Can I use a VE.Direct Bluetooth Dongle on a Smartsolar 100/20 to extend BT range to a smart battery sense

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Ray asked Mar 3, '19

Can I use a VE.Direct Bluetooth Dongle on a Smartsolar 100/20 to extend BT range to a smart battery sense

@Guy Stewart (Victron Energy Staff) @mvader (Victron Energy Staff)

As previously posted my smart battery sense does not connect to the smart solar 100/20 because it is too far away in the engine bay (about 3 metres).

Can I add a VE.Direct BT dongle to the 100/20 and position it closer to the smart battery sense to solve this problem?

Bluetooth Smart Battery Sense

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Answer 1 · 2019-03-03T07:19:02Z

mvader (Victron Energy) answered · Mar 03, 2019 at 07:19 AM

Hi @ray_pridham@bigpond.com, I think so; but let me check internally to be sure.

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Ray commented · Mar 24, 2019 at 07:07 AM

@mvader (Victron Energy Staff)

Any progress on the above question re using a ve BT dongle to improve connection to smart battery sense.

thanks,

Ray

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mvader (Victron Energy) ♦♦ Ray commented · Mar 24, 2019 at 07:38 AM

Hi Ray, yes; that its possible. Thank you for the reminder; and my apologies: I forgot to post the info here.

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Ray mvader (Victron Energy) ♦♦ commented · Mar 25, 2019 at 01:58 AM

excellent thanks, now to hassle the supplier for a keen deal.

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Answer 2 · 2019-03-03T17:28:49Z

Bill answered · Mar 03, 2019 at 05:28 PM

Update the SBS firmware with victron connect. They really extened the BT range in the last couple months. Mine didn't connect at 6' prior to one of the last couple updates. Now it just works all the time. -Bill

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Ray commented · Mar 04, 2019 at 02:49 AM

Thanks bigbillsd , I will give it a try asap.

Ray

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Ray commented · Mar 04, 2019 at 03:53 AM

Ok updates all done successfully but range from smart battery sense to victron connect seems to be the same, ie not as good as range from the 100/20 which is about 6 metres.

Ray

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mvader (Victron Energy) ♦♦ Ray commented · Mar 04, 2019 at 05:38 AM

Hi Ray, yes that Smart Battery Sense currently doesn’t have a very good range.

We’re coming with an improved version (hardware redesign). I don’t know the timing from the top of my head; still months minimum.

I’ll still come back to your other question; a bit later today probably.

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