Good Morning,
Is there a Victron Inverter (particularly in the MultiPlus) that has Bluetooth built?
If this is a future product is there a anticipated release date as I am ready to buy.
Cheers,
Al
This question was
closed
by
Justin Cook for the following reason: The question is answered, right answer was accepted
@bigal, the MultiPlus line does not have BT built in; as @Rob Duthie mentions, there is a VE.Bus Smart Dongle that you can purchase to connect to the MultiPlus, BUT the big caveat there is that it has very little functionality in terms of control and/or programming. You can connect the dongle and then see the MultiPlus in VictronConnect on your phone over BT, and you can turn it on or off, and also set the input current limit, but that is all.
For any programming needs you will still need the MK3 to USB adapter and a computer or tablet (although you can also get a Type A USB adapter to whatever type of port your phone uses, and connect that way as well), although for a (usually) small additional fee many distributors will program the unit for you before it's shipped out, so long as you have a very specific set of known parameters that you would like programmed into it.
Bottom line, all programming still needs to be via a hardwired connection, but if all you're looking for is to be able to check on your Multi and see what it's doing, the VE.Bus Smart Dongle will do that for you.
Hi
There is a Bluetooth dongle you can plug in.
I was also surprised by missing bt. Is ve.direct to usb same funcrionality as mk3 to usb for Multiplus II? it's much cheaper.
It’s now summer 2023, still waiting for an upgraded Multiplus in line with the new line of products offering a real bluetooth interface. Ready to buy as soon as it’s released.
Same here. I have the usb dongle with the 12v multiplus and it can’t do anything.
My power needs just changed, and I needed to turn the search function off, so the inverter stays on all the time. This was easily done with the dip-switch, but then the AES-function was still on from factory, and this cannot be turned off without buying a laptop and another dongle! So now I need to keep a lamp on to draw enough power that the AES don’t kick in, to have the inverter stay on, which will drain the batteries through the night and kill the batteries before their time.
Thanks Victron.
AES is not on from factory.
Also, the MK3-USB interface can be used with VictronConnect and any device with a USB port that supports OTG, you don't have to buy a laptop. I program MultiPlus and Quattro units from my Android phone with zero issues, connected to the MK3.
Ok, so I have to buy an android device, or any other device with a usb, plus the extra dongle, just to use the multiplus?
Instead of Victron just doing it right from the start.
I bought it new and have never had the chance to change the parametres, but the AES is definitely on.
There are many good reasons why accessing the full settings of a complex device like a MultiPlus requires extra steps. It would be far too easy for an inadvertent change in the settings made by an inexperienced consumer without understanding the operation of the unit or the repercussions of the change, which could lead to system failure or worse. Victron has already done it correctly I think.
The general intention is that installation be performed by a professional, who will of course already have the requisite equipment, but certainly allows for the DIY installer so long as they have the necessary equipment and understanding to do so. Considering that many manufacturers don't permit end-user access to the settings at all, or have no custom settings to speak of to begin with, a ~$68 (US) additional piece of equipment isn't really outlandish particularly given the cost of some similar components from other manufacturers.
Again, the factory setting on a MultiPlus does not have AES turned on, but it's certainly possible that when it was purchased it had been "custom set" from your supplier or otherwise; it's always hard to tell in that case, but it's not the default so something has been changed by someone since it left the factory. In any case, your options are to either talk to your supplier about the situation (they may have a loaner MK3 that could be used) or hire an installer for half an hour to program your unit as you'd like, or purchase the requisite equipment to do it yourself, and familiarize yourself with the programming options so as to not inadvertently change any parameters that you don't want to.
