I am trying to get PowerAssist to flatten the peaks of the incoming AC, but I cannot seem to get it dialed in correctly. Either the peaks remain, or the Multiplus temporarily shuts down with an “Overload” error.
Setup:
I recently installed a Multiplus-II I 24/5000/120-50 230 with two 280AH 25v LifePO4 batteries connected in parallel.
Incoming shore power is limited by a 40A fuse, and I have a 32A fuse going to the kitchen.
Configuration:
Configuration is done using the VictronConnect app connected to an MK3-USB dongle. I do not have a GX.
Boost: 1.5
AC-In Limit: 25A
PowerAssist: On
Dynamic Load: Off
Situation:
In the kitchen we have an induction stove. When that stove is turned on I see a 4500 Watt peak in my metering system (IAMMeter WEM3080T), everything stays on for a second or two, but then the Multiplus shuts down and restarts after a short time-out.
What I am trying to do, is to flatten the peaks as much as possible, obviously without the system giving out.
What I tried:
AC-IN Limit: 20A - Boost: 2.0 - Dynamic Load: Off
AC-IN Limit: 25A - Boost: 2.0 - Dynamic Load: Off
AC-IN Limit: 25A - Boost: 2.0 - Dynamic Load: On
AC-IN Limit: 25A - Boost: 1.5 - Dynamic Load: On
AC-IN Limit: 25A - Boost: 1.5 - Dynamic Load: Off
AC-IN Limit: 35A - Boost: 2.0 - Dynamic Load: Off <= This one obviously works because AC-IN allows all the needed power to be supplied from shore power.
The question:
How do I flatten the peak as much as possible using PowerAssist without the system cutting out?
I realize that the metering system only sends measurements every 30 seconds or so, so it might not fully register the real start-up peak of the induction stove.
How do I figure out what loads are being requested and how to optimally configure my system to handle those loads?
The ground relay should not be active when there is a grid/generator source connected. The relay should disconnect when the primary relay closes in normal operation this is to be compliant with many grid codes that the neutral ground bonding is done at source
I don’t know what my setting for the ground relay is from the top of my head, but is that also a factor? I believe the slider is “on” by default in the VictronConnect app.
Thank you for the fast reply. I rechecked everything and realized I had the PowerAssist clamp connected to the Multiplus AC-OUT instead of AC-IN. I believe this caused a loop causing the Multiplus to overload: clamp sees high demand, Multiplus boosts, clamp now sees even higher demand, Multiplus boosts more, clamp again sees more demand, etc.
I moved the clamp to AC-IN now, I hope this will help.
To answer your questions:
Is AC IN connected and accepted?
Yes, AC-IN is working fine
What LEDs are on/blinking at the MultiPlus before/after the error?
“Mains on” and “Float” or “Absorbtion” were on before the error. After the error the same LEDs were on, but the VictronConnect APP showed an “Overload” error.
I went through a lot of documentation, but I am still hitting on information I did not know before. Your statement was one of them. I wish Victron would reference other relevant documentation more in the device manuals to get a better picture of how it all works together.
Anyways, everything is connected to AC-OUT except for a tiny load, namely a relay to disconnect the kitchen when the grid goes down. This is to prevent use of the induction stove when the Multiplus is running on batteries.
Does having the clamp connected vs. not connected make any difference in this case? I remember reading that the clamp would be more precise, but I might have misunderstood or I am remembering it wrong.