Best approach for upgrading Cerbo GX to Venus OS Large w/ Node Red?

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I have an operational system up here in Alaska with a Cerbo GX, RS MPPT, Quattro, two-wire start to a generator, an Orion on a relay and Pylontech batteries. The system is just running Venus OS with no modifications.

I have a second Cerbo GX that I want to set up to run Venus OS Large and Node Red with the goals of a) checking power output when the generator is running so that if it runs out of gas, the system will de-energize the auto-start relay so it doesn’t keep trying to start an empty generator and b) turning the Orion on/off based on reported Pylontech battery temperatures (the Orion powers 12V heaters).

I am hoping to set up this second Cerbo GX and Node Red so that I can simply swap it with the operational Cerbo GX. I don’t like the idea of trying to fiddle with it while it’s running my system.

Is this a good approach? Will I be able to set up flows on Node Red on the second Cerbo GX while it’s stand alone, or does it need to be communicating with the other Victron components in order to make the flows? I have no experience with Venus OS Large or Node Red.

Many thanks for any tips on how to approach this upgrade.

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I have an alternator that communicates with the Cerbo, when I tried adding an alternator Node with the engine off it gave an error saying “no alternator device connected” and I could not edit the node. I then tried adding a DC to DC converter Node, which I do not have and again that could not be set up. It looks like it only allows Nodes to be set up for equipment that is connected.

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Agreed. I found that to be the case with my secondary Cerbo, so I went ahead and installed OS Large on my operational Cerbo and enabled Node Red.