article

Ole Saether posted Mar 22, '19

Service to turn Multiplus on/off via digital input

EDIT: Edited for Venus v3.0x. See below

A frequent requested feature of mine (and others on forums discussing off gird systems) is a means to turn on or off the MultiPlus with a switch. With a stand-alone Multiplus you can connect an external switch but when the Multiplus is connected to a CCGX or VGX the external switch does not work and you have to dig deep into the remote console to turn the Multiplus on/off.

I have created a service that monitors a digital input and when it goes from high to low it turns the Multiplus ON if is is OFF and OFF if it is ON.

I had to create a new digital input type: #12, "Inverter control".

Below is a link to the python service repository. Patches for the gui-files and dbus-digitalinputs service can be found in the "diffs" folder. Under releases there are prebuilt installers for Venus GX and Raspberry PI.

https://github.com/osaether/dbus-inverter-ctrl.git

For those of you that want to build it, here is the Bitbake recipe with instructions:

https://github.com/osaether/meta-dbus-inverter-ctrl

Use at your own risk!

Ole

2 |3000

Attachments: Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.

Ole Saether commented · Mar 30, 2019 at 07:18 PM

Tried this on 2.30~39 today and it does not work as expected. I get python errors when writing to the dbus so there must have been a change in dbus lately. I will get back when I have figured it out.

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Ole Saether Ole Saether commented · Apr 07, 2019 at 08:27 PM

Issues fixed now and repo updated.

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Ole Saether commented · Apr 07, 2019 at 08:32 PM

I tried it out his weekend and it works very well. See video below. This feature is most useful for off-grid systems where the zero load power of the inverter will drain the batteries in the winter months where we have no or very little sun.

Your browser does not support HTML5 video.

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2019-04-06-170846.mp4 (19.8 MiB)

Elimac Ole Saether commented · Apr 08, 2019 at 08:43 AM

Will it be possible also to change to "Charger mode" remotely?

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Ole Saether Elimac commented · Apr 11, 2019 at 11:52 AM

Hi, yes that would be possible but in the repo above it is ON/OFF.

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Bob (Victron Energy Staff) ♦♦ Ole Saether commented · Apr 09, 2019 at 11:19 AM

Hi,

did you already know the 'safety switch' assistant in the MultiPlus? It can be used driven by an Aux input of the Multi (and as this Aux input can also be wired to the Venus relay you can even switch remotely -> watch out where you power the Venus device from);

Regards,

Bob

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1554807349096.png (41.5 KiB)

Mark ♦♦ Bob (Victron Energy Staff) ♦♦ commented · Apr 10, 2019 at 02:45 AM

My understanding is that the 'safety switch' assistant ONLY switches off the AC output & NOT the actual inverter, accordingly there will still be a stand-by current/power draw of >20W, which is the primary reason for wanting to fully switch off the unit.

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1554864442278.png (50.1 KiB)

Ole Saether Mark ♦♦ commented · Apr 11, 2019 at 11:50 AM

Yes that is why I did it like this. I want to turn off the Multuplus. Same behavior as in the GUI. See below.

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multi2.jpg (38.5 KiB)

multi1.jpg (45.0 KiB)

vicrvusr Bob (Victron Energy Staff) ♦♦ commented · May 14, 2019 at 01:33 PM

A note to Bob (Victron Energy Staff): Another reason why this alternate method of switching the Multiplus on and off is important is the Safety Switch assistant cannot be used in conjunction with the Li-Ion BMS assistant, as documented in the assistant itself:

You can guess what kind of batteries I have...

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capture.jpg (16.4 KiB)

permariusteigen Ole Saether commented · May 01, 2019 at 03:08 PM

Thank you. This is the one I've been waiting for, to get the power system on the offgrid cabin that I want it. Needed to get the WAF (Wife acceptance factor) too. :)

And thanks to Espen (cabin neighbor) who helped me with the setup.

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Ole Saether permariusteigen commented · May 01, 2019 at 06:41 PM

Your'e welcome!

Is your cabin in Norway?

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permariusteigen Ole Saether commented · May 02, 2019 at 08:28 PM

I live on spitsbergen. And have a cabin up here too.

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joe-d Ole Saether commented · Sep 08, 2020 at 02:19 PM

Hello Ole,

I really need this mod but am new to adding services to my Venus. Is there a tutorial or a step by step procedure you can point me to on how to add this service to my Venus? I am an engineer but just new to programming this type of device. Thanks Joe

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Ole Saether joe-d commented · Sep 08, 2020 at 05:50 PM

Hi Joe,

I have not updated this in a while but I think it should work on the latest Venus release.

But please note that I have only tested this in my system with a Venus GX and a Multiplus 24/3000. Use at your own risk!

You can find an installable file here:
https://github.com/osaether/dbus-inverter-ctrl/releases/tag/v0.8

For Venus GX you need the file with "8hf" in the name.

To get the file into your Venus device there are a few methods. The simplest way is to log into your Venus device with SSH and download it directly from github with this command:

wget https://github.com/osaether/dbus-inverter-ctrl/releases/download/v0.8/dbus-inverter-ctrl_0.8-r0_cortexa8hf-neon.ipk

Then install it using this command:

opkg install dbus-inverter-ctrl_0.8-r0_cortexa8hf-neon.ipk

That's it. The service will start automatically.

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joe-d Ole Saether commented · Sep 09, 2020 at 08:59 PM

Hello Ole, Thanks so much for this Newbie :-)

I have the same Venus GX and the similar Multiplus 12/3000, so i should be ok.

When i first installed this and it appeared on my Venus digital input settings but when i select it, the bullet is selected momentarily but "Input one" stays at the last selected input (disabled), also "inverter Control" does not seem to work (when i GND pin 1). Then I edited /data/conf/settings.xml file and changed the type to 10 (as you described to Espen previously). Now the Inverter Control setting sticks. But now I get a fault when my shore-power is connected " AC-Input: Not available" . If shore-power is disconnected, all is normal (also appears than Grounding pin 1 does nothing). Also, not sure how the pulse meters work, but they do not change when inputs are grounded)

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Ole Saether joe-d commented · Sep 10, 2020 at 05:25 AM

Hi Joe,

Clicking the bullet does nothing. I tried to get rid of it in the GUI but I have not spent much time on that. If you want to control your Multiplus from the GUI then you don't need my module: Just click on the Multiplus in the menu and select Switch->On.

I don't know why this module don't work when shore-power is connected. I have used it with a generator without problems.

I am sorry. but I don't know anything about pulse meters. Please note that my module triggers on the edge from high to low (gnd). Wiring it to GND permanently will not work.

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joe-d Ole Saether commented · Sep 10, 2020 at 02:09 PM

I want to control the Inverter On/OFF via a momentary contact closure, so I would like to get your module to work. I think the muliplus issue is unrelated which I will look at. For my info, is there a way, to go back to the original Victron GX version (i.e. back-out your mod in case i did something wrong)?

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Ole Saether joe-d commented · Sep 10, 2020 at 03:34 PM

yes, you can uninstall it by logging into your Venus and run this command:

opkg remove dbus-inverter-ctrl

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joe-d Ole Saether commented · Sep 11, 2020 at 03:38 AM

Hi Ole, its working perfectly! I can now turn the inverter off and on from a key fob :-). Thanks so much for posting this and the help to get there.

Joe

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joe-d joe-d commented · Feb 08, 2021 at 02:54 PM

Hi Ole, Venus has a new OS v2.62 today. If I upgrade the Venus firmware, Could i potentially loose this feature and have to redo? If so, i would i fix this? Thanks

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joe-d Ole Saether commented · Apr 10, 2021 at 02:46 PM

Hi Ole, Venus has a new OS v2.65. I have v2.60 installed now and your mod works great. If I upgrade the Venus firmware, could I potentially loose this feature and have to redo anything? If yes, what would I need to change to fix operating with 2.65 and allow future upgrades w/o changes? Thanks

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Ole Saether joe-d commented · Apr 10, 2021 at 11:25 PM

Hi Joe,

Yes, you need to install it again after upgrading to v2.65. You don't need to change anything, just run the installer again.
I can't speak of future upgrades but I will update the script if needed.

/Ole

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joe-d Ole Saether commented · Feb 04, 2022 at 12:59 AM

Hello Ole

It looks like script does not work with the latest OS2.81 (3 Feb). Can you verify for me? and if so, can you update it?

Thanks

Joe

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joe-d Ole Saether commented · Feb 05, 2022 at 11:31 PM

I am running Venus OS 2.82 and i get the following after i try to install the script:

Any ideas?

-------------------

root@beaglebone:~# opkg install dbus-inverter-ctrl_0.8-r0_cortexa8hf-neon.ipk

Collected errors:

* Solver encountered 1 problem(s):

* Problem 1/1:

* - nothing provides python-dbus needed by dbus-inverter-ctrl-0.8-r0.cortexa8hf-neon

* Solution 1:

* - do not ask to install dbus-inverter-ctrl-0.8-r0.cortexa8hf-neon

root@beaglebone:~#

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joe-d joe-d commented · Feb 07, 2022 at 11:26 PM

can anyone help?

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Rune Eilertsen commented · Apr 20, 2019 at 09:07 AM

If was on when input is high, and inverter off when input is low would help more.

Because else you need som feedback to know if you turn the inverter on or off.

Then also bms and other security switch would benefit as well.

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Ole Saether Rune Eilertsen commented · Apr 23, 2019 at 10:03 AM

Hi @Rune Eilertsen Yes that is easy to change but I prefer a momentary push-button for my application. In the button in the video above the light is wired to the AC out of the inverter.

I will update the example so that this can be configured. When I have time...

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espen commented · Apr 26, 2019 at 02:47 PM

Hi Ole,

This is a long awaited feature. Unfortunately, I don't get it to work.

On “Digital Input 1”, when I select “Inverter Control”, it goes back to “Disabled”.

The service “dbus-inverter-ctrl” is up and running, and the Multiplus is on tty05.

(My push-button on the digital input 1 is also confirmed to work, as when input1 is set to pulse-meter it counts the pulses.)

/Espen

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Ole Saether espen commented · Apr 27, 2019 at 09:48 PM

Hi @Espen. I am suspecting that I have not got the Type settings correct. If you are comfortable editing files on your Venus, stop the inverter-ctrl service:

svc -d /service/dbus-inverter-ctrl

Edit the file /data/conf/settings.xml and scroll down to <Digitalinput> and find the <_1> section and change the Type to 10:

<Type default="0" max="10" type="i" silent="False" min="0">10</Type>

Save the file and exit, then reboot your Venus.

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espen Ole Saether commented · Apr 28, 2019 at 09:23 AM

Hi Ole,

Thank you. I can confirm that the settings is working now.

I'll go to the cabin later today to also check the powerbutton on the venus .

/Espen H

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espen espen commented · Apr 28, 2019 at 02:03 PM

Hi,

I can confirm that it’s working now!

Thank you so much Ole :)

/Espen

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joe-d espen commented · Sep 10, 2020 at 03:21 AM

what does "Multiplus is on tty05" mean?

Thanks

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vicrvusr commented · May 08, 2019 at 03:14 AM

Hi, I'd like to install this on an rpi running venus os. I found out the image hasn't been made for the rpi. I'm lost as to how to go about building or manually installing it. I can manually edit the patches in easily enough, but don't know where to go from there. Please be kind to me as I'm pretty new at Yocto and the Victron-specific stuff.

Thanks in advance for any help, this will help my WAF of my install with the Multiplus greatly!.

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Ole Saether vicrvusr commented · May 08, 2019 at 09:52 AM

Hi! I have now built an installer for rpi and uploaded to github. It's the file, dbus-inverter-ctrl_0.6-r0_cortexa7hf-neon-vfpv4.ipk here:

https://github.com/osaether/dbus-inverter-ctrl/releases/tag/v0.6

You will probably have to change the digital input pin in the scripts.

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vicrvusr Ole Saether commented · May 09, 2019 at 12:30 AM

Thanks! Yes, I suspect I'll have to change the inputs, I could not find any kind of mapping from Rpi to the Venus GUI's input number so I'll just play with them on the bench until I find one that switches in the GUI and use that one. Getting another Rpi just in case I'm too fumble fingered...

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vicrvusr Ole Saether commented · May 14, 2019 at 05:26 AM

It's working on the Pi now! Thanks very much for writing this and supporting us!

I was able to use the same input however I did have to correct the type settings from your reply to Espen above. The Multiplus address changed since it was on a USB port. Once I fixed that it worked like a charm! I also changed the off mode to charge only (replaced the 4 with a 1 in two places in the python service script).

For reference here's a chart of the Rpi inputs used by the Venus OS, I used pin 29, pulled it low and reversed the polarity in the inverter control setup, though that may not have made any difference:

Rpi Pin #	GPIO #	Device Instance	Normal state
37	26	5	low
35	19	4	low
33	13	3	low
31	6	2	high
29	5	1	high
1	3V3	pull low pins hi thru 10k
39	GND	pull hi pins low thru 10k

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espen commented · May 11, 2019 at 06:39 PM

Hi Ole,

I did see in your release notes that you removed "inverter control" from the mainpage. (over to service?)

But I have it still on the main page.

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screenshot-20190511-111406.png (351.5 KiB)

Ole Saether espen commented · May 11, 2019 at 10:16 PM

Hi @Espen I checked and you are right. I will try to figure out another way to do this. I was gone in some earlier versions of Venus.

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Ole Saether commented · May 24, 2019 at 06:38 PM

This service does not work with Venus v2.30~50. I don't know why yet. Reverting back to Venus 2.30~47 and it works. We need to wait for the ~50 release notes from @mvader (Victron Energy Staff) to see if there is a change related to this. Maybe they changed how the digital inputs work?

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Ole Saether Ole Saether commented · May 24, 2019 at 08:58 PM

The Venus 2.30~50 release notes are out now and there are no changes related to this. Despite that, this service is working fine on ~47 but not on ~50. I will try to debug it but my impression is that Victron don't want us to create custom services. Given the lack of feedbcak from Victron in this thread.

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mvader (Victron Energy) ♦♦ Ole Saether commented · Jun 02, 2019 at 09:28 PM

Hi @osaether, . Found and fixed now; in v2.31~2 test version at this moment.

Sorry for not recognising this sooner and thanks for reporting

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Ole Saether mvader (Victron Energy) ♦♦ commented · Jun 02, 2019 at 09:57 PM

I tried v2.31~2 now and the digital input works as expected. Thanks!

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mvader (Victron Energy) ♦♦ Ole Saether commented · Jun 02, 2019 at 09:32 PM

Ps. You wrote:

> I will try to debug it but my impression is that Victron don't want us to create custom services.

Not at all. I think its an honour that people like you spend so much time building on top of our work.

The lack of response sometimes is that its difficult to debug / help with software not under our control. And a lack of time. Also for me there is only 24h in a day.

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mvader (Victron Energy) ♦♦ Ole Saether commented · Jun 02, 2019 at 09:37 PM

Ps2: next time, be aware that for digital inputs (and lots of other things in Venus OS); you can see all changes here: https://github.com/victronenergy/meta-victronenergy/commits/master

The commit making the bug is in there (quite far down) and the fix is now the second last from the top.

You’ll see v2.40 there. To understand v2.31; read the “maintenance releases” chapter in the readme in the venus repo.

Thanks

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kvittern commented · Nov 04, 2020 at 03:03 AM

Hello,

Is this still working with Venus OS 2.60.

Installed it successfully, but when I’ll try to choose inverter under digital input, it reverts back to disable. I also tried to do the change to the settings.xml file (0-10) as described in an other comment here.

Any idea?

Regards Rune

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vicrvusr kvittern commented · Nov 10, 2020 at 11:20 PM

Confirmed, this broke upon upgrade to 2.60. Also reinstalled the service (opkg --force-reinstall) with no change. Fortunately there is an option to boot into the backup version (I had 2.33) which restored the switch operation. Thanks, devs, as that kept DW happy!

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vicrvusr vicrvusr commented · Nov 11, 2020 at 02:50 AM

Resolved the issue with 2.60, at least the one I had. The install script changes /opt/victronenergy/dbus_digitalinputs.py and it was not changed when I forced the install script to run again. To resolve I manually edited the file and applied the changes in dbus_digitalinputs.diff which is in osaether's github repository here.

There are also several .qml files that the install script changes so all should be verified, they are located in /opt/victronenergy/gui/. The diff files are the first three files here.

Hopefully this will help you @Kvittern.

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bathnm commented · Nov 06, 2020 at 11:03 AM

@osaether, Can I ask a couple of questions on this. Is this designed to be be used with a MOM switch connected to the digital input or an on/off switch?

Looking at your code the last change you made was to the line

if int(value["Value"])==3:

You changed the value from 3 to 2. What does teh value 2 mean?

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Ole Saether bathnm commented · Nov 06, 2020 at 02:18 PM

Hi @Bathnm yes, it is designed to be used with a MOM switch. You can use it with a ON/OFF switch as well but then you need to modify the script so that it reads the switch continuously to keep the inverter and switch in sync. With a MOM switch you can turn off the inverter elsewhere and turn it on again with the MOM switch. You cannot do that with an ON/OFF switch.

I changed the value from 3 (switch = ON) to 2 (switch = OFF) such that the inverter turns on when you release the button.

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bathnm Ole Saether commented · Nov 06, 2020 at 04:58 PM

@osaether, Thank you great explanation why a MOM is better than switch, had not thought about ANO situation switching it off and then being out of sync. I suspect that is the issue with the VE.Bus BMS and why the mode capability is disabled on VenusOS and why a DMC is required.

Out of interest why did you'd decide to react to the off rather than on?

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Ole Saether bathnm commented · Nov 06, 2020 at 08:07 PM

@Bathnm When the script reacted on "ON" it sometimes did not turn on. I guess this is because the switch generates ripples. With reacting on "OFF" it works every time with the switch I have.

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bathnm Ole Saether commented · Nov 19, 2020 at 08:21 PM

@osaether, Is your MOM a close or open when pushed. Just trying to get my head around the logic. With a standard MOM, there would be a circuit until it is pushed, on pushing it would open the circuit and then remake on release. Therefore my logic, and have not tested says that pushing the button should trigger and off and releasing trigger an on. Have I missed something?

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Ole Saether bathnm commented · Nov 19, 2020 at 08:28 PM

@Bathnm This is the switch I use:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/302775850762?ViewItem=&item=302775850762

Are you having trouble getting my script to work?

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bathnm Ole Saether commented · Nov 19, 2020 at 08:35 PM

@osaether, I am remote from my system at the moment, so just reading the code and trying to work out how it all works. Looks like the switch can be wired to both make the circuit and break the circuit when it is pushed. In a few weeks time I'll be on the boat again and will play and debug.

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