Anyone who has looked at a Victron Inverter datasheet has probably noticed they give multiple figures for no-load ("standby") power consumption--that is the energy consumed by the inverter/charger when it is just sitting there idle. There are three lines on the datasheet (and a fourth line for peak conversion efficiency as a %)
The first is the normal base no-load power consumption. The second and third lines are power save modes but not clearly defined in the datasheets and not clearly understood by many people (myself included). I found in the Multiplus-II documentation, brief specific explanations of the two modes:
- "Zero-load power,"
- "Zero-load power in AES mode"
- "Zero-load power in search mode"
The first is the normal base no-load power consumption. The second and third lines are power save modes but not clearly defined in the datasheets and not clearly understood by many people (myself included). I found in the Multiplus-II documentation, brief specific explanations of the two modes:
AES (Automatic Economy Switch)
If this setting is turned 'on', the power consumption in no-load operation and with low loads is decreased by approx. 20%, by slightly 'narrowing' the sinusoidal voltage. Applicable in stand-alone configuration only.
Search Mode
Instead of the AES mode, the search mode can also be chosen. If search mode is 'on', the power consumption in no-load operation is decreased by approx. 70%. In this mode the product, when operating in inverter mode, is switched off in case of no load or very low load, and switches on every two seconds for a short period. If the output current exceeds a set level, the inverter will continue to operate. If not, the inverter will shut down again.
The Search Mode 'shut down' and 'remain on' load levels can be set with VEConfigure.
The default settings are:
Action Threshold Shut down 40 Watt (linear load) Turn on 100 Watt (linear load)