Victron Multiplus AC Wiring Terminals

Ok, so getting my new Multiplus ii 2x120 installed in my RV.
The terminal block for the AC in and AC out is a push-in type connector. I am having a bear of a time getting my high strand wires to seat properly. Anyone fight with this issue? I am concerned some of the strands will not make it into the terminal or that it will overheat. TIA

Trigger the release while inserting:

I don't deal with AC much but I thought high strand wires were typically used on the DC side, not the AC side. A more pliable high strand wire sure would have made the AC connections easier, that's for sure. I struggled to get mine installed. Whoever designed the entry glands on the Multiplus should be required to assist with all the installs.

I put my AC cables in ferrules, then put them into the terminals on my Multiplus (not the II). But mine are the screw-down type, not like the ones you have.

Use ferrules

You could tin the wires (with solder) to make it easier to insert.
This is how we done it before ferrules were available.

timselectric said:

You could tin the wires (with solder) to make it easier to insert.
This is how we done it before ferrules were available.

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Not a good idea. Firstly it creates a weak point where the solder finishes secondly under pressure from the terminal, the solder cold flows and releases from the terminal.

Goboatingnow said:

Not a good idea. Firstly it creates a weak point where the solder finishes secondly under pressure from the terminal, the solder cold flows and releases from the terminal.

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Well, it worked for 20 years.
And this was on tow boats, with high vibration.
I can only speak from experience.
Just offering options.

My experience may be specific to the Multiplus II 48/3000, but I doubt it.

Use the correct wire. Your inverter output (or input) will fail after installation if you don't use the right wire. I've seen it happen on both the AC out and the AC in (generator wire), several weeks after installation. Fortunately it started working again after installing the right wire.

Buy some 6 AWG house wire from home depot, yes it's stranded in this size, but it's not finely stranded.

Pushing the wire release when you push them in is a good thing, but it's not necessary with the correct wire. 2.5mm flat screwdriver works great for the release.

EDIT: ALSO, did your inverter come with a red sticker inside that shows you how far to strip the wires for these terminals?

If you don't strip them enough, they have caused serious issues. I had a 48V model sent to me directly from the factory recently and it had a brand new sticker not previously included on them. But so far I have not taken a picture of it and I did put the screw cover back on already. I'll post it if it helps, but you mainly just need to make sure enough wire is stripped. There's a video on youtube specific to a 120V model I believe.

timselectric said:

Well, it worked for 20 years.
And this was on tow boats, with high vibration.
I can only speak from experience.
Just offering options.

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Try it in military , space and defence , or aircraft and watch the installer get fired

Google it , definitely a bad idea on boats

No need to Google what I have first hand experience with. I don't think that anyone in this forum will be taking their system into space. lol

timselectric said:

No need to Google what I have first hand experience with. I don't think that anyone in this forum will be taking their system into space. lol

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Sure but let’s learn the proper way to do things

Good luck with that.

timselectric said:

Good luck with that.

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Sure, if this case it’s cheap as chips ferrules and a proper crimp tool

Ok, thanks for your opinion.

Goboatingnow said:

Use ferrules

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Strangely enough, the manual says 6 AWG wire, but does not say to use ferrules. Stopped to check before responding.

Here's the link to back that up so it's not just more static:

It does say that "A blade tool of 2.5mm (e.g. a screwdriver) is required to operate the spring loaded AC terminal blocks.", which almost makes it sound like it's telling you to do that when you insert/remove the wire. I had stopped doing it when inserting when I moved to 6 AWG romex because it worked very well without, 6 AWG romex is extremely stiff (thick stranded wire). Maybe less wear on the terminals to use the release, will need to remember that.

And if you build a system and send it to space, avoid tin in the electronics.

EDIT: The guy in the video used ferrule for his stranded wire, it's just not necessary for romex (thicker strands)... This is AC wiring for those who want to argue that canada/EU uses ferrules etc right?