How to monitor the Victron system?

[DeWet]

Hi I`ve installed the Victron 2x5KVa system at my house with the victron blue energy color panel and the battery monitor.

I want to know what is the best option to be able to monitor the system and store the data on the victron data cloud available on the net. This will make it possible for me to see what the status of my system is while I`m in the D.R.C.

If someone could help me with the basic explanation on how to do this I would dearly appreciate it.

[Chris Hobson]

Plonky is your first port of call.

[viper_za]

Hi DeWet

 

I worked with 40kVa Victron install connected to the colour control and all that you need is a internet connection on the LAN port.

You can get it working over the USB with a 3G modem but we had way too many issues and opted for a 3G router connected to the LAN port.

Then what you do is create an account on the Victron Portal https://vrm.victronenergy.com/user/loginand supply the the VRM portal ID from the colour control unit.
See the link below with instructions:

http://www.victronenergy.com/live/ccgx:start

 

Just a note update the firmware to be able to see all the devices.

 

Thys

[DeWet]

Hi Thys

Thank you. I`ve done that and the account is active with my personal password to access the account, the site is created and all I need now is the connection to the internet. You say you`ve had some issues with the wifi connection? Do you need a Victron USB-WIFI conversion router or does the system allow for any proper unit to be used? 

[viper_za]

Hi Thys

Thank you. I`ve done that and the account is active with my personal password to access the account, the site is created and all I need now is the connection to the internet. You say you`ve had some issues with the wifi connection? Do you need a Victron USB-WIFI conversion router or does the system allow for any proper unit to be used? 

Hi DeWet

 

We only tried with a 3G modem as that was the only internet available connected directly to the USB on the colour control not with a Wi-Fi dongle.

This is what they state for WiFi support

"

1.4.2 Wi-Fi USB dongle

Using a Wi-Fi dongle it is possible to connect to WEP, WPA and WPA2 secured networks. There are two supported USB Wi-Fi dongles. Both also available from stock at Victron Energy:

• CCGX WiFi module simple (Nano USB), small, low cost. Victron part number BPP900100200
• Startech USB300WN2X2D, slightly higher cost and also better reception. Victron part number: BPP900200100

Although other Wi-Fi dongles may work, others have not been tested and therefore we do not offer support for other dongles. "

 

Do you have a WiFi network at home with Internet access?

If yes any chance of running a LAN cable from the router/access point to the unit? (Would be the cheapest)

[___]

I think the official way to monitor your setup is to put in a CCGX (Colour Control GX). The CCGX is essentially a small linux computer, and it will support most hardware that Linux supports. That means you can put in any USB hardware that works with Linux and it should work fine. Because the USB ports are on the back, I'd go for the EDI-max USB WiFi that's most commonly used with the Raspberry Pi, because that should sit nice and flush.

 

If you don't have the CCGX, and you are capable of coding your own, you might look at my python library. I run this on an old netbook, and when I'm away I use ssh to access the netbook and check on things. That's right boys and girls, I don't own a CCGX. I figured out how to set powerassist using python! :-)

 

Code here: https://github.com/izak/ib.victron

 

I've been meaning to extend it so it can push values to some or other site...

Edited to add: The CCGX is a MIPS based computer running openembedded (Linux for embedded devices). Examples of other MIPS based processors running OpenEmbedded is the Dreambox. A little trivia for you there :-)

[viper_za]

I think the official way to monitor your setup is to put in a CCGX (Colour Control GX). The CCGX is essentially a small linux computer, and it will support most hardware that Linux supports. That means you can put in any USB hardware that works with Linux and it should work fine. Because the USB ports are on the back, I'd go for the EDI-max USB WiFi that's most commonly used with the Raspberry Pi, because that should sit nice and flush.

 

If you don't have the CCGX, and you are capable of coding your own, you might look at my python library. I run this on an old netbook, and when I'm away I use ssh to access the netbook and check on things. That's right boys and girls, I don't own a CCGX. I figured out how to set powerassist using python! :-)

 

Code here: https://github.com/izak/ib.victron

 

I've been meaning to extend it so it can push values to some or other site...

Edited to add: The CCGX is a MIPS based computer running openembedded (Linux for embedded devices). Examples of other MIPS based processors running OpenEmbedded is the Dreambox. A little trivia for you there :-)

Hey plonkster, he does have the CCGX saw a post with pictures of his setup somewhere

[___]

Hey plonkster, he does have the CCGX saw a post with pictures of his setup somewhere

 

Then I would expect you pretty much 1) register on the Victron VRM site, and 2) follow the instructions to link your site with your account.

 

The CCGX is a beautiful application of various open source technologies. Personally I would not have gone with djb daemontools, but that's about the only strange thing about it :-)