question

p-rogalski avatar image
p-rogalski asked

New ESS system is going mental after connecting to grid.

Hi gents.

Really need some help here as I'm losing a plot a bit here.

I've just (3rd day of constant work) configured my Easysolar, which for some time now worked as off-grid, as an ESS system. However, ESS is not working as it should.

In the idle, when the system is running without the grid-connected, all loads are correct. Critical load around 50W. The A/C load (consumer unit/house) is also correct at 225W - visible through the energy meter EM112. Please see below.

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As soon as I connect the grid to the system. Loads are going mental. Pls, see the screens with what's happening with the system.

unnamed-2.jpgunnamed-1.jpgunnamed-3.jpg


I'm 100% sure there is no such power demand at that moment.


Update - things I have checked:

1. I have connected the energy meter with the new cable - same behaviour

2. Used the clamp meter on the grid live line - same demand/usage as the meter

3. Connected Victron clamp transformer - same behaviour


What am I doing wrong? What causing the issue? How to fix it into a fully functional ESS system? Appreciate any suggestions...

Multiplus-IIESSEasySolar All-in-One
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p-rogalski avatar image p-rogalski commented ·

It's almost like it sees neighbour loads. Is this possible?

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9 Answers
Craig Chamberlain avatar image
Craig Chamberlain answered ·
If the external CT isn’t in use, did you reinstall the little jumper link to re-enable the internal CT?
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p-rogalski avatar image p-rogalski commented ·
Craig this was it! It's all working as it should. Thank you so much!
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gazza avatar image gazza p-rogalski commented ·

Excellent news!! In the "old" version with the jack socket the connection was automatically made (internally) when the plug was out!! :)

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p-rogalski avatar image p-rogalski gazza commented ·

@Gazza thank you so much for your patience! You are amazing! I wish I could repay you somehow. Top Man!

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Craig Chamberlain avatar image Craig Chamberlain p-rogalski commented ·
That’s fantastic news! Sometimes it’s the simplest of things that are overlooked.

Enjoy! :)

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p-rogalski avatar image p-rogalski Craig Chamberlain commented ·
Oh...you won't believe how frustrating was this journey! I'm so happy I got the solution! So happy this is working. Thank you so much!
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p-rogalski avatar image p-rogalski commented ·
Hmm, that's interesting...I have not. I will check this straight away. Will let you know.
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mjs500 avatar image
mjs500 answered ·

clamp amp meter help you check your amp load

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p-rogalski avatar image p-rogalski commented ·

I have checked the amperage and the correct load is on the first picture. It's all go mental as soon the grid is connected to the EasySolar.

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p-rogalski avatar image p-rogalski p-rogalski commented ·

ah...I got what you mean now. I have plugged the clamp meter and it corresponds to what the energy meter shows.

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Marco Nijholt avatar image
Marco Nijholt answered ·

Assuming you're not using an external meter

Sounds like an issue I've had, grab a 3.5mm plug, and go inside the amp meter socket on the bottom of the multiplus (make sure its off while you do it). Insert and remove multiple times.

The issue is that sometimes the socket internally makes contact (i think), making the multiplus think an external current meter is connected. So it uses that as value for loads which can make it do all kind of things. In my case it started happening randomly at night, making my power turn off/on multiple times due to overload alarms and eventually it blew a fuse internally.

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p-rogalski avatar image p-rogalski commented ·
I use an energy meter EM112 to measure the grid and don't use the current clamp. However, I have it all installed so will try today. Mine hasn't got a 3.5 jack plug, it came with a 2p terminal.


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Marco Nijholt avatar image Marco Nijholt p-rogalski commented ·

If you're using an external meter, then that's probably not the issue indeed.

Seems like they changed the 3.5mm jack on newer models then as well, sounds like a good idea.

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p-rogalski avatar image p-rogalski Marco Nijholt commented ·

The current transformer is connected but there is no difference.

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mjs500 avatar image mjs500 p-rogalski commented ·

The current transformer is connected but there is no difference. did you change config in remote console and ess grid metering to inverter charger with Ct connected as even with a remote ct in use you still have to use ( ess grid metering to inverter charger ) setting for it stop using the EM112 for grid metering

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p-rogalski avatar image p-rogalski mjs500 commented ·
No, I have only activated the current transformer (CT) in inverter settings. The grid meter was still set to measure by the external meter.


I'm not at home at the moment. Will check this tomorrow and will feedback. Thank you
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mjs500 avatar image
mjs500 answered ·

61kgeq95ftl-sx522.jpg

clamp amp meter help you check your amp load independent of your Easysolar


61kgeq95ftl-sx522.jpg (27.4 KiB)
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p-rogalski avatar image p-rogalski commented ·

Yes, I didn't get it initially. I've connected one and it reports exactly the same figure as the energy meter. However, I've noticed that demand is stable and then suddenly inverter overproducing. Forcing energy to be pushed to the grid, and then it all starts jumping. It's almost like the data is skewed or missing.

Is it possible the energy meter sends some faulty information to the inverter causing this unbalance and madness?

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gazza avatar image gazza p-rogalski commented ·
Just to be sure... ?


On the remote console under Devices menu. Meter > Settings > Role > Grid meter

and under ESS menu Grid Metering > External meter

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p-rogalski avatar image p-rogalski gazza commented ·

Yes, it was set like this originally.

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gazza avatar image gazza p-rogalski commented ·

Where/how is your Meter connected "physically" in the system?
What I am trying to work out is from your statement when grid is disconnected:- "The A/C load (consumer unit/house) is also correct at 225W - visible through the energy meter EM112"
The thing is with an ESS system with a "Grid" meter if you disconnect the grid then AC In will be blank (as it is).. but the meter will not measure AC loads, since it is before your consumer unit? I am assuming that AC is fed to your Easysolar via an MCB?RCCB from that consumer unit since your AC loads are shown as a parallel setup ie onAC In ?

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p-rogalski avatar image p-rogalski gazza commented ·
Understand. What is missing from the picture is an A/C isolator between the Victron and the meter. Basically when I switch the isolator OFF the grid still can feed power into the consumer unit.
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p-rogalski avatar image p-rogalski gazza commented ·

EM112 energy meter is connected to the grid cable, then to the inverter "A/C in" cable and consumer unit. Something like the picture below :

screenshot-2023-10-25-at-185408.png

"updated drawing of my installation"

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screenshot-2023-10-25-at-185408.png (97.2 KiB)
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p-rogalski avatar image
p-rogalski answered ·

Okay, I have tested the current transformer option (turned external meter- grid monitoring). Although, it doesn't go metal like before the readings are totally wrong. On top of that inverted started to charge the battery from the grid with a power of 900W. VRM showed -225W at that time on the A/C Input side. It looks like the Inverter is not considering or ignoring the ESS settings. I have optimised without BatteryLife set there. What the heck?


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Daniël Boekel (Victron Energy Staff) avatar image
Daniël Boekel (Victron Energy Staff) answered ·

Hi @P. Rogalski

I've briefly looked at your system, it's running in inverter mode most of the time, and VRM logging interval is set to 15 minutes, so when running from grid, there is not much useful information visible.

If you set VRM logging interval to 1 minute, more information would be logged.

Still I think it has to do with the external current sensor connection, can you share a picture of this?

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p-rogalski avatar image p-rogalski commented ·
Hi Daniel,


Thank you for your response and contribution to my subject.

I have tried lots of different options today and eventually disconnected the energy meter from the system. I've just tried to connect it again and the Victron stopped receiving signals from RS485 and discovering units connected to this port :(.

I have restarted the inverter many times but the USB stopped responding, so I won't be able to show you the behaviour. In the meantime, after talking to Gazza I've decided to purchase a new energy meter this time ET112. Let's see if this will change anything. However, if the USB is not working I don't think we can move forward. I will feedback tomorrow if you are still available.

Ahh, I'm not having a great experience with Victron :(

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p-rogalski avatar image p-rogalski commented ·

Hi Daniel,


I have managed to get it going again. The behaviour is the same as before.


screenshot-2023-10-23-at-213400.png



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screenshot-2023-10-23-at-213400.png (315.9 KiB)
Daniël Boekel (Victron Energy Staff) avatar image Daniël Boekel (Victron Energy Staff) ♦♦ p-rogalski commented ·

Hi @P. Rogalski


Can you share a picture of the 'external current sensor' connector?


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p-rogalski avatar image p-rogalski Daniël Boekel (Victron Energy Staff) ♦♦ commented ·

Hi Ben,

I don't use the current transformer. I have an ET112 energy meter installed.

"PICTURE OF the current sensor removed as it is not in use and it confuses the research for the fault. ET112 energy meter is in use"

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mjs500 avatar image mjs500 p-rogalski commented ·

100 -1V CT is ct from victrom ? as victroms ct show 100- 50mA i.e. current output type ct and that one voltage output type ct !


and make show current flow is around right way through the ct

two arrow on top ct need point to the load

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p-rogalski avatar image p-rogalski mjs500 commented ·

To be honest I'm not sure. The point is that I prefer to use an energy meter ET112 instead of the current transformer. I had it installed so I've tried to see if there is any difference but neither of the options work so far.

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nickdb avatar image nickdb ♦♦ p-rogalski commented ·
It doesn’t appear to be a victron part.
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p-rogalski avatar image p-rogalski nickdb ♦♦ commented ·

it probably is

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nickdb avatar image nickdb ♦♦ p-rogalski commented ·
Could be. Has it been extended by any chance? Looks like it has been heatshrunk around a join.
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p-rogalski avatar image p-rogalski nickdb ♦♦ commented ·
Yes, it has been extended. The distance from the grid to the inverter is around 13m.
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mgb07 avatar image
mgb07 answered ·

Yip, should be a 100A:50ma type, this is what I use in my Victron ESS. The voltage type is probs not compatible and may be causing the volatile readings as the inverter is looking for a current and not a voltage. You can buy them on Amazon or thru Victron suppliers, quite cheaply.

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p-rogalski avatar image p-rogalski commented ·

Sorry for the confusion. CT current transformer isn't in use. For grid measuring ET112 energy meter is installed.

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p-rogalski avatar image
p-rogalski answered ·

Guys, thank you so much for your contribution to this topic. You are amazing!

@Craig Chamberlain thank you so much for directing me to the right answer.

@Gazza you are a true supporter! your patience and willingness are unbelievable! With people like you, this community can only grow from strength to strength!!!

I'm so grateful. I wish I could buy you a cold one whenever you are.

Very kind regards and may the force be with you!!!!

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Craig Chamberlain avatar image Craig Chamberlain commented ·
You are very welcome, and although I might have found the simple solution, it was only because every other stone had already been turned over by @Gazza and others. In fact @Marco Nijholt effectively had the correct answer 3 days ago but the differences between the old 3.5mm jack socket and the newer connector obscured the answer a little.


Team effort! :)
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Marco Nijholt avatar image Marco Nijholt Craig Chamberlain commented ·
Awesome, knew the behavior looked familiar, but not aware of the new connector on that version of the multiplus
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p-rogalski avatar image p-rogalski Craig Chamberlain commented ·

My wife is almost in tears that she finally got her husband back, and I didn’t go mental. Haha

Joking apart, I’m so very grateful. Have a great evening!



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Craig Chamberlain avatar image Craig Chamberlain p-rogalski commented ·
Sounds like you need to book a table for two at a nice restaurant to celebrate!
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gazza avatar image gazza commented ·
Totally welcome. We have all pulled our hair out sometimes... Hopefully now time to enjoy what you have created!
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mjs500 avatar image
mjs500 answered ·

missing link ! glade to see it working page 31 multiplus- ii manual, you having just much fun chasing a round as me with the zigbee wireless link for grid meter and still have not got a answer as why it be find by venos OS now wire link in place working ok but

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