4. Installation
Caution
This product may only be installed by a qualified engineer.
Each system requires a method of disconnecting the AC and DC circuits. If the overcurrent protection device is a circuit breaker, it will also serve as the disconnect. If fuses are used, separate disconnect switches will be needed between the source and the fuses.
To reduce the risk of fire, do not connect to an ac load centre (circuit breaker panel) having multiwire branch circuits connected.
To reduce the risk of injury, charge only Lead Acid or LIFEPO4 type rechargeable batteries. Other types of batteries may burst causing personal injury and damage. Do not try to recharge non-rechargeable batteries.
Use of an attachment not recommended or sold by the marine unit manufacturer may result in a risk of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons.
DC CONNECTION PRECAUTIONS - Connect and disconnect DC output connections only after setting any marine unit switches to off position and removing AC cord from electric outlet or opening AC disconnect.
EXTERNAL CONNECTIONS TO CHARGER SHALL COMPLY WITH THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD ELECTRICAL REGULATIONS (33CFR183, SUB PART I).
GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS – This marine unit should be connected to a grounded, metal, permanent wiring system; or an equipment-grounding conductor should be run with circuit conductors and connected to equipment-grounding terminal or lead on unit. Connections to unit should comply with all local codes and ordinances
This product is not suitable for direct connection to a vehicle's electrical system. It should be connected to a dedicated DC system that includes a dedicated service or house battery, appropriate fusing, and the appropriate gauge of DC wiring. For recommendations on battery capacity, fuse rating, and cable gauge, refer to the Battery connection chapter in this manual.
Warning
WARNING – RISK OF EXPLOSIVE GASES) WORKING IN VICINITY OF A LEAD-ACID BATTERY IS DANGEROUS. BATTERIES GENERATE EXPLOSIVE GASES DURING NORMAL BATTERY OPERATION. FOR THIS REASON, IT IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT EACH TIME BEFORE SERVICING THE UNIT IN THE VICINITY OF THEBATTERY, YOU READ THIS MANUAL AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS EXACTLY.
PERSONAL PRECAUTIONS:
Someone should be within range of your voice or close enough to come to your aid when you work near a lead-acid battery
Have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby in case battery acid contacts skin, clothing, or eyes.
Wear complete eye protection and clothing protection. Avoid touching eyes while working near battery.
If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, wash immediately with soap and water. If acid enters eye, immediately flood eye with running cold water for at least 10 min and get medical attention immediately.
NEVER smoke or allow a spark or flame in vicinity of battery or engine.
Be extra cautious to reduce risk of dropping a metal tool onto battery. It might spark or short-circuit battery or other electrical part that may cause explosion.
Remove personal metal items such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, and watches when working with a lead-acid battery. A lead-acid battery can produce a short-circuit current high enough to weld a ring or the like to metal, causing a severe burn. • NEVER charge a frozen battery.
If necessary to remove battery from vessel, always remove grounded terminal from battery first. Make sure all accessories in the vessels are off, so as not to cause an arc.
Be sure area around battery is well ventilated. Clean battery terminals. Be careful to keep corrosion from coming in contact with eyes. Study all battery manufacturer’s specific precautions such as removing or not removing cell caps while charging and recommended rates of charge.
Clean battery terminals. Be careful to keep corrosion from coming in contact with eyes.
Study all battery manufacturer’s specific precautions such as removing or not removing cell caps while charging and recommended rates of charge.
4.1. location
The product must be installed in a dry, well-ventilated and heatproof area.
Warning
For safety purposes, this product should be installed in a heat-resistant environment. You should prevent the presence of e.g. chemicals, synthetic components, curtains or other textiles, etc., in the immediate vicinity.
There should be a clear space of at least 10cm around the appliance for cooling.
Caution
Excessively high ambient temperature will result in the following:
Reduced service life.
Reduced charging current.
Reduced peak capacity, or shutdown of the inverter.
Try to keep the distance between the product and the battery to a minimum in order to minimise cable voltage losses.
Caution
Never position the appliance directly above the batteries.
For the location of the mounting holes, see the Dimension drawings chapter.
Caution
MARINE UNIT LOCATION
Locate marine unit away from battery in a separate, well ventilated compartment
Never place marine unit directly above battery; gases from battery will corrode and damage marine unit.
Never allow battery acid to drip on marine unit when reading gravity or filling battery.
Do not operate marine unit in a closed-in area or restrict ventilation in any way.
4.2. Battery connection
For optimal performance, use batteries with a suitable capacity and cables with sufficient cross-section, as indicated in the below table:
Inverter/charger | Recommended battery capacity (Ah) | Recommended cable cross-section (mm²) For cables between 1.5 and 5m |
|---|---|---|
12/500/20 | 60 - 300 | 16 |
12/800/35 | 100 - 400 | 25 |
12/1200/50 | 150 - 700 | 35 |
Warning
Use an insulated box spanner in order to avoid shorting the battery terminals.
Avoid shorting the battery cables.
Confirm battery cable polarity before connection. A reverse polarity connection will cause damage to the product (the safety fuse inside the Multi can be damaged).
Connect battery cables to the Multi and the battery, see the Connection overview chapter. Use a PZ 2 screwdriver for the 500 and 800VA units and a flat screwdriver 6.5mm for the 1200VA unit.
Internal DC fuses
All servicing must be undertaken by qualified personnel.
Inverter/charger | Fuse type | Fuse value |
|---|---|---|
12/500/20 | MIDI or BF1 fuse 32V | 125A |
12/800/35 | MIDI or BF1 fuse 32V | 150A |
12/1200/50 | MIDI or BF1 fuse 32V | 200A |
4.3. AC connection
Warning
This product is a safety class I product (supplied with a ground terminal for safety purposes). Its AC input and/or output terminals and/or grounding point on the outside of the product must be provided with an uninterruptible grounding point for safety purposes.
The Multi is provided with a ground relay, see the Internal wiring diagram chapter, that automatically connects the Neutral output to the chassis if no external AC supply is available. If an external AC supply is provided, the ground relay H will open before the input safety relay closes. This ensures the correct operation of an earth leakage circuit breaker that is connected to the output.
In a fixed installation, uninterruptable grounding can be secured by means of the grounding wire of the AC input. Otherwise, the casing must be grounded.
In a mobile installation, interrupting the shore connection will simultaneously disconnect the grounding connection. In that case, the casing must be connected to the chassis (of the vehicle) or to the hull or grounding plate (of the boat).
In the case of a boat, direct connection to the shore ground is not recommended because of potential galvanic corrosion. The solution to this is using an isolation transformer.
The AC input and output terminal connectors can be found at the bottom of the Multi, see the Connection overview chapter. The shore or mains cable must be connected to the connector with a three-wire cable. Use a three-wire cable with a flexible core and a cross-section of at least 1.5 mm²
The inverter does incorporate a mains frequency isolating transformer. This precludes the possibility of DC current at any AC port. Therefore, type A RCDs can be used.
Proceed as follows to connect the AC cables:
The AC output cable can be connected directly to the male connector (the connector pulls out).
The terminal points are indicated clearly. From left to right: neutral (N), earth (PE), and phase (L1).
The AC input cable can be connected directly to the female connector (the connector pulls out).
The terminal points are indicated clearly. From left to right: neutral (N), earth (PE), and phase (L1).
Push the “input” connector into the AC-in connector.
Push the “output” connector into the AC-out connector.
4.4. Optional connections
A number of optional connections are possible:
4.4.1. Second battery
The Multi has a connection (+) for charging a starter battery. For connection see the Connection overviewchapter. The trickle charge output is protected by automatic overcurrent and overload protection (trip current=1A Imax= 5.5 A).
4.4.2. Temperature sensor
The temperature sensor supplied with the product may be used for temperature-compensated charging. The sensor is insulated and must be mounted on the battery minus pole. Default output voltages for Float and Absorption are at 25 °C. In adjust mode temperature compensation is disabled.
4.4.3. Remote control
The product can be remotely controlled in two ways:
With an external 3-position switch
With a Multi Control Panel
Please see the Configuration by DIP switches chapter for appropriate DIP switch settings
4.4.4. Programmable relay
The Multi is equipped with a multi-functional relay that by default is programmed as an alarm relay. The relay can be programmed for all kinds of other applications, for example, to start a generator (VEConfigure software or VictronConenct app needed).
4.4.5. Parallel connection
The MultiPlus can be connected in parallel with several identical devices. To this end, a connection is established between the devices by means of standard RJ45 UTP cables. The system (one or more MultiPlus units plus an optional control panel) will require subsequent configuration, see the Configuration chapter.
In the event of connecting MultiPlus units in parallel, the following requirements must be met:
A maximum of six units can be connected in parallel.
Only identical devices may be connected in parallel.
The DC connection cables to the devices must be of equal length and cross-section.
If a positive and a negative DC distribution point is used, the cross-section of the connection between the batteries and the DC distribution point must at least equal the sum of the required cross-sections of the connections between the distribution point and the MultiPlus units.
Place the MultiPlus units close to each other, but allow at least 10 cm for ventilation purposes under, above and beside the units.
UTP cables must be connected with an RJ45-splitter from one unit to the other (and to the remote panel).
A battery-temperature sensor need only be connected to one unit in the system. If the temperature of several batteries is to be measured, you can also connect the sensors of other MultiPlus units in the system (with a maximum of one sensor per MultiPlus). Temperature compensation during battery charging responds to the sensor indicating the highest temperature.
Only one means of remote control (panel or switch) can be connected to the system.
Parallel connection diagram.
4.4.6. Three-phase connection
The MultiPlus can also be used in a 3-phase wye (Y) configuration. To this end, a connection between the devices is made by means of standard RJ45 UTP cables and RJ45-splittera splitter (the same as for parallel operation). The system (MultiPlus units plus an optional control panel) will require subsequent configuration, see the Configuration chapter. For the prerequisites see the previous Parallel connection chapter.
Note: The MultiPlus is not suitable for a 3-phase delta (Δ) configuration.
Three-phase connection diagram.