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I got a lot done this week! 🤣 In introduction, our 2016 Hull #113 has roof-mounted 340W Zamp solar, and had a 2KW Xantrex inverter (only with separate PD4000 converter) and 450AH 6V lead-acid batteries renewed in 2021. Given a recent price reduction and a 10% off sale with free shipping, we were motivated to purchase two Epoch 300AH LiFePO4 batteries for a total of 600AH and it made sense to upgrade to the Victron Multiplus II inverter/charger at the same time. Everything described to follow came to $3200 total investment including all small parts and the costs of many on-hand shop materials. Just two years ago, the cost of the LiFePO4 batteries alone would be nearly double! First, all the old had to be removed. Demolition is always fun first step in a project! I removed the lead-acid batteries (sold them on Craigs in just a few days) and all the cables, the Inverter, the ATS and junction box. It’s crazy how OTT wired shore power to inverter power, using wire nuts in this junction box, real backyard mechanic stuff (correct design would be to use a dual-bus power panel). Everything in these pics has been removed (anybody need a 2kW Xantrex system or spare parts)? The second crazy thing is where they installed the main DC fuse (see pic). No way would I have known it's up there until I removed the cables! To access this fuse, you have to sit low reaching through the rear dinette seat.

I asked Oliver how they do it. They use a methacrylate adhesive to bond a 3/4" thick PVC mounting board to the fiberglass. He said I could score the mounting board but that the adhesive is very strong. Once the adhesive is dried, THEN they install the inverter to the board with screws. I mentioned that the Multiplus has feet on it and I couldn't figure out how to mount the Multiplus to a board with those feet. (I later realized I could have cut the board short but I suppose that would have affected ventilation under the Multiplus (?)). He actually looked up the Multiplus and found that a hook and 2 holes are provided at the back of the casing for wall mounting. (They recommend mounting to concrete/masonry - I'm not surprised, this thing is a monster) and say vertical mounting is best for ventilation) I then asked Google Gemini Pro if it recommended a specific type of methacrylate adhesive for this specifc job. This is what it said: When mounting a heavy piece of equipment like a Victron MultiPlus 3000 (which weighs roughly 40 lbs) to the fiberglass wall of an Oliver trailer, the choice of Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) is critical. Because trailers experience significant vibration and road shock, you need an adhesive that balances high shear strength with impact resistance. Top Recommended Methacrylate Adhesives For bonding PVC board to Fiberglass (FRP/Gelcoat), the industry standards are typically found in the marine and transportation sectors: Plexus MA310 (The "Gold Standard"): Why it's better: It is specifically engineered for structural bonding of thermoplastics (like PVC) to composites (fiberglass). It offers a medium cure time (15-18 mins), giving you enough time to align the heavy PVC board before it sets. Strength: It reaches 3,000+ psi and is known for "substrate failure"—meaning the PVC or fiberglass will usually break before the glue does (!!). Modern technology.... Plexus MA560-1 (For Large Surface Areas): Why it's better: If you are bonding a very large PVC board, MA310 might set too fast. MA560-1 has a much longer working time (55-70 mins) and is designed for "thick" bond lines (up to 1 inch). It is highly thixotropic (won't sag), which is perfect for vertical trailer walls. SCIGRIP SG230: Why it's better: This is the primary competitor to Plexus. It is often cited for its excellent "toughness" and ability to handle the thermal expansion differences between PVC and fiberglass, which can be an issue in varying climates. Comparison for Your Specific Use Case Adhesive Working Time Best Feature for MultiPlus Plexus MA310 15–18 mins High stiffness; ideal for heavy vertical loads. Plexus MA560-1 55–70 mins Excellent for large boards or thick gaps. SCIGRIP SG300 10–15 mins Very fast "green strength" (holds weight quickly). Export to Sheets Critical Installation Tips Since you are mounting a Victron MultiPlus, which generates heat and internal vibration (transformer hum), keep these factors in mind: Thermal Expansion: PVC and fiberglass expand at different rates. Using a "toughened" MMA (like those listed above) is essential because it remains slightly flexible enough to absorb that stress without cracking. Surface Prep: While MMAs are "primerless," you should still scuff the fiberglass gelcoat with 80-grit sandpaper and wipe both surfaces with Isopropyl Alcohol or Acetone to ensure no wax or mold-release agents remain. Mechanical Backup: Even with a structural adhesive, many Oliver owners prefer a "belt and suspenders" approach. Consider using the adhesive for the primary bond but adding a few well-placed stainless steel bolts through the hull (if possible) or into the aluminum frame for peace of mind. Would you like me to look into the specific weight-bearing calculations for a certain size of PVC board to see how much adhesive you'll need? How to use Plexus 400ml cartridges This video provides a deep dive into using Plexus structural adhesives in marine environments, explaining why they outperform other bonding methods for composites like fiberglass. Why Plexus Adhesives Outperform Putty & Wet Layup | Marine Bonding Deep Dive Chemical Concepts · 156 views

Then just for kicks it suggested where to drill - and it recommended that it be done as Oliver suggested: attach the mounting board to the fiberglass first and then attach the Multiplus 🙂 To mount the Victron MultiPlus 3000 to your PVC board, you'll need to drill for two distinct components: the Wall Mounting Bracket (at the top) and the Bottom Security Screws. Below are the dimensions for the MultiPlus-II 12/3000/120-50 (120V), which is the most common model for North American trailers like the Oliver. 1. Mounting Bracket (The Top "Hook") The MultiPlus hangs on a horizontal metal bracket. Instead of measuring from the floor, it’s easiest to mark the center line on your PVC board first. Bracket Hole Spacing: The bracket has three main holes. The two outer holes are spaced 175 mm (6.89 in) apart. Vertical Position: The bracket sits approximately 7.5 mm (0.3 in) down from the very top edge of the unit’s casing. Drill Bit: Use a 5 mm (3/16 in) or 6 mm (1/4 in) bit for your pilot holes in the PVC. 2. Bottom Security Holes Once the unit is hanging on the bracket, you must secure the bottom to prevent it from "jumping" off the bracket during trailer travel. Width Spacing: The bottom holes are 230 mm (9.05 in) apart. Vertical Distance (Drop): From the top mounting holes (on the bracket) down to the bottom security holes is 478 mm (18.82 in). Total Unit Height: The total height of the MultiPlus-II casing is 506 mm (19.92 in). Pre-Drilling Guide for your PVC Board Measurement Metric Imperial (Decimal) Top Bracket Spacing (Horizontal) 175 mm 6.89 in Bottom Hole Spacing (Horizontal) 230 mm 9.06 in Vertical Span (Top Holes to Bottom) 478 mm 18.82 in Total Unit Casing Height 506 mm 19.92 in Total Unit Casing Width 275 mm 10.83 in 💡 Pro-Tips for the Oliver Trailer Install Pre-Mount the Bracket: Do not glue the PVC board with the MultiPlus attached. Glue the board first, let it cure for 24 hours, then screw the bracket into the PVC. Screw Choice: Since you are screwing into PVC board (which is softer than wood), use coarse-thread stainless steel screws (e.g., #10 or #12). Do not use fine-thread machine screws unless you are using heat-set inserts or T-nuts behind the board. Pilot Holes: Always drill a pilot hole in PVC. If you drive a large screw into solid PVC without a pilot, the board can "mushroom" or even crack under the pressure. The "Air Gap": Victron requires 10 cm (approx 4 in) of clearance above and below the unit for cooling. Ensure your PVC board placement accounts for this airflow in the Oliver’s compartment.

Bonding Requirements This is strong stuff! To calculate the bonding requirements for your Victron MultiPlus 3000 (roughly 42 lbs), we need to look at the "Shear Strength" of the adhesive—this is the force required to slide the board down the wall. 1. The Math: Safety Factors The Plexus MA310 has a lap shear strength of approximately 3,000 to 3,500 psi. Even if we use a massive safety factor for the vibration of a moving trailer (e.g., a 10x safety factor), the adhesive is incredibly over-engineered for this load: Load: 42 lbs. Bond Strength: ~3,000 lbs per single square inch. Required Surface Area: Theoretically, less than 1 square inch would hold the unit static. However, the real challenge isn't the weight; it's the peel force (the unit pulling away from the wall) and the flexing of the PVC board vs. the fiberglass. 2. Recommended Adhesive Coverage For a Victron MultiPlus (approx. 11" x 23" for the MultiPlus-II), you should use a "Picture Frame" bead pattern with an additional "X" through the center on your PVC board. Bead Size: Aim for a 1/4" to 3/8" bead. Quantity Needed: One 400ml cartridge of Plexus MA310 will be more than enough. A standard 50ml "hobby" size will likely be too small to cover the necessary surface area for a large backing board. Bond Line Thickness: MMAs work best with a gap of 0.03" to 0.125". Do not press the board so hard against the fiberglass that you squeeze all the glue out. Use small 1mm spacers (like toothpicks or plastic shims) at the corners to maintain a "cushion" of adhesive. 3. Why This "Overkill" is Necessary While 1 square inch could hold the weight, you want the PVC board to be at least 2" wider and taller than the Victron unit for two reasons: Load Distribution: It spreads the 40lb load across a larger section of the fiberglass hull, preventing the fiberglass itself from flexing or spider-cracking. Heat Dissipation: The MultiPlus gets hot. A larger PVC board acts as a thermal break between the unit and the trailer wall. Summary Checklist for the Install Step Detail PVC Board Size Approx. 14" x 25" (for a MultiPlus-II 3000). Surface Prep Sand fiberglass with 80-grit until matte; wipe with Isopropyl Alcohol. Application Apply a thick perimeter bead and an "X" in the middle. Setting Time Clamp or prop in place for 45–60 minutes before removing support. Full Cure Wait 24 hours before bolting the heavy Victron unit to the board. Pro Tip: Because Plexus MA310 cures via a chemical reaction, it generates heat (exotherm). If you apply it very thick (over 1/2"), it can get hot enough to slightly warp thin PVC. Stick to the 1/4" bead for a perfect bond.

***Long Post*** XPLOR Hull #634 Victron 3000 watt inverter, Victron 12v DC to DC charger and Epoch lithium battery upgrade. Note: To discuss options and pricing, please contact Jordan Hall at Inverter Services, White House, Tenn. Our OEM AGM batteries were getting long in the tooth and it was time to upgrade our batteries to a complete lithium battery system on our 2020 Oliver LE2. Our good friend, and former Oliver owner Jim Posey, highly recommended we speak with Inverter Services in White House, Tennessee. I called and spoke with Service Manager Jordan Hall and discussed our needs and options. Jordan and his team at Inverter Services were excellent to work with and have a lot of experience working on Oliver travel trailers. Our tech/installer, Easton Ford, kept us updated on our install progress with photos and discussions as needed. We found Easton to be extremely detail-oriented and dialed in and focused on our project. We were originally scheduled to have this work done next March. After returning from our 54 day New England and Canada trip, I decided to call Inverter Services and ask if they had any cancellations. They did and we immediately took the cancellation. They are typically booked 6-7 months out. So we hitched op Oliver and headed to White House, Tenn to leave our Oliver with the team for 2 weeks. Important note: Inverter Services supports the RV and Marine industry in ALL things lithium battery and electronics. This is one of the most detailed and thorough, cutting-edge companies we have ever done business with. I chose Inverter Services to do this install because this is not my area of expertise and it absolutely is theirs. These guys are experts in their field and I admittedly am still in the learning process. Based on our excellent experience, we highly recommend Inverter Services in White House, Tenn if you are considering a lithium upgrade. We chose all Epoch & Victron following products for this install. (2) Epoch 300ah lithium batteries (internal heating elements) -https://www.epochbatteries.com/.../12v-300ah-heated... *Victron MultiPlus-II 3000w Inverter/charger *Victron GX 70 Touch Screen *Victron Smart Solar MPPT *Victron Orion XS DC-DC Battery Charger **We also had the RV Soft Start installed on our Truma Aventa AC. Inverter Services provides tech guidance/support/firmware updates as long as we own our Oliver. I cannot stress enough the pride this company takes in their work. As I think most would agree, Victron components are a class all their own and leaders in the Marine and RV industry. Post install, we have on board 600ah of lithium battery power, and with our extra 90W Zamp panel now configured to lithium, we have approx 410 watts of solar. This will certainly give us more options on the roads less traveled and boondocking. Still lots to learn on this new system. Now having the 12v DC -DC charger I don’t think we will see a need to carry a generator any longer. Thanks to all those on the forum who made the Lithium upgrade happen. ⚡️ The information gleaned here helped me decide the direction I wanted to take this install. ⚡️Happy Camping and Safe Travels! ⚡️ A few install pics- The Victron GX 70 touch screen fit the existing opening with no cutting or trimming of the fiberglass. Our system at a glance. The touch screen nice option if no cell service is available for the Victron app. Although with our SL mini that’s not an issue. Very happy with the touch screen and the Victron app. We can set the screen to time out at 5 or 10 min or longer and then go dark for sleep mode. Zamp 90W suitcase. 12v DC to DC Andersen connector. On our way home we camped at Cumberland Mountain SP in Tenn and gave our new system a shake down. It’s nice to not have to plug in. 😊

The picture below is from the Victron Multiplus manual. The first row is for 12V systems that need heavier AWG wiring than higher voltage systems. I and other Oliver owners have the Victron 12/3000/120, which translates to 12V / 3000VA inverter output / and 120A max charge rate) inverter installed. The inverter powering a microwave using 130A, a Dometic Penguin A/C or an 1800W blow-dryer (both about 150 DC Amps) takes more battery power than anything else. The 2KW inverter requires a 250A fuse and the 4/0 AWG wiring is overkill, very safe will never overheat. It can run the microwave, borderline on the blow-dryer which is generally only run for a few minutes. Borderline/not recommended to run an A/C unit as inefficient as the Dometic model, but fine for new inverter or variable speed A/C models. Victron suggests a minimum of 400 Ah in battery capacity (many have upgraded to 600 Ah and we recently added another Epoch 300 for total 900 Ah). Not sure why they call for 2x AWG 1/0 wires (maybe smaller wires are more easily routed in boats?), but cross-sectional surface area of 2x AWG 1/0 wires is just under, basically equal to one 4/0 AWG wire. The combined length of B+ and B- wiring must be less than 5m = 16.4 FT or larger cables are needed. In our hull the two cables add up to less than 12 FT. I replaced the 250A fuse with a 400A ANL fuse as spec'd in this chart and the OEM wiring OTT installed is just fine! 😎 I made the error of having our hot water heater turned on by electric, not realizing this I turned on the Dometic, no shore power, all on the Victron MP2 inverter. It ran for 10 minutes before I realized what I had done. The Victron output was over 3400W the entire time. It's rated at 3000VA but produced 400 more (there is some technical difference between VA and W which I do not yet understand). I believe they spec the 400A fuse so it can go over spec for short periods of time. The Victron MP2 is a beast!

When I first read your post, my first comment was 🤣!!! Just search for keyword 'Victron' to find MANY upgrade threads! Here is my DIY thread, new Epoch batteries with Victron MP2 and components. We now have 7 Victron components (see app screenshot below), from the Smartshunt to Solar Chargers, to DC-2-DC chargers, etc! Adding the Victron Orion 50A DC-2-DC charger => Only a couple of Oliver Owners had upgraded to the Victron Multiplus II inverter/charger and Epoch batteries before I did ours, summer of 2024. And many have done so since. In this post Patriot shows an excellent professional installation! You have dozens of upgrade threads here you can study to make yours what you want!

I also asked Google Gemini Pro to compare the 5200 Marine Sealant vs methycrylate for this job. It liked both with a nod towards methylcrylate While both are considered "permanent" and high-strength, they are fundamentally different. Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is a structural adhesive that creates a rigid, chemical bond, while 3M 5200 is a polyurethane adhesive sealant that creates a flexible, rubbery bond. For mounting a 40lb Victron MultiPlus in a trailer, MMA is generally superior because it is designed to bear heavy structural loads without "creeping" (sagging over time), whereas 3M 5200 is primarily for sealing hull joints and bedding hardware. Comparison Table: MMA vs. 3M 5200 Plexus MA310 Methacrylate Adhesive$26.37Plexus 4 (29) Opens in a new window 3M 5200 Marine Adhesive Sealant$27.993M Opens in a new window Bond Type Bond Type Structural / Rigid Bond Type Adhesive Sealant / Elastomeric Best For Best For Heavy vertical loads & plastic-to-composite bonding Best For Watertight sealing & shock absorption Cure Time Cure Time 45-60 minutes (Fixture), 24 hours (Full) Cure Time 48 hours (Handling), 5-7 days (Full) See less See more Key Differences for Your Job Load Bearing: The Plexus MA310 is a "toughened" adhesive, meaning it has the stiffness to hold a heavy inverter vertically without any movement. While 3M 5200 is strong, its elastomeric (stretchy) nature means that under a constant 40lb load, the bond can technically "flex" more than you might want for a heavy electronics mount. Adhesion to PVC: MMAs are legendary for their ability to chemically "bite" into PVC. Polyurethanes like 5200 stick well to many plastics, but the bond is mechanical; MMA actually fuses to the PVC surface. Time on the Job: You can mount the MultiPlus onto an MMA-bonded board the next day. With standard 3M 5200, you would need to wait nearly a week for a full structural cure before hanging the weight of the inverter. Recommendation: Stick with the Plexus MA310 for this specific mount. It is the industry standard for bonding mounting boards to fiberglass because it provides a rigid structural connection that won't sag over years of road vibration. If you decide to go with 3M 5200, make sure to get the 3M 5200 Fast Cure version to reduce the wait time to 24 hours. ODORS Since I have chemical sensitivities I also asked about odors....Both eventually emit none with the 5200 taking a bit longer to outgas his is a great question, especially for a confined space like an Oliver trailer. There is a significant difference between how these two adhesives behave during and after the curing process. Summary: Odor Performance Adhesive Odor During Application Odor After Full Cure (24-48 hrs) Plexus MA310 (MMA) Extremely Strong. Sharp, acrid, "fruity" but pungent chemical smell. Zero. Once the chemical reaction finishes, it becomes an inert plastic. 3M 5200 (Polyurethane) Mild. Faint "rubbery" or solvent-like scent. Lingering. Can off-gas a "new car" or rubber smell for weeks. Plexus MA310 (MMA) MMAs are famous for being "stinky" while you are working with them.1 The liquid monomer is very volatile, and you must have all the windows and the roof vent open in your Oliver while applying it. The Good News: Because it cures via a rapid chemical reaction rather than solvent evaporation, the odor disappears almost instantly once it reaches its "peak exotherm" (gets hot and hardens). The Result: By the time you are ready to mount your MultiPlus the next day, there will be no detectable smell in the trailer. 3M 5200 (Polyurethane) Polyurethanes are much more pleasant to work with initially, but they are "slow movers." The "Cure" Trap: 3M 5200 cures by reacting with moisture in the air. This process is very slow (days, not minutes). The Result: Because it stays "alive" for so long, it can continue to emit a faint, rubbery chemical odor for several weeks, especially if the trailer gets hot in the sun. If you are sensitive to "new product" smells, this might bother you in the small cabin of a trailer.

I just posted a general discussion question about the electrical in the Oliver Elite II. I’m going to view one tomorrow. I read through a lot of this build and may do something similar. I was wondering about the converter. What exactly was replaced? Does the multiplus sense when shore power is plugged in. I assume the Xantax 2kw was the inverter or? I read something about a converter replacement for lithium upgrade. I’d rather swap in Victron equivalent components or go with the new RV5 bluetti. Still need to do homework on that and figure out if it needs a step down from 48V to 12V.

Replacing xantrax on my Oliver Elite II 2021. Can't beat power assist on Victron components (Uses battery to meet power requirements when specificed amount of current is set) I have had Victron Multiplus in my old camper and I am crying for the first time , I hate drilling into this beautiful Elite but can't get wires from upper cabinet to lower components without drilling. Going to install Victron MPPT - 100 /30 for outside solar panels 400 watts of ground deployed solar panels Victron Orion 12 volt to 12 Volt charger for vehicle charging and for a Pecron 500 amp hour battery I have under the bed. Victron Smartshunt for monitoring batteries Victron Cerbo GX for the brains of the operation all components plug into and are monitored by this device. Victron small touch screen Built wood support for Multiplus much heavier than xantrax probably double. (I did not lift or look at weights but had a friend put in place) (6 back surgeries lifting days are over) Here are some pictures Had one heck of time getting hole centered perfect to drill. Went as far as I could in corner of cabinet . . . . . .Little scary but turned out ok. Going to work on Battery box holes at same time and maybe add ventilation for batteries at same time. Thanks to everyone for posting information on ventilation Take care Montana Oliver

In what I've read so far, at least @Overland and @Ty J, and more recently @rideadeuce have upgraded to the Victron 3KVA Multiplus or MPII. Maybe others? If I remember correctly, Overland installed the original Multiplus and others went with MPII. Does the Multiplus II truly have necessary features. I read 1 amp less draw on stand-by, thinner (but not actually smaller), anything else? I see just fitting the Multiplus in my current Xantrex location (rear dinette seat), where the MPII would certainly be too long. I'd like to avoid adding extra 12V cable length installing it under the bed area or front dinette seat, though there is nothing but room up front and I haven't yet moved that bed since I've been working on the other side. Overland worked a novel installation! He also stated (cannot find the quote today), something like you could keep the batteries in the battery bay or install the inverter there (he wrote it better). Wow, thank you, that got me thinking! Overland also commented the Multiplus was not noisy except when supplying a large AC load or upon shore power connection/bulk charging. It is quiet enough under the dinette seat when just using small AC appliances like when watching TV? Is the MPII truly more efficient? Could it be quieter? I just purchased two 300AH Epoch batteries and I cannot believe FedEx tracking says they will be here on Tuesday. It only makes sense to work these installs together.

After replacing the Xantrex ProWatt SW 2000 with the Victron Multiplus, what are the Xantrex and AGMs worth? Thinking of posting the Xantrex and 4 AGMs on Craigs List and FB Marketplace. Also have the old Progressive Dynamics original power board I replaced before I decided to get the MultiPlus. Any suggestions on what I should price it at? Oh, and I have the battery tray I took out to get the 3 Lithiums in the battery box. Also would be Happy to haul them to the Rally if anyone would like to buy them. I’ll be at site F27 and like it for someone who has been there and done it to take a look at my set up and give me suggestions. Thanks. Gary Gary.Teaney@ConsultantsTCB.com 727-224-2754

I pulled the plug and got 3 Watt Cycle 280 Ah Lithium Batteries for a total of 840 Ahs. Yes, based on Will Prowse’s review, got the Blue Sea 400 amp fuse. I also bought the Victron Multiplus, yes, not the II, the Cerbo GX, and the Victron 50 Touchscreen. Good news is that Beast fits where the old Xantrex ProWatt SW was. I’ve read, and reread, and reread the great posts other owners have posted on their MultiPlus upgrades. Sad to say, it’s way over my pay grade. Have a mobile RV guy coming out to install. He is saying 3 to 5 hours for install. Seems fair to me, since I don’t have a clue. He says it might also take an hour to configure the Multiplus. I am hoping someone can give me their configuration or tell me who might get me that info to save me that $150 an hour of button pushing. I’ll have him install the Cerbo GX. I may install the Victron 50 Touchscreen later. Would like some advice on best place to run the wire and mount for that. I do NOT have the Zamp Controller panel installed so that hole does not exist in my trailer. My goal is to have all this work done before I’m on the road to the April Ollie Rally at Lake Guntersville. Any comments, suggestions, questions will be much appreciated. Thanks Gary Hull 292 The Range Rover

7 hours later, the Goldstar RV Owner, Matt, took out the Xantrex Inverter, wired in the Victron Multiplus, programmed with the Victron MK3, wired up the Cerbo GX, and 50 Touchscreen, and we turned on the AC with the 840 amps of 3 280Ah Watt Cycle Lithiums. Oh Happy Days. Have gotten some good advice on where to mount the touch screen. May wait to do that at the rally, or when we get to the Mothership on May 5th. Would never have had this happen without a LOT of support from fellow Ollie Owners. Thanks so much. Hope to see you at the Rally. We are Site F27 in the Range Rover, Hull 292 Gary, Anita, and Ranger

You could use adhesives. OTT is really good at gluing things down, and drilling into fiberglass, but there are better installation methods. I wanted our Victron MP2 mounted on a solid platform and sitting on rubber to reduce vibration and sound, no way screwed to a board glued to the inner hull! 😎 https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/10420-off-grid-upgrade-minimal-design-–-victron-multiplus-ii-and-600ah-epoch-lifepo4/

I'm sure all the Victron users know this, but there is a temperature input on the Smart Shunt, on the Multiplus II and four on the Cerbo GX. I assume that information can also be fed to the phone app.

For those that have upgraded to the Victron MP2. I am thinking about swapping out my Xantrex 2000 for a Victron Multiplus II 3000 and installing Lithium batteries. The part that I need help with is the wiring from the PD 4000 distribution panel and bypassing or disconnecting the charger. Still need converter portion for shore 110v? MP2 for Inverter DC to AC, power switch (Shore to DC, DC to Shore) and charging. Does the OEM wiring from the junction box on Xantrex end just go into the AC IN and AC OUT on the Victron Multiplus? Or do you need to run the shore power out of EMS to Multiplus AC IN and then back to distribution panel. Do you simply disconnect charger? If you run new longer feed from the EMS to MP 2 AC IN then can you use the AC OUT back to the PD 4000? OR does the EMS to MP2 go back to shore power in the same AC in on back of PD 4000. Any clarification on these questions or pics would be greatly appreciated. Just trying to figure it all out before hiring someone or diving in myself. I, also, just want to understand how it works. Thanks in advance for any feedback. Mike

We keep our Victron Multiplus II on ALWAYS because we use AC appliances all the time! Also, with the MP2 full OFF does not allow for shore-power pass-through. There are 4 states as seen in the menu which can be changed via the VictronConnect Bluetooth App (see picture). The MP2 is more efficient than the original Multiplus as follows with power saving modes: - Zero load power 13W - In AES mode 9W - In Search mode 3W 13W is about 1A or 24Ah used per day (I don't bother with the power savings Modes). Since our Oliver is always outdoors, it takes about 3 hours of sun or 6 hours of clouds to replenish the 36Ah in 24 hours, the 24Ah for the inverter and another 0.5Ah x 24 for DC usage, Exterior Courtesy Lights ON and DC parasitic draw. I will on occasion turn the inverter off overnight, for example when charging is creating noise under my bed or when boondocking and SOC is low from use (<50%) and we need to be off-grid more overnights. On the rare occasion when the inverter is turned OFF overnight, Chris will try to start the electric kettle for coffee in the morning and when she gets no power she knows. So, I turn it back on using the app while still in bed! Our batteries have to be really low to use LP. The 1100W electric kettle (usually draws 900W) boils water in half the time. When SOC% gets low we have DC-2-DC charging and an extra 400W in suitcase solar. Our Epoch and Victron upgrades are GREAT and we use them to the fullest!

I installed the VE.bus (required addition to the Victron Multiplus providing Bluetooth when going without screen displays), connected by Ethernet cable, in the same basement area on top of the wheel well. I put it there since it measures temp and I wanted it near the top of the same area where our inverter/charger is installed. The picture shows the "Detailed" tab of the app. You can see that today mine reads 69F and my Ruuvi sensor in the back trunk area shows 60F, which is about our outside temp today. The screen states Battery Temp because they assume you install it in the battery bay. So, the Victron is adding up to +9F on a cool day (hardly inverting and not charging at all since shore power is disconnected). Also, the cooling fan is off. BTW, these Beech Lane fans need resetting whenever power is disconnected. Above I mentioned the VE.bus is required. This is only true if you are like me and do not want the other Victron toys and displays, just app connection. I also mentioned USB or USB-C which is wrong for this device. The VE.bus is connected by Ethernet only to provide Bluetooth access to the Multiplus. This VE.bus also allows you to turn the Multiplus ON/OFF, charger ON only, or inverter ON only. There is an accessory you truly need for configuring the Multiplus. It's connected to the Mulitplus also by Ethernet port and at the other end of the device there's a short USB or USB-C cable to connect to your laptop. I have this sitting under the rear dinette seat but have not needed it since the original install. Though I believe I will need it again soon to up my batteries charge rate from 50A to 100A. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BNBVKSTH/

Next, we'll have to get you into a Victron Multiplus II with PowerAssist! I've used ours a couple of times when on 15A shore power connections. From Victron: PowerAssist – Extended use of generator or shore current: the inverter/charger “co-supply” feature, allowing the inverter/charger to supplement the capacity of the alternative source. Where peak power is often required only for a limited period, the inverter/charger will make sure that insufficient AC mains or generator power is immediately compensated for by power from the battery. When the load reduces, the spare power is used to recharge the battery.

You don't really need a display on inverter/charger systems. After replacing our Xantrex with the Victron Multiplus, we covered up the hole where the Xantrex switch was with artwork! It's all about readings on the apps! 😎 The App is showing the Victron in Power-Assist mode. I've set incoming amperage for a 15A (household circuit). So to run the A/C, the Victron is inverting the net required power supplied by the LiFePO4 batteries. Xa

It’s unfortunate that your Xantrex died, and it sounds like the installer charged you full price for the unit, which is normal practice. But you saved a lot more on the installation cost by replacing it with another Xantrex because they didn't have to fit a different sized display or make wiring changes. Victron's are nice, especially if you have other Victron components all linked together. But I also like the Xantrex units, they are generally reliable and they have good lithium charging profiles, and they are very simple to set-up and use. FYI, be sure to check and re-torque your wire connections after using it. In last weeks YouTube episode of “Happily Ever Hanks,” their recently installed Victron Multiplus literally burned up! They don’t know why at this point, but in my opinion it was probably a loose connection. Cheers! Geoff

Learning about this kind-a stuff is why we have this Forum! These links are from the Xantrex and Victron "Stores" on Amazon. The Xantrex is $635 less and I cannot believe the price on the Victron, $100 less than I paid July 2024! Get your money back? https://www.amazon.com/Xantrex-818-3010-Freedom-Inverter-Charger/dp/B08C1VRWZL https://www.amazon.com/Victron-Energy-MultiPlus-II-Inverter-120A-50A/dp/B0BZV91KW4/?th=1

I understand why you might want to reinstall the same unit as you removed - but I feel really bad for you that some dealer took advantage of you. These units are available online for much less and as @jd1923 said - the more capable and robust Victron Multiplus II is even less. Given Xantrex's response to you - I'm a bit surprised you didn't consider other options. Not that it matters, but my opinions is that Oliver would be doing their future customers a big favor by ditching these other brands and going to an all-Victron electrical system.

Please do not do this! The better Victron Multiplus II is exactly half this cost, with better functionality and reliability! There are several threads here re failures of this brand inverter-charger.