Solar system upgrade: Inverter install
Keeping with the all Victron system, we chose the Victron Multipass 3000. MultiPlus 12/3000/120-50 120V VE.Bus Inverter/Charger Please note I am using AM Solars site because that is where I purchased and was supported. For additional info on any of the components go to the Victron site and everything from installation, manuals, blogs etc. are available for the equipment listed. This inverter was designed with solar in mind and is well suited for the upgrade.
So far so good with this inverter. I wanted something that could grow with the system and still perform efficiently. I wasnt sure if we would use the features listed and thought some were nice but did not think we would ever engage them. Wrong, today Steph had a lot of stuff running at the same time and then decided to dry her hair. Looked up and the inverter was supplementing the pedestal to provide even power. Pretty cool.
We installed it in the storage bay against the forward bulkhead on the outboard side. I wanted to get it away from the small compartment the Freedom 2000 was in to keep it cooler and oriented top to bottom and not on its side. This may be temporary so we installed two triple gang boxes for 110 in and out. The 110 wire in the coach is a bear to work with as it has aged. We used marine wire to connect from the inverter to the box. While more expensive it is also more supple.
The most difficult part of this installation is running all of the control cables etc up to the panel. It does not use standard communication cable but rather RG45. Further, this unit requires the installer program the unit using as special adapter. It can ONLY be programmed using a PC. I had to go through storage to find an old laptop running windows as we have moved completely to Apple products. This area was frustrating to do because originally Am's installation guide did not clarify that only a PC could be used. As luck would have it, I was going to program it on the weekend. We wont discuss all the hours and attempted work a rounds I did until I called on the following Monday. It now reflects the need. This is the only part of the process that requires PC updating as the other pieces allow Macs to do the job. Future updates can be done through the CCGX as it can be connected to the internet for automatic updating etc. Once in initially, I used the scripts provided by AM Solar for updating it to the system I currently have installed.
George (c)
Topic: Solar system upgrade: Inverter install