I have 1 site that I setup in November of last year. My IP addresses have changed since I first built the site. I now have a different DHCP IP scheme. I do not see a way to edit the “site” to make changes. I also do not see a way to delete the site and create a new one. If I just try to create a new one it keeps telling me my Cerbo unit is already being used. How do I resolve this issue?
I am beyond frustrated with this solution. Why cant I just edit it so I can use it? Is there any other way to simply log into the Cerbo unit locally and view the monitoring? Why does this force me to use a cloud solution?
The Cerbo GX has local monitoring, yes, as detailed in the user and installation manual.
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I think I finally found a way to delete the site I had. I was deeply buried in one of the menus. I never did find a way to simply edit the site though. However now that I got the site with the old IP addresses deleted, instead of just being able to update the IPs, I am now trying to add a new site. It is telling me it has sent some message off to be approved. Like by whom? I checked my email and I do not see anything. It is my site and my equipment. Is there some 3rd party that now has to approve my added site? I really just don’t understand the complexity and unnecessary oversight of my simple system.
Why is this so hard? I just want to use the Cerbo unit to see a graphical representation of my batteries charge level, how much power is leaving the batteries and how much is going in. I have a charge controller, an inverter and 4 - 12v batteries. Why do I need all of the “sites” and obsolete information that I am not allowed to change? If I want to add a site (that I don’t need) now some unknown person has to approve it? Why cant I just remote into my Cerbo unit and get everything I need on 1 screen? I can even remote into my server and then from there log into the Cerbo locally but that view is useless. ALso between the Cerbo, an Inverter and a Charge controller I do not see a way to view battery level either. Do I need an additional device for this?
This is the first of around 20 sites I need to set up around the US. Should I be using some other brand of equipment thats not so difficult to use? Its also frustrating that there is 0 support from Vectron.
I think the key is to just read the manuals. VRM has a good manual, the Cerbo has a pretty exceptional manual, etc.
Victron (not Vectron) relies heavily on either the self-education of end-users, which self-education is achieved through reading the manuals and watching the many training videos that are freely available, as well as reaching out to the authorized Victron distributor who sold you the equipment since that’s their responsibility (within reason), or that the end-user, if he or she does not desire to self-educate, will hire a trained and experienced systems installer.
Editing to add: yes, you’ll need a battery monitor if you want to monitor your batteries. I’d suggest spending some time with the manuals, or with your authorized Victron distributor, or with a reputable, experienced systems installer, to design a system that will work for your particular use-case.
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So you setup VRM for your installation? Since you are talking about the system sending someone an email, which sounds like setting up a VRM site which was already setup. For VRM you dont need to worry about the IP adress or DHCP config, the Cerbo simply needs internet access. I dont even know where you would add an IP adress in VRM, its all done automatically, the Cerbo connects to the VRM servers, which then know its IP and port.
If you want/need to setup multiple sites then VRM is very handy, since it gives you a central location to check on all of them together.
Besides that, you dont need to setup VRM, the Cerbo works fine without it. However, you may need some sort of access to the local network. This can be done with a VPN tunnel for example. Or you can setup a port forwarding, however, be aware of the security implications this comes with. Also, the remote console of a cerbo is a website, its a copy of what the local screen would show. So if you are looking for SSH access, then thats something else entirely
Just to add to the very good comments:
- Who is the mysterious person who approves a site in VRM? The person who set up the last account successfully. That would be you as the account owner. But then, I have seen references to situations where a verification email never arrives. I can’t tell if you fall in this category.
- Why all that hassle? To minimize theft and other criminality. These may not be an issue where you live but they can be real issues in other contexts.
BTW, the use of VRM is separate from the use of a GX device. It is optional.
I appreciate everyone responding and trying to help. I just wish I was talking to the actual company instead of good people that are more or less doing me a favor and trying to help. Although I do really appreciate it.
I guess it is VRM that I am (or was) trying to use. It just does not work. I got an email today after waiting a full day that someone had “approved” the re-creation of my site that I had deleted and re-created. However it has the same old devices with the same incorrect IP addresses just as it was before I deleted it. It never asked me about anything it just stuck all of the old information in there. Geeeezzzz Victron is had to deal with!! I am an IT person so I do understand the limitations of the network the system is currently on. I am not 100% certain that the Cerbo is being blocked but it probably is for outbound connection to http://ccgxlogging.victronenergy.com/ . So I will give up on the VRM. I just wish there was a way to see the same things locally through an application. I have access to a server on the local network. I remote desktop to the local server. From this server I can see the Cerbo but only from a browser. I can use venus.local and find it. However when I navigate to the VRM Registration window it opens the link and then nothing.
Also if I log directly into the Cerbo device the information is extremely limited. I still dont know what it is going to take for me to see a battery %. A battery monitor of some kind maybe?? Does that work with the cerbo unit?
What is purpose of the Victron connect application for Windows? it only tells me that my Cerbo unit is offline. I am using the local tab. There is no way to connect to it. No way to add anything to it. No way to configure it. How am I supposed to use this equipment when the app wont find anything? I guess the “local app” is not really local. I dont have 10 hours to read hundreds of pages in some manual when at the end of this it dosent work anyway. I know the IP address of the Cerbo. I can go to the address and see it via browser but again the information is very limited. The connect app local tab does not work, it dosent find anything. I am beginning to think that this is all the Cerbo can do which is not much with only local access. At the end of day I am extremely disappointed with Victron. Horrible function and no support. I am just not sure I want to continue to use this stuff. I have 19 more sites to deploy and this is total frustration.
As already answered above, yes, you need a battery monitor to monitor your batteries. And yes, it would connect to the Cerbo - see your Cerbo user and installation manual 5. Connecting Victron products
The VRM user manual is here: 1. Introduction
The VictronConnect app user manual is here: VictronConnect manual
Victron doesn’t directly support the consumer because they didn’t sell the equipment to you; should you require product support and advice -after reading the user and installation manuals for your equipment- then the support process is to reach out to the authorized dealer or distributor who sold you the equipment; you can find who sold the equipment by entering the serial number in here: Need support? - Victron Energy
Almost every possible bit of Victron equipment is exceptionally well-documented, but you have to be willing to either invest the time in helping yourself and learning how things work, or invest the money in hiring someone else who has invested the time in learning how things work, to help you.
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