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Bill avatar image
Bill asked

Looking for a Cerbo GX relay port connector?

I was looking at configuring relay port #1 to turn on a couple small 12v computer type fans for cooling the electrical bay based on the temp from a probe. That looked fairly simple and I configured it. But when I looked into hooking up the wires from the fan I found what looked like a port with three connections that probably needs a special connector based on its shape. What connector is that? I will need to purchase one (or two) so I can wire them in. Also I didn't see a pinout diagram, there are three pins, Positive, Negative & ?? What is the third one for, doubt its another ground/negative. I am hoping i can buy them somewhere.. traveling in Alaska at the moment and my existing thermostat the ran the fans went kaput.

cerbo gxRelay
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2 Answers
seb71 avatar image
seb71 answered ·

The connectors should be included:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wheKaU2_qw


The relay pins are labeled on Cerbo:

NO (Normally Open) / COM (common) / NC (normally closed).

So you use COM and either NO or NC, as needed.


It's not supplying power. Just open/closes a contact.

Check the Cerbo manual for the maximum voltages and currents for the relays.

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Bill avatar image Bill commented ·
Thanks for that pin out info. I will go back and see if I can find that in the newest manual I downloaded the other day to figure out how its used. It did say it had 12v power and up to 6 amps. The two fans are a total of .84 amps (.42 each) so the way I read the manual it would be fine powering them. Are you saying that it cannot and I need to find another relay for that little power?
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seb71 avatar image seb71 Bill commented ·

Here is the online Cerbo GX manual:

https://www.victronenergy.com/media/pg/Cerbo_GX/en/index-en.html


As I said, the relays are just on/off contacts (like a light switch, but turned on/off automatically). You must get power from somewhere else.

Also, for big loads, use something like a contactor (which can be turned on/off using that Cerbo relay).

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Bill avatar image Bill seb71 commented ·

I read the most current manual from Victron and I see no where in there that says it cannot power a device up to 6 amps on relay 1, and 1 amp on relay 2. The link shows the part of the manual I read the other day.


screen shot of cerbo gx manual


(5) In Cerbo GX hardware there are two relays. Currently, Relay 1 can be used for programming as an alarm relay, generator
start/stop, tank pump, temperature controlled relay or manual operation. Relay 2 is available for programming as a temperature
controlled relay or manual operation in the Relay menu of the GX (requires firmware 2.80 or higher)


Where does it say it cannot power a small device or that it can only be used with another relay. I would expect it cannot run a pump due to amprage requirements.


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seb71 avatar image seb71 Bill commented ·

You can power a device using that relay (while respecting those voltage and current limits), but you must supply that power from somewhere else.

A relay it is not a power supply. It is an on/off contact. It connects or disconnets a load (such as your 12V fan) from a power supply.


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Bill avatar image Bill seb71 commented ·
Oh sorry, now I get it. That power up to 6 amps can run thru that from somwhere else. PowerSource>GXrelay>Fans That makes sense. Sorry, I was a bit confused. Now I just need to find someone with an extra connector somewhere in Tok Ak or in the Yukon.. That should be close to impossible.
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pwfarnell avatar image
pwfarnell answered ·

If you have lost them or they were not left by the installer there is some info in the thread below.

https://community.victronenergy.com/questions/81143/terminal-block-for-cerbo-gx.html

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Bill avatar image Bill commented ·
That thread only speaks to the terminal blocks. There is no actual Relay connector info except try to find an installer. I am in Tok Ak today and heading into the Yukon in the morning. Maybe I can find an installer in Whitehorse in a couple weeks. Bummer. Lots of dry camping between now and then. Mine appear to have been lost after installation a couple years back.



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