# Ekrano GX more than 3 VE Direct units 5+m away

**URL:** <https://community.victronenergy.com/t/ekrano-gx-more-than-3-ve-direct-units-5-m-away/7708>\
**Category:** DIY\
**Tags:** ekrano\_gx, marine, beginner, cerbo\_gx\
**Created:** [15 October 2024 11:08 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/ekrano-gx-more-than-3-ve-direct-units-5-m-away/7708 "2024-10-15T11:08:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![liinden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@liinden](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/liinden)\
**Post date:** [15 October 2024 11:08 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/ekrano-gx-more-than-3-ve-direct-units-5-m-away/7708/1 "2024-10-15T11:08:18Z")

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Hi,

I have a Ekrano GX placed centrally in a boat. The boat has most of its electrical Victron units in the aft of the vessel (5+ meters away). I have 5 units with VE Direct (a couple MPPT, Charger, Shunt). The Ekrano GX supports 3 VE direct cables. For the rest of the VE Direct connections you have to use a USB hub and a VE-direct to USB adapter, sold in 1,8m length.

Should I use a long 5m USB cable to my electrical compartment in aft, place a hub there and then a couple of adapters, or is there a smarter way? Are the VE Direct cables available as a extension so you can do the USB-conversion close to the Ekrano instead?

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**Author:** ![JohnC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@JohnC](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/JohnC)\
**Post date:** [15 October 2024 13:09 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/ekrano-gx-more-than-3-ve-direct-units-5-m-away/7708/2 "2024-10-15T13:09:26Z")

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Hi Anton,

I chose what I think is the “smarter way”. For me at least, you choose your own.  
I put everything together, all short cables. Then both wifi and ethernet links to a remote Windows laptop. Could have used a smaller Pad or a glass bridge (Raymarine, etc). VRM on the same lappy, VEConfigure, etc software, and get to talk here too. Mine’s about 5m too, and just within bluetooth phone range of a separate Smartshunt.  
Sometimes I even swing the ethernet cable over to access VE.Bus with a MK3 adaptor.  
All the works in one place and controls in the other. Minimal cables is my priority, I hate them.

But it’s your choice…

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**Author:** ![mokosh](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/victron/user_avatar/community.victronenergy.com/mokosh/32/20919_2.png) [@mokosh](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/mokosh)\
**Post date:** [10 May 2025 13:46 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/ekrano-gx-more-than-3-ve-direct-units-5-m-away/7708/3 "2025-05-10T13:46:13Z")

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Hi,

I have this problem, and it is one of the reasons that the Ekrano GX is a poor choice on boats (generally good for RV) and boats of any size.

I purchased 2 x Startech industrial USB hubs that take external power, and 2 x startech 20m USB active extension cables, and ran these to the back of the boat (one in each engine compartment) to connect the MPPT and Orion XS devices.

I feel your pain and have written to victron with my feedback on the disaster that is ve.direct.

Alex