Choosing between two victron inverters (RS vs Multiplus II)

Hello -- please excuse the newbie question, but I am having a difficult time picking between two scenarios for my aircraft hangar solar upgrade. I am in the bay area, CA if it matters.

For background: I am expecting heavy, but only sporadic use of 120V. I expect 3-5kwh usage in a "daily session", but only 2-3 sessions per week as an absolute maximum, and likely less.

I was planning to be under-paneled and over-batteried as a result -- 800-1600W of solar and a 20kwh LFP stack of 4 48V100 SOKs.

I am keen on the new victron multiplus 5kva inverter-charger. (https://www.currentconnected.com/product/victron-48v-multiplus-2-5kva-120v-inverter-70a-charger/). I understand I would need to add a reasonable charge controller, probably something in the $300-500 range. I have a few different calculations and the panels would dictate the final selection.

However.

I have also noticed this basically "all in one" 6kva euro-spec Inverter RS setup also from victron (https://www.invertersupply.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=195629) -- which would need to be paired with an autotransformer for my purpose ($600), and includes a pretty decent charge controller. Apparently they just added paralleling and 3-phase options recently, so it is an older unit that is still supported.

Both will need a cerbo. The cost difference is basically a wash.

Here is my pro/con matrix. I am posting this to ask if I am missing anything else here that I have not considered, which might cause me grief later?

US multiplus pro:

- Can buy from CC and get extra warranty.
- If I need to sell and move up or down, can resell nearly instantly in the US without fuss
- Can add another identical unit if I need more capacity or wish to go to 240V

con:

- Will need battery busses to tie everything together cleanly (lynx or bus bars), plus extra wiring+comms with the charge controller

Euro RS pro:

- 1000VA more inversion to help with hot/inductive loads
- Easy to go "low power" 240V from the autotransformer, just run wires and configure.
- Fewer boxes, more integrated look
- Lighter

Euro RS con:

- If I get this wrong, probably impossible to sell locally and I have a $2100 boat anchor. (okay maybe not, but I don't think this is a popular configuration based on my searches)

===

Conceptually, I prefer the RS. The 6000VA and the possible "quick and easy" low-amp 240V are pretty big Pros for me.

But I am new at this, and upgrading a very small Renogy system, so I wish to get it mostly right and still enjoy some bang for the buck. I don't mind electrical wiring, but I prefer clean/AIO to the more-boxes approach.

Thanks for viewing and I appreciate any gut-checks or "you'll be sorry"s in advance of me dropping the 2 grand.

- Mike

Do you need compliance with code?

As I do not understand your needs, but this statement;

For background: I am expecting heavy, but only sporadic use of 120V. I expect 3-5kwh usage in a "daily session", but only 2-3 sessions per week as an absolute maximum, and likely less.


Doesn’t that kinda scream “generator” ?

One item to be aware of with Victron.
The number in the name is not watts - you need to look at the spec sheet and especially the different temps for watts.

For example my Victron Multiplus 12/3000 is not 3000w - it only does 2400w (if I remember correctly) and it the temperature gets hot it’s down to something like 1600 watts.

You could also look at a Quattro 48/10000. You get the 120v aspect and also the very large capacity.

In the US - I would stay with the 120v models.

Good Luck!

Rocketman said:

One item to be aware of with Victron.
The number in the name is not watts - you need to look at the spec sheet and especially the different temps for watts.

For example my Victron Multiplus 12/3000 is not 3000w - it only does 2400w (if I remember correctly) and it the temperature gets hot it’s down to something like 1600 watts.

You could also look at a Quattro 48/10000. You get the 120v aspect and also the very large capacity.

In the US - I would stay with the 120v models.

Good Luck!

Click to expand...

This is misleading. Victron confuses things by being straightforward while others are ambiguous. Go look at the Magnum MS4024PAE/MS4448PAE specs. While they're advertised as 4000/4400W inverters, respectively, when you look at the specs, it's VA.

Victron inverters are better thought of as having two Watt ratings. One for resistive loads and one for inductive loads.

A MP 12/3000 is 3000W for resistive loads and 2400W for inductive loads (power factor 0.8).

Most inverters that advertise "Watts" are for power factor 1.0 and have reduced ratings for inductive loads, just like Victron.

Thanks gents

I do not need code compliance or any grid-tie, it's 100% off grid.

A generator would make an awful racket in the metal box, and despite having an aircraft with 140 gallons of gasoline I could "tap", I really prefer the solar option for its buy once, cry once nature.

This project is for a remote aircraft hangar and I have a lot of workshop mechanic loads that I would be putting under infrequently (air compressor, bench grinder, other inductive/motorized doodads of that nature -- I need to look but I think each tool is under 1500W, and it would be rare that I run more than two at a time -- air compressor powering up while I am using a grinder might be possible, but that would be transient startup load on the compressor I think)

The extra 1000VA was appealling due to the temperature fluctuations. I really prefer to run an inverter at a lower % of max cap.... but not so much that I splurge another $2500 on a Quattro 10kv

My main hesitation is really just being way off of the beaten path for this. If I need support, I will sorta be doing my own thing with the Euro RS setup, and so I lose like 90% of the "help" if I need it. I wish victron made a 120V all in one. They will probably introduce one right after I get this mess dialled in.

Cheers,

- Mike

Depending on if you need 120 vac vs EU style power for various applications, it might make sense to have 2 different inverters vs the auto transformer.

Victron is a good solution. The quatro 5000 is a good one. I actually have an unused one at my shop that I am wondering what to do with.

There are also other suppliers that might be good alternatives if you would like a domestic built solution.

There is nothing that is forcing you to choose having zero local support for a solar power system. There are local system builders that can help you if you choose to have them involved in the project early on so that they can suggest using components that they are familiar with and possibly even stock.

I have an off grid work shop near Livermore airport. One of the keys to making it work with a moderate size battery pack is to stop thinking about an off grid installation as being similar to an on grid installation.

The typical on grid installation assumes that the time of day of power generation does not matter - just make it when the sunlight is at it's max.

With an off grid installation, especially with what you are doing, generating power throughout the day by having solar panels mounted to follow the sun over the course of the day can have a big impact.

Alameda tends to be more overcast, so your build should use approaches that work best under these types of conditions - which is not the same as someone in Sacramento.