurs.

9

Contact

Closed

/ On Open

/ Off

4.8 Using the I/O of the Lynx Ion

The Lynx Ion has several I/O‘s. The most important are the ‘allow-to-charge’ and ‘allow-to­discharge’ contacts. These are used to control loads and chargers based on the battery
state of charge. See appendix A, connection ‘C’ for the connections.

These contacts are potential free, and normally open. They are closed when the system is
normally working. If the battery is fully charged the ‘allow-to-charge’ contact will be opened.
Now the charger knows that it has to stop charging. If it does not stop charging, the safety
contactor will eventually open. This also applies for the ‘allow-to-discharge’ contact. It is set
open when the battery is fully discharged. All consumers have to stop discharging.

The Lynx Ion has also an ‘external contactor output’ and a ‘bilge pump output’. See
appendix A connection ‘B’. The ‘external safety contactor’ output can be used for switching
an external safety contactor. This contact can switch 10ADC and the output voltage is the
same as the supply voltage of the Lynx Ion. It switches the same way as the internal safety
contactor.

The ‘Bilge pump output’ can also switch 10ADC and also outputs the supply voltage of the
Lynx Ion. This contact is always on. It only switches off if the Lynx Ion detects an under
voltage alarm.

Switching limits

Allow-to-charge signal When the highest battery

cell voltage drops below
3,32V for 10 sec.

Allow-to-discharge signal When the lowest battery cell

voltage rises above 3,35V
for 10 sec.

Internal Safety contactor When all cell voltages are

between 2,60V and 3,62V.

When one battery cell
voltage reaches 3,52V for
10 sec.
When one battery cell
voltage drops below 2,8V
for 10 sec.
When one of the cell
voltages is above 3,62V or

below 2,60V for 20 sec.
External Safety contactor Same as internal safety contactor
Bilge pump After a system reset. When one cell voltage

drops below 2,4V.

10

in the Lynx Ion is specified for 350A maximum continuous

, that bypasses the

limit is the limit of the Lynx Shunt.

Use an external contactor with a 12VDC coil and connect it inside the Lynx Ion

Use an external contactor with a coil voltage equal to the battery system voltage

connector ‘B’ pin 3 and 4)

Gigavac contactors are recommended because of their low coil power use.

For use with other contactors like

Contactor Type

12VDC

24VDC

*With the GX16 series the coil contact must be connected with a Deutsch connector

how to connect the external contactor to the busbar.

always

Therefore the wires in the

right blue connector must be removed. After that isolate the end of the wires

y to remove the

48VDC

4.9 Using the Lynx Ion with currents above 350A

The internal safety contactor
current. Up to 600A is possible, by using an external safety contactor
internal safety relay. The 600A continuous current

There are two options to install an external safety contactor:

•

•

(24/48VDC) and use the external contact (

Gigavac contactors do not need an extinguishing diode.
Allbright always use an extinguishing diode.

Contactors which are tested:Gigavac GX16, GX46, GX56, GX66 series.

(Recommended)

Gigavac GX16 600A* GX16BEB GX16CEB
Gigavac GX46 600A GX46BDB GX46CDB
Gigavac GX56 600A GX56BDB GX56CDB
Gigavac GX66 600A GX66BDB GX66CDB

(Gigavac ordernumber.: 0697).

Below an overview of

Also the

GX16FEB
GX46FDB
GX56FDB
GX66FDB

The control wires of the internal contactor must
from the Lynx Ion if using an external contactor.

so they cannot damage the Lynx Ion. It is not necessar
internal safety contactor itself.

11

be disconnected

Coil voltage

Remarks

Remove wires

To connect the coil of the external connector it is important to check which coil voltage it has.

12VDC Connect to the right blue connector inside the Lynx Ion. Same as

where the internal contactor was connected. check ‘+’ and ‘-‘.

24VDC Can only be used when connecting to a 24V system. Must be

connected to the external contactor connection. (connector ‘B’
pin 3 and 4).

48VDC Can only be used when connecting to a 48V system. Must be

connected to the external contactor connection. (connector ‘B’
pin 3 and 4).

Check appendix A for the references of the connections.

12

If connecting an external contactor to connector ‘B’ always check if the coil

voltage of the contactor is equal to the busbar voltage. Also check if

Example schematic of connecting the contactor to connector ‘B’.

13

an

extinguishing diode is needed.

5 CONFIGURING A MULTI OR QUATTRO

The Multi is controlled by the Lynx Ion, via the allow-to-charge and allow-to-discharge
contacts.

A B C D E

0% 100%

Condition A and E are error conditions. Proper configuration of the system will prevent these
conditions from occurring. When they occur, correct the situation, and press the start button
again to restart the Lynx Ion.

Connections

To configure the Multi for BMS support, VEConfigure3 is necessary. See the Support &
downloads section at www.victronenergy.com for more information on installing
VEConfigure3 and updating the Multi to firmware version xxxx200 or higher.

The batteries are discharged too low. The 350A safety contactor in the Lynx

A

Ion will open.
The batteries are discharged. The allow-to-discharge signal contact will open.

B

The Multi will switch to ‘Charger Only’, to prevent further discharging the
batteries.

C OK. The Multi can both charge and discharge the batteries. The allow-to-

charge and the allow-to-discharge contacts are closed.
The batteries are full. The allow-to-charge contact will open. The Multi will

D

switch to float, to prevent further charging the batteries.
The batteries are almost over charged. The 350A safety contactor in the Lynx

E

Ion will open.

1. Connect the allow-to-charge signal to the AUX input on the Multi

2. Connect the allow-to-discharge signal to Temp sense input on the Multi. It is not
necessary to use a temperature sensor with the Multi, since the batteries have
their own internal temperature sensors.

State of Charge

14

3. Start VEConfigure3, and configure the Li-ion BMS Support assistant as follows:

15

6 FIRST POWER UP

Other than below procedure, no configuration is needed. The battery configuration is
automatically recognized. And the Lynx Shunt parameters will be configured by the Lynx Ion
on power up.

Power up procedure

1. Make sure that all energy consumers are switched off before starting up the
system.

2. The Lynx Ion will pre-charge the system before closing the 350A safety contactor.
The Lynx Ion will not start if there is more than 10A drawn by the system during
pre-charging.

3. Press the START-button on the front of the Lynx Ion.

4. Now the system is being pre-charged. The 350A safety contactor is closed as
soon as the voltage rises above 80% of the battery voltage.

5. If the status LED is continuously on, then the system is running and ready for use.

Power down/reset procedure

1. Press the START-button on the front of the Lynx Ion for 10 sec.

2. The Lynx Ion will reset and the status LED is blinking fast.

3. Now the 350A safety contactor is open and the batteries are disconnected from
the system.

16

7 TEMPERATURE PROTECTION

The Lynx Ion constantly monitors the battery temperatures, and protects them according
below rules. In case the temperature is outside the limits, it will first signal the chargers
and/or loads via the allow-to-charge and allow-to-discharge contacts. It will open the safety
contactor if there is no response. In that case you will see the LED blinking in the specified
error code (three flashes, see chapter 3 for details). Press the START-button to restart the
system.

High temperature signals:

• Stop charging and discharging at +60°C (allow-to-charge and allow-to-discharge
contacts open)

• Charge and discharge alarm at +65°C (safety contactor open)

Low temperature signals:

• Stop charging at -5°C (allow-to-charge contact open)

• Stop discharging at -20°C (allow-to-discharge contact open)

Alarm temperatures:

• Charging alarm at -10°C and current > 10A (safety contactor open)

• Discharging alarm at -25°C and current < -10A (safety contactor open)

Please note that these rules have been implemented per firmware version v1.15,
release on 22nd of January 2013.Versions before that had more stringent set of rules,
with a smaller temperature operating range.

17

8 MAINTENANCE

The Lynx Ion does not require specific maintenance. It will suffice to check all connections
once a year. Avoid moisture and oil/soot/vapors, and keep the device clean.

18

Supply

power

Potential free

contacts

I/O

Enclosure

9 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS LYNX ION

More details about power consumption are in section 1.3.2.

Supplyvoltagerange 9 ... 60VDC

Standbymode
(from firmware v1.17 and onwards)
Standbymode
(firmware v1.16 and lower)
Active mode 8,7 W

Operatingtemperaturerange
Main safety contactor 350A DC continuous

Mode Normally open
Rating 1 A / 60VDC/250 VAC

BilgePump output 10ADC max. Voltage, same as supply.
Externalrelay output 10ADC max. Voltage, same as supply.

Dimensions 18.5 x 16.5 x 8.5 cm
Net weight 2.1 kg
Common Characteristics Material: ABS;

104mW @ 26,2V and 504mW @ 52,4V

0,8W @ 26,2V and 1,5W @ 52,4V

(includingLynxShuntpowerconsumption)

0 ... 50°C

Protection: IP22;

19

Victron

Lithium

-

Ion Battery 24V / 180Ah

Charge/Discharge

Enclosure

Temperature

10 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS BATTERIES

Technology Lithium-Iron Phosphate (LiFePo4)
Nominal voltage 26,4 V

Nominal capacity 180 Ah
Nominal power 4,75 KWh

Power / Weight ratio 86 Wh/Kg

Charge cut-off voltage at 0,05C 28,8 V
Discharge cut-off voltage 20 V

Recommended charge/discharge current (0,3C) 54 A
Maximum charge current (1C) 180 A
Maximum discharge current (1,5C) 270 A
Pulse discharge current (10s) 1000 A
Cycle Life @80% DOD (0,3C) 2000

Common Characteristics Material: Aluminum and Metal;

Battery connections M10 bolts
Weight 55 Kg

Dimensions (l x w x h in cm) 62,5 x 35,0 x 18,8

Operating temperature during charge 0~45 °C

Operating temperature during discharge -25~45 °C

Storage temperature -25~55 °C

Protection: IP20;

20

APPENDIX A: OVERVIEW LYNX ION

Bottom view

D E F

B A

C

21

Front view

G

H

I

J

22

Connector pins and specifications

Part descriptions

A

B

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

Connector B and C zoomed view

BMS CAN-Bus connections. CAN-In, CAN-out.
Power out connections. Used for Bilge pump and external relay.
Potential free allow-to-charge and ok-discharge contacts. Used to control chargers

C

and loads.
VE.Can CAN-Bus connections. CAN-In, CAN-out.
Hard-reset button.
Reserved button.
‘+’ connection for battery.
Status LED.
‘-’ connection for battery.
START-button.

B

C

4 3 2 1

Conn. Pin I/O Voltage Max. Current Max. Purpose

1

Out

B

C

2 GND
3

Out

4 GND
1
2

60 V 1,0 A @ 60 V Allow-to-charge

3 Not connected
4
5

60 V 1,0 A @ 60 V

23

+ V System

+ V System

10 A Bilge Pump

10 A External safety contactor

Allow-to-discharge

Part descriptions

K

L

M

APPENDIX B: INSIDE THE LYNX ION

K

L

M M

Safety contactor. 350ADC continuous.
Pre-Charge fuse 10A.
Mounting holes.

24

Part descriptions

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

APPENDIX C: THE LITIUM-ION BATTERY

A

Front

H

F D

E

B

G

C

Front

25

Connection and status panel.
‘+’ battery connection
‘-’ battery connection
Battery power LED
Battery status LED
BMS CAN-Bus connections
BMS CAN-Bus error LED
BMS CAN-Bus status LED

www.victronenergy.com

Victron Energy Blue Power

Distributor:

Serial number:

Version : 08
Date : 8 January 2013

Victron Energy B.V.
De Paal 35 | 1351 JG Almere
PO Box 50016 | 1305 AA Almere | The Netherlands

General phone : [phone]
Customer support desk : [phone]
Fax : [phone]

E-mail : [e-mail]