I have 2 x MultiPlus 3000 configured to provide 240v. I cannot change certain charging parameters using Victron Connect; I have to use a laptop and VE Configure and the MK3 adapter to load, modify, then upload the changed config. I won’t go on because I’m sure you all know what all is involved. What I could like to do is complain that that is necessary to make a simple change to a couple of charging parameters. I don’t know why this is not possible through the existing settings that the Cerbo gives me access to, but be that as it may. BTW, the reason for my discontent is that I live on a boat and all these systems are on said boat. We use iDevices for almost everything, and I do not want to have to have a laptop around just to do this.
Then the following occurred to me: could I set up a session whereby I get set up, signed in, download from the MultiPlus and then set up several different configurations based on the various needs I have (like summer cruising mode, winter plugged-into-the-dock mode, and a couple others) and then save these various configs. Could I then use VictronConnect to just load whichever configuration I want at the time and avoid the whole connecting the MK3 and laptop etc? And if so, is there a kind of step-by-step recipe I can follow? I’ve searched lots and read lots but haven’t solved it yet.
I would add one final element: the last couple of time I did the whole hookup and change routine, the MultiPlus did a restart on the reload of the config, which took it offline, which killed ALL ac power on my boat, which killed my laptop because it’s old and tired and the battery is toast. So I was left somewhat blind and offline….I had to scramble and rig an extension cord from the dock in through a port hole to get the laptop up again and get the whole thing up and running. A tense moment. Anyway I’m not sure that was not some kind of a glitch situation or if that is the way it works. Regardless, not the kind of risk I like to run when away cruising for months.
Since Venus OS 3.50 (I think) you can store and switch between different settings via the GX device.
But you still need a laptop to do the initial setup.
Depending on what exactly you did change and how you send it to the MultiPlus’ a restart can be necessary but there should have been a warning about that.
Only changing charging settings shouldn’t require a restart.
Basic charge parameters can be changed with a phone, otg, mk3 and victron connect as well. So a laptop is not needed.
Small changes witha phone don’t cause a restart
What settings need to be changed so often though?
Or are you just switching from storage to cruising what changes are actually made there?
I’m at v3.66 so should be fine from that perspective. The items on the immediate agenda are 1) turn on Weak AC (that will be left on), and then the two different configs will change absorption and float voltages and max absorb time. I have LiFePo’s and want to drop Absorb and Float when I’m on shore power all winter. These are not life altering circumstances to be clear. It’s just that the entire Victron world is so well tuned to advanced function I’m disappointed that what seem to be pretty basic charger setting changes would require the whole rigmarole described above. In my case at least, for the time being, I think my needs are pretty simple - a few different profiles covering different operational needs - so if I could in fact just pre-build these configs and then load them as required with VictronConnect without major system outage drama I’d be ok.
BTW @lxonline, in a split phase system (AFAIK) you cannot configure most anything on the MultiPlus, or so the warning message says. You must use VE Configure and the MK3 and …..
I can on a three phase system set up the system and the basic charge parameters on each individual inverter on the system. I don’t see why you cannot on a split phase.
I’ve been programming split-phase configs using VictronConnect through an MK3 plugged into my Android phone for like 4 years now, there’s almost nothing (in the US) that you would still need to use VE.Configure for.
There are exceptions, like if you need to turn off “switch as group” you do still need the old software packages for that, and ESS systems, but for basic programming, all that you’re asking for is already entirely possible.
Thx guys, but that only works from a computer or Android afaik. The MK3 interface will not work from an iDevice. We are all iPad & iPhone, and the objective is to eliminate the computer from the process, so this is not a solution for me.
But I will take a closer look at building a small “library” of my most used configs and then just switching via the Cerbo. This will help for now. But ultimately I would like to see either the MK3 working with the iPad/iPhone (probably unlikely because I believe this is an Apple restriction), or the MK3 removed from the process entirely.
My bigger concern is that if one of my inverters fails at the moment, I am flat down, no AC in the boat at even from the generator (because it’s all run through the MultiPluses). Therefore if that happens I need to reconfigure the MPs as Parallel instead of SplitPhase to limp along. Which at the moment I can’t do without a computer, which doesn’t run without AC. What I will try to do is build and store a whole config like that ie Parallel, not SplitPhase with the thought being to load that via the Cerbo if an inverter fails. BTW, does anybody already know if that is doable?
I spoke a bit prematurely. I’m back at the boat and in spite of scanning all my docs (including internal grey-matter) I am stymied as how to execute a loading of different profiles without using the MK3. Every time I try what I think is the way in I get the following (attached). My apologies if I’m having a senior moment, but I’m sure I’ve seen this, just can’t place it.
You are right the mk3 to usb does not work with otg on an iPhone.
And no it cannot be programmed OTA with a GX with victron connect. You can view it if you use the vrm tab in victron connect (as in your screenshots) but you cannot change it
This is the way. Or the laptop and ve config with an mk3
There is a way to switch between configs once it is set up.
Thank-you @lxonline . I read those but think I misunderstood a couple of things. It’s been a while since I last did this, and don’t want to right now because I’m out cruising and don’t want to mess with a working system with no shore power to back me if things go twisty. But as I recall it and to describe my scenario:
Because of my split-phase configuration I can’t directly use VE.Configure. I must start with either VE.Bus Quick Configure or VE.Bus System Configurator which then leads me into the Config.
Last time I did this I created the image that is now loaded and running, as well as a couple others for different purposes. I saved all these in a DropBox folder. My understanding (hope?) was that I could simply load these as required without requiring a computer or MK3 setup. Thus the question of this thread.
Based on the above it would seem that is not possible. It looks like I would have to create these various configurations, and then load them one at a time, make them active, and then do a backup. Repeat for as many configs as I want to maintain.
I could then go into Settings|Devices|MultiPlus|Advanced|Backup&Restore and then choose the backup file containing the config I want to load. Is this correct?
That’s a bit clunkier that I would like but would seem to get the job done. One problem - on reading this reply I went in there and looked for a back up to restore. Small mystery, there were none, but I am sure I created a backup for use after a firmware update or whatever. So I did a backup, but when I click on Restore there are still no files listed to choose from. This is of course not what the v3.60 blog post showed.
I may have, it was quite a while ago and I don’t recall. But I am aware of the warning that says backups are firmware specific, so if I did that might explain why it doesn’t show in the list. But it doesn’t explain why the backup I just did this morning does not show up. Does the Cerbo require a re-boot or something after doing a backup?
BTW, with regard to your question, it is my understanding that doing a firmware update does not preserve settings on the MultiPlus, is that correct? And - and I’m sure I’m going to get some terminology wrong here, MEA CULPA - but aren’t you supposed to “back up” the settings so you can restore them? If so, is that a different backup than this? Pardon my confusion….
Thanks, yes maybe you missed that. I deliberately made a backup and got the Backup Successful message. But when I went in and chose Restore, screen was blank, the backup I just made did not show. I will try shutting everything down, reboot the pad and try again.
I’m thinking I may give in and try the path of least resistance and get a cheap/used Android tablet to do just this. Is there a minimum version or size or model that is required? And is it simply a matter of downloading VictronConnect from the Google Playstore and connecting it via the MK3-USB? (This should be a demonstration of how much I (don’t) know about the Android world )
BTW, I tried and retried, no go. I do a backup and then try restore and no files show up to choose from. ??
Please try to update the FW of the GX device. (What GX device do you have?)
I just tested it in a few different system and the backup file was there immediately, all on Venus OS 3.75.
Thanks @M_Lange updating to v3.75 did resolve that problem. The Backup file I created showed up immediately as an option to select to Restore.
That leaves me with the original conundrum. Is the suggested process then to create these various configurations, load and activate them in the MultiPlus one at a time and do a Backup of each one? Then as required do a restore of the one that matches my need at the time?
Or bite the bullet as mentioned above and get a cheap Android tablet to have full update capability using VictronConnect on the fly. And BTW would this at least give me the same capability as I now have using a computer and VE.Bus Quick Configure and VE.Configure?
And if I get the tablet, will it also be able to do double-duty as a wireless display for the Cerbo?
Yes, for the initial setup of the GX backups you need a PC with MK3 → configure your system as needed for scenario 1 → create a backup in the GX → configure the system with PC/MK3 for scenario 2 → create GX backup → repeat for as many scenarios you need
!!! Loading a GX backup can cause a reboot of the MultiPlus !!!
Yes, as long as you don’t need assistants.
Configuring assistants is currently only possible with VE.config.
Yes, you could do that. Just connect it to your local WiFi or to the WiFi access point of the GX.
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