question

mattsnow avatar image
mattsnow asked

No output from Multiplus and only a brief flickering orange LED

I'm now on my second Multiplus 1200 with this issue:

Unit works fine for some time (first unit a few weeks, second unit a few minutes) and then when trying to turn on there is only a brief flash of the orange charging LED and no signs of life.

Video of issue:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/39GWmN9pK94

There is definitely voltage at the input terminals, there are no external fuses blown, there are no additional connections (remotes etc) and I haven't touched any settings from factory defaults. I have tried with AC load, no load and even no connections.

I can find no description of this problem from Victron but there are another two people who experienced the same recently:

https://community.victronenergy.com/questions/206948/multiplus-2000-charger-led-blinks-then-shuts-off-n.html

https://community.victronenergy.com/questions/206967/multiplus-12120050-not-turning-on-not-charging-not.html

Does anyone have any more suggestions I can try to troubleshoot this before I am forced to start another return? My installation is totally standard and this problem happens when only the 12V positive and negative cables are connected so not sure what else to try.

Multiplus-II
6 comments
2 |3000
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Viewable by all users

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.

nickdb avatar image nickdb ♦♦ commented ·

What battery are you using?

A little more info on your components, firmware and setup would also help.

The one topic you reference was answered by the user and identified a bad RJ45 cable, so that one does not seem to be related.


1 Like 1 ·
mattsnow avatar image mattsnow nickdb ♦♦ commented ·

The battery is a "Lithium Leisure Battery - Fogstar Drift 12v 460Ah" and the whole setup is in a converted van.


The rest of the system includes 590W of solar connected to a Victron Smart Solar MPPT 100/50 and an Orion-TR Smart 30A DC to DC charger. All of this is working fine with a few small loads like LED lights etc.


I have an external hook up point that runs through an RCBO then into the inverter. I have never had a chance to connect this due to these issues.


The output from the Multiplus goes through an RCBO and then a couple of MCBs, although there is only one socket connected to a lamp at the moment. This was seen working before the inverter packed up.


The earth points in the incoming / outgoing enclosures and Multiplus earth point are all connected together to the chassis. The 12V negative side is also earthed to the chassis.


I've not touched the firmware or dip switches so it will all be factory.


Yes, as the other user said an RJ45 cable caused his issue.


I have tried to strip out all the complexity to get this issue down to as simple as possible:


  • The Multiplus 12V positive and negative are connected with 13.8V showing at the terminals.
  • The case earth point is earthed to the van chassis.
  • I have tried with a small load and no loads connected to the AC output with no difference observed.


Any advice on how to troubleshoot this any further is welcome!


RCBO:


https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/5153276-16a-double-pole-2-module-b-curve-10ka-30ma-type-a-rcbo


MCB:


https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/1381319-16a-dp-6ka-type-b-mcb

0 Likes 0 ·
nickdb avatar image nickdb ♦♦ mattsnow commented ·
Would try connect to it via a usb adapter. If it responds it is a firmware issue and an update will help.


0 Likes 0 ·
mattsnow avatar image mattsnow nickdb ♦♦ commented ·
There is no USB port on this unit, only a "VE Bus" port that looks like an RJ45 connector. I would be interested to try this but it looks like the adapter is about £70, unfortunately I need an inverter ASAP so it's looking like a return rather than waiting for this.
0 Likes 0 ·
Matthias Lange - DE avatar image Matthias Lange - DE ♦ commented ·
Sorry for the obvious question but:

Are you switching to ON not to CHR (charger-only)?

0 Likes 0 ·
mattsnow avatar image mattsnow Matthias Lange - DE ♦ commented ·
No worries, thanks for the question! I have tried switching both to ON and to CHR and there is the exact same LED flicker with no output at all.
0 Likes 0 ·
2 Answers
mvas avatar image
mvas answered ·

There was a similar issue in another thread
The dealer may have upgraded the firmware.

2 |3000
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Viewable by all users

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.

Philip avatar image
Philip answered ·

Are there any news on this issue ? I'm having the same problem and would love to here how to fix it. Maybe downgrading the firmware may help ?
My post: https://community.victronenergy.com/questions/222467/multiplus-12v-800va-led-blinks-no-output.html?childToView=222611#comment-222611

2 |3000
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Viewable by all users

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.