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love2learn avatar image
love2learn asked

Cerbo GX/VRM- Remote Inverter shutdown/startup

I was told I would be able to remotely turn off the inverter from the Cerbo GX. Where in the Cerbo GX or VRM portal would I configure this?


Setup:

Victron Multiplus 24/3000/70 Inverter

Victron SmartShunt

Victron 100|50 (MPPT 1)

Victron 100|50 (MPPT 2)

Victron Cerbo GX (connected directly to batteries)


Use case: Off-grid power at cabin. I want to keep the inverter on while I'm away. While at home, I'd be occasionally checking battery SoC to make sure they are staying topped off or at close to 100%. In winter, if the solar panels get covered in snow and dont get cleared off on their own, I would want to power off the inverter so I am not spending 1500-2000 watts/day eating away at the battery SoC (~60-80 watts/hr idle consumption). I understand this means that I am no longer able to get into the Cerbo via VRM since the internet gets shut down when the inverter gets powered off. Of course, remote access wont be available unless I travel back to the cabin and turn on the inverter, or have a nearby neighbor turn it on for me. However, my 1500-2000 watt per day idle consumption will drop to almost zero and allow the batteries to trickle back up to full as the snow melts off the solar panels.


Where do I program the Cerbo/Inverter/VRM to automatically shut down the inverter at, for example ,30% SoC, then automatically turn the inverter back on after the batteries reach 80% SoC? If this isnt possible to do as I described, is there another way to accomplish what I described in my use case?

MultiPlus Quattro Inverter Chargercerbo gxVRMremote console
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1 Answer
Matthias Lange - DE avatar image
Matthias Lange - DE answered ·

Manually via the remote console -> menu -> device list -> MultiPlus -> switch

Via VRM dashboard:

https://www.victronenergy.com/live/vrm_portal:dashboard#control_your_devices_in_vrm

Automatically you could use the relay of the Cerbo and connect it to the remote port of the MultiPlus.

Or maybe that's possible with NodeRed.

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love2learn avatar image love2learn commented ·

Ok so it looks like this might be possible using the remote port on the Multiplus? It's "shorted" from the factory (Labeled "h" in the attached diagram), so if I put that through the relay, then technically the Cerbo should be able to turn it on and off.




How do I program the logic on the relay though? The only options I see for the relay are "Alarm relay", "generator start/stop", "Tank pump", and "manual" (as seen in the screenshot). Shouldn't there be an option to close/open the relay based on battery voltage?

Screenshot_20221214-225658.pngScreenshot_20221214-225630.pngScreenshot_20221214-225113.png

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Guy Stewart (Victron Community Manager) avatar image Guy Stewart (Victron Community Manager) ♦♦ love2learn commented ·

If you enable the generator start/stop control set, that enables this menu with battery voltage control conditions for the relay;

There are other ways as well but that is the easiest.

cleanshot-2022-12-15-at-180942.jpg


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