AC screw terminal tightening torque on Multiplus-II manual is wrong - I did break it

DIY
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Hey all,

I’m not sure what to do here, and maybe Victron Energy will notice this because I am doing a DIY system and have gotten into serious trouble.

Today, I was installing my Multiplus II 48/5000/70-50 system, and I broke the internal thread of the AC In 1 nut terminal block (L contact). Please read to the end until you blame me.

So, according to the installation manual for Mutiplus ii on the website (sorry, as a new user, I can post only two links, and I need them badly later in the post):

AC-In, AC-out-1, and AC-out-2 are identical terminals. The manual states - “Maximum Torque: 2 Nm”. I was using a calibrated Wera torque screwdriver set to 2Nm. I was tightening all the terminals from the first to the last, so AC-out-1 and AC-out-2 went well with 2Nm, AC-In N and PE went well, and L did break.

Now, I was at the point where there was no way I could file a warranty claim as there was no way to prove that I didn’t overtighten it. As this is DYI, I am not a professional Victron installer or a partner.

So I went the repair way. Let’s find the terminal and solder a new one there (I am not a newbie in such things). This is where the fun started, as I found only two identical terminals on the market—Chinese and Taiwanese versions of the part. And I am 99% sure Victron uses one or another as the units are manufactured in China.

This is what I’ve found:
https://uk.farnell.com/amphenol-anytek/vp0365540000g/terminal-block-wtb-3pos-20-6awg/dp/3770553?srsltid=AfmBOop_8DCZJj9ADl9kui67Ss1GEccJu3z9vRVRbYR7T7TykbKUq1X3 (Taiwanese version, graded for 1.8Nm max torque)
http://www.syjxdz.cn/en/Catalogue/syjxdz-62.html (Chinese version, graded for 1.7Nm max torque).

So, I feel that Victron made a mistake in their manual, and I broke the part (main PCB of Multiplus) because of it.

The situation is complicated as I bought Multipluses from an online dealer based in Germany and got them shipped to Lithuania. They are not great at helping in this situation.

Any advice would be great here.

Thanks!

2

Just buy the one from Farnell, because shipping time is less, and replace it.
Don’t believe the Victron will say anything if it’s professionally replaced, in the end it’s a connector, for God’s sake, not a microcontroller, somehow situated outside the internals of the MultiPlus.

1 Like
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You have a the right tool.

Fairly certain as DIY person that is more serious than (even some professional) most diy installers.
I would still have a go for the warranty.

I have (over)torqued them and they handled it. So you may have just got a bad one. So warranty it.

Or self repair if you are that kind of person.

Also FYI the warranty can be covered by any dealer near you (although they may charge and admin fee or something extra for processing and transport or whatever) the warranty is still covered by victron itself.