Integrate Orion TR-smart, Orion XS and MPPT Solar controller into Garmin Chartplotter via CerboGX?

DIY
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I have an Orion TR-Smart DC-DC converter, and an Orion XS DC-DC converter. Both charge separate Lithium batteries, and both are fed from the sailboat alternator bus; the alternator also charges the SLA starting battery. There is an Smart Solar MPPT solar controller, charging one of the Lithium batteries, directly.

The Victron connect app, via Bluetooth, works well, but is cumbersome underway. I’d like to integrate these three Orion products to my Garmin chartplotter. However, I am very confused by VE.direct, VE.Can, etc. There is also discussion in the community, that while physical connectivity can be made, the devices don’t necessarily appear or, are recognized, by the Cerbo GX or the chartplotter.

Do these three products tie to a Cerbo GX via VE.direct cables, point-to-point? If so, is it possible to field build a VE.direct cable, without the connectors (pulling this stuff around the boat is a challenge!), and then adding the connectors after the pull? Or, can I only use pre-made cables? Is there a bus mechanism/system for integrating the devices, or is it just point-to-point VE.direct?

It appears the CerboGX has an NMEA2000 connection. Does anyone have experience using the CerboGX into a Garmin chartplotter (GPSMAP 942, more specifically)?

It appears the Cerbo GX has no ability to Bluetooth connect to these Victron devices. That would make life a lot easier, both now in terms of eliminating cabling, as well as adding devices in the future…oh well….

Thanks for your help and guidance!

dave

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Yes, if the devices have a VE.direct port, then its a VE.direct cable from device to Cerbo each.

Yes, VE.direct is basically RS232. The connectors are JST PH 2mm pitch

VE.direct is point-to-point only. But, you could “combine” two or more by using a USB extension first, and then only later split the communication into two or three VE.direct-to-USB interfaces. Or one of these quad VE.direct-to-USB adapters

I cant help with NMEA2000 however, but maybe someone else can add to this

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Thanks so much for your prompt reply!! Very much appreciated….

As i read further, a CANbus to NMEA2K cable is also needed….I thought there was an N2K socket already on the CerboGX, but I was in error. I think…. :slight_smile:

thanks again!

dave

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Aha! another factoid…the Orion TR devices don’t have VE.direct connections, or support the protocol!! So my Orion TR charger can only be monitored via Bluetooth and the phone app….!! oof, that’s a bummer….

kinda defeats the purpose…..is there a trade-in allowance possible for the Orion TR to Orion XS (which does support the protocol)? :slight_smile:

dave