Which Victron MultiPlus is Best for Your Camper? (Side-by-Side Comparison)

[@junkerzn7312]

Victron is still way behind the times. Where's the 48V version with split-phase output? Nowhere. They still want you to buy two units.

[@MobileSolarConsulting]

I don't disagree, but I think they are focused on their bread and butter, which is the mobile market. A 48Vdc 240Vac unit is not essential for that market.

[@junkerzn7312]

@@MobileSolarConsulting It's really nice to have, though. Even if you just use the two 120VAC legs separately most of the time. It gives you a lot of options in the same amount of space and at roughly the same price point, particularly easier (thinner) wiring and 240VAC AC charging on the input side all in one neat package. In anycase, YMMV. But that' what I'm waiting for from Victron. They don't have a lot of good 48V options yet so right now I have to use a chargeverter to really push battery charging. -Matt

[@MobileSolarConsulting]

@@junkerzn7312 Agreed! The chargeverter is a nice solution. Even on systems where we have 2 x Victron Inverters in split phased, but an Onan generator with 2 120Vac lines that are In-Phase (not a true 240V source), sometimes we will separate L2 from the generator and connect it to a Chargeverter to speed up generator charging.

[@mPDC-gh8jy]

If you are live in a country where the grid (and home appliances) voltage is 100V AC (like me who live in Japan), among these two you should choose the old one which able to program the output voltage to 100V rather than the new one which does not able to do that.

[@charlescorley5002]

Can i use solid wire to connect to the Multiplus 2x120 . My 50 amp coach uses solid 3 wire cable.

[@MobileSolarConsulting]

Yes, you can.

[@DoubleUThings]

Hi. These are not 3000W, but 3000VA, which is 2400W.

[@MobileSolarConsulting]

They are indeed 3000VA however the real power (wattage) depends on the power factor of the load.

[@justinfinke9249]

Will these auto start my generator when batteries are low

[@MobileSolarConsulting]

This has a relay that you can program to close when you want the generator to start, but you usually need an additional accessory to convert that relay to a signal the generator understands. Call us and we can suggest the right part for your generator. Depends on the model. 561-320-2842

[@evertking1]

​@@MobileSolarConsultingwill any generator work? A dual fuel gas, inverter generator 3000 watt? I have read conflicting information and would love to know.

[@MobileSolarConsulting]

@@evertking1 If you are just using a single inverter, then yes, any 120V generator will work. You will want a way to dial down the AC input current limit though (GX Touch 50 or Digital Multi Control).

[@MobileSolarConsulting]

They can do that, yes, but depending on the generator, there are usually additional parts required. Please contact us for a recommendation. 561-320-2842 or email [e-mail]

[@mrunning10]

what are all the little white flying saucers at the bottom for?

[@MobileSolarConsulting]

They help prevent dust/water from entering the multiplus. That is where the wires enter.

[@BorealisNights]

I'm not an expert, but... I do know there are differences between the 'old' Multiplus, and the Multiplus II. Something to with being grid connected and using a current detector or monitor or something,,, that the Multiplus II is designed for. The Multiplus II is actually a renamed version of their old 'Multigrid' unit. Not trying to criticize, just pointing it out for those considering, to do a little more research to determine the right unit for their intended use. As I said, I'm no expert so I won't try to explain further, since I haven't bothered to really learn the specifics myself.

[@MobileSolarConsulting]

This is correct, but does not apply to mobile applications like RV's, vans, or boats. If you are using this in a Grid-connected residence scenario, where you wish to sell power to the utility company from your solar array/battery bank, then the older Multiplus is not an option for you.

[@SuperSushidog]

That's a good comparison between the 2 Victron models, but there's a lot more on the market to choose from with different features and specs depending on your needs. For instance, we live full time in an older motorhome that doesn't have much bay space available, so wanted a wall mounted unit. We chose an all-in one 48v, 5,000w inverter/100a charger/charge controller from Sungold Power. This inverter is perfect for our older MH that came from the factory as a 30 amp but has been converted to a 50a model. We can power both A/C units (one is a mini split), our microwave and other appliances all at the same time. We have been living off-grid for the last 2 years, but if we ever had to plug into a 50a power pole, we could do so, as we disabled the second leg of our 50amp cord so that we only get 50a to both sides of our circuit breaker box, (not 50a per side), which is more than adequate for our needs. We chose this particular unit because it supports 500v of solar input and our 4,400w, 400voc array giving us sufficient headroom for cloud effect events and such. It has the same 99% charging/95% inverter efficiency as the Victron yet costs much less, especially when you consider it includes a 48v charge controller too. Different strokes for different folks.

[@MobileSolarConsulting]

Thanks for sharing your setup and your experience. Sungold is one of the cheapest brands on the market, for which we get calls all the time asking us to replace broken units. I'm shocked to hear it is still working 2 years later. I understand that you are cutting the power available in your main panel by half when on shore power. That is not acceptable for most of our customers. Most people are either paying quite a bit for labor or spending a lot of their own time, so the marginal increase in parts cost is well worth-it for the ideal solution. I do not recommend Sungold. In previous years, we attempted to sell cheaper brands, only to be bogged down by numerous warranty requests from manufacturing defects. We now recommend only the most reliable products and solutions.

[@SuperSushidog]

@@MobileSolarConsulting While it's true that high frequency inverters, like my Sungold power are easily killed by running high inductive loads, like high current motors and A/C compressors, if you don't run these kinds of loads (we have a Micro Aire soft start on our rooftop A/C and a mini split that ramps up slowly) and operate them below their rated capacity, the capacitors will last much longer. My particular unit came with a 3 yr. warranty. Some only have 2 yrs. while they also sell low frequency units with up to a 5 yr. warranty. Of course, one could parallel 2, 3kw or 5kw Sungold Power units if needed, or just buy a 6000w split phase low frequency model for around $1k (one of the best deals going) if that better suits your needs. The point is that people have options. Unfortunately, I don't think Victron makes a 48v off-grid charge controller, much less an all-in-one that will handle the 500 volts of DC input I needed. One of the reasons I chose to go with Sungold Power and not one of the cheaper brands out there like Mr. Power is I met a gentleman in Quartzsite a couple years ago who was a full timer like me who had been using his Sungold Power inverter since 2015 and it was still going strong. No doubt Victron makes nice reliable units, just like Mercedes Bends makes nice, reliable cars. But you pay a premium price for both of them. This is why I drive a Chevy. Is it as good as a Mercedes? Nope, but I've got 450,000 miles on mine and it's still running. We're retired and living off of a meager SS check, which dictates our choices - and being retired I have much more time than money. If I were an installer, I would only recommend top of the line items with the least warranty claims too. After all, I'm not paying for them, my customers are, and the less equipment problems I encounter, the better reputation I have. But if you're on the other side of the equation looking to get the largest off grid system you can afford, you might make different choices. It's like batteries. Why pay for pre-built batteries when you can get more for less by building one yourself? The last battery I built cost me under $110/kwh with a smart BMS, compression fixture, etc. made from the latest MB-31 330ah EVE cells. It has a more compact footprint too. For comparison, Battleborns and Lion energy batteries cost over $700/kwh and Victron batteries are $450/kwh. Saving money like this allowed me to build the huge solar system on my motorhome for only $10k. I'm sure you would have to charge at least twice if not 3 times as much to build a system the size of mine with 5,020 watts of solar (a 4,400w rooftop array and a 620w liftable side array), 23.5kwh of batteries (a 7.1kwh 12v battery and a 16.4kwh 48v battery), 6kw of PSW inverted power (a 5kw, 48v inverter and a 1kw, 12v inverter), plus aluminum racking, wiring, breakers and everything else a system this size requires. I realize that a professional installation with quality components doesn't come cheap. I was just offering another option for those out there who are trying to make do with less due to budgetary constraints, especially if they are designing a system where Victron components don't meet the specs they require.

[@MobileSolarConsulting]

@@SuperSushidog Great, thank you for your input.