question

Hi Z. It may be just rejecting the quality of the generator power. I suffer this too with a Multi, but can't confirm what the lights show, just cos I've never looked. Gennys get old too, so perhaps do Quattros. I get pickier as I age too..

On the page you posted, try ticking 'Weak AC input'. The issue, and more thorough procedure is described here: https://www.victronenergy.com/live/multiplus_faq

There are (minor?) downsides to the more serious fixes, but they are described in that article.

IF this is your issue you'd likely hear the 'transfer relay' click quite loudly upon rejection (if you have it activated).

Hello John,

The generator is a 10kW Cummins-Onan and it is barely under load and hasn't seen too much use or ever shown problems (apart from chewing through impellers, but that's a different story).

I think I had tried the weak input, but have set it now and fired up the generator. I should have added that when I disable the charger functionality in VE Configure the problem doesn't occur.

Here's a screen shot after starting, the batteries are somewhat depleted and charging with 30A per the settings

This is now my ritual in the morning, change VE Configure to turn off the charger, fire up the generator, make a coffee (Nespresso machine plus milk frother), change the VE Configure settings to charge and see how much power I can get back into the battery bank. Once the Victron trips with overload I turn off the generator and run the engine to charge the batteries - which is very inefficient.

OK - it just died with the overload error after running 3 minutes. Usually I get a longer runtime. I did hear a "click" from the Victron when it stopped charging and stopped transferring AC power out.

If its 7 plus years old, then take the covers off and see how much dust etc is inside, plus give it a blast out with compressed air, (make sure the air is dry , no moisture ), as the dust could be causing you issues etc

worth a try

I had old firmware installed on the Quattro and downloaded the highest version for this unit, 1948159, and flashed it. I left the default settings except for the bulk voltage, float voltage and max amperes (28.4V, 27.8V and 30A respectively) and reset the Quattro. The error has not repeated itself, although I've only run the generator for an hour today. I'll give it another go tonight or tomorrow when the batteries need an extended charge. I did have one case last week where the generator didn't trip the Quattro, but hopefully updating the firmware might have done the trick.

I think I have the answer to the problem - Once I disconnected the cable going to the MKII USB converter to my PC the problem no longer occurs. I found out the correlation when I'd opened up the Victron Quattro to spray some air around (there was no dust, but I did it anyway) I'd disconnected the two connections for the remote panel and the PC-Connection. I started up the generator and turned on the Quattro and everything was running OK, so after a couple of minutes I connected the cable to the computer and -pop-, the "overload" light went on. After resetting the Victron I repeated the test and again it went into "overload". That was 2 days ago and I've been running the Victron as both a charger and inverter since then without a single problem.

It looks like the comms board is soldered to the main board, so it won't be an easy fix.

OK, it has been several days now living aboard and using the Quattro both for charging and as an inverter and the problem hasn't come up again. So the cause was indeed either the communication board attached to the main board in the Quattro or the MK3 Usb converter.

Hello, First the Quattro has a bi-directional power pack which means you do not have a charger part and a separate inverter part inside the enclosure, but electronics which can do both. So if the inverter is running well there is hardly a risk there is something wrong during charging (caused by hardware that is) If turning the charge OFF helps i have a the feeling that the issue is related to the the incoming power. Overload during inverter mode can happen/is quite normal when loads get to high. In charge mode this should never happen unless there is really a problem detected. This can be an Incoming voltage which is dropping fast (too fast for the Quattro to keep up), A fast fase shift (which can cause over voltage) or a DC current which is getting too high.

So please ensure yourself the generator is not loaded too much (max 75-80% of its rated power), doenst have hik-ups due to filter/fuel issues.

Dear Zanshin, İ had exactly the same problem. Whether the generator is running or shore power is connect, the mains start up and after a certain time the Quattro cuts of in 'Overload'. When İ tested the inverter (without generator or shore power) there was not any error even if İ requested full load from the inverter. İ brought it to my Victron repair shop and he had to do a lot of research but found out that some part near the main processor was malfunctioning. He replaced it and works like before. My Victron Quattro was 8 years old. Solved. This is a hardware problem.