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john-j avatar image
john-j asked

Running Venus software on Raspberry Pi 3B within the operating system framework

Hello all. Sorry if this has already been answered. If so, please feel free to berate me. ;)

I have looked in to this but with my newly AND limited experience, I'm still at a loss. I have a Victron 100/50 running at my remote property since late August this year. The property is now completely off the grid thanks to my solar system. I bought a Raspberry PI 3B+ about a month ago and installed the Venus OS onto a micro SD card. Using an ethernet to WIFI attachment (IO Gear), the PI connects to my mobile hotspot on my dedicated mobile phone at the remote property. I wasn't sure how to set up the WIFI initially so I just went with equipment I already had which was proven. Also, I purchased and employed the V.E. Direct cable. (Victron Energy VE.Direct to USB Interface) and plugged that cable into PI #1 currently in use at the remote property. Works very well. While at my home 150 miles away, I can link to the VRM portal and "see" the state of my solar system at my remote property. That being said...

I bought a second Raspberry PI 3B+ for learning purposes at my home for myself and my son. I downloaded an OS, updated same, learned how to connect it to my WIFI, downloaded TeamViewer to the PI and remotely connected to same, etc. I tried to download the Venus OS to my 2nd PI's OS but can't seem to make it work. Could not load both simultaneously. I've checked lots of posts, websites, YT videos, etc but I'm at a loss. I have only figured out how to load the Venus OS to the PI OR the raspberry pi OS to the PI but not both.

I would like to have Venus running on the PI but also would like to have the PI do other things and have the ability to remotely log in with TeamViewer to check on/utilize other electronics at my remote property as well as the Venus OS. Is it not feasible to run Venus and PI OS at the same time? Sorry for such a rudimentary question.

Thanks in advance for your direction/education!


Venus OS
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2 Answers
bathnm avatar image
bathnm answered Ā·

@John J Use separate SD-Cards for each OS you want to run. VenusOS is not a general purpose operating system. It is an embedded OS for performing a very specific tasks.

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Mike Dorsett avatar image
Mike Dorsett answered Ā·

Note on the PI OS: You can not load BOTH OS to the pi at the same time.

If you need the Venus OS functionality, then use this operating system. You can install your own programs and run them in the /data/etc folder. You will need to connect to the pi using SSH over your local network, or add a monitor, keyboard and mouse. Venus OS is by default running in headless mode, which means its default display will not appear on a monitor plugged into the pi.

If you need to switch between OS on the same pi, then you will need 2 micro SD cards.

Team Viewer for the pi will only operate on a local network, Real VNC will operate remotely, but I'm not sure this will work under Venus os.

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Related Resources

Victron Venus OS Open Source intro page

Venus OS GitHub (please do not post to this)