question

stuart avatar image
stuart asked

how do i use ve configure with a mac?

i am trying to connect to a multiplus to use ve config tools using a mac(not windows) i have downloaded wine bottler and have the software installed and it seems to run fine but when i try to connect using auto detect it cannot connect? any help would be greatly appreciated, cheers, stuart

VEConfigure 3macOS
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dubzy777 avatar image dubzy777 commented ·

I have the same dilemma with my Microsoft surface pro anyone know why ?

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paul-c-olin avatar image paul-c-olin commented ·

Different look at the same problem:

- VictronConnect runs on a Mac:

Got a MultiPlus48/3000/35-16 , an MPPT an Orion 48Vdc to 12, with 48V 200Ah batteries and a battery monitor. I need to set a couple of things in the Multiplus to get it to accept the genset energy. Multiple ways lead to the Apple Mac Store, but once on the VictronConnect page there is only an OPEN button and NO DOWNLOAD command. When it runs, it pops up a window, with a device search list. Everything fine until now, except that my devices are 200 kilometers away. If I would have a grid I would not buy all that stuff and as it happens in the middle of the woods, there is no internet either

Question: How or where can I DOWNLOAD VictronConnect for a Mac (OS 0.14.3)?

Post scriptum:

Just found out what happens. In MacAppStore, In MacAppStore, push OPEN, the only button there is and let it search for devices - do not cut short. After a minute or so the application gives up telling: "No devices detected". Close the window.

Without telling anything, VictronConnect has installed itself in a subfolder of "Applications" called "Utilities". Good to know. As soon as I stand near my Multiplus, I will do a serious test, hoping to get things running.

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JohnC avatar image JohnC ♦ paul-c-olin commented ·

Hi Paul. I'm not sure you're heading in the right direction here. 'Accepting genset energy' functions in a Multi are beyond the scope of VictronConnect. These things change often, but I expect you'll need VE.Configure and a MK3>usb dongle to do that. This is a link from today:

https://www.victronenergy.com/support-and-downloads/software

To access even with Connect, you'd need a VE.Bus Smart dongle and newish Multi firmware on board. Functionality seems limited for what you want to do. And it won't be your Mac.

https://www.victronenergy.com/live/vebus_smart_dongle_manual

Just in case you're unaware..

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Graydon avatar image Graydon commented ·

I had the same issue, and couldn't get wine bottler to work. Then I disabled AUTO recognize under the comm port and it found the Multiplus and works fine now

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18 Answers
markus avatar image
markus answered ·

Hi, I personally use a Mac with a Parallels based Windows VM for that, with absolutely no problems.

You can download a 180 day test version of Windows for free. And Parallels is also available for trial period. Maybe you get your configurations done in that time, so it would be possible for free ;o)

There are posts here of people managed to run VE.configure in Wine. So it should be possible, getting it up and running within this platform too.

Best Regards,

Markus

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eric-heiberg avatar image eric-heiberg commented ·
Hallo ! I downloaded free version of Paralells yesterday on my Mac and it works fine for VE.Configure for my Easysolar 24/3000. I will probably buy it after the 14 day free trial period. So far I recommend Paralells for Mac :-) -Eric
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stuart avatar image
stuart answered ·

thanks so much markus, i will try it out that way, regards, stuart

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markus avatar image markus ♦♦ commented ·

You can even have, to look it like it would run directly in OSX:

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linqf avatar image
linqf answered ·

Can see this https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/victron-dev-venus/GSftlA5xj1Y

Need a little knowledge.

Manually link the Mk3 device to Wine's Com port.

etc.

Finally plug in your MK3 to USB adapter , then go into terminal and do a " ls /dev " , then look for a something like tty.usbserial-HQ1722D4FRM take that TTY device and make a symlink to a com port in the wine dosdevices directory like so " ln -s /dev/tty.usbserial-HQ1722D4FRM ~/.wine/dosdevices/com1 ".

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markus avatar image markus ♦♦ commented ·

I can't decrypt a question here ;o) What kind of knowledge do you mean?

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linqf avatar image linqf markus ♦♦ commented ·

Some computer related knowledge. For example, how to open a terminal and use the command line.

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markus avatar image markus ♦♦ linqf commented ·

Maybe, it is a bit more easy to do it with Parallels. There is no need of a command line in that case.

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linqf avatar image linqf markus ♦♦ commented ·

Yes. This is a sad question about money. But one more free option is always better, isn't it?

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markus avatar image markus ♦♦ linqf commented ·

If you just want to configure your devices, maybe the free Parallels trial period is good enough to go.

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rokr avatar image
rokr answered ·

Hi, I use a MBP 2012, and have a boot partition set up and running Windows 7. Works without any problems, i use the USB-Mk2 dongle..

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camthecam avatar image
camthecam answered ·

I got parallels but didn't finish the install before the trial ran out. Thought I'd program my Multi (19**) before I set up but it needed to be run on batteries to do this not AC.

Installed wine and got VEConfigure to go but 'port not found' after doing the manual tty thing.

Tried VMware.

Tried Rpi....Venus but that is not compatible. why not put mk3 in Venus? Anyone? Beuller?

Tried ReactOS...

Tried borrowing a windows laptop from work but security wouldn't let me download any programs (VEConfig)

So I have a bluetooth dongle, a usb - Mk3, a multiplus, 4 mac computers, internet, batteries BUT I can't configure the Multi!!! WTF?

I might have to buy a secondhand computer off gumtree, drive to get it, programme the multi, advertise the pc on bay to sell it again.... really?

Very frustrated at this point. The furtherest (is that a word?) I got was with wine, but it wouldn't see the com port. I did the ln/dev thing found my tty number, put that in wine, but no joy. Any tips before I use a perfectly good Multi as an anchor?

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markus avatar image markus ♦♦ commented ·

Hi @camthecam,

Maybe its cheaper and less effort to just buy a parallels license key than a secondhand Windows computer. ...just thinking.

Regards,

Markus

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Mikael avatar image Mikael commented ·

Check out VirtualBox https://www.virtualbox.org it's free. I don't know if will work with VE Configure but worth a try.

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Warwick Bruce Chapman avatar image Warwick Bruce Chapman Mikael commented ·

Yes, I have made it work with Virtualbox.

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rom avatar image
rom answered ·

so y they just dont make veconfigure for mac?

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old-bargee avatar image
old-bargee answered ·

PLEASE VICTRON; whysubject your customers to all this grief when you of all people should be able to get someone to modify this little app for Mac?

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The future is VictronConnect, which is available for Mac.

It can already do many of the most common things required for VE.Bus systems, though not yet feature complete with VEConfigure.

What is holding you back from using VictronConnect?

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cissabrandao avatar image cissabrandao Guy Stewart (Victron Community Manager) ♦♦ commented ·

What do I need to do to connect VE.Bus to OS Version of VictronConnect?


I am using a Victron RJ45 cable and MK3-USB dongle and I can successfully connect my Multiplus to the Windows version of VictronConnect running on the same computer, but not to the OS Version.

Thank you!

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Kennedy avatar image
Kennedy answered ·

Just successfully accessed the configuration settings on my Multiplus 3000/12 using the MK3-to-USB and a 2013 Macbook Pro running VictronConnect. Changed the charge profile to the Lithium batteries setting. The newer, sleeker VictronConnect app appears to do most of what VEConfigure is typically used for. -September 2020

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cissabrandao avatar image cissabrandao commented ·

What OS Version are you running on your Mac?

I am trying hard and unsuccessfully to have VE.Bus detected on on my Mac. It works when I run Windows (trial about to expire) but not on the OS X version of the app.

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rmaddy avatar image
rmaddy answered ·

Today I successfully setup a Multiplus using VE Configure with a MK3 cable on my MacBook Pro running macOS 11.2 Big Sur. This was done using CrossOver. CrossOver is a commercial version of Wine that supports Big Sur. There is a free trial available if you wish to test it out first. The nice part of using CrossOver vs Parallels is that you don't actually need a Microsoft Windows license making it much cheaper. $40 (or $60 depending on the version) total. Parallels is $80 plus the cost of Windows. I have no connection with any of this software, just someone who got it working.

Getting CrossOver installed and then getting VE Configure installed and running is very simple. But getting VE Configure to actually recognize the device connected to your Mac via the MK3 cable takes some special one-time setup. @linqf answer hints at what is needed.

I've written complete instructions that I have submitted to CrossOver to add to the VE Configure Tips section on their compatibility page (https://www.codeweavers.com/compatibility/crossover/tips/ve-configure)

Attached is a copy of those instructions. Hopefully this helps someone.

VEConfigCrossOver.pdf


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stokie77 avatar image
stokie77 answered ·

I'm really looking forward to someone at Victron trying out a Macbook Pro and falling in love with it enough to tweak the software to run on OSX.

EVEN BETTER: Redesign Victron Connect to run on Mac AND do both tasks we all do: monitor our systems, and change settings, instead of the complex, roundabout VE Config way things are done at the moment. All in one App!

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Matthias Lange - DE avatar image Matthias Lange - DE ♦ commented ·
Victron is working on it.

It is planed that VictronConnect will replace VE.config some day but it takes time and as far as I know there is no precise roadmap.


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wkirby avatar image wkirby ♦♦ commented ·
VictronConnect is on the road to be the all-in-one application for configuration and monitoring. This is the reason why VE.Configure is not being developed for Macintosh.

Once VictronConnect is ready as the all-platform all-in-one application, then VE.Configure can be deprecated.
I agree, an Apple is a reasonably good computer, perfectly usable in my opinion AND it has a proper bash terminal built right in!!

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storm avatar image
storm answered ·

I've just updated the VE.Connect app (version 5.55) and now my mk3 now shows up on victron connected devices like mppts, and smart connect devices. On mac Catalina 11.7.

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neuman avatar image
neuman answered ·

I had the same problems with my Microsoft Surface Pro I tried to solve this problem for months now and asked people on different forums but no one knew how to resolve it. Then I stumbled on this topic...

This Thread was so helpful. Thank you, guys.

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Manda avatar image
Manda answered ·

I don't even remember why, but I had to install a version of Windows via bootcamp… A shame for a mac user!

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motylu avatar image
motylu answered ·

Hello guys,

I am thinking about older MacBook Pro 13" 2015 or latest MacBook Air M1. Now I am using HP laptop with Windows and also MS Surface Pro (III. gen.) with Windows without any problems. Because Victron Connect still does not allow to change Grid code and other things now, I need to run VeConfig and VE.Bus System Configurator.

Older MacBook has of course advantage of possibility to instal Windows via BootCamp, then I think there will be no problem running these apps.

Has anyone experiences with running these apps on Mac with M1 chip? Is it possible to run apps using Parallels on Windows 11 Insider Preview for ARM? Or with another cheaper/free virtual machine (VirtualBox,...)? Is it also possible to run Victron Connect, which I mainly use for firmware upgrade and setting to 3-phase configuration of MP-II, on Mac with M1 chip (maybe with help of Rosetta)?

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Hi @motylu

I have an M1, and a M1 max and use parallels and Windows 11 for ARM with Victron software.


I have in the past used virtual box as well, but I found parallels to be worth the extra money in speed and UI.

VictronConnect also works transparently with Rosetta.

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motylu avatar image motylu Guy Stewart (Victron Community Manager) ♦♦ commented ·

Thank you very much @Guy Stewart (Victron Community Manager) for your prompt answer!


Yes, I think that purchase Parallels is not wasting the money... If I can use also VEConfig with this configuration, it is important information for me, so probably I will go to the M1 :--)

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celts88 avatar image celts88 Guy Stewart (Victron Community Manager) ♦♦ commented ·

Thread originally started December 2018 and now May 2023 with still no update of Victron Connect that can do what ve.configure can do for setting up my Multiplus II


Very disappointed with Victron and their seemingly lack of updates for Mac users

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jose-mite avatar image jose-mite commented ·

I've used Crossover successfully (https://www.codeweavers.com/crossover), to view a .rvms file. I've installed VECSetup_A.exe into a "Windows 10 64-bit" bottle. I have Macbook with M1 max chip, OSX Monterey (12.5.1). They have free trial for 14 days (fully functional) and then $64 to buy the SW. Easy and fast to install the .exe, fast to run the apps installed inside (but my mac is a very recent model with 10core CPU + 32gb ram).

I have not used Parallels so I cannot compare the performace. I have not used "live" communication with a multi over a cable, since I don't have any. I was just reading the file exported from VRM.

Wine did not work for me, I think their support for 64-bit is lackluster and OSX is 64-bit only since Catalina. Or the VE apps themselves are 32-bit and cannot be run, not sure, I wasn't able to figure it out.

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bathnm avatar image bathnm commented ·
Yes it is. If you use the MK3 you need updated drivers for the serial interface on the MK3 as they need to be the arm variant. Searching the forums I posted sometime ago where and how to get them.
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pppoulin avatar image
pppoulin answered ·

I also have a Macbook pro M1 and I installed Paralle's, I was able to run the VE Configuration tools but can not communicate with my Multi+


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aly avatar image
aly answered ·

I had to run window on my Macbook Pro using bootcamp. I did not buy their usb device, but used vrm online ve config tool and follow the steps and worked.

My understanding ve config features are planed to be access by victronconnect app in the future. Which means don't expect ve.config to work on a Mac OS.

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hdf-mjf-technologies avatar image
hdf-mjf-technologies answered ·

Any News or a time plan about to configure rvms-files by VictronConnect with apple mac OS?

Just one Step ;-)

victronconnect.jpeg


PS.: I don't want to waste time with microsoft


victronconnect.jpeg (249.0 KiB)
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Hi @hdf-mjf-Technologies

Nothing to announce yet.

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paulcooper avatar image paulcooper Guy Stewart (Victron Community Manager) ♦♦ commented ·
Thanks Guy but how much hope should we attach to that little word “yet”? Should we waste time messing with Parallels (as you use yourself in your YouTube videos) or Wine? We live in hope that this is an active project within Victron but having some sort of timeframe (this month, this year, six months, never) would help to alleviate a lot of frustration with this issue for those of us that don’t live in a Microsoft world.
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Guy Stewart (Victron Community Manager) avatar image Guy Stewart (Victron Community Manager) ♦♦ paulcooper commented ·
I’ll know more after the METs event in November.


I am not expecting anything radical, however hopeful for progress regarding firmware updates without losing settings.

The long march is for VictronConnect to serve all configuration needs.

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Sarah avatar image Sarah Guy Stewart (Victron Community Manager) ♦♦ commented ·
Hi @Guy Stewart (Victron Community Manager) Being able to update the Multiplus without it resetting to factory defaults will be a huge step forward (even for those of us who run VEConfig in parallels on a Mac ).
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fancourt avatar image fancourt Guy Stewart (Victron Community Manager) ♦♦ commented ·

Hi @Guy Stewart (Victron Community Manager), not sure if you will see this as often my replies to old threads seem to pass you by entirely...


You mentioned you expected to know more after November - did that happen?


Remote configuration of VE.Bus devices via VRM is really important for Mac users as well as Windows users... I literally have ZERO use for Parallels other than VE.Configure and I have already used up my free trial. It is irksome to have to buy extra software for a single very rare yet also important purpose.

Will VE.Bus be phased out completely before we get this fixed?

Specifically (this time) - I need to change the Shutdown on SOC setting on a three phase Multiplus II system. Please enlighten me if there is a way to do this remotely without VE.Configure?

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fancourt avatar image fancourt fancourt commented ·
@Guy Stewart (Victron Community Manager) - no response? How do we get a follow up on your suggestion that you would have more information for us back in November?
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Hi @fancourt,

I had the chance to speak to both VictronConnect and VE.Bus developers.

Unfortunately expanding support for these kinds of files is of lower priority than some of the other features, so there is nothing imminent and no timeline to add this support.

Not what you want to hear, but the rationale goes that a work around exists at the moment, and they are working on features that don't have that at all first.

I found Parallels to be the easiest VM solution, but I was also able to use VMware and that was free.

I will continue to lobby for full featured VictronConnect VE.Bus support.

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getacca avatar image
getacca answered ·

I also have a Macbook pro M2 and I installed Paralle's, I was able to run the VE Configuration tools and the MK3 adapter communicate with my MultiPlus2.

I had to install a special driver here, then it worked.


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cedricg57 avatar image cedricg57 commented ·
Vous pouvez me dire quel pilote vous avez installé ?
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getacca avatar image getacca cedricg57 commented ·

Recherchez en ligne CDM-v2.12.36.4-for-ARM64-Signed-Distributable

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