Updating Victron Multplus Firmware via VictronConnect MK3 to USB and VRM

[@5885ronny]

Victron gute Anlage 👍😊

[@HimmelbergerBus]

Genau

[@kevinpurcell4667]

Hi Shawn, thanks for all the great videos on RPi and Touchscreen! You mention in hindsight a Venus GX or Cerbo GX would not be much more cost. Can you elaborate on that? Isn't it roughly $500+ for GX device and screen versus roughly $200+ for RPi? Connectors are extra on both, am I missing something? Thanks in advance and appreciate your step by step videos!

[@HimmelbergerBus]

Venus GX was $250-$300 I thought. Cerbo GX doesn’t need a screen. You could in theory use any Table or even an RPi as the remote screen for a GX device. With GX device you can go VE direct serial cables , no USB adapter needed. You may still need a MK3 adapter for the multiplus but now you can upload a program file via VRM -> Venus GX so that’s a “might need”. You also get tank sensor inputs, VE CanBus, and no need to fiddle with the OS constantly on updates like we’ll need to on 2.71 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I’ve got $150 or so in adapters, no idea what they run now. It just that it becomes less of a slam dunk when the cost difference is under $100 IMHO.

[@alsemi-back-up579]

Came Across This Video Do You Need Driver For The mk3 Adapter? My MacBook mid 2014 does Not Recognize The Inverter

[@HimmelbergerBus]

No driver needed on MacOS . Is the inverter on? Try swapping out ethernet cables as well.

[@alsemi-back-up579]

@@HimmelbergerBus I just had to open the Victron Device Part and ThenConnect the m3k adapter And bingo!! We are in Business Thanks for your help I am now running the 3.10 27 software in the raspi4 Now you can update in VRM Portal on line in the three dots drop down list Device List. At bottom. Firmware updates. Can update all Victron Equipment Except the Pi When updating this way. Keep the Pi on a different power supply it works My inverter is now on Hardware 506 working A1 The Pi can be update in the firmware section of the settings No issues Now Go Luck and Travels

[@parttimebus1151]

One day I would love to get a Victron Multiplus just to simplify my electrical, need tires first :) Nice to see firmware flash process though.

[@HimmelbergerBus]

This was so much easier than with the old VEFlash software. I bought mine much cheaper than most by using eBay and making an offer. Give it a try.

[@parttimebus1151]

@@HimmelbergerBus Never thought of trying that..good advice!

[@AskRemy]

next video - show others how to make "how to" videos - so many are horrible - thanks for this vid

[@briandavis9975]

Hey Shawn that was cool do you find an advantage to running two of the multi plus units instead of one single bigger unit?

[@HimmelbergerBus]

Victron didn't make a 6kva and still might not. I like the redundancy, this way if one fails, we're not without an inverter. Same with Solar chargers and so on.

[@briandavis9975]

@@HimmelbergerBus you mentioned in the updating one would be considered the slave unit is that right and are you wiring your breaker panel one inverter down each leg of the breaker box?

[@HimmelbergerBus]

@@briandavis9975 No, that would be 240 split phase, I joined both legs of my box for single phase 120 only. I have 2 AC units (1200-1400 watts), electric water heater, microwave, etc. I didn't see a way to balance those without overloading a single inverter. So both run in parallel, 6000 watts (6kva) for entire system, whatever needs power gets it and the load is split 50/50). What's nice is if we want, we can add a 3rd. So far we've only been near the limit a few times. Full AC, making hot water and someone turned on the microwave. If we're on a pole, no big deal, because it's all hybrid. So we get 6000w plus whatever we get from the pole.

[@briandavis9975]

@@HimmelbergerBus thanks for explaining it for me Shawn

[@markstumpf9391]

Hey Shawn, how have you been? Got my pi4 running 2.60 a while ago and it is has been great. did you update to 2.65 or 2.7? any reason to? when are you heading out for the summer?

[@HimmelbergerBus]

Yeah, I showed I was on 2.65~8 in the video (near end) :-) We’re tentatively going out west again in June. Going out plenty more around here, got a few surprises. First we have brakes to get done.

[@markstumpf9391]

@@HimmelbergerBus cool, i cant find a description of the changes from 2.6 to 2.7 so i dont know if it's worth it. you going to tackle the brakes yourself? i used to run a bus repair shop and that is not something i would try myself, too hard on the back its a young mans job.

[@HimmelbergerBus]

@@markstumpf9391 major change on 2.65 is the ability to update multiplus firmware from VRM now. Hopefully this is the last time I need to hook up a USB cable to it.

[@jeremywillemse2707]

I can’t get in to set my multiplus 10000 I got some nec a 123 and there a 13 a lifepo4 and it won’t let me change the parameters help!

[@HimmelbergerBus]

You need an mk3 adapter, either USB or BT

[@jettpro6647]

Love your videos, don’t understand anything in this one, wth is a dongle?

[@HimmelbergerBus]

Lol, it’s a crazy ride here, glad you’re still hanging on.

[@houseofshootsllc]

Hey I have a question, I just installed my 24/3000 multiplus inverter I have 8 135ah AMG batteries in series and a transfer box from my shore and genny. My system was running off my genny and shore only so now I have my inverter connected and only half of my power is coming on, on my breaker box some breakers are not getting power and the others are showing 119-120v can u please help

[@HimmelbergerBus]

Sounds to me like you have split phase power in the coach. Your inverter is single phase. Sometimes people run two inverters to get the 240 split phase or an auto transformer. Some folks just move some items to the inverter leg and leave the other side for generator or shore power only, like an electric fireplace. Or second AC. I ran my coach to be all single phase, so I have no 240 volt things and no auto transformer to worry about.

[@houseofshootsllc]

@@HimmelbergerBus u have a email I can send u some photos too?

[@HimmelbergerBus]

[e-mail]

[@houseofshootsllc]

@@HimmelbergerBus I just emailed u, I’m pretty sure I have single phase but is it a setting that would cut a leg off?

[@lbroome]

Glad everything updated ok without problems. The Victron stuff is good but it's kinda like the Linux of solar systems, you kinda have to roll all the pieces together yourself. Someone with your knowledge would have no problem, but I cringe at the number of missteps the average user could take. I think the average user with a system of your size would be better off with an all in one solution like the Sol-Ark. Most people balk at the price until they compare complete systems together and then it's a really good deal. Or you could just buy a Sol-Ark workalike from the OEM Chinese manufacturer for a fraction of the price, but that's another story for another deye!

[@HimmelbergerBus]

You're not far off, Venus OS is a Linux / Unix variant running on ARM hardware. In almost all areas of my life I hate all in one solutions. If one part goes bad, it's hard / impossible to fix without replacing it all. If we lose 1 inverter, we're fine, if we lose a solar charger, replace it, we're fine. If we need to add solar chargers, no problem, etc. Combine that with the benefits you get form the Victron Ecosystem, it's hard to beat. Support and community network is amazing. Warranty of 5 years is also better than most. Their data logging helped me diagnose a bad alternator a few years ago. I started my build with lower cost set and forget it solutions. They started failing within a year, I sold it all and went with Victron, no issues so far. Thanks for the comment and perspective, ours is not everyone, I'm sure others will find it helpful.

[@lbroome]

@@HimmelbergerBus I understand what you are saying about component failure and modular replacement. It is also good for upgrading pieces in the future. Those things are more important to you than any possible hassle or problems fitting the pieces together, but I think the average user would be better off with something they can just use. Not everyone is a Google engineer like you (it seems) or a systems integrator like me. Most people are better off buying a Mac instead of building a Linux laptop, for example, even though it cost much more. The Sol-Ark is not a lower cost solution, it is pushing $7000, but for those that can afford it, it is a good, easy solution. It has modular replaceable boards inside and has a 10 year warranty backed by a US company in Dallas. I'm not trying to be a Sol-Ark salesman here, but I am just amazed at how much money people will spend on a Victron system without exploring other options because it seems to be the RV system of choice by default. BTW, I didn't buy the Sol-Ark myself, I bought the Chinese OEM clone because like you I don't mind winging it a little without support. Love your channel, sorry to ramble on :)

[@AMCarter33]

Nice that you did this video, but... it makes me uncomfortable watching you guess about the right action at so many steps.

[@HimmelbergerBus]

This channel at times is more of a documentary of my experiences and less of a how to. Sometimes how not to, however both are valuable IMHO . I try and be more clear about that in current videos.