AES search mode mode not starting in low watt settings, why?

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enodev asked Sep 15, '21

AES search mode mode not starting in low watt settings, why?

Hi guys,

When I configure my new Multiplus 12/1600/70 with AES Search Mode enabled to start saving below 12W and stop saving above 44W - the lowest permitted values by Victron Connect (see the screenshot below), the AES actually never starts, despite Victron Connect showing consumption under 10W. When I increase start to about 22W it will properly switch to AES mode, but I would like to go as low as possible. There is nothing connected to AC OUT at this moment.

What could be the explanation for this?

thanks,

Martin

multiplus ve.bus aes

img-2037.jpeg (4.3 MiB)

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Answer 1 · 2021-09-15T18:20:15Z

Alexandra answered · Sep 15, 2021 at 06:20 PM

@enodev

Your system is drawing 4W according to your picture.

In the datasheet, the multi draws 3W in AES mode. So you are in AES mode in your current settings with 12W trigger.

Just wondering how you came to the conclusion you are not in AES mode?

1631730255289.png (60.5 KiB)

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enodev commented · Sep 15, 2021 at 06:31 PM

Thanks for your answer Alexandra. When I increase the start AES wattage to around 22W, the Victron connect screen changes after about 2 seconds without AC load and correctly indicates that system is in AES mode. Also the inverter changes sound appropriately, vibrating mildly only every two seconds as expected.

In the screenshot above, the Victron Connect says Inverting, which means it is NOT in AES.

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Answer 2 · 2021-09-16T18:08:38Z

enodev answered · Sep 16, 2021 at 06:08 PM

I have tried again, I am on 485 (the latest available) and AES will not start unless I specify at least 21W. So looks like a regression between 481 and 485. Does Victron have any public issue tracker or bug reporter where I can reach somebody?

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Matthias Lange - DE ♦ commented · Sep 16, 2021 at 06:46 PM

There are no AES related changes in the changelog.

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screenshot-20210916-204429-01.jpg (308.0 KiB)

enodev Matthias Lange - DE ♦ commented · Sep 17, 2021 at 08:40 AM

Thanks Matthias for the change log. This is really puzzling. It is a brand new box with just a firmware update and VE Bus BMS assistant installed and charger configured for lifepo. AC OUT cable disconnected.

I may try some kind of factory reset and repeat the process again. Is there a documented way how to do the factory reset? Sorry if I missed it but I am not aware of reading about it anywhere.

Thanks,

Martin

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Answer 3 · 2021-09-17T12:32:25Z

enodev answered · Sep 17, 2021 at 12:32 PM

Tried to load all the defaults with VEConfig and enable AES, no change. Still not working!

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Alexandra ♦ commented · Sep 17, 2021 at 06:55 PM

@enodev

Well I updated again today. Aes still triggers but I did notice all I need to do to bring it back out again is go slightly over the 12W to change back to inverting, not the upper limit I set.

I do know the lights being used have a power factor of 0.5 so pretty rubbish. Bmv says 27W put battery for a 15W load. The start up draw is also quite interesting.

If i switch everything off or unplug the ac out it does not always trigger the aes either.

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Answer 4 · 2021-10-14T05:19:13Z

kevgermany answered · Oct 14, 2021 at 05:19 AM

I've a similar problem. Did an upgrade to latest firmware a coiple of weeks ago. Since then it will not switch to AES, like the OP, I have the threshold set to minimum.

This on a 1600W easysolar.

Since the upgrade I have a continuous DC load in the 30W range. CCGX constantly shows inverting, despite no AC load. Before it would show low power.

Despite the change log (danke Matthias) I think Victron slipped a bug in.

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kevgermany ♦♦ commented · Oct 14, 2021 at 07:18 AM

Just tried a couple of settings. Would not go into AES mode on 21W, but did on 30W. Too cold out there to play around to find the exact point it starts working. Until I did the system update it was working fine on 11W (or was it 12).

Firmware is V487.

Like the OP, this is an issue for me.

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enodev kevgermany ♦♦ commented · Oct 14, 2021 at 07:25 AM

I have tried many things including the complete reset and reconfiguration from scratch and no luck. For me AES will also only start when set to about 30W.

additionally, when I disconnect the multiplus AC inverter output, I can see a negative -4W consumption of the multiplus in Victron Connect, which is nonsense as it should be either zero, or positive consumption, albeit small. Not sure if these are related. Do we have any Victron specialist here that we can ping? @Guy Stewart (Victron Community Manager) perhaps?

thanks,

martin

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kevgermany ♦♦ enodev commented · Nov 07, 2021 at 05:16 AM

@enodev the constant neg drain was there before I think

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Answer 5 · 2021-11-07T01:00:13Z

craig1 answered · Nov 07, 2021 at 01:00 AM

I have a similar issue with a Multiplus II 48/3000/35-32 running v487.

With no load (nothing connected), I have to nudge the "Start AES when load lower than" setting to 115W to get AES to start. If I drop it to 113W, it will stay on continuously.

If I connect up a 60W lamp, the L1 power reported by the inverter is 64W, but interestingly it is enough to keep the inverter on and not switching back to AES. So I suspect the "Start AES when load lower than" and "Stop AES when load higher than" settings are not scaled correctly.

I do note without AES, this unit has a high zero offset on L1 power - 18W / 0.30A

ac-output-l1.jpg (14.5 KiB)

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Answer 6 · 2022-01-29T09:12:52Z

jj-o-jj answered · Jan 29, 2022 at 09:12 AM

I have the same issue on Multiplus II 24/3000 (in EasySolar II), AES mode NEVER comes on, while AC output is fixed at 16-17W (no loads attached), firmware 492.

When trying to activate AES I tried lowest setting 20 some W , 50W and added 40W load, 100W - AES never activates nor does it display AES mode.

1. I wish AES function would function on Multiplus II.

2. I wish MPII had more advanced AES options (such as ECO mode in Smart Phoenix inverter, adjustable serch interval and search time: "ECO mode - When in ECO mode, the inverter will switch to standby when the load decreases below a preset value (min load turn on level: 10VA; and min load turn off level: 0VA). Once in standby the inverter will switch on for a short period (adjustable, default: every 3 seconds). If the load exceeds a preset level, the inverter will remain on. " ...)

3. Why just not have new ECO mode in MPII like in Phoenix inverters, simple and user friendly.

Edit: After little tinkering (any many many MPII restars) later i can enable AES mode, on my ESII - the minimum load must be set to 120W or more before AES starts to engage. Why is this so ... no manual knows.

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Answer 7 · 2022-11-12T20:59:00Z

citta84 answered · Nov 12, 2022 at 08:59 PM

Hi, I have the same problem (including the strange consumption of -4 watts without activated loads) on my Multiplus 1600/70, I can't activate the AES, has anyone solved it?

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kevgermany ♦♦ commented · Nov 13, 2022 at 05:56 AM

The AES mode at low power appears to be a minor bug that hasn't been fixed.

Constant low AC drain seems to be a measuring error. I live with it.

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Answer 8 · 2024-01-26T11:07:36Z

honu answered · Jan 26 at 11:07 AM

Hi all,
I got a similar problem with my Multiplus II, has your problem been solved ?

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enodev commented · Jan 26 at 01:02 PM

Nope, it is still not working!

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honu enodev commented · Jan 27 at 09:37 AM

Did you tried an RMA ?

I've asked for one... seems it's the oinly way to make victron react...

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Answer 9 · 2024-04-10T13:16:05Z

Roberto Alonso answered · Apr 10 at 01:16 PM

Same issue here, Multiplus II 3k 12V-220V latest firmware and search mode only works over 133W load request.

In search mode AES is useless for me due a macbook pro (70W) charger can't start inverter by itself.

In AES wave mode there is no wattage difference: ~18W w/o AES and ~17W w/ . In search mode there is 0-5W peaks.

BTW the W w/o any loads it's so heavy:
Specs said : 13W - 9W (AES) - 3W (Search)
I get : 18W - 17W (AES) - 5W (Search)

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AES search mode mode not starting in low watt settings, why?

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