Victron CGX Raspberry Pi & VRM ?

[RAW]

I now have a RPI attached in the Van to the Victron charge controller. It is also registered on Victron Portal and is displaying some Data on my account.
Is there any way that the other Victron devices in the Van can be integrated into the portal as the only devices showing are the rpi and the MPPT 100/30 charge controller.
I also have a smart Battery monitor and a Smart Controller.
Thinking about it the Bluetooth module for the 100/30 was plugged into it and now the PI is so that would break the BT network perhaps and as far as I know Victron Venus OS does not yet support RPI BT ??

 

[wildebus]

When it comes to the Venus Kit, you just have to forget Bluetooth entirely. It is not supported and my gut feeling is it probably never will be.

 

[RAW]

Rightyo
I might try and plug the PI into the output on the BMV712 as opposed to the Charge controller and see what the output might be.
What email address do you use for VRM portal (PM me) and can give you access if you want ?

 

[RAW]

So when I log into the Portal I get this, so nothing for the SOC of the battery, what would enable me to have SOC info @wildebus ??

 

[xsilvergs]

I ended up with each Victron device connected separately to the RPI using V.E.Direct to USB cables. Made it an expensive exercise.

 

[RAW]

I ended up with each Victron device connected separately to the RPI using V.E.Direct to USB cables. Made it an expensive exercise.

So maybe I could connect another USB cable from the BMV712 to the RPI and then it would display SOC info ?
Would I get away with a cheaper USB Cable rather than a Victron one I wonder ?
Like https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-To-R...-COM-Module-Serial-Cable-Adapter/253574390218

??

 

[wildebus]

It is as xsilvergs says - each unit needs a cable.
There is no cheaper VE.Direct to USB cable available that is suitable. A bit annoying but that's the downside of using the Pi instead of the official Vengus GX product.
having said that, at £2.99 it could be worth a shot - but be aware that the VE.Direct ports run at 3.3V I think. so you may need a voltage converter between 5V (USB) and the 3.3V?

 

[RAW]

Maybe

And see this Video

Might try that and would be a Fiver (£5) to make the cable though I might have some bits kicking around to DIY it myself, looks like +5V is left out in the comms which is just data from the Victron device to Pi and vice-versa

Cheers as always, coffee is on me when we eventually meet @wildebus !!

 

[RAW]

or even this (similar to above)
https://beta.ivc.no/wiki/index.php/Victron_VE_Direct_DIY_Cable

 

[wildebus]

I have seen that before and I gave it a go. Couldn't get it to work, but didn't actually try very long admittedly.

I now have a JST toolkit and crimper (to make standard VE.Direct cables) so might give it another go

 

[xsilvergs]

It is as xsilvergs says - each unit needs a cable.
There is no cheaper VE.Direct to USB cable available that is suitable. A bit annoying but that's the downside of using the Pi instead of the official Vengus GX product.
having said that, at £2.99 it could be worth a shot - but be aware that the VE.Direct ports run at 3.3V I think. so you may need a voltage converter between 5V (USB) and the 3.3V?

Yes, opto isolate, eBay

 

[wildebus]

Yes, opto isolate, eBay

I use one of those on the Victron Venus GX. 12V in from the various inputs and 3.3V out to go to the digital inputs on the GX

 

[RAW]

 

[wildebus]

I'll give this another go myself I think

 

[RAW]

I am getting there slowly but surely:-

 

[SquirrellCook]

Might try that and would be a Fiver (£5) to make the cable though I might have some bits kicking around to DIY it myself, looks like +5V is left out in the comms which is just data from the Victron device to Pi and vice-versa

Just a word of warning and I'm sure you spotted it too. Pin out numbers and or positions are far more useful. Colours can and often are random.

And a read a little further and the same point has been made, I'll crawl back in my hole.

 

[xsilvergs]

I've also a USB GPS module (from Amazon). I have downloaded the .gpx file after a run and been able to see how battery charge current changed with speed, i.e. motorway Vs town driving. I've come to the conclusion my next purchase will be a B2B charger.

 

[RAW]

Just a word of warning and I'm sure you spotted it too. Pin out numbers and or positions are far more useful. Colours can and often are random.

And a read a little further and the same point has been made, I'll crawl back in my hole.

Will continuity test on the cables to make sure Pin-Outs work before implementation, thanks

 

[RAW]

I've also a USB GPS module (from Amazon). I have downloaded the .gpx file after a run and been able to see how battery charge current changed with speed, i.e. motorway Vs town driving. I've come to the conclusion my next purchase will be a B2B charger.

Are you monitoring all that of the VRM on Victron Portal then ?
What GPS did you use ?
Thanks

 

[wildebus]

I've also a USB GPS module (from Amazon). I have downloaded the .gpx file after a run and been able to see how battery charge current changed with speed, i.e. motorway Vs town driving. I've come to the conclusion my next purchase will be a B2B charger.

Interesting. I might have a look at that myself

Ref B2B charger, you may have seen that Victron have finally brought out a B2B charger. It is a variation on their DC-DC Converters I think. But the first release has no VE.Direct Port so might be worth waiting for the next release when they are likely to add that in?