Victron Controller

Nabsim

Nabsim

Forum Member
Just posting this for info/comment as it isn't something I know anything about but I have seen a few of you use Victron monitoring software that doesn't have Bluetooth connectivity. I may be reading this wrong as I say its not something I know about but I 'think' this will let you connect up via Bluetooth as well as the Victron cables.

Cerbo GX - Victron Energy

This all-new communication-centre allows you to always have perfect control over your system from wherever you are and maximises its performance.
www.victronenergy.com www.victronenergy.com
 

wildebus

Forum Member
An interesting product I was not aware of.
the "GX" products are basically the central 'brain' that collates all the data from the various Victron devices, such as the BMV Monitord, MPPT Controllers, etc. The Colour Control GX (CCGX) was the first, followed by the Venus GX (which is what I run) which is a 'headless' CCGX with a few extra features, and there is the Octo GX, which is like a Venus GX with more physical connections for additional devices (you might use this if you have a whole bunch of MPPTs for example)
None of those have bluetooth capabilty so the only way for the user to communicate with a GX is via it's Network (RJ45 Cable, Wifi or Internet). Looks like with the Cerbo they have extended that connectivity to using the Victron Connect Smartphone app.
Is that useful? Given that I doubt if there is a single Smartphone/Tablet around that has Bluetooth but does not have Wi-Fi, I am not sure of it being a massive benefit (a nice to have for sure).

If it allows you to connect the Victron Devices to the GX via Bluetooth, then THAT would be a great advantage - I shall be reading further on that point :)
Also, the firmware that the GX systems run on is called "Venus OS" and is open source. I guess there will have been an update to add bluetooth support for the Cerbo - I wonder if that update will enabled the Bluetooth that is on the Raspberry Pi that runs Venus OS? I would think if not immediately, some clever chap will do the tweaks to allow it.
 
Nabsim

Nabsim

Forum Member
Now i know why I don't know much about all this lol

I think its a new product Dave that's why I posted, hope it gives Bluetooth connectivity to devices at some point as I can see big advantages to new adopters if so. Probably only van and motorhome users though as with boats distance could impact it.
 

wildebus

Forum Member
Nabsim said:
Now i know why I don't know much about all this lol

I think its a new product Dave that's why I posted, hope it gives Bluetooth connectivity to devices at some point as I can see big advantages to new adopters if so. Probably only van and motorhome users though as with boats distance could impact it.
Click to expand...
Looks like only out this month :) I'll be checking the Victron community pages for more info as questions get asked, but from what I can tell the bluetooth is ONLY for GX to the User, and NOT for GX to/from devices (which is a shame if that is the case)
 
RAW

RAW

Forum Member
Interesting

I would hope that this would have support for Victron Bluetooth dongles added to Charge Controllers, like I have on my 100/30 with a Victron VE Port BT dongle which cannot at present, as far as I am aware, be integrated with Venus OS on the Raspberry Pi ! That is a bit of a bind as I have to put the VE from 100/30 Via USB to Pi and that then messes with Victron Smart Networking as the 100/30 is not then bluetooth enabled.

I would imagine it will be pricey IRO £500 (guess) I had a look at Onboard Energy Site and not in stock so dropped them an email
 
Nabsim

Nabsim

Forum Member
That’s what I thought when I posted it but think Dave maybe right and BT is just for the app
 

wildebus

Forum Member
RAW said:
Interesting

I would hope that this would have support for Victron Bluetooth dongles added to Charge Controllers, like I have on my 100/30 with a Victron VE Port BT dongle which cannot at present, as far as I am aware, be integrated with Venus OS on the Raspberry Pi ! That is a bit of a bind as I have to put the VE from 100/30 Via USB to Pi and that then messes with Victron Smart Networking as the 100/30 is not then bluetooth enabled.

I would imagine it will be pricey IRO £500 (guess) I had a look at Onboard Energy Site and not in stock so dropped them an email
Click to expand...
Something that might be of interest and benefit to your setup ... Victron did a (long-overdue IMO) update at the end of last year that allows Temperature and Voltage data to be sent to Devices via the cables (i.e. VE.Direct and VE.Bus), so the Smart Networking feature to use the Smart Battery Sense unit can now be removed if you have certain devices. In your case, you could connect the Victron Temp Sensor to the BMV-712 and then send both the Voltage AND Temp from the BMV to the MPPT via the Pi (I have a battery temp probe on my Multiplus and I can - and have - finally removed the Smart Networking and used the same Temp Probe for both charging devices instead of having multiple probes next to each other).
You still lose the ability to use Victron Connect to view the MPPT, but you get to view it on the Console/Portal AND have the right voltage & temperature compensations in place.

Not sure what the price difference is between the Cebro and the Venus? there is extra connectivity (one more VE.Bus. one more VE.Direct port) and a bigger storage and faster processer, but if you don't need the extra ports, the new Cerbo won't be woth paying much of a premium for (unless it could be a future-proofng purchase? maybe if there is not bluebooth connectivity to the devices now, there will be in the future with frmware upgrades?).

I'm going to update my Venus Pi and see if the bluetooth works on it...
 
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RAW

RAW

Forum Member
wildebus said:
I'm going to update my Venus Pi and see if the bluetooth works on it...
Click to expand...

Please let me know

Onboard got back to me and said the price would be £301 + VAT but they would not be in stock for 3 weeks, they also offered me a discount, maybe because I have bought from them before.
 

wildebus

Forum Member
so £360 for the Cerbo? that is not bad really compared to the Venus GX - I would have gone for the Cerbo over the Venus at that price difference.
Having used the Venus GX and the Pi running Venus OS, I really do prefer the native Victron product and dpn't regret paying the extra to switch.
 
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RAW

RAW

Forum Member
wildebus said:
Venus GX and the Pi running Venus OS, I really do prefer the native Victron product and dpn't regret paying the extra to switch.
Click to expand...
Only used Venus OS on the PI, I like the remote console and the Data View on the VRM Portal. This is the email I sent back to Onboard regarding some tech question as mentioned above:
---------------
Dear ****,

That's very kind and thanks for your offer.

On a technical note, do you know if the Unit will support Bluetooth Networking with Victron devices that have BT Dongles.
At present I have an MPPT 100/30 with a BT dongle and I am using a Raspberry Pi with Venus OS but the Raspberry PI and Bluetooth on VENUS OS are incompatible
Also my SMART Battery Monitor (Victron) does not integrate with Venus OS

So will all devices integrate with this over Bluetooth do you know ?
  • BlueSolar 100/30 with Victron BT Dongle
  • Victron Smart Battery Sense
  • Victron BMV-712 Monitor
Many thanks

Robert
----------------
 

Deleted member 4404

Robert, I've added the manual to Resources and assigned it to you - thanks
Chris
 
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SquirrellCook

SquirrellCook

Forum Member
I've been reading it, but so many options to plug things in. But then some will work and some won't, other like it and other don't! Sounding very much like modern life. Male, Female, Male and Female Homosexuals. Then those that just don't know.
 
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