Wiring Lynx Distributor to MultiPlus II

corn18 · Nov 6, 2021

I am going to install a MultiPlus II 12/3000 2x120 in my system. I would also like to use a Lynx Distributor. I have 4 things to hook up to the distributor:

1. MPII (350A)
2. SCC (50A)
3. SCC (50A)
4. DC power distro (100A)

The MPII calls for 2 x 2/0 wire. I don't think I can double up 2/0 into a single hole in the Lynx Distributor, can I? If not, I will need to use 2 slots on the distributor for the MPII. Now I need 5 slots and have 4.

Any idears?

mopat · Nov 6, 2021

if you cannot get two M8 cable lugs bolted down buy another Lynx distributor, then you'll have 3 extra slots

corn18 · Nov 6, 2021

mopat said:
if you cannot get two M8 cable lugs bolted down buy another Lynx distributor, then you'll have 3 extra slots

Sure, sure. If that's the only option, I'll keep my current bus bars.

TAS CPA · Nov 6, 2021

That's basically the purpose of the Lynx Power In. It's a pretty and convenient bus bar system. Less expensive than the Distributor because it doesn't include the fuse workings.

corn18 · Nov 6, 2021

TAS CPA said:
That's basically the purpose of the Lynx Power In. It's a pretty and convenient bus bar system. Less expensive than the Distributor because it doesn't include the fuse workings.

Those blue boxes would look pretty. Still debating how much I want to spend on pretty.

TAS CPA · Nov 6, 2021

They are both large, too. So, if you're trying to fit into that box, straight up bus bars may be a lot easier.

corn18 · Nov 6, 2021

TAS CPA said:
They are both large, too. So, if you're trying to fit into that box, straight up bus bars may be a lot easier.

Holy crap! I just watched a video of one and they are huge. Thanks for the heads up.

Weru12 · Nov 6, 2021

If you wanted, you could hook the MPII up to the opposite end of the bus bars in the Lynx the end that you would normally hook the next Lynx onto. If you do you might need to expand the openings a tad to fit the lugs in, but it is made for the tangs from one 1000AMP Lynx to fit into another.

jwelter99 · Nov 6, 2021

Just use a single 4/0 for the MPII. That is also a supported config from Victron.

corn18 · Nov 6, 2021

jwelter99 said:
Just use a single 4/0 for the MPII. That is also a supported config from Victron.

This is what the manual says:

jwelter99 · Nov 6, 2021

corn18 said:
This is what the manual says:

View attachment 71560

Yes that is the recommended setup from Victron. You get more current carrying capacity in the cables and also more lug contact area with two 2/0 versus a single 4/0.

But they also recommend a single 4/0 for applications where running dual cables is not permitted. For example in marine applications where you need to comply with the ABYC standards you are not allowed to run parallel cables even if separately fused.

What is your required length of cables?

corn18 · Nov 6, 2021

jwelter99 said:
Yes that is the recommended setup from Victron. You get more current carrying capacity in the cables and also more lug contact area with two 2/0 versus a single 4/0.

But they also recommend a single 4/0 for applications where running dual cables is not permitted. For example in marine applications where you need to comply with the ABYC standards you are not allowed to run parallel cables even if separately fused.

What is your required length of cables?

18" is the cable length. I would much rather use single 4/0 rather than double 1/0 or 2/0. Do you know if the 4/0 cable connector will fit on the lugs?

jwelter99 · Nov 6, 2021

corn18 said:
18" is the cable length. I would much rather use single 4/0 rather than double 1/0 or 2/0. Do you know if the 4/0 cable connector will fit on the lugs?

So with that short of length I'd have no concerns using a good quality 4/0 cable. Remember you need to use the full round-trip length so in this case it's 3 ft or 0.9m. Still well inside the specs.

For lugs any good quality 5/16 (M8) lugs will work. I prefer the molex ones as know they are quality materials and construction, but lots here like Temco, Ancor, etc, etc.

Also critical is the crimp quality - for these two cables I would suggest you order pre-assembled quality cables. It doesn't cost a lot more but for the heavier cables like 2/0 and 4/0 having a bench mounted hydraulic crimper really helps - hand held units can do it but hit or miss.

My go to is:

Custom Cable Builder - CE Auto Electric Supply - Automotive Electrical Solutions

ceautoelectricsupply.com

Looks like $38 for a pre-assembled 20" cable.

corn18 · Nov 6, 2021

jwelter99 said:
So with that short of length I'd have no concerns using a good quality 4/0 cable. Remember you need to use the full round-trip length so in this case it's 3 ft or 0.9m. Still well inside the specs.

For lugs any good quality 5/16 (M8) lugs will work. I prefer the molex ones as know they are quality materials and construction, but lots here like Temco, Ancor, etc, etc.

Also critical is the crimp quality - for these two cables I would suggest you order pre-assembled quality cables. It doesn't cost a lot more but for the heavier cables like 2/0 and 4/0 having a bench mounted hydraulic crimper really helps - hand held units can do it but hit or miss.

My go to is:

Custom Cable Builder - CE Auto Electric Supply - Automotive Electrical Solutions

ceautoelectricsupply.com

Looks like $38 for a pre-assembled 20" cable.

Thanks for the link. Looks like high quality stuff. I use a hammer crimper which seems to do good crimps, but not hydraulic good.

I have to think on the Lynx Distributor to make sure it does something I need. Right now, all I have to do is mount the MPII where my 2000W inverter is now and use the 2/0 cables I already have. The distributor would pretty things up a bit, but I would need to add more Victron stuff to make it more useful than my current busses.

jwelter99 · Nov 6, 2021

corn18 said:
Thanks for the link. Looks like high quality stuff. I use a hammer crimper which seems to do good crimps, but not hydraulic good.

I have to think on the Lynx Distributor to make sure it does something I need. Right now, all I have to do is mount the MPII where my 2000W inverter is now and use the 2/0 cables I already have. The distributor would pretty things up a bit, but I would need to add more Victron stuff to make it more useful than my current busses.

If you have a working system with all the fuse holders and such in place I would not bother with the retrofitting of the Lynx.

It is a nice unit if you are starting from scratch and using the Lynx shunt and a Cerbo as well (the Cerbo will be able to tell you Lynx fuse status in a not so distant firmware update).

We use a lot of them in marine installs but those typically have more space and people who are more finicky that things look good as well as work well.

BretS · Nov 7, 2021

I used 4/0 between my Lynx and MPII 2x120V

jwelter99 · Nov 7, 2021

BretS said:
I used 4/0 between my Lynx and MPII 2x120V

View attachment 71631

View attachment 71632

I'd double check your ground wires; they look undersized.

BretS · Nov 7, 2021

jwelter99 said:
I'd double check your ground wires; they look undersized.

Which ones? The one from the Lynx to the inverter is 4/0.

corn18 · Nov 7, 2021

BretS said:
I used 4/0 between my Lynx and MPII 2x120V

View attachment 71631

View attachment 71632

Coolio! Thanks. Looks like you have the MPII and 2 solar inputs on your Lynx Distributor. What is the fourth? Is that for DC power to the RV?

BretS · Nov 7, 2021

corn18 said:
Coolio! Thanks. Looks like you have the MPII and 2 solar inputs on your Lynx Distributor. What is the fourth? Is that for DC power to the RV?

It is charging from my Orion DC-DC charger.

My DC power for the RV comes off of the secondary contactor of my REC Active BMS. If I add another MPPT, I will move the Orion to the secondary contactor as well.

blutow · Nov 19, 2021

My lynx setup connects a MPII w/SCC, 2 Orions, and the DC load center. It's a bit of a compromise and you need to size wires and fusing carefully when doubling up on single fuses. The wire used to each orion was big enough to work with the 100a fuse that covers the combined circuit. The scc and 12v load is more of a compromise because you potentially have power from the SCC running to the DC load side unfused (since that is all downstream of the fuse), but the SCC has short circuit shutoff built in. Again, it's a compromise, but I didn't think it was worth adding a separate fuse. I went with 2 x 2/0 runs to the multi because it worked out perfect with spools of 2/0 that I bought for battery runs also. It would have been fine running 4/0, it's just that much harder to work with and more expensive compared to 2x 2/0. 2 x 2/0 also supports more amps at less v drop compared to single 4/0.

corn18 · Nov 20, 2021

Nice install. I just finished the initial layout and wire setup. 4/0 wire to the MPII and it is a beast to work with, especially in freezing temps. But I got it laid out and what a clean setup.

I thought the manual said I needed a 4/0 chassis ground wire. It actually says I need a 4mm^2 which is a minimum 12 AWG. I am going to remove the 4/0 chassis ground and run something smaller.

I still have some things to hook up and install there 400A class T fuse, but that will be easy.

blutow · Nov 20, 2021

corn18 said:
Nice install. I just finished the initial layout and wire setup. 4/0 wire to the MPII and it is a beast to work with, especially in freezing temps. But I got it laid out and what a clean setup.

I thought the manual said I needed a 4/0 chassis ground wire. It actually says I need a 4mm^2 which is a minimum 12 AWG. I am going to remove the 4/0 chassis ground and run something smaller.

View attachment 72984

I still have some things to hook up and install there 400A class T fuse, but that will be easy.

I thought the Victron manual said ground should be as big as load, but it’s been a while since I installed mine. I just did a single 2/0 for ground, it would have been tough to manage 2 cables. I understand the logic of sizing ground the same in some worst case situations, but the primary role of ground is to provide another path (besides your body). A smaller cable will do that fine.

corn18 · Nov 20, 2021

blutow said:
I thought the Victron manual said ground should be as big as load, but it’s been a while since I installed mine. I just did a single 2/0 for ground, it would have been tough to manage 2 cables. I understand the logic of sizing ground the same in some worst case situations, but the primary role of ground is to provide another path (besides your body). A smaller cable will do that fine.

I thought I had read that, too. But I just re-read the manual and did a search of the online manual. This is all I could find in the Multiplus II 12/3000 manual:

corn18 · Nov 20, 2021

Another thing I noticed is the little red wire on the chassis ground connection. I cannot get it off to put the chassis ground connector under it. So the only contact area for the chassis ground wire is the little ring on that little red wire. That does not seem right. I would prefer to put the chassis ground connector under that little red wire, but I can't do that. Thoughts?

Wiring Lynx Distributor to MultiPlus II

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