Victron Multiplus Charge parameters

[haganap]

I have a multiplus2 installed by Vanblitz.

I opted for the normal analogue reader plumbed in behind my seat to turn it on off and float etc etc.

But I have now ordered the Bluetooth controller.

https://www.victronenergy.com/communication-centres/ve-bus-smart-dongle



This enables me to lots of things I didn't know it can do or don't even know what they mean, which is great. A new toy.

However, does anyone know if you can change the battery settings with it? My understanding to go lithium is that I would need to go and have it set for the charging parameters of Lithium 14.4v I understand. i know there's an argument for chuck them in they will be fine on an AGM setting and probably will, but my question is, Can I use the VE Bus unit to change the battery type on the Multiplus? Or do I really have to find a Victron installer to go back to to get it set up. Seems a faff tbh

tia.

 

[Pausim]

AGM charge voltage may be too high for Lithium and Gel setting may spend too long at a float voltage. With Lithium you want it to reach it’s full charge voltage and immediately switch to a maintenance voltage.

 

[AdrianChen]

I think that unit gives you a lot of functionality for reporting, but don't think you can configure the Multiplus with it.

I think you need a MK3 usb interface and PC with the free "VE config" software

Or have a system that is online (via PI or Cerbo?) to do it remotely.

I wouldn't use the AGM setting to charge the lithium, think it will be 14.7v which is too much.

I use the online remote method, so not that conversant with either of the dongles, but it would be nice if Victron (and MV that are the same) would get all their products onto the Connect app, with the same comms.

 

[eddie]

I would send it back if you can't cancel it!

I have it fitted and after the first few days fiddling with it I realised that there is very little I can actually use it for, and, the Bluetooth range is pretty naff, so I ended up using the control panel anyway

Then there was a software update which required the unit being restarted, IE Unplugged so clambering into the locker with a torch.

Played with the App for a few minutes, nothing new, so got bored again, left it again, another software update done, another reset

Currently plugged in, greyed out on my Victron App, but with the 3000/120 Victron multiplus having loads of control from the App, and Victron battery computer and solar regulators there really is no need for it at all in my opinion

I am off in a few days for a three month trip to Portugal and have been checking everything on the Winnie over, but know if I won't bother resetting it again, and over leave it in as having paid for it, "if" I lost the Bluetooth functionality on the inverter it "may" then be useful

Save your money

 

[Reevsie]

I had a multiplus II fitted last week by Rhino installs. The Bluetooth dongle you want fitted gives you the option to see exactly on your phone screen you see on the monitor. But you cannot change from AGM to Lithium with the dongle.

The multiplus comes with AGM profiles as standard and you have to change them either with a PC connected to the multiplus or you can download all the multiples info the VE configuration tools and change the info there and then re-upload it to the multiplus. This needs a PC as cannot be done on a Mac.

Software - Victron Energy

Software - Victron Energy

www.victronenergy.com

Took a couple of attempts to get it downloaded and re-uploaded but as long as you re-upload the same file you downloaded (after updating it) then it worked just fine.

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[eddie]

Pauls Lithium's would have been set up on a laptop by Van Bitz when they were installed

As I say the Dongle is pointless gadget in a motorhome

On the boat with multiple displays and flooring levels it makes more sense, but then there are better options again

 

[Reevsie]

My Lithium was set up by Rhino Installs. As I like to know what is going with my set up I downloaded the VE configirater tool on my pc. Checked on all the settings and kept a copy of what Rhino installs had done.

Then a couple of days later a Firmware update popped up. After installing the firmware update, I checked the settings again and it had defaulted to the AGM settings again. I am not 100% if the firmware update had reset this to AGM, or it was my doing as it did take me a few attempts. But I would agree, the dongle is pretty pointless in a Motorhome.

But if I stand back and look at my Motorhome it's full of things I bought thinking I need that, only to realise a few weeks later I was wrong agin..

 

[haganap]

Pauls Lithium's would have been set up on a laptop by Van Bitz when they were installed

As I say the Dongle is pointless gadget in a motorhome

On the boat with multiple displays and flooring levels it makes more sense, but then there are better options again

Just to be clear.

I'm not currently running lithium. I'm on agm and my trusty effoy.

I want to add lithium but don't want a 360 mile round trip to have my multiplus set up.

Therefore thought this tool might let me change the settings, clearly it won't so amazon can take back..

Thanks

Did someone say the change cab be done over the Internet?

 

[TCG]

Pauls Lithium's would have been set up on a laptop by Van Bitz when they were installed

As I say the Dongle is pointless gadget in a motorhome

On the boat with multiple displays and flooring levels it makes more sense, but then there are better options again

thanks Eddie, thats saved me a phone call to Ash to confirm

 

[AdrianChen]

Just to be clear.

I'm not currently running lithium. I'm on agm and my trusty effoy.

I want to add lithium but don't want a 360 mile round trip to have my multiplus set up.

Therefore thought this tool might let me change the settings, clearly it won't so amazon can take back..

Thanks

Did someone say the change cab be done over the Internet?

It can be done over the internet if you have either a Cerbo (s) GX or Rapsberry Pi set up with Victrons Venus OS and the VE bus cable to connect the Multi to the Pi or Cerbo..

Or if you have a PC, then you can use the MK3 USB connector (£51 from Amazon), and a simple Ethernet cable, and use VE configure 3 to review the settings as shown in the video Reevsie posted

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[haganap]

It can be done over the internet if you have either a Cerbo (s) GX or Rapsberry Pi set up with Victrons Venus OS and the VE bus cable to connect the Multi to the Pi or Cerbo..

Or if you have a PC, then you can use the MK3 USB connector (£51 from Amazon), and a simple Ethernet cable, and use VE configure 3 to review the settings as shown in the video Reevsie posted

Thanks

I'll have a look and look at Reevsie video (thanks for posting)

Looks a bit to complicated for my knowledge though. Might be best left to the experts.