Recommendation on connecting Victron solar kit to the net

[Ian]

Howdy.

Please feel free to point to the correct forum for this post - thought I'd start here.  I have bought a farm with an off grid Victron based setup. The system is built with the following Victron equipment, installed early 2015:

Multiplus 48/3000/35 Inverter

BlueSolar 150/70 MPPT Charge controller

BMV 600S Battery Monitor

+ 8 200Ah 12V batteries and 4.2kW of panels.

I'd like to monitor the system performance and battery state while I'm away, and would like some recommendations on the best route. Via Victron it seems that the Venus GX + cables is the way to go, but I see the software can also run on a rPi? Is there anyone here that's done that?

I'd also like to set up a system that can switch on borehole pumps if there is sufficient excess power, so something that can interface with a automation server (could run on an Arduino) would be great...

I'm a retired engineer, so reasonably happy to DIY a solution.

Any advise appreciated:)

Ian

[___]

1 minute ago, Ian said:

Via Victron it seems that the Venus GX + cables is the way to go, but I see the software can also run on a rPi? Is there anyone here that's done that?

The Venus-GX has some really nice features, such as digital inputs, analog inputs (normally used for tanks on boats), a built-on Mk2/Mk3 interface, a can interface for that MPPT (I assume the 150/70 you talk about is CAN-based since you say it was installed in 2015, rectangular case with an LCD in front?). If you had to build an Rpi to the same spec you'd probably end up around the same total cost (after adding an mk3-usb at around 30 euro, a canbus interface, a couple of vedirect-usb cables).

But the guy who did the Rpi port is a member on this forum... I am him.