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Victron Multiplus parallel operation

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Cornelius

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Apr 10, 2021
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I bought two second hand Victron Multiplus 12V 1600VA 70amp inverters hoping to run them in parallel.

Setting up the parallel operation seems more difficult than I thought.

In one youtube video from Victron there is mention of a password that only professional technicians will get access to. The only hardware required is the victron MK3-USB connector.

In another youtube video there is no password. But additionaly to the MK3 a device called Color Control GX (CCGX) is needed.

The MK3 and the CCGX cost 600 Euro. It feels stupid to pay that much just to set up the parallel operation. That is almost as much as I paid for the two inverters. Even then I don't know if there isn't a password to access Multiplus parallel operation.

What hardware do I need?
Is there a password or not?
 
You need to confirm they are the exact same model with the exact same firmware.
 
Cornelius said:
They are the same model and MUST have the same firmware.
Click to expand...

Fixed.

I've used VEConfig to alter my Quattro's settings, and no password has been required. That may be an alternative. While I have a CCGX, I do not believe it is needed. Here is a Victron video discussing the MK3 USB adapter and VEConfig:

 
I'm 99% certain he's using the VE.Bus port of the CCGX as a convenient way to connect to the inverter, and it is not necessary.

In fact, he says as much indirectly (linked to time stamp):

 
Last edited:
I am only using the MK3-USB and the Victron Connect software on my Multiplus and I think there is only one setting I can not get to using Victron Connect. He talks about it in the first video. I am also only using one unit at the moment. From reading the manual I am under the impression one could configure parallel operation manually with the DIP switches. I didn't try that since I have the correct interface.

Section 5.3 in the manual covers configuation by computer.

Yes, you will need a password if you configure using the Victron Connect software. The password is easy to find with an internet search. It is a 3 letter password that starts with a "z" ends with a "z" and has a "z" in the middle.
 
Thank you for the input, I just ordered the MK3-USB. I understand that the MK3 is all that is needed to connect to the inverter. I am still unsure if I can connect to multiple inverters with it.
I will give it a try.
 
snoobler said:
I'm 99% certain he's using the VE.Bus port of the CCGX as a convenient way to connect to the inverter, and it is not necessary.

In fact, he says as much indirectly (linked to time stamp):

Click to expand...
In am comment under that video the creator 'Opting Out of Normal' says:
"a gx device connected to the inverters with ethernet cables are required to get them to work together."
 
He is incorrect.

This page indicates a GX device is recommended:

Parallel, split- and three-phase VE.Bus systems [Victron Energy]

www.victronenergy.com www.victronenergy.com

VEConfig is independent of a GX. You are directly programming the inverters to communicate with one another in a master/slave configuration.

The GX device allows more refined controls and communications between attached devices. The biggest benefit for me is the ability to monitor my system remotely. Another big benefit is improved charge control. My 12kWh battery bank shouldn't be charged at more than 30A. My 3kW array can produce over 50A. I can limit the charge controller manually, but that also limits PV input for loads as well, and my loads may exceed what can be provided by a 30A limit. I can tell the GX to limit charge current to 30A, and the GX monitors the system signaling any Victron connected devices to throttle the charge current from all sources to 30A, yet it can still supply any excess for loads.
 
Last edited:
snoobler said:
He is incorrect.

This page indicates a GX device is recommended:

Parallel, split- and three-phase VE.Bus systems [Victron Energy]

www.victronenergy.com www.victronenergy.com

VEConfig is independent of a GX. You are directly programming the inverters to communicate with one another in a master/slave configuration.

The GX device allows more refined controls and communications between attached devices. The biggest benefit for me is the ability to monitor my system remotely. Another big benefit is improved charge control. My 12kWh battery bank shouldn't be charged at more than 30A. My 3kW array can produce over 50A. I can limit the charge controller manually, but that also limits PV input for loads as well, and my loads may exceed what can be provided by a 30A limit. I can tell the GX to limit charge current to 30A, and the GX monitors the system signaling any Victron connected devices to throttle the charge current from all sources to 30A, yet it can still supply any excess for loads.
Click to expand...
After reading the configuration document I don't think I have enough experience with Victron to attempt to program multiple units without a GX device.
 
Cornelius said:
Thank you for the input, I just ordered the MK3-USB. I understand that the MK3 is all that is needed to connect to the inverter. I am still unsure if I can connect to multiple inverters with it.
I will give it a try.
Click to expand...

You chain them as shown in the video:

1618580529914.png
 
Q-Dog said:
After reading the configuration document I don't think I have enough experience with Victron to attempt to program multiple units without a GX device.
Click to expand...

I've never encountered documentation indicating how a GX device can be used for programming parallel operation. Victron's professional video series uses VEConfig or VictronConnect.

I see no options for programming parallel operation via GX device. Do you have documentation?
 
My biggest problem is I don't have a PC, so VE Config is not an option for me.

Nope. No documentation. I still don't understand it all. I was confident I could accomplish it with only Victron Connect. But now, not so much. Good thing I have no plans to do that any time soon.
 
Q-Dog said:
Nope. No documentation. I still don't understand it all. I was confident I could accomplish it with only Victron Connect. But now, not so much. Good thing I have no plans to do that any time soon.
Click to expand...
I believe you can now now. Check out this recent blog post by Victron. I intend on trying it myself and have bought the dongle I just haven't installed it yet. Until now I've always switched back and forth between Split phase and parallel with the MK3.

https://www.victronenergy.com/blog/...ct-parallel-three-split-phase-setup-and-more/
 
I told someone a few days ago that Victron made a bunch of changes to their software recently and it would be wise to investigate new capabilities before making any decisions. Some of these capabilities were not available when I fired up my system in December.

When posting about Victron stuff, I should follow my own advice. :rolleyes: and RTF(new)M
 
Uoavitar said:
I believe you can now now. Check out this recent blog post by Victron. I intend on trying it myself and have bought the dongle I just haven't installed it yet. Until now I've always switched back and forth between Split phase and parallel with the MK3.

https://www.victronenergy.com/blog/...ct-parallel-three-split-phase-setup-and-more/
Click to expand...

Nice. Pretty impressive with what they're doing with VC. I'm behind on that as only my MPPT and smart battery sense have bluetooth. I use remote access via VRM almost exclusively OR VC through VRM, but I can only configure MPPT and BMV-702 that way. The Quattro is not visible.
 
So, I bought the MK3 and tried to connect with the inverter.
The connection failed.

I asked for help on the Questions & Answers https://community.victronenergy.com
to learn that probably my inverter is to old for the MK3 and I need an MK2 instead.

Now I bought an MK2, I really hope that will work.
 
Sorry about that. Didn't notice your painfully obvious "second hand" criterion. Should have caught that as a possibility.
 
Victron connect can now configure units in parallel using mk3 on an android device (e.g. phone) - no computer required. I don't know about mk2 and/or older equipment.
 
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