Victron Energy MultiPlus 48/1600/20-1648V 1600VA inverter/charger, 20A charger, 16A transfer switch

Overview

The MultiPlus 48/1600/20-16 provides 1600VA (1300W) continuous, 1100W at 40°C and 2800W peak from 48V, with a 20A charger and a 16A transfer switch with PowerAssist. Efficiency peaks at 95%. It is a compact choice for 48V backup and small off-grid systems, and three units can be set up for a three-phase supply. It weighs 10.2kg and measures 265×470×120mm. Victron recommends a 40–200Ah battery and 16mm² cable.

• 500VA to 5000VA, 12V, 24V and 48V models
• Adaptive four-stage charger with starter-battery output
• Transfer to inverter in under 20ms
• PowerControl and PowerAssist (from 800VA)
• Up to six units in parallel, three-phase capable
• VE.Bus for GX monitoring, VRM and ESS

How it works

A MultiPlus combines three functions. The true sine-wave inverter supplies 230V 50Hz loads from the battery. The charger recharges the battery from grid, shore or generator with an adaptive four-stage profile (bulk, absorption, float, storage), adjusting absorption time to the depth of discharge, and a small second output tops up a starter battery on 12V and 24V models. The transfer switch passes AC input to the loads and switches to inverter power within 20ms when the supply fails, so computers keep running.

PowerControl caps the current drawn from a limited shore or generator supply and uses only the spare current for charging. PowerAssist goes further and adds battery power when loads exceed that limit, recharging afterwards. Both functions are available on all models except the 500VA. The 3kVA and 5kVA models have a second AC output that is live only with AC input present, for loads such as water heaters. When PV inverters are installed on the output, frequency shifting regulates them during off-grid operation.

Installation and compatibility

Install the unit in a dry, well-ventilated place close to the batteries, never directly above them, with at least 10cm free all round. Victron's manuals give a recommended battery capacity and cable section for each model, from 60–300Ah for the 12/500 to 400–1400Ah for the 24/5000; the 2kVA, 3kVA and 5kVA manuals also give the DC fuse rating.

Up to six identical units can be paralleled, or three combined for three-phase supply, with DC cables of equal length and section; the 500, 800 and 1200VA models need an RJ45 splitter for VE.Bus. Lead-acid batteries are supported out of the box; lithium batteries require the BMS integration Victron describes for Multis.

Monitoring and settings

Basic settings such as charge voltage and search mode are made with DIP switches. Full configuration uses VictronConnect or VEConfigure through an MK3-USB interface or a VE.Bus Smart dongle, which also gives Bluetooth monitoring and battery voltage and temperature sensing.

A Digital Multi Control panel sets the shore current limit with a knob. A GX device such as the Cerbo GX or Ekrano GX adds VRM remote monitoring, remote settings and ESS functions. A programmable relay can be set as alarm, DC undervoltage or generator start/stop signal. A battery temperature sensor is supplied.

Questions and answers