When connecting my 2024 Ford F150 Powerboost hybrid with Pro Power 2.4KW 120V onboard generator to a Multiplus 12/3000/120 controller, an overload condition occurs at the truck generator.
This occurs even without any outputs connected and just the input 120V power from generator. Tried connecting without ground and also disabling the ground relay with the same results.
Seems to be something with the MultiPlus’ transfer switch drawing too much current when connected to the truck’s generator. Voltage goes from 120VAC to 113VAC. Unable to read peak current/wattage. Pro Power screen in the truck indicated about 1400W peak but still the overload condition was activated. When the MultiPlus is activated, a chattering noise comes from the MultiPlus. I am assuming that is the transfer switch relay not receiving enough power to activate fully??
Everything functions when connected to a standard house 15 amp outlet. The MultiPlus Power Assist also functions when connected to the house 15 amp circuit.
Is this something that occurs with all 2.4KW Pro Power generators when connected to a Multiplus or something unique with my system?
Wanting desperately to find a solution since I bought the truck with the Pro Power to power low current loads in my travel trailer.
Check the charging current setting of the multi … the Multi may be trying to charge your 12V battery with up to 120A …
Well… I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t actually expect this to work, because the “onboard generator” isn’t actually a generator. It’s a 48v inverter that runs off the rig’s onboard motive battery system (which can be recharged while the engine is running) so you’re plugging an inverter-charger into another inverter, which rarely works very well.
I can’t find any documentation indicating it’s a pure-sine inverter either - that doesn’t mean it isn’t, but Ford’s being pretty tight-lipped about how it actually works.
You may be able to get it to work through some fiddling (checking the MultiPlus’s set AC Input Current Limit and its charge rate for the 12vNom battery bank that you have it connected to is a start, maybe turn on “Weak AC” and turn off “UPS Mode” as well) but if I was you, given that it’s a new rig presumably still under warranty, I’d reach out to Ford before trying anything at all. Since the system is shutting down (which they do say it will do if the connected load has a high-inrush or high-startup current) you’ll want to find out if you might be voiding your truck warranty by trying to do this.
Batteries are disconnected. Thanks for the quick response. No loads are connected to the multiplus.
You absolutely need a battery to operate the multis … it is a BATTERY INVERTER/CHARGER …
Do you have a battery in your travel trailer?
I just don’t understand why you need the Multi … you already have a 120V supply on your vehicle?
and for stationary use without the engine you need batteries .
i have a full solar system in my travel trailer that includes the multiplus that charges batteries and provides 120vac. The system works great.
The problem is that an overcurrent occurs when the Ford Pro Power 2.4KW system is connected to power the trailer. The issue occurs even when all outputs/loads from the MultiPlus are disconnected. Limiting the output charge current is not affective since I tried with the batteries disconnected.
The Ford Pro Power works great with other loads connected such as my old travel trailer/drills/saws etc.
This seems to be an issue with the Multiplus transfer switch circuitry when connected to the Ford Pro Power 2.4KW System?
Sorry, but the multiplus really behaves unpredictably when the battery is disconnected, it is not built to operate without a battery
Thanks, There may be a high inrush current from the Multiplus relay coil(s) or circuitry when the transfer switch is activated.
The Ford Pro Power may not be able to handle that.
The issue occurs even when no loads are connected to the MultiPlus.
It will definitely give problems without a battery connected because the first thing that will happen when the input relay closes will be trying to charge up the large bank of capacitors on the DC input causing high inrush current and overload. You need the battery connected so these caps are charged. Then limiting the charge current may work.
Unfortunately; the same occurs even when the batteries are connected.
Yes, but then the charge current could be too high.
I think to operate the 3000va multiplus you need a 4-5000w generator or limit ac-in and charging current with the apprpriate tools.
I will try limiting the charge current.
I already tried limiting the AC in current.
Hello All,
As an update, I tried limiting the DC charge current and even turning off the DC charging with no success. Enabling the “Weak AC” option did not work.
Using an Oscilloscope, AC voltage input waveforms to the MultiPlus look good from the Ford Powerboost Inverter showing no sine wave distortion both before and after connection. There was some voltage reduction of about 5 V peak to peak when the MultiPlus transfer switch kicked in. 60HZ signal looked good.
I may eventually try a ‘Tripp Lite LC2400 Line Conditioner 2400W AVR Surge 120V 20A 60Hz’ just to see what happens.
Hey Bruce,
I’m having the same issue with my PowerBoost 2kw when plugging into my trailer equipped with the Multiplus. Have you found a solution to your issue?
The line conditioner did not work. I have yet to hear of anyone that has successfully connected the two together. I’ve asked in multiple forums.
The conclusion is that the Ford F150 Powerboost with the 2.4kw ‘inverter/generator’ are not hardware compatible.
I ended up running a separate power line in my trailer to a transfer switch and a separate lithium battery charger (luckily, there was already one not used in the trailer fuse box). The separate power line can be plugged into the F150 ‘generator’.
The transfer switch also has an input from the 120VAC Multiplus output. Out from the transfer switch goes to the trailers 30 amp circuit breaker.
Works great, I can now use the truck to charge the batteries, power AC/DC equipment and run the air conditioner that includes a soft start conditioner. Just so the load stays below 2.4 kw.
Hi, have you installed version 556 and set “weak ac” and "“ups” off, set ac-input to lowest amps.
Good luck !
Yes, I tried that and it does not work.
As i wrote before, a 3000 multiplus needs a 5KW generator…