Combined Shore power charger/MPPT controller/inverter

[Irish Rover]

I'm planning to upgrade my solar to approx 1,100W and buy 2 x MPPT controllers and fit a Victron 3KVA inverter retrieved from a previous boat. There's already a Victron shore power charger in place. I'm wondering if it's possible to buy a single unit which will do all 3 functions to save space and keep it simple. I know Victron have a combined MPPT and inverter and they also have a combined shore power and inverter but what about a single unit for all 3 functions??

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Yes it's called EasySolar.

 

[Irish Rover]

Yes it's called EasySolar.

Does it handle 230v shore power input?

 

[LiftyK]

I have an ancient combi battery charger and shore power unit. As the suppliers had combi designs in their range, I looked to see what they do today. If this doesn’t suit, have a mooch around their website.

Integral

 

[Tranona]

Does it handle 230v shore power input?

According to the spec it does. Don't know much about such things but there seems to be a range of different levels of power and sophistication victronenergy.com/inverters-chargers/easysolar

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

I'm planning to upgrade my solar to approx 1,100W and buy 2 x MPPT controllers and fit a Victron 3KVA inverter retrieved from a previous boat. There's already a Victron shore power charger in place. I'm wondering if it's possible to buy a single unit which will do all 3 functions to save space and keep it simple. I know Victron have a combined MPPT and inverter and they also have a combined shore power and inverter but what about a single unit for all 3 functions??

An example:- ?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/25639485...851319&targetid=2271253360706&device=c&mktype

 

[Irish Rover]

According to the spec it does. Don't know much about such things but there seems to be a range of different levels of power and sophistication victronenergy.com/inverters-chargers/easysolar

Is the inverter only 1,600 W? I'm looking for minimum 3,000W.

 

[Irish Rover]

An example:- ?
Victron EasyPlus Compact Inverter Charger 12V 1600 3000W 70A-16A 230V VE.Bus CEP | eBay

Is that not just a inverter/charger without MPPT?
As per my OP I'm looking for something that will handle 1,100w of solar and have a minimum 3000W inverter.

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

Is the inverter only 1,600 W? I'm looking for minimum 3,000W.

Yes, sorry! Too much thinking on the hoof and not enough pause for thought

 

[j3tpropelled]

If Victron you'll likely want the Quattro range.

AC Input
Solar Input
Battery Charging
Inverter

Quattro - Victron Energy

 

[Irish Rover]

If Victron you'll likely want the Quattro range.

AC Input
Solar Input
Battery Charging
Inverter

Quattro - Victron Energy

I don't see any reference to solar input or mppt controller?

 

[j3tpropelled]

I don't see any reference to solar input or mppt controller?

I can't believe I got that wrong, must be a Friday / Heat / Senior Moment combo!

I think then you'll want the EasySolar-II GX - EasySolar-II GX - Victron Energy

 

[j3tpropelled]

You don't mention what battery voltage you run (12/24/48) but I believe the above only have models for 24/48v

 

[Irish Rover]

You don't mention what battery voltage you run (12/24/48) but I believe the above only have models for 24/48v

Mea culpa. It's 12v.

 

[Trident]

The Easy Solar they say is not recommended for mobile applications

My question would be why one device? It means that if one thing fails you lose everything . Separate is safer.
You can get an inverter charger in one and get the MPPT separately and then if your charger fails you still have solar input or vice versa.

Personally, I have all three separate by design - so I use multiple MPPT for a big array - its more efficient and provides redundancy ; I'd suggest the same to you. Then I have an inverter for 220V but I chose not to get the inverter charger because I have set things up so I split my shore power input through a transfer switch and not through it - so 99% of the time I run off the inverter from solar only but if i need to I can turn the shore power battery charger on to boost charge to the batteries and still use the inverter - its just more economic and efficient than having to swap over to shore power .

KISS says three simple systems are better than one complex system ... just another view point

 

[Irish Rover]

The Easy Solar they say is not recommended for mobile applications

My question would be why one device? It means that if one thing fails you lose everything . Separate is safer.
You can get an inverter charger in one and get the MPPT separately and then if your charger fails you still have solar input or vice versa.

Personally, I have all three separate by design - so I use multiple MPPT for a big array - its more efficient and provides redundancy ; I'd suggest the same to you. Then I have an inverter for 220V but I chose not to get the inverter charger because I have set things up so I split my shore power input through a transfer switch and not through it - so 99% of the time I run off the inverter from solar only but if i need to I can turn the shore power battery charger on to boost charge to the batteries and still use the inverter - its just more economic and efficient than having to swap over to shore power .

KISS says three simple systems are better than one complex system ... just another view point

Makes sense and that's probably where I've been headed all along as I already have a victron shore power charger fitted, I have a 3kw inverter retrieved from a previous boat, I've already identified 2 x 580w panels which will fit on my flybridge hardtop, and based on good advice on another thread, I'll go with 2 x 100/50 victron mppt controllers.

 

[rotrax]

My experience of multi-function systems is not good. If one part fails the whole lot has to be replaced.

I would always go for 'stand alone' units for this reason.

We have 400W Solar, 2X200W rigid panels, EPever 30 amp controller, 3000W inverter all running from a 440AH spiral wound AGM House bank with a 110AH Engine battery plus the starter battery for the 8KW Genset.

Solar kit and inverter was supplied from an ebay supplier, Craig Solar. £700 all in and a little change.

Since installing in 2021 the batteries have only ever been charged by the solar or the engine alternator when motoring.

We run 2 Fridges, 1 freezer 24/7 when aboard. Even in dull weather it copes. Inverter runs the washing machine, vacuum cleaner, instant pot pressure cooker plus charging devices and the laptop. We use the boat through the winter on the mooring, batteries still well up.