7. Troubleshooting
7.1. The LED alternates between green and red blinking (bootloader mode)
There can be two reasons for this behaviour:
A firmware update is currently being carried out. Once the firmware update is complete, the energy meter automatically returns to application mode, indicated by a solid green LED.
A firmware update was unsuccessful, or there is no application to start. The energy meter remains in bootloader mode until the application has been installed through a firmware update.
To fix this, perform the firmware update again as outlined in the Firmware Updates chapter.
Note
When the energy meter is in bootloader mode, the only available methods for performing a firmware update are through VictronConnect locally (via Ethernet or WiFi) or remotely using VRM: Remote firmware updates (utilising VE.Can or Ethernet connectivity).
Performing a firmware update via VictronConnect Remote (VC-R) in bootloader mode is impossible.
7.2. Error codes
The VM-3P75CT indicates an error by turning the LED solid red when an error is present. Simultaneously, an error code appears on the GX device, VRM, and VictronConnect.
The following error codes can be displayed:
116 - Calibration data lost
If the unit does not work and error 116 pops up as the active error, the unit is faulty. Contact your dealer for a replacement.
119 - Settings corrupt
The energy meter cannot read its configuration and stopped.
To fix the error, perform a factory reset as described in the Restart and reset to factory defaults chapter.
122 - kWh counters corrupt
To fix this error, reset the kWh counter.
7.3. FAQ
7.3.1. The current value seems abnormally high for the displayed power
The energy meter calculates each phase's power in Watts (P), and the active (real) power is displayed. Active Power is the product of the voltage, the current, and the power factor, where the power factor is traditionally denoted by cos(θ). In a system with unity power factor, that is where cos(θ)=1, the real power will be equal to the apparent power, the product of the RMS- voltage and current.
In most electrical systems there will also be a reactive power, caused by the existence of inductive and/or capacitive loads. In such systems, the power factor will be less than unity, and the apparent power will always be more than the real power.
In AC systems, it is therefore normal and even expected for the apparent power (S), that is the RMS- voltage multiplied by the current, to be higher than the real power (P).
Many smaller electronic devices, including USB chargers and LED lighting, can have a particularly poor power factor, which will lead to a large difference between P and S. This condition is often exacerbated by the installation of renewable energy generation devices since such devices are legally required to operate at near-unity. The larger renewable generation tends to cancel out all the good power factor, leaving behind only the poor power factor caused by the loads.
If the power factor is a concern, the solution is to look at power factor correction equipment, or to invest in loads that have better power factor. Switch mode power supplies for personal computers often have power factor correction built-in already.
7.3.2. The firmware update via the Ethernet connection failed
If you encounter problems updating the VM-3P75CT's firmware via Ethernet, try connecting it to the GX device via VE.Can (see the Ethernet and VE.Can wiring section for details), perform the update again as outlined in the Firmware Updates chapter, and then reconnect via Ethernet.