8. Backward compatibility with legacy pre-VE.Bus units
The control panel is backwards compatible with legacy (pre-VE.Bus) inverter/chargers running firmware versions 15xxyyy, 17xxyyy, and 18xxyyy. The transition from pre-VE.Bus to VE.Bus occurred from late 2007 to mid-2008.
For pre-VE.Bus systems, the control panel operation and setup align with the manual, except that the control panel does not automatically adapt to the system. The default setting is for a standalone inverter/charger with a 16A transfer switch, but if a different AC transfer current applies, the Scaling factor needs to be adjusted.
8.1. System examples pre-VE.Bus
Pre-VE.Bus system with 1 AC source:
The control panel must be scaled (matched to the system) when it is used with pre-VE.Bus systems. This can be done by changing the “scaling factor” parameter. For instructions, refer to the Scaling factor chapter.
Once the scaling is accurately configured, proceed to set up any other relevant parameters. For instructions, refer to the Configuration chapter.
Pre-VE.Bus system with 2 AC sources:
For a pre-VE.Bus system with 2 AC sources, an external transfer switch (VE Transfer Switch) is essential.
The control panel must be scaled (matched to the system) when it is used with pre-VE.Bus systems. This can be done by changing the “scaling factor” parameter. For instructions refer to the Scaling factor chapter.
Once the scaling factor is configured, follow the installation process similar to using a VE.Bus system with an external transfer switch. Refer to the MultiPlus system with 2 AC sources and transfer switch chapter for instructions.
8.2. Configuration
Configuration is the same as described in this manual, with the exception that a scaling factor needs to be set up.
To set up the scaling factor, see the next paragraph, and for configuration of the remaining parameters, see the Configuration chapter
8.2.1. Pre-VE.Bus scaling factor
Notice
This parameter only applies to pre-VE.Bus systems. Leave it at its default value of 1 for VE.Bus systems.
The scaling factor aligns the control panel AC current with the system AC current and is exclusive to pre-VE.Bus inverter/chargers.
Begin by calculating the scaling factor as directed in this chapter. Afterwards, move on to configuring the scaling factor. For guidance on configuration, consult the Setup menu chapter.
Scaling factor = (NrOfDevices * DeviceType) - 1
DeviceType: 1 = 16A unit, 2 = 30A unit.
NrOfDevices: all units, including the master unit.
One 16A unit: Scaling factor is: (1 * 1) – 1 = 0
Two 30A units in parallel: Scaling factor is: (2 * 2) – 1 = 3
Four 30A units in parallel: Scaling factor is: (4 * 2) – 1 = 7
Six 30A units in 3-phase (2 paralleled units per phase): Scaling factor is: (2 * 2) – 1 = 3
When configuring a non-zero scaling factor in the control panel, do not specify the number of slaves in the VEConfigure software. Instead, set the slave count to zero.
In a split-phase or 3-phase setup, the NrOfDevices reflects the number of devices per phase. So for a 3-phase system consisting of 6 units (2 per phase), the NrOfDevices is 2.
8.2.2. Configuration example pre-VE.Bus
For this configuration, the scaling factor must be calculated. The NrOfDevices is 4, the DeviceType is 2, so the scaling factor is (4 x 2) – 1 = 7.
A 13kVA generator 120V can supply a maximum current of 108.3A. Using a 90% safety margin, we will set the generator current to 98A.
To set the configuration, do the following:
Press and hold the configuration button until the bottom LED in the left column starts flashing. This means you entered the configuration mode, and you can change the scaling factor.
Turn on the knob until the display indicates 7.
Press the button to go to the next setting. The lower left LED will turn on, indicating that the generator current can be set.
Turn on the knob until the display indicates 98.
Press the button to advance to the “Upper Shore limit for AC input 1” setting.
You probably want the maximum shore current the operator can set to be lower than 128A, so turn the knob until the display indicates a proper maximum shore current.
Since the next 3 parameters (Upper Shore limit for AC input 2, 3 and 4) do not need to be configured, you can press the button 4 times to step through the settings and finalise the configuration.