Hi
I want to connect my 3.5kW generator into my Multiplus ii (8kW). Can I just connect generator output to inverter input? Will it appear in my VRM App? I understand the generator is ‘light’ but it has a circuit breaker so it can’t be overloaded and I only want the minimum for my house when it rains for days and the batteries are depleted. I also want to charge the batteries and know that I will have to set charging amps to 30 in order to avoid the generator tripping.
Thanks
Hi, What is the setup at your site?
Grid or no grid? If you want with grid the generator parallel as backup, you would need a quattro.
But that could also be overkill.
Show us your system, please.
yes it will detect the AC, but you must set the input Amps to the generators output eg16A.
I think a lot more context is needed to properly answer your question.
The simple is answer is obviously yes you can. But I’m afraid it is never that simple. Is your setup currently configured for ESS, does it feed back into grid and therefore has a grid code configured? If the answer is yes, then you can run into serious problems if you don’t change the grid code back to none (installer password is needed!).
Also, the safety (grounding) of those generators is made to directly supply power to appliances. Out of the box you cannot just feed it into your home. To do so you need to establish a ground to neutral connection in the junction box or in the generator itself. One that only closes if the generator is connected. I can go on for a while but I guess my recommendation is to spend a lot of time reading up on topics like this and/or consult a local installer. Safety is everything.
I thought you could use a Transfer Switch with a Multiplus for that?
Transferswitch
Thank you, I am grid tied so I guess will need the installer.
Ties into grid, I just want to be able to run the generator (started manually) when we have no grid power and no sun for days like we had last week..
Multiplus 11 8kW
MPPT RS450 I 100 Tr
Cerbo GX
Combiner Box - Solar
Combiner Box - AC (from Grid DB box of the house)
To some extend yes. But to inject power into the grid using ESS or DESS requires a grid code to be set on the Multi. If you hook up a generator to that same input using a transferswitch the multi can still inject power to the generator. Hence the remark about removing the grid code to prevent that from happening.
To do that. You need the installer password. Oh and doing that will remove the ESS assistant so a good backup is needed in case you want to go back. My reply was not intended to be a part of a manual but more like a warning that it’s dangerous stuff if you don’t know what you’re doing.
This is interesting because I am also considering expanding my Multiplus II with a generator.
I read somewhere that you need to set the grid code in the transfer switch so that you can work safely with a generator.
In that case, please do some digging to see if you can find the article. I’m not an installer so I’m curious 
You’re 100% correct but I’m 100% sure I’ve been reading something like that somewhere. 
Good evening,
Well, seen the confusion above, single phase gens at very unstable, so you must set your inverter input to about half the power it can produce, otherwise it will start to swing, so input limit 8-9A only, then, yes, you can use a filax from Victron in a single input inverter like the small multis, not preferred as a Quattro can be limited in both inputs desperately, gen and grid, a filax cannot…
If you do manually, then you need a HIM…(from Hager company as example), gen,zero, grid, a 3 position switch for neutral and phase, but still, then you have to set also every time the “pass thru” amps, so, again a Quattro makes more sense.
Then, the differences between a multi/Quattro (“pro version”) and a multi/Quattro 2, the transformers inside…the pro versions copes way way better with a gen and the outputs are way more stable, so, less ripple, consider that in your install.
Don’t forget your MEN connections, neutral to earth connections with a gen, grid and at inverter mode…
Regards, Jeroen.
Thank you for the detailed explanation!
But using a filax in that way means it is placed after the multi I presume. So ac-out to transfer switch and gen to transfer switch and output to load. I am assuming a transferswitch in front of ac-in will not resolve the grid code issue when switching ac-in from grid to gen and vice versa.
But you are saying set input limit which confuses me I guess. That means the generator sits on ac-in and will have grid code issues?
Good evening,
Read first the filax info, easy to read with all info you need, it’s always placed on the input…
Regards, Jeroen.
It is. Which is why I don’t understand your post. Connecting it as designed will work fine as long as you do not use ESS to feed back to grid.
So unless I misinterpret, having a MP2 configured for ESS has no safe way to connect a generator using just a transfer switch.
Good evening,
Please read/search first, a filax can be used for ESS and DESS with some tricks and settings, no problem, we have many like this operating just fine for years.
Greetz, Jeroen.
Use a battery charger and charge your batteries directly with the generator. No changes to the rest of the system needed.
Filax is only 16A.