The GlobalLink 520 doesn’t work with GX devices at all, which is the issue here. Your onboard-GX device’s VE.Direct port is VE.Direct in (rx), not VE.Direct out (tx) like the solar controllers and etc that the GlobalLink is intended for use with.
I think most are aware that the GlobalLink cannot be used with a GX device, and it’s noted in the manual(screenshot below); agreed, however, that it should probably be made clearer on the main product page. In some cases I think the marketing/website design team gets a bit ahead of the tech team, which can lead to very important technical details being omitted from the main product page.
The Multiplus II GX is supposed to be a VE.direct device that cannot be connected to the Globallink because, I understand now that it’s a Rx port only, which is not specified in the documentation.
So the Multiplus II GX is not a real VE.direct device.
The Globallink 520 spec mentions that that this communication equipment can be interfaced with VE.direct devices, which by evidence is not the case either when considering the MP II GX.
It’s unpleasant to find out about this afterwards.
I suppose perhaps I’m the only person who reads the user and installation manual and datasheets for a product long before I order it so I can be certain that it’s going to do what I want it to do, get an idea of what I’m getting into, and can assemble any extraneous parts that may be required as well.
Part of the problem is certainly whoever sold it to you, who was advising it as THE solution to anything - it’s A solution certainly, for a limited use-case, but it’s only a solution for you if that use-case is indeed what you’re doing; some sellers don’t put in the time to put device limitations at the forefront of their marketing materials, which as a techie myself I find a rather infuriating practice.
When the distributor I work for was creating the listing for these, I made sure to have the important limitation up front in the short description, and bolded, to help ensure that there would be no confusion - unfortunately such practice is rather rare in today’s “just get the sale” market. At the end of the day, then, perhaps consider calling your supplier and expressing your dissatisfaction with their marketing copy; perhaps it’s too late to make a difference for you, but if someone else could be spared the hassle of making the same mistake, it may be a worthwhile effort.
Yes the MP II GX looked like a complete solution…except in terms of communication with something else than LTE which is inappropriate in aremote location unoccupied during months.
So I have added a Globallink 520 and changed the regulator for a 100/50 MPPT which flawlessly got connected to the Globallink.
Now I can monitor the battery charge via the LTE-M network. Still cannot get the BMS to communicate with the MP II.
Too bad that I cannot get the local room temperature which could get down very low during a while (dangerous for the LiFePo4 battery).
I will have to rely « blind » to the battery heater controlled by the BMS…hoping that the snow will not cover the solar panels for too long while the heater is ON.
Next step will be to install a RPi connected to the LTE-M…or use a RuuviTag sensor with the Globallink 520 which would more simple.
« I suppose perhaps I’m the only person who reads the user and installation manual and datasheets for a product long before I order »
No, you are not alone. Regarding reading the manuals, this is exactly what I’m doing… but when you do not know that there will be an issue, you cannot put your attention to the right topics.
For you to understand the project:
I have replaced an existing 12V installation by a 24V one using Victron equipment. From solar panels down to the battery and inverter.
The intallation is abroad in the mountains (Oberland with German speaking Victron reps) and I have to prepare everything from home:
Build a heavy LiFePo4 battery (50kg) , install a heater, program the BMS, and test the Victron inverter together with the battery.
Disassemble the battery and move everything on site.
Reassemble the battery on site and install the Victron device. That site has no Internet when unattended.
Tried first to buy a Lorawan communication module for the monitoring and I discovered that it was phased out by Victron despite of (huge) stock availibility shown by the sellers last month.
I was then advised by the inverter seller to buy a Globallink 520 which I did in emergency, because time was running. Too bad it cannot be connected to the MP II GX which is locked on LTE.
So to monitor the battery charge, I bought a new Victron regulator to replace the SRNE device that cannot communicate with the Globallink.
Now the mountain chalet will will be unattended until the end of February or March next year.
Not sure that you can avoid any surprise by reading the manuals beforehand…especially speaking about communication with VE.direct…deprecated or CAN only dedicated to BMS.
For me the MP II GX plateform was ideal for the situation.
But I realize it is not, due to the 4G LTE cost to remain connected to the VRM and now I have an hybrid installation .
