Using Assistants to Control AC Out 1 & AC Out 2

Q&A and troubleshooting
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1

Hi Folks!

New user here with Multi II 2x120

The stock configuration for AC Out 2 is to shut down the outlet when on battery. That’s not what I wanted and I found that I could override that with an assistant set to keep AC Out 2 active if battery voltage above 10v.

But…Id like to do more. I’d like to shut down AC Out 2 if the draw is above 2400 watts, in effect, to use it as a logical 20A circuit breaker.

This too, it looks like I can do with an assistant. But…I’d like to also make AC Out 1 shut down if the draw is above 2400 watts, and this is where the problem is.

I’m assuming AC Out 1 is called the ‘primary programmable relay’? I’m not sure, but it seems like I cannot configure both AC Out 1 and AC Out 2 to each shut down if the draw on each, respectively, is greater than 2400 watts.

If anyone can shed light on this, or if I’m off track with my understanding, please let me know as I’d like to install the MPII tomorrow.

As always, thanks in advance!

2

If you want to shut down both outputs above 2400W, why not simply impose a current limit via DVCC? I don’t know if that would work.

Or why not put both loads on AC Out 2 since I don’t see any advantage of using AC Out 1 in your situation?

Did I misunderstand you?

3

Thank you for the reply! I did some more research into controlling AC Out 1 and it looks like it’s tied into how the inverter works internally and that you can’t control it the same way you can with AC Out 2. This caused me to come up with a different way to do it, one load, the microwave, only draws 800 watts or so and it could be isolated to AC Out 1. AC Out 2 can be controlled, and all the other loads can go on that one. So there’s another way to do it.

In the meantime, I have created these Assistants and I’m wondering what everyone thinks (ie, will they work).;

#1 Use AC Out 2

Set relay on when battery voltage >10v for 0 seconds (designed to keep AC Out 2 always on)

#2 Use AC Out 2

Set relay to OFF when load higher than 2400 watts (20A) for 10 seconds (designed to be a virtual 20A circuit breaker)

#3 Use AC Out 2

Set relay ON when load lower than 2400 watts (20A) for 10 seconds. (Designed to turn the breaker back ON when the load drops).

Should those work?

4

That looks fine but on #1 don’t you also need a condition to turn relay off when SOC<10?

Make sure to test

5

Agreed!

I will be installing shortly and will test to ensure they all work. Many thanks!

6

You may find if AC2 out has a load < 2400w, it will switch off as settings after 10secs, then if V >10 will turn on again after 0s and will continue this loop until load or voltage falls.
May need to increase time delays if this happens or relay may be activated / deactivated every 10s.