Yet another DIY VE.Direct cable

Modifications
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1

I believe this setup mirrors the functionality of official VE.Direct cables at a much lower price. All the usual caveats apply. No guarantees, might have comms problems, no support, etc…

Parts list:

  • 2.0mm JST connector $0.40/ea (AliExpress link) (Technically known as PH Connector)
  • PL2303HX USB to UART TTL Cable $1.20 (AliExpress link)
  • ADUM1201 magentic isolator board $1.35 (ali express link: a[dot]aliexpress[dot]com/_mL6Z9jV)

Total: $2.95

IMG_8456.HEIC
IMG_8456.HEIC3024×4032 2.11 MB

IMG_8457.HEIC
IMG_8457.HEIC3024×4032 2.46 MB

IMG_8454.HEIC
IMG_8454.HEIC4032×3024 3.98 MB

Probably would want to protect the isolator board with some heat shrink tube, but it works great!

7 Likes
VE.Direct connection issue
2

yep make 10x cables for the price of 1x victron cable

they make a mini version of the ADUM1201 as well

could also use 90 deg headers to slim line it more for heatshrink / hot glue / poxy filling

3

Yeah I recently got some 90 degree headers, that would make a nicer cable.

4

VE.Direct is RS232, not TTL, how does it work for you without rs232 conversion?

5

Pretty sure VE.Direct is TTL, not RS-232. RS232 is a differential signal, and VEDirect works off gnd/3.3v (or 5v).

6

OK, I see, I just ckecked…. just not sure. Thx for answer.

7

Many Thanx for that cable - did the job great.

One remark, that costed me hours of research: if the Controller is disconnected, then you need 12V extern on “BATT”. Moreover i had to connect “-” of PV to the “-” of the VE-Connect-Plug on VE-Side. Otherwise the data was completely instable.

8

Works. I used a different TTL-USB converter, just a random one. Had to use the oscilloscope to check for the TX and was surprised red is the negative and black is positive on the VE Direct cable. To help others: VE direct pin layout: Red = GND, White= RX, Green = TX, Black = +V.