question

Hi @jr_neverjudge

I personally do this using a shelly smart switch activated by node red running on GX device. They're relatively cheap switches and using them in node red was really flexible in comparison to what i'd heard about doing what you suggested.

In my opinion it's much more flexible in terms of criteria/using multiple loads. The shelly smart switch works on LAN and can be turned on via HTTP request. It's good for 16amps which is fine for most water heaters.

I think there is a way to do it the way you mention using VeConfigure Assistants but not sure if SoC criteria is one of the options (it's far more limited at least), I've not looked into it much after realising that node red + a smart switch worked better for my use case. (You can get really fancy with node red. I have multiple loads ie turn on water heater 1, if that's on already and still have excess power turn on water heater 2 etc.... Then if winter turn on electric heater i have in one of the colder rooms in my house).

Happy to share more node red details if useful.

Edit: Just looked in my node red on cerbo gx and can see relay options for my smart shunt and solar charge controller. So you may even be able to use those instead of an external shelly smart switch (although the smart switch is probably easier for longer distances).

Thanks Matt, I was hoping there is an easy way to do this also with the Globallink but after reading a lot, I guess I need to buy another Venus and go the Nodered-route ... my programming days are long gone but might need to revisit those. It's just a pity I think that all the features are there but it's just not flexible enough to program this easy if-then switch ... I have installed node red on one of the installations and see if I get it to work ... might come back here for more ;-)

Edit ;-) .. yes, I´ve seen those relay controls as well, in theory should be relatively easy to create a conditions based on the shunt and trigger / control the relay ... since most of my installations are a bit cramped for space I try to use as few devices as possible, i.e. use what is there already (Smart Battery Protect being one) ...

I'm not familiar with GlobalLink, but you can install venus os large on cerbo gx if you've got one, that comes with node red then.

(personally i use a raspberry pi if you're looking for a more affordable option).

I was similar re-programming, but recently i delved into it and node red is very forgiving. Especially if you have basic criteria/inputs ie SoC > x can maybe even get away with little to no programming then.

If you've ever programmed before (ie understand an if statement). Then you'll find it easy (and if not there's always chatgpt....).

Shout if you do go this route, happy to share functions/snips of node red if helpful.