I have a BMV 712 that is working but not communicating with Cerbo via VE Direct. Battery readings appear on BMV control head readout, and everything looks good when connecting to the BMV using VictronConnect app via Bluetooth. I am trying to connect it to my Cerbo GX using VE direct cable and it does not appear on the device list on the Cerbo.
The boat is new to me, system was installed by former owner. In photos from last year it appeared to be working - could see DC reading on Cerbo touch screen in photo. It’s as if it lost contact. It had lost contact with the Solar Controller 100/30 as well, but I got it to reconnect to that with a firmware update. i tried the same with the BMV but it didn’t work.
For the BMV, I am using the standard 6 ft VE Direct cable and to rule out the cable as the problem, I bought a new 3 ft cable and got the same result. I have tried disconnecting and reconnecting, upgraded firmware, and tried moving the cable away from the VHF to avoid interference.
It sounds as simple as the VE Direct port on the BMV being faulty, but I have had trouble with some of the VE Direct ports on the Cerbo as well. The MPPT controller is connected to the Cerbo via VE Direct cable, but the Cerbo only sees it if plugged into the first VE Direct port. Tried the BMV in the same (first) port and it doesn’t show up, which suggests it’s something in the BMV. I hate to replace it since it seems to be working based on readout on the VC app.
What should I try next?
Is it normal to have the VE Direct connection only work in the first port? Do you have to connect them in order or have the first one filled before using the second?
