For those looking to use a Rasb Pi to monitor Victron kit

[xsilvergs]

I dont think this has been mentioned before but for those looking to connect Victron kit to a RaspbPi this product has appeared on the market.
Its a fully isolated 4 port hub for the VE direct ports.

Isolated 4 port USB to TTL UART FTDI – DuPPa

www.duppa.net

Thanks, I've been waiting for these to come available after seeing them on OffGrid Garage. Is it expensive for what it is?

 

[wildebus]

If I understand that product, this could also be used on a Victron GX product (Venus GX or Cerbo GX for example) to give more VE.Direct ports? which could be useful.
The price of this is just about the same as a single Victron VE.Direct to USB dongle.

 

[PeteS]

Thanks, I've been waiting for these to come available after seeing them on OffGrid Garage. Is it expensive for what it is?

I paid €37 including p&p. They were on back order for a long time 2 months maybe but it arrived this morning.

 

[PeteS]

Also bear in mind that the supplied JST connector on the 4 port Usb pcb is a different size to the JST connector used by Victron. Victron use 4 pin JST PH connectors whilst the PCB uses JST XH connectors.

 

[wildebus]

Also bear in mind that the supplied JST connector on the 4 port Usb pcb is a different size to the JST connector used by Victron. Victron use 4 pin JST PH connectors whilst the PCB uses JST XH connectors.

I guess that is why they have the cable shown linked to the item? I notice that has different JST connectors each end.

 

[PeteS]

I guess that is why they have the cable shown linked to the item? I notice that has different JST connectors each end.

The pinout is different too, its not one to one, gets the old grey matter going when your making up your own leads!!

 

[wildebus]

The pinout is different too, its not one to one, gets the old grey matter going when your making up your own leads!!

It is indeed. I always make up my own VE.Direct cables (The VE.Direct to USB ones are different. I find the DIY ones a touch flaky so reserve those for testing generally).

 

[PeteS]

Added the 4 way hub to my system today, worked as intended.
I'm glad I now have isolated inputs and outputs on the VE Direct bus, it always worried me that the DIY ones weren't isolated particularly as when the Raspberry Pi was switched off the VE Direct bus was attempting to power the USB interface. Never a good idea.