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kiddo1492 avatar image
kiddo1492 asked

Motorhome mains hook up question

Hi

1st post and question.

I have recently purchased a 2014 Laika motorhome, it has the Multiplus Compact 12/1600/70-16 230V fitted as well as the Smart Solar MPPT 100/30 and the Orion-Tr DC-DC smart charger.

When I connect the mains hook up to the motorhome there isn't any power to the mains board unless I have the Muliplus inverter either on or in charger mode.

Is this the normal, as sometimes I wouldn't want the inverter on or in charger mode as the cooling fan can be quite noisy.

However it seems as though the mains supply has been routed through the inverter first the to the mains switch for the motorhome?

Thanks

Multiplus-II
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3 Answers
Alexandra avatar image
Alexandra answered ·

@Kiddo1492

The switch position behaviour is normal.

The wiring in the motor home well thats a design/install issue. We usually include a bypass for these reasons. You can have a quiet fan assistant installed on the inverter, but for obvious heat reasons can have it on all the time.

Blog for the fan noise.

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jetlag avatar image
jetlag answered ·

This setup is normaly used to have the Multiplus as a gird assist. So if the grid power is limited e.g. on a campground, the multiplus can add additional power to assist the grid. Then every 230V consumer/load is at the AC_Out of the Multiplus and the Multiplus must be turned on to pass through the energy from the grid.

But I think this was done on purpose and is not a failure. You could install a socket at the AC_In of the Multiplus, that is only powered when grid is connected. Otherwise it's just not powered.

Or if you want to have it more comfortable, you could install some automated switch...

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Kevin Windrem avatar image
Kevin Windrem answered ·

Routing incoming AC power through the Multi is the typical installation method. That way all AC loads can be powered from the inverter when shore power is absent.

As mentioned previously, adding a bypass switch is a good idea so you get shore power to the power distribution panel in the event the Multi fails. The bypass switch can be either manual or automatic. If automatic, it would bypass when the Multi is turned off or otherwise not supplying AC power. The bypass switch must switch both the hot and neutral (both hots and the neutral for 120/240 systems).

I don't experience a the fan running unless the Multi is inverting with a heavy load. If yours is running with little or no load then some work on ventilation is indicated.


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