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What is ‘Enable Charger’ in VictronConnect Settings using Multiplus-II?
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The ‘Enable Charger’ setting in the ‘Charger’ section of the VictronConnect app allows you to control whether your MultiPlus inverter/charger will use AC power to charge the connected battery bank.
Function When Enabled:
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When this setting is enabled, the MultiPlus can charge the batteries from an AC source such as the grid or a generator, in addition to its inverting functions.
Function When Disabled:
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Disabling the charger means that the MultiPlus will no longer use AC power to charge the batteries.
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The inverter and assist functions continue to operate, supplying loads from the batteries or passing through AC power, but the charging current from AC sources is set to zero.
Self-Consumption:
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By disabling the charger, you ensure that all the power is used for self-consumption by the loads connected to the MultiPlus.
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This can be a strategic decision in areas where electricity costs are high, or where charging from the grid is not efficient, especially with lead-acid batteries that typically have around 80% charge efficiency (meaning 20% of energy is lost as heat).
Solar Charging Preference:
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In systems with solar arrays and MPPT charge controllers, disabling the MultiPlus charger can force the system to rely solely on solar power for charging the batteries, maximizing the use of renewable energy and minimizing grid dependence.
System Design Considerations:
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This approach requires careful system design, ensuring that the solar array is large enough to maintain the batteries’ charge without AC charging. The ‘Ignore AC’ setting should be adjusted to keep extra charge in the batteries as a buffer for periods of low solar production or power outages.
Warnings:
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Disabling the charger should only be considered in systems that generate excess solar power, where there’s confidence that the solar array can fully sustain the battery bank without needing supplemental grid charging.
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If the batteries are depleted (e.g., during the night or on days with insufficient sunlight), and the charger is disabled, the system might not recover unless there’s sufficient solar energy the following day or an external battery charger is used.
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Incorrect system design with the charger disabled can lead to undercharging the batteries, potentially causing damage or reducing their lifespan. It’s crucial to ensure that the energy input from solar or other renewable sources is adequate before deciding to disable the charger function.
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