[enerjee]

Up

0

Down

::

Yep, the MultiPlus-II has got you covered. It’s designed to charge two batteries at once. The main DC output can handle the full current for your primary battery. Then, there’s a second output that’s perfect for a smaller battery, like a starter battery in a vehicle.

This second output is limited to a lower current, so it’s really tailored for smaller batteries.

In other words, two chargers in one, making sure both your batteries get exactly what they need!

[enerjee]

Up

0

Down

::

The MultiPlus-II’s ability to function as a bidirectional inverter means it can both draw energy from the grid and feed energy back into it.

This capability is particularly relevant in systems that are designed to have a high degree of control over power flows, such as those integrating a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) or other intelligent control systems.

These systems actively manage the control loop and perform grid measurements, dictating when the MultiPlus-II should either supply power to the grid or utilize grid power for charging or direct supply.

This bidirectional functionality is essential for advanced energy management in both grid-tied and hybrid systems, allowing for enhanced energy efficiency, grid support, and potentially, energy arbitrage opportunities.

[enerjee]

Up

0

Down

::

When you see both the ‘overload’ and ‘low battery’ LEDs blinking simultaneously on your MultiPlus-II 230V, it indicates a high ripple voltage on the battery terminals.

Ripple voltage in Victron inverters refers to the small AC voltage fluctuations superimposed on the DC battery voltage. These fluctuations are caused by the switching nature of the inverter’s electronics as it converts DC power to AC power.

This is a bit different from the usual overload or low battery issues. Here’s what you can do:

• Check your battery connections. Loose or corroded connections can sometimes cause ripple voltage issues.

• Inspect the battery health. If your batteries are aging or damaged, they might not be smoothing out the charge as effectively as they should, leading to higher ripple voltages.

• If you have a multimeter, you can measure the ripple voltage yourself. Compare the readings with the acceptable range in the MultiPlus-II manual.

• Reduce the load on the inverter and charger to see if it helps lower the ripple voltage.

• If you’re using multiple charging sources (like solar along with a generator), try isolating them to see if one is contributing more to the issue.

• If you have the capability, check the settings of your battery charger. Sometimes adjusting the charge rate can help reduce ripple voltage.

Ripple voltage issues can be a bit technical to diagnose and fix, so if these steps don’t clear up the problem, it might be best to get in touch with a professional or the support team from Victron. They can provide more detailed guidance based on your specific setup.

[enerjee]

Up

0

Down

::

I currently have my inverter’s upper voltage limit set to 250V, but given the specs from the Power Supply stating 240V, should I lower the inverter’s upper voltage limit to a +5% above nominal at 242V to protect my computer?

[enerjee]

Up

0

Down

::

The ‘System frequency’ setting in the General settings menu of a Victron inverter is used to specify the output frequency of the inverter.

The frequency, measured in Hertz (Hz), refers to the number of times the current changes direction per second. In many parts of the world, the standard electrical grid frequency is either 50Hz or 60Hz.

• 50Hz: This frequency is common in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Devices designed for these regions are built to operate optimally with a power supply at this frequency.

• 60Hz: Used predominantly in North America and parts of South America. Electrical equipment manufactured for these regions expects this frequency.

The importance of setting the correct system frequency lies in ensuring compatibility with your connected devices. Electrical appliances are designed to work with the frequency standard of the region they were sold in. Using the wrong frequency can result in inefficient operation, increased wear, or even damage. For instance, an electric motor designed for 50Hz may run faster and hotter if supplied with 60Hz, which could reduce its lifespan.

When you set the ‘System Frequency’ of your inverter, you are defining the frequency of the AC power it generates. This should match the frequency for which your appliances are rated. If your Victron inverter is set to 50Hz, it should be used with devices that are also rated for 50Hz. Changing this setting is usually only necessary if you move to a different region with a different power standard or if you import an appliance with different frequency requirements.

Here’s how to adjust the ‘System frequency’ setting:

• After entering the General settings menu in the VictronConnect app, locate the ‘System frequency’ option.

• Tap on the drop-down menu where ’50Hz’ is displayed. This will allow you to choose between the available frequency options, being either 50Hz or 60Hz.

• Select the frequency that corresponds to your local grid or the nominal frequency of your electrical devices.

[enerjee]

Up

0

Down

::

The VE.Bus firmware numbering system is quite systematic.

Let’s use the firmware number 1941143 as an example to understand this system.

• The first two digits, ’19’ in this case, represent the family group number. This tells you which family of products the firmware is designed for.

• The next two digits, ’41’ here, indicate the specific model the firmware is meant for. In our example, this corresponds to the Quattro 24/3000/70-50/30 model.

• The last three digits, ‘143’, are the actual firmware version. This part of the number will tell you the specific version of the firmware that is being referred to.

So when you’re looking at a VE.Bus firmware number, you can quickly identify the product family, the specific model, and the version of the firmware from this numbering system. This helps ensure that you’re using the correct firmware for your particular VE.Bus product.

[enerjee]

Up

0

Down

::

The ‘DC input low restart’ setting in the VictronConnect app defines the voltage level at which your MultiPlus inverter will re-engage and start operating again after it has shut down due to low battery voltage.

Purpose:

• This setting is used to prevent the inverter from immediately trying to restart as soon as the voltage rises slightly above the ‘DC input low-shutdown’ threshold.

• Without this restart control, the inverter could enter a damaging cycle of shutting down and restarting if the battery voltage hovers around the shutdown threshold.

Function:

• When the battery voltage drops and causes the inverter to shut down to protect the battery, the ‘DC input low restart’ is the voltage point that must be exceeded for the inverter to consider restarting.

• This avoids the issue of the inverter turning on again only to shut off almost immediately due to insufficient battery recovery.

Recommendation:

• It is generally advised to set this restart voltage at least one volt higher than the ‘DC input low-shutdown’ voltage.

• This gap ensures that the battery has a sufficient charge before the inverter attempts to restart, providing a buffer against voltage fluctuations and allowing for some battery recovery.

Usage Tips:

• Proper setting of this parameter helps in avoiding undue stress on the battery and the inverter, contributing to the longevity of your system.

• It’s important to monitor how your batteries recover after a low voltage shutdown and adjust this setting if you observe that the inverter is restarting too soon or not soon enough according to your specific energy usage patterns.

[enerjee]

Up

0

Down

::

What is the voltage tolerance for South Africa?

[enerjee]

Up

0

Down

::

So if it reaches this limit, will it turn off the inverter or switch to DC mode?