EasySolar-II GX 24/3000/70-32 Erweitern

Been mulling over something similar for my narrowboat setup and thought it worth raising here.

Currently running an EasySolar-II GX 24/3000/70 (2022 build) as the heart of the system — inverter/charger, MPPT, and GX all in one tidy unit. Works brilliantly for day-to-day loads, but I'm pushing the 3kVA ceiling more than I'd like when the induction hob and inverter fridge kick in simultaneously.

The obvious fix seems to be adding a second unit in parallel, but I've been down a bit of a rabbit hole trying to confirm what Victron actually supports here.

From what I can piece together:

• The EasySolar-II GX cannot be paralleled directly with another EasySolar-II GX — the GX controller conflict is the sticking point
• The recommended approach seems to be pairing it with a standard MultiPlus-II 24/3000/70 (non-GX variant), letting the existing EasySolar's GX handle all the monitoring and control
• Both units need to be on the same firmware and connected via VE.Bus with proper parallel configuration

Has anyone here actually done this on a single-phase off-grid setup? Particularly interested in whether the MPPT in the EasySolar plays nicely once you've got a second inverter on the bus — I'm using a Fogstar 24V LiFePO4 bank and want to make sure the charge profile coordination doesn't get messy.

Also wondering if there's a cleaner alternative — would a standalone Quattro 24/5000 be a better long-term move than bodging two units together?

Keen to hear from

@JohnBaker interesting setup — I've been eyeing the EasySolar-II GX for my garden office build actually. Couple of things I'm curious about with yours:

• Are you running it on a 24V lithium bank or lead-acid? I've seen conflicting info on whether the 70A MPPT handles higher voltage panels efficiently at that battery voltage
• What's your solar array size currently? I'm wondering if the built-in MPPT becomes a bottleneck before the inverter does

My concern with the narrowboat context specifically is the 32A shore power input — is that sufficient when you're on marina hookup, or do you find yourself wishing for more charge headroom in winter?

I'm debating whether the EasySolar makes more sense than building out separate Victron components (MultiPlus + SmartSolar) for flexibility. Presumably expansion options are more limited with the all-in-one?

@JohnBaker worth knowing the EasySolar-II GX has the VE.Bus port free if you're not already using it — that opens up the option of adding a Quattro or Multiplus in parallel down the line if your load requirements grow. Not a trivial job but it's a legitimate expansion path rather than replacing the whole unit.

On the 24V vs 48V question that often comes up with these — if you're still at planning stage, 48V would give you more headroom for battery expansion and keeps cable losses manageable on a narrowboat where runs can get awkward.

What's your current battery bank? If you're on AGM you might find the bottleneck is there before the inverter becomes the limiting factor. Fogstar Drift lithium at 24V is decent value if you're considering an upgrade.

@WelshSolar is onto something important with VE.Bus — that's exactly how you'd add a Quattro or second MultiPlus for increased inverter capacity or split-phase capability if that ever becomes relevant.

On the 24V narrowboat context specifically: the 70A MPPT in the EasySolar-II is genuinely capable, but watch your PV array voltage carefully — 24V battery systems push you toward higher-voltage strings to stay efficient, yet the MPPT input ceiling is 145V, so string planning matters.

If you're considering expanding battery capacity rather than inverter capacity, the EasySolar-II talks natively to Victron's BMS via VE.Can, so adding a second Pylontech or going to a larger LiFePO4 bank (Fogstar Drift cells are worth considering for DIY) is relatively straightforward without touching the inverter itself.

What's your current battery chemistry and bank size?

@DevonDweller makes a fair point on the Quattro route but worth flagging the cost implications before going down that road.

On a narrowboat specifically, space is the real constraint — a second inverter/charger physically mounted somewhere sensible isn't always straightforward. I've had to get creative with ventilation alone.

Before adding hardware, have you looked at whether your actual loads justify it? The 3000VA handles most things comfortably unless you're running a big inverter AC unit or something similarly hungry.

If it genuinely is a capacity issue rather than a redundancy one, sometimes the simpler answer is tightening up DC cabling losses and ensuring your battery bank isn't the bottleneck — poor cell balance can mask what looks like inverter limitation.

What's actually hitting the ceiling — continuous load or surge?

@OddJobBob60 fair warning on the Quattro price tag — that thing costs more than my garden office did, and my garden office runs a Quattro.