Updating Firmware and Configuring Three-Phase MultiPlus Inverters

Steps

1. 1

   Step 1: Connecting the MK3 USB Interface

   I need a laptop and a USB interface called the MK3 USB interface. This interface makes a connection between the VE.Bus of the MultiPlus and the USB port of the laptop. This allows me to change settings and update the firmware on the MultiPlus.

   As shown in the previous video, the VE.Bus cable runs from one MultiPlus to the next, and from the last one to the Cerbo. To update the firmware, I unplug the USB cable from the Cerbo. Then I plug it into the MK3 interface and plug the USB cable into the laptop.

   What I used

   Item	Amount	Notes
   MK3 USB interface	1	Connects VE.Bus to laptop USB
   Laptop	1	Runs configuration software

2. 2

   Step 2: Updating Firmware on the First MultiPlus

   I use the VE.Configure tool from the Victron website, which also installs VE.Flash. I open VE.Flash and start the firmware update process. I select the firmware file, disconnect other things, and let the software auto-detect the COM port, which finds COM 5.

   Next, the software asks me to switch off the device, click next, and then switch it on again. Once the device is switched back on, I proceed to upload the firmware to the first MultiPlus. After it finishes, I repeat the exact same firmware update for the second and third MultiPlus units.

   What I used

   Item	Amount	Notes
   VE.Flash	1	Software tool used to write firmware

3. 3

   Step 3: Configuring Three-Phase Setup and Grid Limits

   I open the VE.Bus System Configurator and select three-phase. The three MultiPlus units appear at the top, and I drag them to L1, L2, and L3. I right-click on L1, select VE Configure Multi, connect, read out the data, and change the settings.

   The frequency is left at 50 Hz. For the shore limit, which is the connection of the house, I limit my grid connection to 25 amperes because my incoming house connection is 3 times 25 amperes. Next, I go to the grid tab and set the grid codes to Europe and code EN50549-1, which can only be set once.

   Warning

   The grid code can only be set once, so make sure to select the correct European code EN50549-1.

   What I used

   Item	Amount	Notes
   VE.Bus System Configurator	1	Used to set up phases

4. 4

   Step 4: Adding the ESS Assistant and Saving Settings

   I go to the assistant tab and add the ESS Energy Storage System assistant. This assistant allows me to easily enter the specific specifications of my battery pack, such as the battery capacity. I go through the assistant and answer the questions based on my situation.

   After returning to the main screen, I send the settings to the device. To make it easy for myself, I save the settings to a file so I can copy them to MultiPlus two and three.

   What I used

   Item	Amount	Notes
   ESS Energy Storage System assistant	1	Configures battery capacity and specs

5. 5

   Step 5: Updating Settings on the Second and Third MultiPlus

   I select L2 in the VE.Bus System Configurator and open VE Configure multi for the second MultiPlus. The software finds the target, fetches functions, and reads out the current data from the MultiPlus.

   Instead of typing everything again, I load the saved settings file and send the settings to the device. The MultiPlus switches off briefly while the data is written. I repeat this exact same process for the third MultiPlus.

6. 6

   Step 6: Reconnecting to Cerbo and Checking the App

   Now that all three MultiPlus units are updated, I no longer need the MK3 interface. I unplug the data cable from the interface and reconnect it to the Cerbo.

   When I open the VictronConnect app and go to the Cerbo GX, I can see that all three MultiPlus units are connected in a row. I can see the power consumption per phase. Even though it is not connected in the meter cupboard yet, it detects a small baseline of 5, 7, and 8 watts.

   What I used

   Item	Amount	Notes
   VictronConnect app	1	Used to view system status on Cerbo GX
   Cerbo GX	1	Monitors the connected MultiPlus units

7. 7

   Step 7: Takeaways

   • The MK3 USB interface connects the VE.Bus to a laptop for firmware updates.

   • Grid codes like EN50549-1 can only be set once in the configuration.

   • Settings can be saved to a file and loaded onto the other MultiPlus units to save time.

   • The ESS assistant makes it easy to enter battery capacity and system specs.