Problem with remote toggle switch on Multiplus 12|1200|50 IP21 230V combined with VE.Bus Smart

DIY
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1

The following functions are desired for the Multiplus 12|1200|50 IP21 230V:

  • A remote toggle switch to turn the inverter and/or charger on.
  • VE.Bus Smart with the VictronConnect App to monitor Multiplus status, voltage, current, and power details.
  • VE.Bus Smart with the VictronConnect App to change the maximum mains input current when applicable.

The remote toggle switch is wired to connector H. Without the VE.Bus Smart device connected and with Dip Switch 1 switched on (and Switch 6 toggled once to store settings), the remote switch works fine. Please note that a simple toggle switch is used, not the more advanced Victron Multi Remote Control panel with a current dial.

After connecting the VE.Bus Smart, the toggle switch no longer works. The Multiplus appears to turn on while the toggle switch is off, then turns off after about 10 seconds, turns back on after another 10 seconds, and so on. This occurs whether or not a phone is connected via Bluetooth or the VictronConnect app is active.

Using a VE.Bus MK3-USB device, settings were checked; for example, remote current limit control was toggled on and off without any effect. Dip Switch 1 was also switched off, but without success.
It seems these functions are conflicting. As soon as the VE.Bus Smart dongle is connected, the remote toggle switch is overruled and erratic behavior occurs. I have read elsewhere that the “last command given” (On/Charger Only/Off) should take precedence, but there appear to be unexpected ON/OFF triggers.

Does anyone know what is happening and how this can be resolved?

2

I guess we are talking about a Multiplus Compact, so this manual should be correct for that

Section 5.5.1 explains the dip switch settings.

You can either use a remote toggle switch or a VE.bus remote, this includes a VE.bus smart dongle.

Default setting: to operate the product with the “On/Off/Charger Only” switch
ds 1: “off”
ds 2: “on”
The default setting is required when using the “On/Off/Charger Only” switch in the front panel.
This setting should also be used in setups with a GX device or VE.Bus Smart dongle when no
additional Digital Multi Control panel or VE.Bus BMS is connected

This will give you control over the VE.bus.

Setting for remote operation with a 3-way switch:
ds 1: “off”
ds 2: “off”
This setting is required when a 3-way switch is connected.
The 3-way switch must be wired to terminal L, see appendix A.

This will give you control through the remote on/off.

Note that in any case the rocker switch on the front panel needs to be on as well, since this is the main control.

Ive had a similar issue some time back, using a VE.bus BMS and a GX as a remote but i also wanted to switch between on and charger only physically. I ended up disconnecting the internal rocker switch and replacing it with a relay contact.

3

Thanks for your fast response.

It is not the compact version, but the version with the plastic housing (IP21 protection class instead of IP22 for the compact). The DIP switch settings are slightly different; see the manual:

Section 5.4.1 explains the DIP switch setting for the remote control switch:

5.4.1. DIP switch 1
Default setting: to operate the product with the “On/Off/Charger Only” switch, ds 1: “off”. When combined with the Digital Multi Control panel, a VE.Bus Smart dongle, CCGX, Venus GX, or alike, DIP switch 1 should also be in the “off” position.
Setting for operation with a 3-position remote switch: ds 1: “on”
The 3-position switch must be wired to terminal H, see appendix A.
Only one remote control can be connected, i.e., either a switch or a Digital Multi Control panel.

The last statement implies that only one remote control is allowed at a time. I want the 3-position remote switch to be the sole control. With this in mind, it sounds logical that by setting ds 1 to “on,” the remote control functionality is fully redirected to the hard-wired switch.

The sentence “When combined with the Digital Multi Control panel, a VE.Bus Smart dongle, CCGX, Venus GX or alike, DIP switch 1 should also be in the “off” position” is interesting. I expected the scope of this to be limited to the remote power control functionality. It appears that if any VE.Bus function is required, the hard-wired 3-position remote switch can no longer be used. This implicit, embedded ‘feature’ isn’t logical from a user perspective, nor does it add value.

With ds 1 set to “on” and no VE.Bus devices connected (and the front panel rocker switch set to “on”), the 3-position remote switch works as expected. As soon as I connect anything to the VE.Bus, it seems the remote toggle switch is overruled and erratic behavior occurs.

I am an experienced electronics engineer and capable of disconnecting the internal rocker switch to replace it with a remote-controlled switch, but I am still hoping to find a cleaner solution that doesn’t void the warranty.

I still don’t know exactly what is happening. Is there anyone with deeper knowledge of the VE.Bus functionality that might be causing this erratic ON-OFF behavior?"

4

Yes, that is correct i assume. At least it was the case with my 800VA Compact. I have not tried the remote on/off with other models.

You can also remove pin 7 of the VE.bus cable, disabling the on/off function of the VE.bus dongle. But i cant remember if that re-enabled the remote on/off. It could be the case, but with my system the VE.bus BMS still needed control over the MP, so i assume thats why i went with replacing the internal rocker switch.

5

Thanks for this advice, I have tested it and it works!

After interrupting the wire behind pin 7, the unwanted repetitive ON-OFF behavior disappeared. The Multiplus can be switched on and off with the external switch while the VE.bus smart dongle is connected. With the VictronConnect App, the operation mode can be changed, but after a power cycle with the external switch, the mode defined by the external switch is active.

I did some research on this pin and found the following:

The key function of pin 7 is Presence Indication: When pin 7 is tied to Ground (GND), the device detects that a remote panel is present. Once a panel is detected, the device typically will not switch on via its local switch. It remains in a standby state until it receives a digital command from the remote panel or communication interface to set it to either “On” or “Charger Only”.

With an open pin 7, the local switch remains active while the remote panel—or VictronConnect App via VE.Bus smart dongle—communication still works. This is exactly what I wanted to achieve. Thanks again for pointing me in this direction; I’m very happy with the working solution!

6

Unfortunately the ‘solution’ appeared to work only with 230V at the input of the multiplus. Without 230V input the earlier notified undesired on-off behavior exists again.

I will spend later some more time to learn what exactly is happening. I found some nice documentation of the Victron VE.bus protocol that could help for understanding and developing a solution. Focus is on pin 6 (standby) and as alternative create or find something to send the on, charger or off commands.

As I’m now traveling and able to cope with the current situation it will take some time for the final solution.

Of course other solution suggestions are welcome.