RedEarth HoneyBadger User manual

HoneyBadger
HOME BATTERY SYSTEM – OFF-GRID
Victron with Troppo-4841 Lithium batteries
www.redearth.energy

HoneyBadger | User Manual Jan 2023
RedEarth Energy Storage
15 Fienta Place, Darra BRISBANE QLD 4076 | 1800 733 637 | [e-mail] | www.redearth.energy
2
RedEarth Energy Storage is an Australian-owned and operated manufacturer of energy storage systems
Co-founded by CEO Charlie Walker, CTO Chris Winter, and non-executive director Bruce Ebzery in 2013, RedEarth Energy Storage began as a
startup doing research and development into battery energy storage systems specifically for the Australian market.
Starting in the off-grid environment with the development of BlackMax, RedEarth has since added on-grid, commercial and industrial, and
residential systems to its suite of products, all designed to be modular and scalable to allow the end-user customer to update their systems
should their needs change.
RedEarth operates with the belief that electricity will be the primary energy source in the future, and that every business and residence can
generate more clean, green electricity than it can consume – meaning they can financially capitalise on their excess solar energy.

HoneyBadger | User Manual Jan 2023
RedEarth Energy Storage
15 Fienta Place, Darra BRISBANE QLD 4076 | 1800 733 637 | [e-mail] | www.redearth.energy
3
Table of Contents
Table of Contents.................................................................................................................................... 3
Safety ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
About your HoneyBadger........................................................................................................................ 5
Dimensions and clearance/positioning information ................................................................................ 6
HoneyBadger Overview .......................................................................................................................... 7
AC Breakers ...................................................................................................................................................... 8
DC Breakers ...................................................................................................................................................... 9
Earth fault alarm .............................................................................................................................................. 9
Monitoring display ........................................................................................................................................... 9
Documentation ................................................................................................................................................ 9
Fan ventilation ............................................................................................................................................... 10
Battery compartment ..................................................................................................................................... 10
How to Turn ON / Shutdown my HoneyBadger ...................................................................................... 11
Turn ON procedure ......................................................................................................................................... 11
Shutdown Procedure ...................................................................................................................................... 11
Monitoring your HoneyBadger ............................................................................................................. 12
FAQ’s .................................................................................................................................................... 15
Maintenance Schedule ................................................................................................................................... 16
Weekly ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
Monthly ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
Annually .................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
End of Life Recycling ....................................................................................................................................... 16
Services and options available for your HoneyBadger ........................................................................... 17

HoneyBadger | User Manual Jan 2023
RedEarth Energy Storage
15 Fienta Place, Darra BRISBANE QLD 4076 | 1800 733 637 | [e-mail] | www.redearth.energy
4
Safety
Symbol Explanation
Refer to the operating instructions.
Indicates additional information, emphasized contents or tips that may be helpful.
Caution, risk of electric shock.
Caution, risk of danger.
Do not touch live parts until 10 minutes after disconnection from the power sources.
The wiring diagrams and installation instructions are given as a guide only and compliance to appropriate standards
is the responsibility of the installer. Relevant standards are listed below:
AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring rules
AS/NZS 5033:2021 (and 1&2) Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic (PV) arrays
AS/NZS 4509.2:2012 Stand-alone power systems-Design
AS/NZS 1170.2:2011 Structural design actions-Wind actions
AS/NZS1768:2007 Lightning protection
AS/NZS 3008.1.1:2017 Electrical installations – Selection of cables
AS/NZS 5139:2019 Electrical installations-Safety of battery systems for use with power conversion
equipment
The HoneyBadger must only be installed by suitably qualified personnel who have read and are familiar
with its operation and hazards.
The battery provided with this system must be charged only by the Victron inverter and MPPT. Do not
attempt to charge the batteries with any other charger device or connect any devices directly to the DC
battery bus unless approved by RedEarth.
In the event of a fire evacuate the area and call emergency services. A dry
agent fire extinguisher should be readily available and used. DO NOT use
water.
Note: MSDS document is provided with the system and can be found at
www.redearth.energy
Do not use a damaged battery. Batteries should only be disposed of at an appropriate recycling centre.
Please contact RedEarth for advice.
A battery can present a risk of electrical shock and high short-circuit current. The following precautions
should be observed when working on batteries:
Disconnect charging source prior to connecting or disconnecting battery terminals.
In our efforts towards constant product enhancement, this document is subject to change at any time.
Please visit http://www.redearth.energy and download the appropriate and latest version manual.

HoneyBadger | User Manual Jan 2023
RedEarth Energy Storage
15 Fienta Place, Darra BRISBANE QLD 4076 | 1800 733 637 | [e-mail] | www.redearth.energy
5
About your HoneyBadger
Your HoneyBadger is an Australian-made all-in-one battery system built for off-grid homes.
The system is designed to be easy to install and use. It is fully assembled, factory-tested prior to shipment and requires only
limited programming on-site (e.g. generator size & run-times).
It includes a 10kVA Victron Quattro inverter (5kW option Is also available), up to two
Maximum Power Point Trackers (MPPT), and up to 32.8kWh of self-managed Troppo-
4841 lithium batteries.
The two MPPTs allow you to connect at least 15kW of solar panels (maximum 250VDC (4
large panels in series) and a generator (either 2-wire auto start or manual start). Note
that an additional AC-coupled solar inverter can be added if more Solar is required (e.g.
Fronius 8.2).
Remote monitoring is available subject to mobile phone coverage. This uses RedEarth’s
EMU app that is available for download onto your phone. Just scan the QR code on the
HoneyBadger.
The Victron VRM portal is also available for more detailed analysis.
The HoneyBadger system can be installed either inside or outside, ideally in a shaded area against a wall. A changeover switch is
included in case of system problem. The loads can then be run off a generator until the system is operational again.
A typical complete installation of the HoneyBadger will require the electrical connection of:
 The customers' load: usually via an external switch board
with an earth stake and MEN link – there are dedicated
terminals inside the unit to connect to.
 PV solar panels: with one array per MPPT (maximum 250VDC
per string) (with two MPPTs, two different PV array
orientations can be used).
 Generator: recommended (2-wire auto start or manual start
generator). Terminals for connecting a dry-contact
compatible generator start or signal light are included. A
Victron smart charger is also included to keep the starter
battery of the generator charged up.
 In addition, the installer may need to program the Victron
CCGX controller for the customer’s specific requirements
(e.g., generator size and run times). RedEarth tech support is
available 7-days a week.
 Remote monitoring: The HoneyBadger comes with RedEarth’s RedPi Lite 4G modem, with SIM card built in. If there is
mobile phone coverage, then remote monitoring is possible. Optimal positioning of the antenna will help with
reception. A direct connection from the customers router to the HoneyBadger is also possible. A Starlink satellite option
Is also possible where there is no other internet connection..
Note: The HoneyBadger is not designed to act as a main switch board for the premises, as it does not include space for
additional main & customer circuit breakers or RCDs. The MEN link and Earth connection must be in place at the premises as
required.
Finally, the HoneyBadger conforms to the Australian Battery Safety Guide. This includes the requirement to have an earth fault
detection and alarm function on Victron MPPT equipment operating at above 120Vdc. (AS5033:2021 paragraph 3.5.1)

HoneyBadger | User Manual Jan 2023
RedEarth Energy Storage
15 Fienta Place, Darra BRISBANE QLD 4076 | 1800 733 637 | [e-mail] | www.redearth.energy
6
Dimensions and
clearance/positioning information
HoneyBadger Weight
 560kg with 8x Troppo LFP batteries
(42kg per battery)
 224kg without batteries
Dimensions w/ door closed:
169 H x 94 W x 65 D [cm]
Dimensions w/ door open:
169 H x 104 W x 144 D [cm]
IP rating: IP43
Positioning information summary:
Minimum Clearance around HoneyBadger where
no windows doors, etc. are allowed. According to
AS/NZS 5139.
Note: if the system is >300mm off the wall then
this does not apply, however the system should
be attached to a wall for stability.
The HoneyBadger is rated for outside installation.
It should be installed in a shaded area.

HoneyBadger | User Manual Jan 2023
RedEarth Energy Storage
15 Fienta Place, Darra BRISBANE QLD 4076 | 1800 733 637 | [e-mail] | www.redearth.energy
7
HoneyBadger Overview
Overview of operation
Your HoneyBadger has two sections. The top area contains the inverters, MPPT’s and all the electrical switch gear. The bottom
section is pre-wired for up to eight of RedEarth’s 4.1kWh Troppo batteries. Each section has a key-lockable door. Note that the
keys are not the same for the two doors.
External Power outlet – 10amp
On the left side of the HoneyBadger is a 10amp power outlet. This is
available anytime the system is turned on. It does not require the
solar panels to be connected.

HoneyBadger | User Manual Jan 2023
RedEarth Energy Storage
15 Fienta Place, Darra BRISBANE QLD 4076 | 1800 733 637 | [e-mail] | www.redearth.energy
8
HoneyBadger Components
Opening the top door provides access to the monitoring display and switch gear of your HoneyBadger. This is also where you
turn on/off your HoneyBadger.
AC Breakers
The AC Breakers include a two-pole breaker for connecting a generator. There is also a By-pass switch to use if the HoneyBadger
has a problem and the load is to be run off the generator alone. Each switch has an identification label directly below it. These
are shown below.

HoneyBadger | User Manual Jan 2023
RedEarth Energy Storage
15 Fienta Place, Darra BRISBANE QLD 4076 | 1800 733 637 | [e-mail] | www.redearth.energy
9
DC Breakers
The DC Breakers are used for isolating the MPPT from the
Solar array and the battery. If two MPPT’s are included in the
system then there will be two sets of breakers as shown,
otherwise there will only be one set.
Earth fault alarm
Just below the MPPT, is the Earth Fault Alarm display. This
monitors your unearthed Solar Array and battery storage
system for conductor insulation degradation.
The ALL-CLEAR light is illuminated in normal operation.
If the device detects a fault, the FAULT DETECTED light will
illuminate and a buzzer will sound that can be muted by
pressing “Silence” button. Contact your installer.
More information on the Earth Fault device is available at the
following link, www.aerl.com.au/wpcontent/uploads/2020/10/EarthGuard-300-User-Manual-REV-1.2.pdf
Monitoring display
This display allows monitoring of the system status as well as some parameter
changes.
Additional detailed instructions on the monitoring display are available from
Victron at https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/ManualColor-
Control-GX.0.3-EN.pdf
Documentation
The system documentation is kept in the holder on the inside of the top door. It
includes the manuals and other system paperwork.

HoneyBadger | User Manual Jan 2023
RedEarth Energy Storage
15 Fienta Place, Darra BRISBANE QLD 4076 | 1800 733 637 | [e-mail] | www.redearth.energy
10
Fan ventilation
The top enclosure has 2 fans in the rear that come on once the
Internal air temperature reaches 35 degrees centigrade. The
graph at right shows the derating of the Inverter output as the
temperature rises.
The fan can be adjusted to come on at a lower temperature
however this Is accompanied by the fan operating noise.
Battery compartment
The bottom compartment can hold up to eight of
RedEarth’s 4.1kWh Troppo batteries.
Passive ventilation is provided via the vents in the base
of the HoneyBadger and through the vents in the top
rear of the compartment. Ensure that these are not
blocked by other material.
Additional batteries can be purchased from RedEarth. A
maximum of eight batteries can be installed. All the
battery cables are already included in your
HoneyBadger.