question

I can answer some of this but you have made it tricky for me. The parts I haven't answered aren't because I am avoiding some ugly secret, but because I don't know. I don't sell Victron but I do help support it, so my professional interest is in MORE reliable systems.

**Reliability and "Manufacturing Cost Reduction"**

These two are NOT necessarily in opposition. It is possible to reduce manufacturing cost, improve part yields, while also increasing reliability by using new manufacturing techniques. One example of this is the improvement in how the circuit boards and chips are manufactured.

As you can imagine there has been significant progress in the ~10 years since major redesigns in the area of circuits design and their manufacturing. Smaller, faster, more power efficient, fewer components, and cheaper! If you look at the circuit boards side by side, you can see the massive improvement in efficiency there.

Both models are backed by the same company, with the same warranty, the same reputation, the same owners, and the same 45 year history in making inverters. R&D at Victron never stops, and reliability is always a key element in the design.

**Bluetooth**

Both have the same compatibility with the dongle and the information displayed is the same. As for the acceptable level of accuracy of current measurements, that seems to be a topic of infinite debate on this community.

My experience is that they both are more than good enough for what they need to do in this regard, others may disagree. You can also use the demo mode of VictronConnect to compare the two, though keep in mind that settings adjustments are only available via the MK3 adapter (as outlined here).

If I was personally in the market, the biggest decider for me would be which physical form factor would better fit my application. Ultimately both are still being manufactured and both are still available for sale, as different people have different preferences, and I don't think you can go wrong either way.

**As for the name, what would you suggest?** btw - there is no chance of a flaming - I pride this community on being able to talk pretty openly and professionally about the equipment and it's limitations. It's one of the benefits of having a good product.

We have installed many Multiplus and Multiplus compact units. The reliability is truly amazing. One of the systems uses three 10KW Quattros and is worked to its limits. This has operated faultlessly for two years. Our own office has a Multiplus 12/800 which provides power for the demonstration equipment, again this operates 24/7, our test boat did have a small 12/500 unit but it is now being replaced with a 12/3000 as the gas is going to be replaced with electric. The only failure we have ever had was in an off-grid cottage in Scotland and as the unit came back in lots of pieces I suspect that the unit wasn't really faulty. My own house has an ESS based on a 5KW Multiplus and has operated for over two years with no problems.

Connectivity to the Multiplus is via VE Bus and by using the Color Control, or Venus GX, or the new Cerbo you can have remote connectivity you can see our installation on the VRM portal here https://vrm.victronenergy.com/installation/38020/share/2af1cb96 . The Cerbo also has Bluetooth built in.

Just a word on the Victron warranty. On the rare occasion that we have to send back a faulty item the response is always excellent.

The link below takes you to a page which gives you some idea of the varied applications.

https://www.ukmel.co.uk/victron-energy

Ultimately the choice of unit is dependant on the application, is there space for the unit, what is the peak power requirement, what type of batteries, do you want to use the various inputs and relays available on some models.

wow, these are really complete and in depth answers. Thank you so much... There are so much details and different products that it is hard to understand it all.

From what I saw there was not a possibility to attach the bluetooth dongle on the multiplus 1 inverter as there is no VE direct port. Only VE bus (that is only to connect per ethernet sable to the computer via mk3 right?

What does the RS means in the very larger inverters and charge regulators?

Thank you