RedEarth HoneyBadger User manual

HoneyBadger
Home Battery System – Off-grid
Victron with Troppo-4841 Lithium batteries
User Manual

HoneyBadger User Manual
HoneyBadger User Version 2.0 Page 2 of 18 Issue Date 10/09/2022
Safety
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.
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.

HoneyBadger User Manual
HoneyBadger User Version 2.0 Page 3 of 18 Issue Date 10/09/2022
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, up to two Maximum Power Point Trackers (MPPT) and
up to 32.8kWh of self-managed Troppo-4841 lithium batteries.
Remote monitoring is available subject to mobile phone
coverage. This uses RedEarths EMU app that is available for
download onto your phone. The Victron VRM portal is also
available for more detailed analysis.
Your HoneyBadger is ready to directly connect up to 13.3kW 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).
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 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 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.
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 need to 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
HoneyBadger User Version 2.0 Page 4 of 18 Issue Date 10/09/2022
Dimensions and clearance/positioning information
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.
The HoneyBadger is rated for outside
installation. It should be installed in a
shaded area.
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

HoneyBadger User Manual
HoneyBadger User Version 2.0 Page 5 of 18 Issue Date 10/09/2022
HoneyBadger Overview
The HoneyBadger – overview of operation
Your HoneyBadger has two sections. The top area contains the inverters, MPPT’s and all of 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 each door.
External Power outlet – 10amp
On the right 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
HoneyBadger User Version 2.0 Page 6 of 18 Issue Date 10/09/2022
HoneyBadger components
Opening the top door provides access to the monitoring display and switch gear of your
HoneyBadger. This also is where you turn on/off your HoneyBadger
AC Breakers
The AC Breakers include a two-pole breaker for connecting a generator as well as 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
HoneyBadger User Version 2.0 Page 7 of 18 Issue Date 10/09/2022
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 be only
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”. Contact your installer.
More information on the Earth Fault device is available at the following link, www.aerl.com.au/wp-
content/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/Manual-
Color-Control-GX.0.3-EN.pdf

HoneyBadger User Manual
HoneyBadger User Version 2.0 Page 8 of 18 Issue Date 10/09/2022
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.

HoneyBadger User Manual
HoneyBadger User Version 2.0 Page 9 of 18 Issue Date 10/09/2022
Turn ON procedure
1 In the battery compartment switch on the battery switch on the top of
each lithium battery. The display and LED light on each battery will
illuminate.
2 In the top section switch on the BATTERY SYSTEM D.C. ISOLATOR [4]; the
Monitoring display and Inverter will start (note the small black switch on
the front of the Inverter itself
needs to be in the ON position)
3 Switch ON the SOLAR D.C.
ISOLATOR #1 and - if available -
#2 Isolator [3]
4 Switch ON the MPPT #1 and - if
available - #2 Isolator [2]
5 Position the Changeover switch
upwards (position 1);
6 Turn ON all AC circuit breakers
[1]
Shutdown Procedure
The shutdown procedure is the reverse of the “turn on” procedure and is shown below. This
procedure can be found on the front faceplate of the unit just below the AC breakers.
1 In the top section Turn OFF all AC circuit breakers [1]
2 Switch OFF the MPPT #1 and - if available - #2 Isolator [2]
3 Switch OFF the SOLAR D.C. ISOLATOR #1 and - if available - #2 Isolator [3]
4 Switch OFF the BATTERY SYSTEM D.C. ISOLATOR [4]
5 Position the Changeover switch upwards (position 1);
6 In the battery compartment switch on the battery switch on the top of each lithium battery. The
display and LED light on each battery will illuminate.
How to Turn ON / Shutdown my
HoneyBadger

HoneyBadger User Manual
HoneyBadger User Version 2.0 Page 10 of 18 Issue Date 10/09/2022
There are three ways to monitor your HoneyBadger.
1. Direct monitoring via the Display screen in your HoneyBadger:
The Colour Control GX is the communication-centre
of your installation. It offers at-a-glance live
information power demand from the loads (house),
power production from the PV (solar) and the
batteries. It also shows the state-of-charge of the
batteries and the load on the generator if it is
operating.
2. Monitoring via RedEarth’s EMU App:
This option provides easy monitoring of your system operation
using your mobile phone.
Note: Remote monitoring assumes that you have mobile phone
coverage and that your system was connected during
installation.
To setup monitoring via the EMU App follow the steps below.
Using your mobile phone, scan the QR code sticker attached on
the inside of the top door of your HoneyBadger. It looks like this:
Scanning the code will automatically take you to the RedEarth
customer portal for system registration, as shown below.
Entering all the information requested will help you to get the
most from your investment in your HoneyBadger. It will also
register your email. You will then immediately be sent an email
that allows you to log into the EMU app.
Monitoring your
HoneyBadger