Then, says the company, when there's no power available it's a high performance inverter. The third function is as an automatic high-speed changeover switch that will transfer power from mains to inverter seamlessly, with no need to turn a switch each time.

There are two levels of interaction between shore power and generator - PowerControl and PowerAssist.

Using a remote panel, or settings in the unit, the user can dial in how many amps are available from the 230V supply.

As appliances are switched on and off, the PowerControl mode will continually adjust the battery charger to prevent the supply from tripping out.

According to Victron, when a really big power consumer is switched on - an electric hob or aircon - the PowerAssist mode will give additional power from the inverter to boost the capacity of the shore or generator power for the limited period that demand exceeds the available capacity.

When the peak demand dies down the unit reverts back to charger mode and quickly recharges the battery.

The company says when used with, for example, a 6kW generator, one Multi Plus can provide a further 6kW of starting power that effectively doubles the capacity of the generator for starting aircon where the only other answer is a bigger generator.

The unit is available in Multi and Multi Plus format and in different power outputs to 2500W continuous power and up to 120A charger capacity for 12V or 24V battery systems.

There are also 115V 60Hz versions with full UL accreditation for US specification vessels.

Victron Energy Tel: 01788 567123 Fax: 01788 579919 E-mail: info@victron-energy.co.uk Web: www.victronenergy.com