question

Its needed to set up the Multiplus correctly to avoid the the power from these small generators is being rejected. Therefore the Mutliplus needs to be connected to a computer using a MK2/MK3 converter and the Ve Configure software tool. When connected, de-select UPS mode and select wide input range. Be sure to set the AC input level at 80% of the theoratical max current (so if the generator is 6kW (and not kVA as thats about 80% of the Kw) it results in 20A)

Thanks, Johannes. Just so I'm clear, can you confirm that the item in the link here https://www.victronenergy.com/accessories/interface-mk3-usb is the hardware that I need to buy?

Regards

Alan

There's also this article: https://www.victronenergy.com/live/multiplus_faq

Yes, that's the correct interface. You may also need an RJ45 UTP cable if you don't have one 'lying about'.

You're not alone. I suffer this issue too with a Yamaha AVR genny.

Great, thanks John.

Alan

Johannes, do you think you could let me know the Victron part number for the MK3-USB interface. Going through Victron's website to locate UK dealers, a company called SMG gave me a part number ASS030530010, costing £25+VAT, but unfortunately they don't sell direct to retail customers. Their website also doesn't show an image of the part, so I can't tell definitively that its the same part as that shown in the link in my posting yesterday.

I then took the above part number and contacted a Victron retailer (Cactus) , who don't have any connectors on their website, but who said they'd sent me a quotation. This has arrived, but they've listed a different part number ASS030140000, costing £74.34. Again, no image of it so I can't tell if its the part in the link I posted here yesterday. And obviously, its much more expensive. And no information from them on why they've quoted for a different part number.

Alan

I finally received the MK3-USB interface connector a couple of days ago, and tried to hook it up to the inverter - unfortunately without success, as I can't seem to get past the Port Configuration point. I've plugged the RJ45 into one of the two connection ports, but can't seem to get the PC to talk to the inverter. In the photo below, the lower RJ45 is connected to the Victron Multi Control panel, and the upper RJ45 is connected to the MK3-USB and then on to the (Windows) laptop. The Multi Control & inverter are switch on. In VE Configure3 (version 90.04.208), I go to Port Selection and then Com Port & Auto Select, but then nothing of consequence happens, i.e. it doesn't connect. If I elect to manually select a Com Port, it lists COM1-COM8 but whichever I select VE Configure states "Cannot open port". I've tried switching out the RJ45 cable, but this had no effect. The only thing I haven't yet tried is to switch the two RJ45 cables around, to see whether that has any effect, but I can't see why it would. Does anyone have any suggestions?

It seems to me that the problem is between the computer and the MK3, a driver issue perhaps.
How does Windows Device Manager look, is there anything unusual in there?

Thanks. I'll possibly need to wait until I go to the boat again (sometime over the weekend) to look at that, as I left the MK3-USB on the boat. I did download the VE Configure via my desktop onto a pendrive, which I subsequently used to install the software on my laptop (as opposed to directly downloading the software onto my laptop). Its possible the laptop wasn't connected to the internet at that point, and looking at Victron's web notes on installing the USB driver, it may be that the driver wouldn't get automatically installed in this process. It might be worthwhile me removing VE Configure from the laptop and then re-installing it again directly to the laptop while its connected to the internet, and see if this makes any difference.

Pat, it looks like you were correct re it being the driver, so thanks for your help. Next step is to see if any of the software changes solve the generator issue.

Alan