3 phase ESS Multiplus II install - copy settings file to the slaves or edit each manually?

Planning a new install.

In a 3 phase Multiplus II setup, should we configure each Multiplus manually the same or save the first config file in VE configure and copy that settings file to the slaves? Does it matter as long as the settings are identical?
Also: is th result identical if you create Reconfigure file and send via VM or do it via MK 3?

Many thanks.

You can apply a saved config from a template, just best to do them individually and not an “apply to all”.

So program the L1 master unit, save it as a file and upload it one by one to L2 and L3 Multis?

Ok to do all this in a veconfig offline session and upload via VRM?

No, you will apply this from within system config or quick configure as you veconfigure the subsequent phases from within those apps after saving the L1 config.

Yes thanks, I understand that, just wondering if we can create the complete config file beforehand and upload it via VRM rather than online with a MK3?

Thanks.

Unfortunately not. System must initially be configured with the conventional tools. VRM can only push a whole remote config for the entire system (after it has been downloaded).

Yes, that is what I want to do. Push a whole file that is created beforehand for a system that is setup as 3 phase.

In theory it should be the same, right? Have done it before, just not with ESS assistants in the setup.

Not that I am aware. For VRM to work you already need a configured system. It has to download the config, after which you can then edit it again with the usual tools and then push it back (provided versions don’t change).
These files don’t tend to be portable between sites either.

Yes that is precisely what we would like to do. Set up the system as 3 phase with conventional tools, download the config, edit it with ESS assistants and all and load it back up. Sorry if I was unclear.

Ah ok. Understood.
VRM is perfect for the secondary editing and uploading.
(you can also backup these configs on the GX and roll them back/forward - this is does not work across firmware versions)

You’ve been very helpful, much appreciated. Kudos.

@nickdb if you have a minute at your leisure?

I see some issues and perhaps my method is flawed?
What I tested is to configure a working three phase setup with various changes like so:

  1. Open the downloaded VE Configure file by double click it opens in VE.Bus System Configurator
  2. Select the L1 Multi and control-click to open it in VE Configure 3 edit it by control-clicking it
  3. make the required edits, for example disable “Enable battery monitor” tickbox and set the size of the battery in the ESS assistant
  4. I close the window, a dialog box says "would you like to save the changed settings to the remote file? I click yes
  5. I close the next window in VE.Bus System Configurator, I again get “would you like to save the changed settings to the remote file?” I click yes
  6. If I now open the file, some of he changes have not taken and reverted back to 10AH in battery for example.

What am I missing?

If I can get this first part working, is the rest as follows:

  1. Edit the L1 Multi.
  2. save it as a settings file while still in Ve Configure 3
  3. open the L2 Multi and load that saved file into the L2 Multi, and also the L3 Multi.
  4. Save the entire file by closing the VE.Bus System Configurator and answer yes to saving the file
  5. Upload the remote reconfigure file to

I assume that the resulting file should contain correct settings for all three Multis and reflect correctly after upload to CRM.

Grateful for any comments that tells me if my process is flawed.

I tested on a parallel pair:
1)Downloaded config from VRM.
2) Double clicked it and Config tool opened.
3) Selected first unit, right click veconfigure, edit, quit, saved.
4) repeated for second unit (adjusted battery Ah as a test, gave each different values).
5) Quit configure tool, prompted to save again.

Opening the file had the correct values for each system (they turn orange when you change something).

I repeated by saving the config of the first unit, then opening the second and loading it.
Repeated the quit, save process for veconfigure and configurator tool.

Opened and verified the settings had stuck.

I didn’t have 3-phase available but can’t see why the process would be different.

Thanks very much for reply. Appreciated!
Something seems wrong with my PC. It is a MacBook Pro running Windows 11 under Bootcamp.
Could be the culprit perhaps, will try with another.

Thanks again!

@nickdb

With the risk of wearing out my welcome, may I ask one final question:

Can we load new settings and assistants onto an existing 3-phase system that works but has been off-grid so far but now needs to go on-grid.

Is it as simple as disconnecting the VEBus cable from the L1 Multi to a MK3 and connect it to a PC with a MK3 and edit and send new config files to
each of the Multis? Or is there a special procedure to change an existing 3-phase system to add ESS assistants this way?
Are there risks with disconnecting a system that has DVCC and BMS master already configured?

Many, many thanks!

The only thing that can’t be done remotely is the initial 3-phase/parallel config of the system.
Anything else can be updated.

The entire system must be connected to the GX. Not one at a time. Same applies for using a mk3.

Expect an outage if you lose gx/bms comms. The system should be bypassed. ( a challenge off grid)

Have a look at the remote/direct vebus firmware update manual and training as well.

Its all documented.

The GX ? I assumed this was done with a USB MK-3 device?

Yes, initially it would be by a mk3.
But when pushing subsequent configs, all 3 units would be daisy chained to either a mk3 or a GX. Not individually, and never a gx and mk3 together.

So how would you go about editing an existing 3phase Multi system to add ESS assistants and the like if I may ask?
They need to be sent individually, so that is MK3 right? Will a configured 3 phase system stay on if you disconnect them from a GX and connect an MK3?

Depends.
The system has a config already. Any change will result in a reboot and outage.
If it’s far away and off grid, that’s a potential problem.
Processes can go wrong, especially remote updates that require internet access.
Being onsite with a mk3 is reliable, but requires additional effort.
Both can achieve the same result.

To be clear. Vrm sends one configuration that has taken individual editing upfront. The mk3 is an incremental process that takes it offline in advance by disconnecting the GX.