Wondering when the firmware for parallel operation of the Multi RS inverters will be done? I have made a mistake on reading the wrong data sheet which supports parallel operation and have since just discovered that it can’t be done. From previous posts I can see a similar discussion from 2 years ago! Surely something has been done by now? @guystewart
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Please review the community guidelines.
As you know it is in the works, but is subject to more than just getting it to function.
Apologies. I have read the guidelines.
Does anyone know a time frame at all? Otherwise I will need to re-design, but can wait if it’s not far around the corner.
Can I choose a three phase system with only 2 inverters and run it as a 2 phase system instead?
I believe I got confused between the RS Solar which supports parallel operation and multi RS which currently doesn’t so I’m in a bit of a pickle!
I think the ones that do won’t be answering.
It is best to design without it being an option.
Yes the inverter RS does.
For the Multi RS you need three minumum.
There is a workaround where it allows operation with a missing unit from the can bus. It does rin an error message though. I have used it when a remote site damaged their one unit and had to continue for a bit with 2.
If three RS units are configured in three phase, each individual unit will only continue to work if it sees at least one other unit. This feature is only relevant in combination with the "Continue with missing phase" feature.
A previous roadmap preview stated that Multi RS gridcode support was the priority.
Complete speculation, but the focus might now be on parallel support since gridcodes are rolling out.
No idea of a time frame
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I am facing the same challenge and have been waiting for some time for the possibility of parallel operation of Multi RS. In the meantime, both have been installed and I will be using an automatic transfer switch on the AC side for the time being.
For certain applications, the plan is to use both Multi RS as chargers-only on the DC side (off-grid-installation) until paralleling has been released.
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I’ve been waiting for this for a very long time (not measured in days or months), and I appreciate that it’s ready when it’s ready, but I have to be honest that I’ve given up on every seeing it.
I understand the companies internal resourcing is none of our business but the total secrecy has broken my faith in the product ever doing it.
I have 3 of them waiting for parallel…
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Does anyone know if there is a email where I could try and get a rough answer?
My customer is happy to wait if it’s around the corner, but it would be nice to have some form of time frame. Otherwise we will have to look into other options
I have the feeling that you (we) won’t get parallel option on the current Multi RS hardware…
Especially that they have to harmonize this with the feed-in ability.
But I may be wrong. Time will tell.
You won’t get an answer about this, as the process is complex and iirc there was a focus on certification, ESS etc.
If you need it in a hurry, I would suggest you consider a plan B.
You can try your regional manager, contact details on the main victron site.
A plan B that I use often is to parallel Multi RS only on AC-out which works great. Now indeed that is no longer a multi because AC-in is not available anymore. But enough customers don’t need AC-in but do want two MPPT trackers thus buy the Multi RS. Than if customer really needs grid or generator use an ATS (but that gives an power outage for a split second) or use another charger to keep the battery bank up to a certain level.
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Hi @AvB
Did you tried, from the parallel set of Multi RSes connected on AC-OUT, to connect to the grid ONLY ONE, for charging purposes?
In that way that Multi RS will be synced to grid and the others, non connected to grid ones, will have to sync to the output of the connected to grid one.
Issue will be how to declare the single one that can connects to the grid a kinda “master”, that all others must sync to.
Hello Alex,
Yes, but really that is not possible yet. As soon as Multi RS are used in parallel than the software cannot use the PLL anymore to synchronize with an incoming grid or generator… But that will hopefully change in future by software dev.
Just to give you guys an example. I have a system with 5 multi RS in parallel and a 6th one connected to the grid… But the sixt one is configured as standalone and system ID1 While the other 5 are system ID0 and all configured on L1… Now when the battery comes below 20% the M-RS 6 is helping the battery with a 6kW charge from the grid. This proved to be enough help to get occasionally through the night and in daytime the 12 strings of solarenergy will bring back the 300kWh battery bank to 100%
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To give a bit more clarification. Above statement doesn’t work for the M-RS hardware. The M-RS synchronize over can bus information… Thus putting the sine wave zero crossing at the same moment. A parallel M-RS will not wait for the master M-RS to synchronize to it’s AC-out sine wave…
When you have a 5 parallel system you can in VC configure how many M-RS’s need to be available before they system starts up together and thus allowing to startup customer loads well above a single units capacity. In a system of 5 M-RS it is safe to configure minimum 4 should be available. This leaves roam for switching off 1 M-RS for maintenance, software updates etc. Especially radio stations love this feature where you can build seamless redundant inverter systems which is not possible with VE-bus inverters.
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Hi there,do I understand right ,that using two multi’s in parallel over ac out ,you are able to use 4 strings of solar panels,all 4 mppt’s ? much appreciated ,Frank
p.s. I’m off grid with a 34kw lifepo4 bank,I’m interested in scaling up with (then)another multi rs solar,as I’m very happy with it…..cheers
Yes that is correct.
Wow,how quick:sweat_smile:
May I ask,what is the downside of using this scenario ?
And another bit of useful information around multi or inverter RS in parallel. Why not buy the cheaper inverter RS and add MPPT RS into the system when you need more PV input especially being offgrid where daytime use and battery charge needs to come from the sun? Is it worth spending the extra money on MultiRS just for 1 extra MPPT input per unit? Is it waste full of me buying M-RS and never using the AC-in relays??? Just depends on system design and other factors… opinions will differ.
I don’t see any downside. Me too love the M-RS since 2019 using them seriously in many cases parallel and or threephase.