Re: GRID 2 [Password]
Julia Heaslet
This feature would allow an additional layer of security and another option for someone to secure their account. The way that this would work is that a user would be given a sheet labeled a - z on the x-axis and then 0-9 on the y-axis. This sheet would then be printed and stored in a safe location.
The way to use this feature would be that the 2FA would ask for a series of 3 characters along with their coordinates. Example: A5, U9, K6. Then this user would look at their grid and enter the coo responding letter or number. If they get it all correct then they passed the 2FA
basically its another 2FA option that you can enable alongside of others like authenticators. The grid is generated on the fly and associated with the account (similar to the recovery codes). The grid is randomly generated (as far as I know) and its (I think) unique, and allows the user to be challenged to for a code if other 2FA methods are not available.
Exactly, I just moved today since LastPass decided to nerf the free package I used them for years until they decided to double their price overnight and now its triple what I used to pay, so no more I hope more ppl upvote this, it was one of the best features of LastPass, for the rest right now the transitions has been mostly smooth. The autofill is failing in some sites which LastPass can actually fill hopefully that is addressed later on.
Also planning on migrating from lastpass and would really like this feature, or a feature like single use MFA codes, which would probably be easier to implement. Just looking for a non-digital backup option incase I lose access to my phone or email.
From the information online and the prompt in VE Configure we need a password inorder to configure the MultiPlus 2 to use the Grid / other setting in order to get the gen set working as the AC input -right?
Just as an aside; why on earth did you put that under Grid menu when we're using the device in an Offgrid situation for gods sake! Using a Local Genset is the opposite of Grid! Surely you're not going to do "power back" to a gen set right?
Everything else has been plug and play to a large degree so to run into this situation in an emergency that requires us to get back to the really nice bloke who sold us the equipment in the first place is beyond a joke.
It should not be required out of the box on a new off grid installation. Only when making changes to an existing unit that has already been configured by the installer. There are some pretty serious implications for an incorrectly configured Multi connected to a generator, or the grid. So there needs to be some protections in place.
Security of operational settings The internal settings of the demand response or power quality response modes of the inverter shall be secured against inadvertent or unauthorized tampering. Changes to the internal settings shall require the use of a tool and special instructions not provided to unauthorized personnel. NOTE: Special interface devices and passwords are regarded as tools. Compliance shall be determined by inspection.
It is also explained in the opening paragraph of the VEConfigure manual - this tool is not intended for end users, but professional installers. The installer can then determine to authorise someone and pass on the code, if the person working on the equipment understands the risks and rules regarding AC generation supplies, and the consequences of making a mistake to that configuration. As the installer of record, they will ultimately be the one responsible if the unit is incorrectly installed and configured and causes an issue.
Apologies for your situation, it's not Victron's intention to make life harder for informed individuals that need to make changes to their systems. I know from my own experience how frustrating it can be to be limited by an arbitrary control that prevents getting the job done and getting on with the other things that need doing. However the current controls and protocols are approved by the Standards bodies and are necessary to make our equipment compliant and able to be sold, so this is the way that it is.
yes - fully accept it's our problem that we needed to use the code urgently at the last minute and without the installer present :( and hence we wear the full responsibility for misconfiguration possibility.
Thank you for being flexible enough given our current emergency to enable us to get it to work anyway (and having the config information available online to work it out without the installer in an emergency) - We are very happy with our Victron dealer and the support he's provided but the situation is a little unusual and am guessing we're not the only ones dealing with the Bushfire Apocalypse currently going on.
Whilst not a licensed installer, I have an Electrical engineering degree and extensive IT background (my dad is a sparky too) - so enough of a grounding in the theory of it all to workout VE Config and what the settings all mean and the various safety issues.
But even then I would have been completely stuffed if you didn't provide the VRM ability to upload and download config files!! (seems strange I know to upload a config file all the way over the satellite and back down to the CGX but it has been a life saver - Didn't have the MK3 USB to VE.Bus converter thingy in order to work direct)
The original factory default settings as discussed in the various FAQs didn't work for the gen set that was available. We could see the AC input was present but it wasn't kicking in. Wasn't until I switched to the different config/s suggested in the FAQ that it came good.
We hadn't configured it at the initial install because we fully intended to set it all up with a new Gen Set that shouldn't have needed the bonus settings that you've thankfully provided to allow the "little" 3.8kv cheap and cheerful generator that was purchased from "Masters" on special back in the day.
I'm also running into the same problem, albeit without the emergency and dire consequences. The vendor ABSOLUTEY REFUSES to supply the password even though it's an off grid situation, and subsequently I cannot get ESS working.
1.) It would NOT work with my generator, so after I got a bigger unit that'd work with the 19A limitation (mentioned below) I find out that the units anti-Islanding is causing the new generators breaker to trip. I still can't set up ESS, and GUESS WHAT! You still need a grid code to get it working...
So far I'm about $10K into the project, and NO DAMN JOY... I'd put the Outback system back in and deal with the shortcomings of that, but sadly the labor involved is definitely prohibitive... BUT, at least that system worked! I'm getting really sick of resetting the breakers. All I need to do is set grid to other and the problem goes away...
Installation of the generator and an inverter charger absolutely requires a qualified and licensed electrician. Most larger generators will require internal modifications to remove hard wired earth neutral links when hard wired into a Victron power system to prevent nuisance tripping of RCDs from multiple earth to neutral link paths.
End users are NOT expected to understand, or undertake this work, it comes with potentially life threatening risks during installation, or in the event of a fault if incorrectly installed. I believe most countries in the world forbid this kind of work by anyone other that a qualified electrical tradesperson.
ESS is NOT for use in Off grid systems, - which might explain your installers reluctance to provide you with the password to enable it - this is described on page 1 of the ESS manual here.
Beyond that, Please articulate your ongoing frustrations into this support request, and a copy will be sent to your distributor via Victron, perhaps there can still be something done to configure your system to get it working reliably -
Ok, forget the ESS. I still need the grid passcode so that I can stop tripping the breaker on the generator. The 1800W of solar on the roof is fine as it is. I'll code the logic using MQTT data from the cerbo.
A good number of places here in the US (State & National Parks) have absolutely forbidden generators (for noise reasons). They also have NO power provided. If no one hears the generator, there's no complaint. The idea is to run it for as minimal a time as possible at the lowest rate of consumption possible to replenish the batteries as efficiently and quietly as possible making up for any deficiency that the solar did not provide. (Clearly later in the evening, and perhaps early in the AM if batteries are critical)
This is absolutely silent, you cannot hear it even if you're next to the bus. If I put in a bigger generator, then the issue is noise. (Gas DC turbine generator and a charge controller would be nice, vent it directly upwards through a baffle, but the heat... too much heat... You get into all sorts of fantastical ceramic insulation which doesn't take too kindly to years of being bumped around. Not a big fan of fires where they shouldn't be. So internal combustion and custom exhaust it is.)
I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS SINCE 1988, I FULL WELL KNOW THE INTRICACIES OF GENERATORS, BONDED NEUTRAL, FLOATING NEUTRAL. I've even diagnosed problems for data centers with regard to their 3 phase backup generators and UPS systems that the so called "professionals" couldn't figure out. (software escapes most electricians)
I'm not some jackass, I paid for the functionality because I engineered a solution with it, and come to find now that the functionality I paid for is being denied. Not happy... Please provide the pass code. I understand you're trying to protect people from their own idiocy, but I'm not a darwin award candidate. I like life... Sometimes it can be frustrating though.
For such a fine product, I find it incredibly hard to understand WHY the best features are crippled by the irrational fear of liability... The product you sell could well end up being your competitors.
Hi possible a way around this could be to reinstall the FW via Veflash or update the firmware using veflash this will reset everything to default then you can reset the settings. then contact your local Victron rep for the password (for next time)
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