Guidance Request: Split Truck + RV Victron Architecture and VRM Monitoring Strategy

DIY
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1

Truck: Orion + SmartShunt + Inverter
5th Wheel RV: Orion + SmartShunt + future MPPT
Goal: Monitor both
Options: BT Only, GX in RV, GX in Truck, GX in Both
Q: Is there a supported way to see both systems in VRM without 2 GX units?

2

The 5th wheel setup looks minimal enough that you could put a GlobalLink in there instead of a GX: https://www.victronenergy.com/communication-centres/globallink-520

3

Sharing information across the divide from one system to the other would be interesting and is often done with two gx devices and mqtt or similar or using node red to combine it on one dashboard. Then you can use one internet connection source.

If you want to keep it simple and straight forward with no potential for headaches 2 GXs with their own vrm is the way.

BT is only useful if local only monitoring is wanted.
Local and live ends up with an extra device old tablet or something mounted with Victron connect open.

Almost everyone who starts that way ends up with a GX though it simplifies things.

4

And with 2 GX units (extra device cost and cabling since no BT between GX and the devices it manages unlike Connect App) I would have 2 unfederated VRM domains (truck and RV) that wouldn’t know anything about each other?

5

You could get creative and use something like hacs or nodered to create a unified dashboard. Would need to add a pi for hacs, or similar.
This would be external to VRM though. Nodered dashboards are accessible via VRM though.
Closest unified view is the installer dashboard in vrm but it has a minimum number of instances before it appears iirc.

6

My system needs to be plug-n-play with mfgr developed solutions. I am the only person in my family that could develop a unified custom dashboard and then maintenance would be a SPOF and would bite me in the backside for sure. I guess 2 GX. Maybe VE will offer a BOGO on them someday.

7

I hear you, just letting you know creative options exist if required but I do prefer staying on the map and avoiding the dragons.
BOGOF - we live in hope :grin:

8

Do they need to know about each other?

Raspberry PIs are also options for simpler systems like yours.

This will just need and mk3 to a pi to work, and double as always being a tool to have around if there are issues.