There is no specific value in plastics and wiring, strip it to the bare electronics and recalculate. 
PS, how many kilograms are those ounces? Anyway, you know what I mean, compare to any similar size electronics device, they go for a few euroâs retail. Anything above that is just a massive markup for a device that holds no other value then to enable serial comms access to your own inverter.
I would sincerely love to come hang out with some of you Europeans sometime.
3.5 ounces is just under 100 grams. I normally try to use the metric system when communicating on international forums but seems like everyone still uses ounces for gold from what I can tell.
The MK3 makes sense for me as a service technician. I have used it dozens of times.
Same here but that doesnât negate the point it is sold at a huge premium not because it has any inherit added value but because it is mandatory to access a legacy data interface for which no reasonable alternatives are provided. Iâd argue in such a case it be better not to extract that premium from your customer base or provide an alternative data interface. I appreciate the technical use for real time interoperability between multiple inverters, but we are talking serial port access to setting files here.
I agree with TherealKT⌠and as Nate at Explorist says in his intro: âThere are TONS of settings to program in the Victron Multiplus Inverter/Chargers. Some are battery specific, some are system specific, and some are geography specific. This video is a 101 lesson that will teach you all the basics of Multiplus/Quattro charger programming with no fluff.â Nateâs guidance and Cheatsheets helped me tremendously to properly program my Multiplus 2000. Frankly, I donât know what I would have done without his guidance. See: t.ly/lGH1w
My only other comments are: 1) I have a Cerbo and I do NOT see any way to access or change/set any of the Multiplus settings; and 2) I use the Victron MK-3 dongle to access my Multiplus â it could not be easier⌠I just pull the ethernet cable going TO my Cerbo and connect it to my laptop (Macbook Air) via the dongle. Then using the âsecretâ password (***), I have full access to the MANY Multiplus settings.
Lastly, I find the comments about comparing the value of the dongle to the price of gold really BORING AND A WASTE OF TIME.
You can use VRM as a tunnel to connect VC to your other devices, just like you could by physically connecting using am Mk3. This also works without internet/VRM if your GX and phone/device running VC are in the same local network
Well for everyone saying it was easy, I donât really agree.
I had done others and fumbled my way through. While I work on boat systems everyday, I only install one or two Multipluses every year.
I am dumbfounded they have not been updated to be configured for Lithium batteries (especially VE Smart Lithium) more easily.
For my last install, I spent a long time down rabbit holes trying to connect the Cerbo GX to VRM until I realized the Cerbo is only good for 2.4 GHz and teh marina WIFI was 5.0. FFFFFFRRIIIIGGGG!
So then I had the hassle of selecting and pricing a converting router and preparing added cost justification explanations for the client, who declined, as he didnât care if he could see his system over internet. DDDDOUBBLLE FFFFRRRRIIIGGGG!
So then I had to order the USB MK3 dongle and drag my laptop down. Have I mentioned the boat is 85km (50 miles) from my shop?
Of course now I am way over time budget on this job, and trying to fit the remainder in while juggling other client work trying to keep at least some happy.
So then I connect the dongle and laptop and download the Multiplus file and expect to save it somewhere for safe keeping and making a copy to edit like any reasonably intelligent person would expect. Nope! Learned I had to edit the downloaded file directly, and let the software âsaveâ the editted file before upload.
With every other product, Victron Connect over BT, and done.
While I love the stout design and reliability of Victron Energy equipment, and all of the peripherals and external BMSâs for custom configuration and integration, programming the Multiplus for LFP (todayâs norm) is a pain in the derrière.
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Sorry about the off topic gold discussion. Just having some fun. Thanks for your input.
I have made this point on other topics but will say it again. The alternatives to date either have little to no programmability or are far less intuitive.
We are a bit spoiled here in the world of Victron with all the options and customization we have available.
Previous to the US availability of the Victron Multiplus our options where not great. Either it was inferior inverters with a couple of preset charge algorithms at best or something like a Magnum that would get you quality and customisability but without a very good user interface. Think pushing buttons and turning nobs as you cycle through a primitive LCD screen. I, personally am thrilled with what Victron has allowed us to be able to accomplish.
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To access the programming settings, you need to use an MK3-USB dongle connnected to the VE.Bus Port on the Multiplus or Quattro via RJ45 cable and to a computer and phone with VictronConnect installed.
Did they mean or a phone? Do I need both?
Computer only. The mobile version of VictronConnect doesnât have inverter programmability. You need to use either VEConfigure or VictronConnect for desktop.
You need a wired connection via the MK3, but it works fine with an Android phone with the MK3 plugged into its USB-C port (no Apple because theyâre greedy with their OTG capability via USB-C)
Just for reference, the mobile version of VC works fine to program inverter chargers (via wired connection) and has been the case for 3 or 4 years by now, the mobile version doesnât have any limitations that the desktop version doesnât have.
The only issue is that the phone USB-C port has to allow full OTG, which is a no-brainer for any Android phone in recent memory, but doesnât work on Apple phones.
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Yes, the Multiplus has a high degree of programmability.
Yes, this enables an installer to do lots of things.
I love the product.
But a high degree of programmability need not make basic, common, configuration difficult.
A few charge parameters need to be set for every single application.
Why not make them accessible via BT with Victron Connect like so many other VE products?
This would save installers (especially those who donât configure them every day) a lot of time.
Time is money.
Dragging laptops into the field is fraught with hazard (especially in the marine environment).
Pre installation set-up on a bench is expensive, and fraught with itâs own hazards. Every time a product has to be handled before release to customer there is a risk of damage and associated costs.
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âŚbut you donât need a laptop. Android phone with VictronConnect installed on it, an MK3-USB-C (or a regular MK3-USB with a USB-A to USB-C OTG cable) and an RJ45 UTP cable. You can program the MultiPlus or Quattro in about 3 minutes flat.
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First, not everyone has an Android phone.
Second, I do carry an iPhone AND it has Victron Connect installed on it, as required to configure most VE devices via BT.
Third, not everyone has an MK3-USB-C in their pocket all the time.
The issue is, the communications solution is clugy and kinda sux compared to other VE equipment.
Yes, when someone does it every day, and has all of the equipment at hand, it can be done quite quickly.
No, when one is doing it for the first time, it can mean several trips to / from the installation site, and several hours, before it is figured out.
(Meanwhile, they may have just programmed several other VE devices with Victron Connect on their iPhone via BT.)
Look, Iâm not saying it canât be done, clearly it can, as I have posted, I have done it several times.
Why is it so dang difficult for people to admit that programming a Multiplus isnât as easy (it really isnât), even if already very familiar with programming other Victron equipment using the Victron Connect app on a Mobile device?
I think my point is that while it is exceptionally simple and fast if one knows what oneâs doing and has the necessary equipment, it isnât and absolutely shouldnât be as easy as programming other things. Incorrect programming of a MultiPlus or Quattro is vastly more dangerous to the end-user, the end-userâs property, and the property of everyone around them than any other component. There is a reason that itâs behind a password, and is designed for experienced installers or at least a well-educated end-user to program, which experienced installers -or well-educated end users- will have the needed equipment.
Hi. Why not just remotely configure your Multiplus via VRM?
Watch this video and read this.
You can save yourself the cost of the USB cable
Https://www.victronenergy.com/megia/pg/VEConfigure_manual/en/introduction-and-requirements.html
I too am an iphone user. I echo the desire that it would be great if the same easy programmability of other devices like a Smartsolar MPPT on a smart phone was available on the iphone. As an iphone user I am familiar with an occasional lack of functionality of some apps in comparison to their android counterparts but this makes no sense in the context of VictronConnect. If the iphone can access charging parameters for every other Victron device why canât it access the same on a multiplus?
Iâd suggest writing to Apple to demand that they unlock full OTG on their USB-C port. The issue isnât the VictronConnect software, the issue is that Apple wonât let you use their USB-C port.