Why can I (seemingly) not do everything from Cerbo GX/Touch Display and need to use VEconnect and PC to do things like set when Multiplus ignores AC, set the watts which when exceeded, the multplus will draw from mains(shore power), set low voltage cutoff, etc.
I saw a youtube where someone used a wire to control relays in the MP and then “programmed” the MP to do some more things. But why cant it be easier?
We even purchased a BT module for the MP but again we are still limited.
Now I think I must have configured something wrong because I feel this should be possible and there should be no need for external wire, relay setting, and trickery to pick up features that should be native.
Yet this youtuber is an expert. So, Im thinking if there is a way, why is he not doing a youtube of that way and not relying on this trickery and home made wire.
What is the question, exactly? VictronConnect (on PC, Mac, or Android) or VEConfigure on PC only, + an MK3-USB Interface is the way to program VE.Bus units properly, and it’s about as simple as could possibly be asked for.
Not a question of simplicity. It a matter of having installed a cerbo gx and a touch screen display which cannot do the whole job. There is a work around of sorts by someone that is a bit hokey. The guy is sharp to have figured it out – no doubt about that. But that he has to says a couple of things.
Either there is a way to do these things simply and we folks are in the dark or there is a lack of integration. The other is the cerbo gx needs to be fixed. If its possible to do with a phone and mk3 cable as some have suggested, why cant it be done with cerbo and touch screen.
Now why is it an issue for me – its costing me money. I installed this system in a good customers RV having made the promise it would be simple. But asking a customer to pull out his PC each time he or his wife wants to make change means Im out doing this for them. Its not what I promised – easy. Im obliged to keep my word to an otherwise excellent customer.
What things are you (or they) needing to change? Can you be more specific? Are these things that are done on a regular basis or for a one-time set-up? Also, a diagram of the system would help us understand just what kind of set-up you are dealing with. Let’s stick to the facts and details of your situation.
Threshold when the battery is charged from shore power otherwise ignore AC. 2. The wattage load threshold when boosting occurs.
When the system has been tuned (probably over a year), my guess is this will not be important. Some is seasonal and weather concerns. Some of these things need to be tweaked before a trip when they visit family and only have 15A service (not 30A).
Ironically, they were very happy when they had no shore power but they had solar. They didn’t use AC, microwave, water heater. But once power came back, they wanted to do things to save battery life while maximizing solar production and minimizing shore usage. It’s a moving target too.
The VictronConnect app does not need internet for programming devices once the app is on the phone. Programming a Multiplus is a rare occurrence, it should not be seen as routine, I have updated mine on a boat once in 4 years after the initial set up.
You will not get answers to generic questions about why thing are like they are as the community is Victron installers and users.
What is your problem in detail?? Photos available???
Read the manual for the Cerbo gx and some of the questions above are solved already.
With the touch display you can set the power assist (shore power limitation) and other functions directly. And also remotely if you have Access/network to the Cerbo (eg. VRM)
Of course some options can damage your installation if you are not trained or have the system knowledge like the installer with training when set incorrectly.
So this function is only interesting when you are standing in the RV for configuration with the Mk3 Interface or have permission from the customer to remotely access the System.
This is not a game so there are some Access-levels to make sure it will work properly.
Too many RV owners fiddle around and have no or minor knowledge.
This is an ordinary setup. There is nothing other than a battery, the multiplus, two mppt controllers.
There is nothing inherently dangerous about telling the multiplus (1) not to charge the battery unless the voltage is below a threshold (not enough sunny days) (2) to boost only if the load draw exceeds a particular load (3) to ignore shore power unless (1) or (2) require it. It become dangerous when the management tools are not engineered to do these things because that is when people make mistakes.
Now I understand the history of the multiplus a little bit better having read some other answers. It doesn’t change my dilemma. The reality is multiplus has not been loved while the other products have. MP has the features, but the love and attention it needed to integrate it with the cerbo-gx/touch screen has not taken place.
I’ve recommended victron before and I’ll recommend it again. But in the future, I’m going to exercise caution about claim that it’s easy. I understand why they are calling me and wanting me to do this for them, because it’s not easy.
I have the cable and the software (and then some). My issue is that I have to be a professional installer to make these changes. The management system should be robust enough to let an end user do this. The customer’s requirements are reasonable.
The customer needs (1) maximize savings by using solar as much as possible (2) have reliable power, even when they are not connected to shore (3) extend battery life and follow manufacture’s guidelines to reduce excessive wear and tear (4) prepare ahead for emergencies to ensure full power before a weather related power outage.
Nothing unreasonable here – if I lived in an RV, I’d want the same thing to ensure I got full return on the investment. Having said that, I’m not “blaming” victorn. I said, I have recommended victorn and will continue to do so. My regret is that I led the customer to believe this would be easy. But as you indicated, it’s not.
The current victron range has heritage of probably 40yrs.
Back in the time when you hung the multiplus, had your BMV and that was all the information you had.
With increased technology and cheaper components and the ever increasing ability of internet connectivity came the CCGX and now the cerbo etc…
The multiplus has the ability to be stand alone and will do as its programmed for years.
Which is why it still works on its old tried and true programming.
The remote VRM functionality they added 7 or so yrs ago has been a godsend as well as the remote firmware updates.
It is not about robustness its is about explosions when people get phases wrong and your dealer helps you do it unless they have deemed you incpmpitent which is a possibility here
only problem you can have is when you forget mk3-usb and you need to set 3f system,cerbo won’t do this(probably security measure)…but man it is annoying
From what I see, the actual problem is mobile users that want ESS functionality. Unfortunately the regulations are / has to be strict given “mobile” and off-grid systems operate differently when hooked up to the grid. This becomes even more important as mobile installations can move across different supplier’s power networks with possibly different regulations for connecting power generating equipment to a grid supply, not even to mention the risk of feeding energy into the grid. Indeed, some individuals elect to use the extensive functionality of the Victron system to circumvent the “as designed and approved by grid operators” functionality. The middle ground for me is functions such as AC ignore which can be set up from within VictronConnect.
