Unable to connect with Multiplus via MK3 USB

Question

question

gustav74 asked Nov 1, '19

Unable to connect with Multiplus via MK3 USB

Hi

I am installing a system using Multiplus charger/inverter. I need to configure the Multi. Hence communication between PC (Lenovo Win10) and Multi is required.

I have installed the VE configure III and I have a MK3 USB interface.

When I let the VE Config auto detect nothing happens i.e. the programme is doing a search and eventually times out.

When I try manual connection to e.g. Com3 an error message apperas saying "Cannot open Com3" - it does not help to change Com port no.

I have removed and re-installed the MK3 driver. In device manager I am able to locate the virtual serial port i.e. that part seems to work fine.

I have also tried to use the VE Bus Quick Configure software - and the error is the same

Any good suggestions?

p.s. I have tried on a different Multi and the error message is still the same. I have not tried a different PC yet - not so easy due to remote location

Multiplus-II VEConfigure 3 MK3

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Answer 1 · 2019-11-01T13:06:29Z

Guy Stewart (Victron Community Manager) answered · Nov 01, 2019 at 01:06 PM

Could you please try VictronConnect?

https://docs.victronenergy.com/victronconnect-vebus.html

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gustav74 commented · Nov 01, 2019 at 01:14 PM

I have tried on both Multi's - no device found in both attempts.

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Answer 2 · 2019-11-01T23:02:49Z

Justin Cook answered · Nov 01, 2019 at 11:02 PM

@Gustav74, Com3 is your USB port, so the error seems to be indicating that the MK3 is not able to communicate with your USB port, or vice/versa.

I've encountered this once before and I still don't know exactly why, but the way I fixed it was by downloading and installing the entire "VE Configuration Tools for VE Bus Products" package, which includes a set of USB drivers that in theory is the same set as the one you can individually download... but, for some reason, the USB driver package that comes with the "Configuration Tools" package solved my problem.

Download that toolset directly here https://www.victronenergy.com/Executables/VEConfig/VECSetup_B.exe

Once that's installed, restart your computer and try connecting again, even through VictronConnect, and I bet it'll work this time... let us know!

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Answer 3 · 2019-11-07T06:42:50Z

gustav74 answered · Nov 07, 2019 at 06:42 AM

@Justin Cook, Thanks for the feedback. Would you recommend uninstall of the "old" set of programmes prior to complete package download?
Unfortunately there will be a little while until I'm back on the site - but I'll let you know if your tip did the trick (Y)

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Justin Cook ♦♦ commented · Nov 07, 2019 at 04:47 PM

@Gustav74, no I highly recommend that you keep all available tools from Victron loaded on your computer; one never knows when one tool will do the trick when another doesn't! Better to be over-prepared than under!

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Answer 4 · 2019-12-11T12:15:31Z

gustav74 answered · Dec 11, 2019 at 12:15 PM

Hi @Justin

I gave up on my computer and used a different. Connection is on - so far so good.

Any chance you know if I can use multiplus ii for L1 and L2 and then a multiplus for L3?
VE config complaints about firmware.
Is it “just “ Update firmware on the multi?

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fredericmora commented · Oct 16, 2020 at 05:18 AM

Hi @Gustav74, I am exactly in the same configuration you were (Multiplus 12/1600, Lenovo on Windows 10/64bit) and I can't connect. it seems there is the USB controller fails to recognize the MK3 device. Have you found a way to fix your problem?

Thank you.

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fredericmora commented · Oct 16, 2020 at 05:30 AM

Sorry, forgot to attach the error message. Needless to say that I have already tried to update the drivers.

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screenshot-5.jpg (47.1 KiB)

gustav74 fredericmora commented · Oct 16, 2020 at 07:01 AM

Hi @fredericmora I ended up using a different PC and it all worked fine. The other PC was HP
I have no clue why Lenovo did not want to work with the MK3

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Answer 5 · 2019-12-11T18:29:03Z

blond2silver answered · Dec 11, 2019 at 06:29 PM

Hello, From experience, if the CCGX or Venus gateway is plugged into the Multi, the auto-detect does not connect the MK3.. In this instance, by manually selecting Com3, I have found that the MK3 will connect even while the CCGX is still plugged in. For this install, not having to remove the Multi cover for VEconfigure changes with the MK3 is my preference - meaning, not having to remove the Multi cover. Otherwise, if you'd rather remove the Multi cover, and plug in the MK3, "I think" Victron's preferred solution is to disconnect the CCGX or Venus when making Multi changes with the MK3 and VEconfigure.

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Answer 6 · 2021-08-17T17:45:25Z

marius-le-roux answered · Aug 17, 2021 at 05:45 PM

Had the same on my Lenovo...It seems Lenovo has a driver pre installed that it associates with the serial converter in the MK3. My MK3 worked on sites with a single inverter but not on ones with more than one inverter. To solve this you have to uninstall the "USB Serial Converter" in the Device manager. You will then see the MK3 coming up under Other devices with an exclamation mark next to it. Right click on it and install the drivers that you download from the VE.configure software. Make sure your laptop is not connected to the internet while you do this.

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Answer 7 · 2022-07-18T09:45:44Z

techmuc answered · Jul 18, 2022 at 09:45 AM

Very old thread, but if it helps anyone else: Downloading and installing the drivers manually from https://www.victronenergy.de/support-and-downloads/software#ve-configuration-tools-for-ve-bus-products (VE.Direct/MK3 USB drivers) solved the issue for me.

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Nicolas commented · Jul 31, 2022 at 10:50 AM

Thank you, that worked for me

The only solution that worked in that thread.

Thanks again, you made my day

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Answer 8 · 2023-02-14T09:38:04Z

robandheaps answered · Feb 14, 2023 at 09:38 AM

yes i had the same with a dell and win11. disconnect from the internet. connect mk3, uninstall usb serial controller BUT make sure you tick 'attempt to remove driver for this device' otherwise it does not work. then remove mk3 usb, reinsert it and install driver from victron download. it worked! after hrs of trial and error this actually works.

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