Victron energy MultiPlus 12 User manual

Manual
EN
Handleiding
NL
Manuel
FR
Anleitung
DE
Manual
ES
Manuale
IT
Appendix
MultiPlus 500VA – 1200VA
MultiPlus 12 | 500 | 20 230V
MultiPlus 24 | 500 | 10 230V
MultiPlus 48 | 500 | 6 230V
MultiPlus 12 | 800 | 35 230V
MultiPlus 24 | 800 | 16 230V
MultiPlus 48 | 800 | 9 230V
MultiPlus 12 | 1200 | 50 230V
MultiPlus 24 | 1200 | 25 230V
MultiPlus 48 | 1200 | 13 230V

2
1. SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
General
Please familiarize yourself with the safety features and instructions by first reading the
documentation supplied with this product before using the equipment. This product has been
designed and tested in accordance with international standards. The equipment must be used
exclusively for the purpose for which it was designed.
WARNING: ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD.
The product is used in conjunction with a permanent energy source (battery). Input and/or
output terminals may still be dangerously energized, even when the equipment is switched off.
Always switch off the AC supply and the battery before carrying out maintenance or servicing
the product.
The product has no internal user-serviceable components. Do not remove the front plate or
operate the product if any panels have been removed. All servicing must be undertaken by
qualified personnel.
Never use the product where there is a risk of gas or dust explosions. Consult the battery
manufacturer's information to ascertain that the product is intended for use in conjunction with
the battery. Always comply with the battery manufacturer's safety instructions.
Never try to charge non-rechargeable - or frozen batteries.
This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical,
sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they have been
given supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance by a person responsible for
their safety. Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance
WARNING: Do not lift heavy loads without assistance.
Installation
Read the installation instructions in the installation manual before installing the equipment.
This is a Safety Class I product (supplied with a protective grounding terminal).
Uninterruptible protective grounding must be provided at the AC input and/or output
terminals. Alternatively the grounding point located externally on the product may be
used.Whenever it is likely that the grounding protection has been damaged, the product must
be turned off and secured against unintended operation; please contact qualified service staff.
Ensure that the DC and AC input cables are fused or fitted with circuit breakers.
Ensure that the equipment is used under the correct ambient conditions. Never operate the
product in a wet or dusty environment. Ensure there is adequate free space for ventilation
around the product and check that the ventilation vents are not blocked.
Ensure that the required system voltage does not exceed the product's capacity.

3
EN NL FR DE ES IT Appendix
Transport and Storage
Ensure that the mains power and battery leads have been disconnected before storing or
transporting the product.
No liability can be accepted for any transport damage if the equipment is shipped in non-
original packaging.
Store the product in a dry environment; the storage temperature must be between -40°C
and 70°C.
Consult the battery manufacturer's manual in respect of transport, storage, charging,
recharging and disposal of the battery.

4
2. DESCRIPTION
2.1 General
Multifunctional
The Multi gets its name from the multiple functions it can perform. It is a powerful true sine
wave inverter, a sophisticated battery charger that features adaptive charge technology and a
high-speed AC transfer switch in a single enclosure. Beside these primary functions, however,
the Multi has several advanced features that provide a range of new applications as outlined
below.
Uninterrupted AC power
In the event of a grid failure, or shore or generator power being disconnected, the inverter
within the Multi is automatically activated and takes over supply to the connected loads. This
happens so fast (less than 20 milliseconds) that computers and other electronic equipment
will continue to operate without disruption.
Parallel and 3-phase operation capability
Up to 6 inverters can operate in parallel to achieve higher power output.
Operation in 3-phase configuration is also possible.
PowerControl – Dealing with limited generator or shore side power
With a Multi Control Panel a maximum generator or shore current can be set. The Multi will
then take account of other AC loads and use whatever is extra for charging, thus preventing
the generator or shore supply from being overloaded.
PowerAssist – Boosting the capacity of shore or generator power (800VA and 1200VA
models only)
This feature takes the principle of PowerControl to a further dimension allowing the MultiPlus
Compact to supplement the capacity of the alternative source. Where peak power is so often
required only for a limited period, it is possible to reduce the size of generator needed or
conversely enable more to be achieved from the typically limited shore connection. When the
load reduces, the spare power is used to recharge the battery.
Programmable relay
The Multi is equipped with a programmable relay that by default is set as an alarm relay. The
relay can be programmed for all kinds of other applications however, for example as a starter
relay for a generator.
2.2 Battery charger
Adaptive 4-stage charging characteristics: bulk – absorption – float – storage
The microprocessor-driven adaptive battery management system can be adjusted for various
types of batteries. The adaptive function automatically adapts the charging process to battery
use.
The right amount of charge: variable absorption time
In the event of slight battery discharge, absorption is kept short to prevent overcharging and
excessive gas formation. After deep discharging, the absorption time is automatically
extended in order to fully charge the battery.

5
EN NL FR DE ES IT Appendix
Preventing damage due to excessive gassing: the BatterySafe mode
If, in order to quickly charge a battery, a high charge current in combination with a high
absorption voltage has been chosen, damage due to excessive gassing will be prevented
by automatically limiting the rate of voltage increase once the gassing voltage has been
reached.
Less maintenance and aging when the battery is not in use: the Storage mode
The Storage mode kicks in whenever the battery has not been subjected to discharge
during 24 hours. In the Storage mode float voltage is reduced to 2,2V/cell (13,2V for 12V
battery) to minimise gassing and corrosion of the positive plates. Once a week the voltage
is raised back to the absorption level to ‘equalize’ the battery. This feature prevents
stratification of the electrolyte and sulphation, a major cause of early battery failure.
Two DC outputs for charging two batteries
The main DC terminal can supply the full output current. The second output, intended for
charging a starter battery, is limited to 1A and has a slightly lower output voltage.
Increasing service life of the battery: temperature compensation
The temperature sensor (supplied with the product) serves to reduce charging voltage
when battery temperature rises. This is particularly important for maintenance-free
batteries, which could otherwise dry out by overcharging.
More on batteries and charging
Our book ‘Energy Unlimited’ offers further information on batteries and battery charging,
and is available free of charge on our website (see www.victronenergy.com Support &
Downloads’ General Technical Information). For more information on adaptive charging,
please also refer to the General Technical Information on our website.
2.3 Self consumption – solar energy storage systems
When the Multi is used in a configuration in which it will feed back energy to the grid it is
required to enable grid code compliance by selecting the grid code country setting with the
VEConfigure tool.
Once set, a password will be required to disable grid code compliance or change grid code
related parameters.
If the local grid code is not supported by the Multi an external certified interface device should
be used to connect the Multi to the grid.

6
3. OPERATION
3.1 On / Off / Charger-only Switch
When switched to ‘on’, the product is fully functional. The inverter will come into operation and
the LED ‘inverter on’ will light up.
An AC voltage connected to the ‘AC in’ terminal will be switched through to the ‘AC out’
terminal, if within specifications. The inverter will switch off, the ‘Charger’ LED will light up and
the charger commences charging. If the voltage at the ‘AC-in’ terminal is not within
specifications, the inverter will switch on.
When the switch is switched to ‘charger only’, only the battery charger of the Multi will operate
(if mains voltage is present). In this mode input also is switched through to the ‘AC out’
terminal.
NOTE: When only the charger function is required, ensure that the switch is switched to
‘charger only’. This prevents the inverter from being switched on if the mains voltage is lost,
thus preventing the batteries from running flat.
3.2 Remote control
Remote control is possible with a 3 position switch or with a Multi Control panel.
The Multi Control panel has a simple rotary knob with which the maximum current of the AC
input can be set: see PowerControl in Section 2.
For the appropriate DIP switch settings, see sect. 5.4.1.
Note concerning firmware versions <=xxyy466:
When combined with a VE.Bus smart dongle, CCGX, Venus GX or alike, the Main
"on/off/charger-only" switch will have limited functionality.
The main switch can always be used to switch the Multi off. However, in order to switch the
Multi back on while the unit is connected to a live AC input, not only the main switch should be
switched into the "on" position, thereafter the actual "on" action should be initiated through the
user interface switch. This can for example be directly by means of the CCGX screen and
controls, through remote console on VRM, or in case of the "VE.Bus smart dongle" through
"VictronConnect".
This behavior is fixed in firmware version xxyy467.

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EN NL FR DE ES IT Appendix
3.3 LED Indications
Inverter/Charger/
On / Off / Charger-only switch = On
The inverter is switched on and supplies power to the load.
On / Off / Charger-only switch = On
The inverter is switched on and supplies power to the load.
Pre alarm: overload, or
battery voltage low, or
inverter temperature high.
On / Off / Charger-only switch = On
The inverter is switched off due to one of the following alarms:
overload, or
battery voltage low, or
inverter temperature high, or
DC ripple voltage too high.
On / Off / Charger-only switch = On
The AC input voltage is switched through and the charger operates in
float mode.
On / Off / Charger-only switch = On.
PowerControl and PowerAssist:
The AC input is switched through and the charge current is zero.
The inverter is switched on and, in case of PowerAssist, assists the AC
input by supplying additional power to the load (see section 2.1).
On / Off / Charger-only switch = On.
Energy Storage System (ESS):
The AC input voltage is switched through.
The inverter is switched on and supplies power to the load, or excess
power to the mains.
LED off
LED flashes
LED illuminated

8
Charger only
On / Off / Charger-only switch = Charger only
The AC input voltage is switched through and the charger operates in
bulk or absorption mode.
On / Off / Charger-only switch = Charger only
The AC input is switched through and the charger operates in float or
storage mode.
Note: the Multi will shut down if four abnormal events occur within 30 seconds.
The Multi can be reset by switching to Off and then to On.

9
EN NL FR DE ES IT Appendix
4. INSTALLATION
4.1 Location
The product must be installed in a dry and well-ventilated area, as close as possible to the
batteries. There should be a clear space of at least 10cm around the appliance for cooling.
For mounting see G
For safety purposes, this product should be installed in a heat-resistant
environment. Prevent the presence of e.g. chemicals, synthetic components,
curtains or other textiles, etc., in the immediate vicinity.
4.2 Connection of the Battery cables
In order to fully utilize the full capacity of the product, batteries with sufficient capacity and
battery cables with sufficient cross section should be used. See table below:
12/500/20
24/500/10
48/500/6
12/800/35
24/800/16
48/800/9
Recommended
cross section (mm
2
)
1,5 5 m
16
10
6
25
16
10
Recommended
battery capacity (Ah)
60 – 300 30 - 150 20 – 100 100 - 400 40 - 200 25 - 150
12/1200/50
24/1200/25
48/1200/13
Recommended
cross section (mm
2
)
1,5 5 m
35
25
10
Recommended
battery capacity (Ah)
150 – 700 70 - 400 35 – 200
This product should be installed by a qualified electrician.
a. Excessively high ambient temperature will result in the following:
- Reduced service life.
- Reduced charging current.
- Reduced peak capacity, or shutdown of the inverter.
b. Never mount the product directly above the batteries.

10
Procedure
Proceed as follows to connect the battery cables:
Use an insulated box spanner in order to avoid shorting the battery.
Avoid shorting the battery cables.
Connect battery cables to the Multi and battery, see appendix A.
Reverse polarity connection will cause damage to the product. (Safety fuse inside the Multi
can be damaged).
Use PZ 2 screwdriver for Multi 500/800VA and 24V/48V 1200VA.
Use Flatscrewdriver 6.5mm for Multi 12V 1200VA.
Internal DC Fuses
All servicing must be undertaken by qualified personnel.
4.3 Connection of the AC cabling
The Multi is provided with a ground relay (relay H, see appendix B) that automatically
connects the Neutral output to the chassis if no external AC supply is available. If an
external AC supply is provided, the ground relay H will open before the input safety relay
closes. This ensures the correct operation of an earth leakage circuit breaker that is
connected to the output.
- In a fixed installation, uninterruptable grounding can be secured by means of the grounding
wire of the AC input. Otherwise the casing must be grounded.
- In a mobile installation, interrupting the shore connection will simultaneously disconnect the
grounding connection. In that case, the casing must be connected to the chassis (of the
vehicle) or to the hull or grounding plate (of the boat).
- In case of a boat, direct connection to the shore ground is not recommended because of
potential galvanic corrosion. The solution to this is using an isolation transformer.
The mains input & output terminal connector can be found on the bottom of the Multi, see
appendix A. The shore or mains cable must be connected to the connector with a three-wire
cable. Use a three-wire cable with a flexible core and a cross section of at least 1.5mm².
500VA
12V - 24V
800VA
12V - 24V
1200VA
12V - 24V
500VA
48V
800VA
48V
1200VA
48V
Automotive Bolt-Down Fuse
MIDI or BF1 fuse 32V
125A – 60A
150 - 80A
200 - 100A
-
-
-
MIDI or BF1 fuse 58V
-
-
-
30A
40A
50A
This is a Safety Class I product (supplied with a protective grounding terminal).
Uninterruptible protective grounding must be provided at the AC input
and/or output terminals and/or chassis grounding point located externally
on the product.