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dean-d avatar image
dean-d asked

Multiplus 2 5kW ESS Overload faults LOM?

We have 2x sites both with similar setups that the Multiplus 2 has cut out due to overload in the last two days.

Setup: Multi 2, BYD, Fronius or SMA inverters on AC out.

The overloads have both happened around 5-6 pm(high load on the grid). Both systems have had lowish battery SOC (around 10-15%) due to overcast weather the last week.

What's interesting is that on VRM the AC out power doesn't suggest the multi is overloaded. Which leads me to believe it could be because of LOM. I have looked in VE configure and they are already set to Type B.

Could this be something other than LOM or is there a fix for cutting out due to LOM?

Thanks, Dean

Multiplus-II
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Alexandra avatar image Alexandra ♦ commented ·

@Dean_D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SXtGIx0x5w This is a webinar on diagnosing overload.

What I have seen though in my experience is as the grid voltage collapses the amp draw is higher and if the battery is charging at the same time the system overloads on amps.

If the battery SOC is low, it generally means that the voltage is lower, then amp draw will be higher. So coupled with poor power factor issues you can get an overload.

I have seen a 1500W motor overload a 10KvA, the values seen being drawn from the battery showed the motor pulling very high amps from the battery coupled with voltage collapse this set an overload warning on the VRM.

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dean-d avatar image
dean-d answered ·

Thanks Alexandra,

Here is a screenshot of VRM when it happened, not pulling too much load etc. Leads me to believe it could be a poor grid problem. You can see the moment the AC input drops to 0.

The moment the grid gets kicked off and output voltage drops to 230V



screen-shot-2020-05-29-at-081418.png (246.8 KiB)
screen-shot-2020-05-29-at-081638.png (117.7 KiB)
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Alexandra avatar image Alexandra ♦ commented ·

@Dean_D

230V on the output is where the systems are designed to run. All our offgrid systems run at that voltage. So the drop you are seeing is not an issue.

Your grid voltage is higher than most and the multi synchronizes with the grid when it is connected. This allows other features to work such as feedback if it is allowed. So when the grid drops out or is kicked out then the multi makes its own sign wave and voltage. That is what you are seeing in the graph.

Is your Grid supply dropping out or is the multi kicking it out? The only way to know is to see what tolerances have been programmed in. We have set our home one to reject the grid at 250V as higher voltages are not great for fridges and various other appliances.

The graphs are great at a quick over view but I have found that the .csv data is more useful for really crunching the numbers in the system. So check the file out in ms excel for the period of time you have an overload and see what your system is doing.

https://www.victronenergy.com/live/ess:design-installation-manual See Question 8 This may also be an issue. If it is an impedance issue then a change between LOM type A or B may be the solution.

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dean-d avatar image dean-d Alexandra ♦ commented ·

Thanks @Alexandra

The Multi is kicking the grid off, as the non-essential loads stay live but the essentials shutdown when the multi overloads.

I'll check out the CSV files

I checked LOM setting already and we were on the type B which is more relaxed.

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Alexandra avatar image Alexandra ♦ dean-d commented ·

@Dean_D

It may be worth your time to check your installation to your DB, is your ac wiring the correct size?

On another note, we have just experienced an interesting thing.

A tree came down taking out some power lines. They were rejoined by the local engineers. Now the one site we have installed has a similar issue to yours. On inspecting the lines we found several joins in it. The higher impedance from the joins is causing the issue here.

The other cause may be galvanic corrosion on the joints at the power poles for your house installation.

Anyway either of these conditions causes higher impedance.

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dean-d avatar image dean-d Alexandra ♦ commented ·

Thanks, @Alexandra We have checked out cables.

Victron has sent out a new unit to try, as they have looked into it and there's no sign of why it would be doing that.

Sounds like impedance could be an issue for a problem like this.

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dean-d avatar image
dean-d answered ·

Just had this happen again. Its as if the multi stops accepting the grid, then the ESS side overloads as the grid cannot power the loads. Has anyone experienced this and know how to solve it?


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tj-botten answered ·

I am having a similar issue but only when connected to a generator. The Multiplus 2 operates fine on mains but when running on generator it overloads after a few minutes.

I am running a Multiplus 2 4kW with a 250/85 MPPT charge controller and have followed the configuration changes as indicated in the following document.

https://www.victronenergy.com/live/multiplus_faq

The only differences that I have is that I am using the "Other" option for the grid code as the "None" option is not allowed with the ESS Helper.

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offgridsystems answered ·

I have a customer site that comes up overload when they run a small power tool, etc. The installation is a Multiplus 2 with ESS. There is only grid input connected, nothing is connected to either of the outputs.

I am baffled why the Multi is overloading, when nothing is connected to the output.

Any idea guys?

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robertg66 avatar image robertg66 commented ·

Hi @offgridsystems

I am experiencing the same thing. How did you solve this?

Robert

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sgrigor1 answered ·

Hi guys, did you find a resolution to LOM detection? I have a similar issue with two parallel Multiplus II. The strange is that each invertor in single mode are working well with LOM enabled.

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