Victron Energy MultiPlus Compact 12/1200/50-1612V 1200VA inverter/charger with 50A charger and 16A transfer switch

Overview

The MultiPlus Compact 12/1200/50-16 provides 1200VA (1000W) of continuous sine-wave power and 2400W peak from a 12V battery, together with a 50A four-stage charger, a 4A starter-battery output and a 16A transfer switch. Battery cables of 1.5m and a G-ST18i AC connector are fitted at the factory. Victron's recommended battery capacity is 150–700Ah. With PowerAssist it adds battery power when a limited campsite or marina supply cannot cover the loads alone.

• 800VA, 1200VA, 1600VA and 2000VA, 12V or 24V
• Transfer to inverter in under 20ms
• PowerControl and PowerAssist on every model
• Adaptive four-stage charger plus 4A starter-battery output
• Up to six units in parallel or three-phase
• ECE R10 automotive type approval

How it works

The MultiPlus Compact puts a sine-wave inverter, an adaptive battery charger and an automatic transfer switch in a slim aluminium case for 12V and 24V systems. While shore, grid or generator power is present, the input is passed to the loads and charges the battery. When that supply fails or is unplugged, the inverter takes over in less than 20ms, so computers and other electronics keep running. Four sizes are offered: 800VA, 1200VA, 1600VA and 2000VA.

PowerControl keeps the current drawn from a limited shore or generator supply below a set value by reducing the charge current first. PowerAssist goes a step further: when the loads need more than the input can deliver, the unit adds battery power, then recharges once demand falls. The charger follows an adaptive four-stage profile (bulk, absorption, float, storage) and varies the absorption time with the depth of discharge. A separate 4A output tops up a starter battery.

Installation and compatibility

Install the unit in a dry, ventilated place as close to the batteries as possible, never directly above them, with at least 10cm free around it; vertical wall mounting gives the best cooling. The 800VA to 1600VA models come with 1.5m battery cables and a G-ST18i AC connector, while the 2000VA models have M8 battery bolts, spring-clamp AC terminals and a 30A transfer switch. Victron's recommended battery capacity ranges from 100–400Ah for the 12/800 to 350–1000Ah for the 12/2000.

Up to six identical units can work in parallel, and three units can form a three-phase wye system (delta is not supported). The units are linked with RJ45 UTP cables, and the DC cables to each unit must have the same length and cross-section. In vehicles and boats the casing must be bonded to the chassis or hull. An internal ground relay links neutral to chassis in inverter mode, so a residual current device on the output keeps working.

Monitoring and settings

DIP switches set the charge voltages, inverter frequency, search mode, a 12A or 6A input limit and the remote switch mode. Full configuration is done in VEConfigure or VictronConnect through an MK3-USB interface, or over Bluetooth with a VE.Bus Smart dongle, which also measures battery voltage and temperature. A GX device such as the Cerbo GX or Ekrano GX adds VRM remote monitoring. The programmable relay is preset as an alarm relay and can start a generator.

Questions and answers