All Posts in Modifications

Map view

Choice to ungroup on map for big screen view. Saved zoom level(s) (named drop down etc)

to show/chose label on map (name, alias, tank level etc.as you choose)

for us that has machines placed around and moved, as well as have customers that has read access, they like to easy identify on map with key info and have their own naming (alias) (tower 3 etc)

alias naming to be changed without machine name changes, and maybe even a read only account can set alias name..

Updated tonight and as noted in the changelog it updated the firmware to v2.08.

All went well until at the end when it disconnected the output for a few seconds before reconnecting.

Our motorhome plunged into darkness, diesel heater, fridge inverter died etc. Not critical for us but it could well be for others?

Please consider modifying the software to avoid that brief disconnect.

My builder used the BatteryProtect BP-100 with IN connected to my 2020 Transit 250 dual battery/alternator Customer Connection Point, and OUT connected to my house battery, the Relion RB100 100Ah lithium battery. I am having some odd reverse-flow issues at times.

I read the following in the BP-100 manual:

Are we doing this wrong?

Thanks

Good afternoon,

A small update today, v2.70~6.

In case you're not sure what this is about, this post is intended for all people participating in the Venus OS Beta test program.

To learn more on v2.70, make sure to read the previous post.

What to test?

Basically everything. Since some low level things were changed (Rocko -> Zeus, see ~5 message), bugs and regression may lurk in the weirdest of corners. The good news is that, for RaspberryPi4s and Venus OS Large, v2.70 builds have been out there for a while; and running smoothy.

Change log v2.70~6

• Reduce image size for Venus GX, fixing issue that v2.70 didn't install on some Venus GX-es.

All the best, Matthijs

Save a config for shunt we discovering has calibration settings together with config settings.

That meaning we can not make a master config to deploy on all other machines we fabricate. (But instead must type it in manual, with the chance of mistyping )

I have a cerbo gx connected to a router over ethernet and want to allow devices connected to the wireless AP on the cerbo to access the internet.

I attempted to create a bridge intending to add each of the eth0 and wifi0 network devices to it, e.g as root on cerbo:

ip link add br0 type bridge
ip link set wifi0 master br0
ip link set eth0 master br0
ip link set br0 up

But adding the bridge in the first step raises an error:

Error: Unknown device type

The bridge type is listed in the help page and this same command works on most linux systems that I am familiar with

ip link help

.. so I might guess that this is some particularity with the way that ip link is compiled for Venus OS. I thought it might be customised to support CAN/ve.bus etc.

My other thought is to check if selinux might be blocking.

Does anybody have advice or cautions about going in this direction?

I will use BMV-700 in remote location to monitor battery SOC over the Internet. To do this, I want to read VE.Direct output (RS-232) and convert it to a DC voltage 0-10V, connected to a remote monitoring system (10V = 100% SOC). There are many industrial RS-232 to DC converter modules available (e.g. LTS61 from Laurels).

My problem is that: "On power up, a VE.Direct interface will always be in Text-mode, and continuously transmits all runtime fields.” Is it possible to force the BMV-700 VE.Direct Text-mode to transmit SOC readings only? (I will not use HEX-messages.)

Hello all,

i'm using the venus OS on my raspberry pi4 with the latest 2.70 large version (venus-swu-raspberrypi4-20210328075236-v2.70_4-large) and i'm trying to connect my EPEVER Tracer 5415AN via the RS485 to usb cable, to get the parameters with node-red. But now there seems to be the problem that the USB drivers on venus OS doesn't work with the tracer usb cable.

What i have found is that the "Exar USB Driver" should work.

Now my question is it possible to install the drivers to the venus OS?

https://github.com/buba447/solartracer-485/tree/master/xr_usb_serial_common-1a

Or do somebody maybe have the same charge controller and connect it in another way to the venus device?

Thanks in advance for all answers; hints; support!

regards Marv

I have just replaced a blown fuse on my BMV712. It is now stuck on BT200.

I have tried connecting to Bluetooth, reinstalled the app, turned phone off and tried to factory reset the unit (setup & select), cycled the power and disconnected any solar input, nothing has worked?

I can see it on my Bluetooth list but not on the app list?

Is it possible I have fried the unit? It was the factory slow blow fuse. I believe it popped when I was looking in the fuse holder?

Any help with reconnection is greatly appreciated.

You can see our system in https://vrm.victronenergy.com/installation/1840/share/a6dc5648.

in the drawing PV inverters (Fronius, SMA, Solar Edge, Kostal, total 10pcs) are before Multi's, in the real life those are after multi's (etc. https://community.victronenergy.com/questions/75831/ess-with-fronius-and-zero-feedin-is-overcharging-p.html). Do you have idea what we are done wrong?

Other question: CCGX can see (find out automatically) Fronius and SMA PV inverters, but not Kostal and Solar Edge. Do you is it possible to see those in future? If not no problem.

- I think we add omen PV meter on the system (REL300300000 Energy meter ET340)

- I tried connect manually bu not lucky :)

Other question: Frer meters : We have sever meters in laboratory (frer nano q52 h). We can read those via MCLAN485G ETHERNET /RS485 INTERFACE CONVERTER) https://www.frer.it/fam-48498-CONVERTITORE_DI_INTERFACCIA_ETHERNET__RS485-eng, Direct IP address.

What you think, I can we add this information on CCGX? Once again no worries.

Still one. In the CCGX is possible add 10 PV units, meters etc. Do we have possible add more and how we can do it?

Thanks advance.

BR Marko Ylinen

Hi All,

I like to share an implementation for support of the Eastron SDM630-Modbus v2 energy meter.
However for any usage a donation to seashepherd.org with an amount of 5 USD/EUR/GBP or equivalent is expected.

Installation

• copy Eastron_SDM630.zip-file into directory /opt/victronenergy/dbus-modbus-client and unzip it.
• Add following bold-marked line into file /opt/victronenergy/dbus-modbus-client/dbus-modbus-client.py
  import carlo_gavazzi
  import Eastron_SDM630
  import ev_charger
  import smappee
• rename file /opt/victronenergy/dbus-modbus-client/dbus-modbus-client.pyc into /opt/victronenergy/dbus-modbus-client/dbus-modbus-client.py.orig
• Since that file is not automatically compiled by VenusOS execute following bold marked commands in directory /opt/victronenergy/dbus-modbus-client
  python
  Python 2.7.18 (default, Apr 15 2021, 10:46:30)
  [GCC 9.2.0] on linux2
  Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
  >>> import py_compile
  >>> py_compile.compile ('dbus-modbus-client.py')
  >>> exit()
• reboot VenusOS
• Go to "Settings" > "Modbus TCP devices" and perform a "Scan for Devices" or directy add a device via "Devices" > "Add" using relevant IP and ModBus ID and port. Last option is much quicker.
  A few seconds later the meter should appear in your main menu:
  

  [image]

  
  
• Select in submenu "Setup" the usage as grid, pvinverter or generator meter
  

  [image]

  
  

Main page screenshot

[image]

Device screenshot

[image]

• Firmware register is not filled by devices (so no modul issue).
• In VRM the meter is currently shown as "CG EM24 Ethernet Energy Meter". As soon as Victron provides an ID for an universal meter, that ID can be used. Effectively that blemish should have no functional effect.
• In above screenshots don't be misled by empty phases 2 and 3. In test environment I had only phase 1 connected. Phase config is dependent of device configuration.
  As soon as meter is configured with 1 phase support only, driver detects circumstance and excludes remaining phases.
  

  [image]

Important: The installation is not resistent for VenusOS updates. After an update to another release installation has to be repeated.

Exclusion of liability: Although the module has been tested in depth, I don't take any liabilty for any potential damage on your installation

Thanks to Victron for their open platform and especially for the support of Matthijs Vader.

Hi,

I want to add a driver for Eastron SDM630 to the dbus-cgwacs module.

The project refers to the "velib" that is currently not available on GitHub.

Can anymore pls share or give me a link where I can find the velib.

Thanks in advance......tobias

Hi all,

Looking through the configuration page of my CCGX, I see the option for digital Input. (To monitor smoke alarm and open door)

Offcours there is no fisical connection on the CCGX, but I was wondering if I can make some input by an alternative way? Thinking of using somehow the VE.bus / VE.can

Looking forward for ideas

I like to display values of a energy meter in GX reflecting the consumption of a connected P2H-environment.
However values are NOT related to grid, pvinverter or genset and therefore must not be added to any of these categories.

Is there a way to defined an addition role, that is supported, but also not excluded by VRM?

I have a Pi4 that has been running 2.60 for almost 6 months, being stupid, I thought why not go to 2.65. could not find that but was able to find 2.7. Problem with 2.7 is the "zeus" not "rocky in the environment string. ok, changed that and got it going but there is no touch screen. so in looking at the log, I notice that one of the updates fails, see below. long story short what do you all suggest. I might add I am not a programming wizard, I dont speak ubuntu but i do understand. thanks for any help.

root@raspberrypi4:/u-boot/overlays# opkg update

Downloading https://updates.victronenergy.com/feeds/venus/release/packages/zeus/all/Packages.gz.

Downloading https://updates.victronenergy.com/feeds/venus/release/packages/zeus/cortexa7hf-neon-vfpv4/Packages.gz.

Downloading https://updates.victronenergy.com/feeds/venus/release/packages/zeus/raspberrypi4/Packages.gz.

Collected errors:

* opkg_download_backend: Failed to download https://updates.victronenergy.com/feeds/venus/release/packages/zeus/all/Packages.gz, wget returned 8.

* opkg_download_backend: Failed to download https://updates.victronenergy.com/feeds/venus/release/packages/zeus/cortexa7hf-neon-vfpv4/Packages.gz, wget returned 8.

* opkg_download_backend: Failed to download https://updates.victronenergy.com/feeds/venus/release/packages/zeus/raspberrypi4/Packages.gz, wget returned 8.

root@raspberrypi4:/u-boot/overlays# nano /etc/opkg/venus.conf (CHANGE TO ROCKO)

root@raspberrypi4:/u-boot/overlays# root@raspberrypi4:/u-boot/overlays# opkg update

Downloading https://updates.victronenergy.com/feeds/venus/release/packages/rocko/all/Packages.gz.

Updated source 'all'.

Downloading https://updates.victronenergy.com/feeds/venus/release/packages/rocko/cortexa7hf-neon-vfpv4/Packages.gz.

Updated source 'cortexa7hf-neon-vfpv4'.

Downloading https://updates.victronenergy.com/feeds/venus/release/packages/rocko/raspberrypi4/Packages.gz.

Collected errors:

* opkg_download_backend: Failed to download https://updates.victronenergy.com/feeds/venus/release/packages/rocko/raspberrypi4/Packages.gz, wget returned 8.

THERE IS NO RASPBERRYPI4 IN ROCKO!

Hello,

This question was asked few times in the past but maybe someone came up with a solution,

My goal is to transfer the data from the grid meter to my Cerbo, a new cable to run is inconvenient, so I've tried to configure 2 modbus gateways one as a master and one slave to carry the signal over Ethernet but something is wrong and can't figure out what exactly.

I can see the Cerbo (192.168.2.239) is sending requests and getting replies but they don't engage in data transfers too much, however with the Carlo Gavazzi software (192.168.2.148 my laptop) everything communicates fine, is there a specific settings to be set to the meter? the meter is currently set to address 1, parity none, baud rate 9600, stop bit 1. other important details the meter communicated fine and probably still works with my raspberry pi via USB directly.

Any input is appreciated, best case would be to make the Cerbo read the meter via TCP/IP

Thanks in advance George

[image]

[image]

[image]

This post is intended for all people participating in the Venus OS Beta test program.

Good afternoon,

The previous version v2.65 has been released officially. Change-log available in https://professional.victronenergy.com. And I'm working on the blogpost but so far unfortunately haven't found the necessary moment of quality time.

Meanwhile, v2,66~1 was made available to test:

Change log

• Split the error messages out in more detail as well as reword them, to better guide the user/installer. (mk2vsc-45, 46, 47, 48 and 49, and also 60, 61). All the relevant ones have been documented and added to the manual: https://www.victronenergy.com/live/venus-os:remote_ve.bus_firmware_updates.
• Increase robustness of the process, mostly by simply letting it retry in more (read: all) situations.

The "what to test" for this one is clearly the Remote VE.Bus firmware update mechanism.

Planning for this release is to be officially released early next week.

All the best, Matthijs Vader

I'm a big fan of the open nature of Victron's platform - both the API and the data itself. We've been using this to great effect in our RV, using the rich, real-time data from our Victron CCGX not just for monitoring but also to integrate into our home automation system.

One such use case is bringing the data into Home Assistant. I'm using MQTT via an intermediary MQTT broker so that I can have multiple consumers without increasing the load on the CCGX itself. This has been running flawlessly for almost 2 years now.

Here's an example of the data I'm pulling into Home Assistant and how it appears:

[image]

The real power, however, comes from not just displaying the data but using it to make physical changes via automations.

For example, most of the time we have our inverter turned off due to the background power draw which is significant in our modest RV setup (600W solar + 300Ah lithium batteries). When dry camping and all our power is coming from solar, we have it set up to automatically turn on the inverter when the batteries hit 90%. The fridge switches from propane to AC at 95%, and at 98% the electric water heater turns on. There is hysteresis configured to turn each toggle off at lower SoCs too.

We're planning to spend this winter in a very cold climate (northern Vermont where temperatures could reach 0°F). Our RV has a 30A main breaker, which is easily exceeded if we run too many appliances - e.g. water heater, space heater, Instant Pot. I'm planning another automation which will automatically and temporarily turn off the water heater and / or space heater if we're at risk of exceeding the capacity of either our main breaker or MultiPlus output (computed in real-time based on shore power connectivity).

Having the data from the Victron system integrated alongside the data from our other home automation system (10+ environmental sensors, contact sensors, GPS, lights, appliances, media, networking data etc) is an incredibly powerful platform that is helping to make our RV more secure, more efficient and most importantly, more comfortable for us to live in.

As I said earlier, the Victron data is being ingested via MQTT but I'm hoping to find some time this winter to work on a native integration with Home Assistant. If anyone from Victron is interested in being involved in that process, please let me know!

Again, hope this inspires people with a few ideas, and thank you again to the team at Victron for making all this possible!

I am currently using the VRM to monitor my over 500 Victron Installations, however, some of my clients want to monitor their sites using their existing SNMP dashboard, instead of the provided VRM portal. Can anyone recommend a procedure to get this done?

Hi, I'm trying to install venus os on my Raspberry PI 4 i can boot v2.70~4-large-17 but i have to replace "start4.elf" in the boot partition with the latest "start4.elf" from here : https://github.com/raspberrypi/firmware/tree/master/boot , My issue is when it boots my usb ports are not working but i can control it over the network and even ssh but the usb ports still don't work

It would be so nice to have this feature in the VRM dashboard. Especially the mobile version. Now I have to go to the advanced tab to or to the console to get that information.

I believe the best way to utilize potential excess energy in a PV installation is to use all available data and set up rules for when (and how much) excess energy is available.

Last years story about AC-THOR involves a separate HW (non Victron) and use the CCGX as data source. In a couple of other threads on this community the solution is also to use additional HW, or the more simple solution only using one data source, i.e SOC = 100% flip a switch.

I do not understand why we need additional HW, and the "one data source, flip a switch" is way to inefficient i.e not being able to harvest energy when the MPPT throttle down in the absorption phase.

I have experimented with utilising the VRM alarm rules, and building the logic into my Gmail email filtering functionality. This is possible to accomplish by controlling the load basically by sending emails to my "Smart Cabin" using the simple and inexpensive functionality that comes with services like IFFT.

So.... for installations that have all the nice and advanced HW from Victron, MPPT, BMV, Multiplus, GX's , and are online to VRM with local inexpensive SmartCabin functionallity like Telldus. ..........

Why... can't we just get the logic built into the VRM portal very much like the alarm rules?

Example:
MPPT in Bulk mode - everything goes to the battery - no excess energy available

MPPT in absorption - apply load phase 1 (jut send me an email if you do not want to link directly to IFFT

MPPT still in absorption and PC power is increasing and battery voltage not dropping? apply load 2,

etc etc etc

Dear Victron experts - this ment as inspiration to make even greater functionality on the VRM portal

As discussed in the below post I am working on a project to measure excess, available PV power and use that power to automatically control a load.

https://community.victronenergy.com/questions/6806/can-the-ccgx-activate-relay-for-hot-water-heater-w.html

I now have a working prototype using a PLC, with a Ladder program, that performs this function. The key is installing an Irradiance/Temperature Sensor at the PV array. The one I used is an Si-I-420TC-T made by Mencke & Tegtmeyer GmbH. Link to the sensor is below:

https://www.imt-solar.com/products/solar-irradiance-sensor/si-sensor/

I am still working on the Project's documentation, so I am including a wiring diagram and an Excel spreadsheet which demonstrates the calculation to compute available excess power.

Look forward to the conversation,

Pat

BRX_Wiring_Diagram_Rev01.pdf

powercalc.zip

I want to display battery information from my victron setup on a web page though python scripting, but I am strugling to understand how Victron has implemented mqtt on its devices.

Anyone have an example how to connect and display a value (For example Battery voltage) from Venus MQTT over internet with python and mqtt?