All of the VE.Direct ports on my Cerbo GX (v3.72) are in use. I was planning on connecting an Orion XS (v1.13) to the Cerbo via VE.Smart (I thought I had done research showing this was possible…) but I cannot figure out how to get the Cerbo GX to join the VE.Smart network - VictronConnect only shows basic settings on the cerbo and no option to connect to a VE.Smart network, I cannot find anything on the gx display either. Is this not possible or am I missing something? I was hoping to avoid adding a port expander but it seems this might be the only option?
There is also a third party (unsupported) vedirect external multi-adapter that some have used successfully. Searching around on the forum should find it.
If you don’t need the additional ports then the USB adapter is most commonly used.
Thanks for confirming this Nick. I am a hardware engineer who primarily deals in MCU’s, I have always been impressed by Victron but it is beginning to look to me like many of their products are less limited by the capabilities of their hardware/budget and that at least some of their choices are intended to sell more components, this is definitely one of those area’s. Not to the degree that I would step back and reconsider using Victron but it’s not an easy sell to me anymore.
It is an intentional decision the bluetooth support. vesmart networking is designed for small environments where comms isn’t critical.
The why not bluetooth discussion has been had many times, it really isn’t capable for larger purposes and the GX’s are designed for wired comms, never the twain shall meet.
There are some who have dev’d BT integrations for third party gear.
They’re trying to fill different markets.
Victron are certainly aware of containing costs and have been decent at creating more entry level products.
Is what it is I suppose.