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For the MultiPlus-II 12v 3000VA let me use VE.Bus dongle (https://www.victronenergy.com/communication-centres/ve-bus-smart-dongle) to configure/control/monitor all possible settings (e.g. charger settings for custom battery, lower charge rate, etc)? What I'm seeing in the Demo of the Victron App makes me think I can, but https://community.victronenergy.com/questions/82934/multiplus-settings-with-ve-bus-smart-dongle.html makes me think I can't. So tell me Victron, what's the real capabilities?
No, you can only change setting with the MK3 to usb adaptor. (Unless you buy a smart inverter.)
The ve bus smart dongle is different. It is designed for monitoring. See the product page. And the manual for what is possible. But it is limited to invert on of charging and I put current limit changes.
There is no demo for the ve bus smart dongle? Or have I developed selective sight and missed it?
@Alexandra ok, that makes it clearer. But given the confusion, Victron should update the product page a bit more. If they simply put the "features & functionalities" section in the linked documentation in the product page, doesn't seem like there'd be any confusion.
And strikes me as really, REALLY annoying and crappy that I can't configure it via VictronConnect app just like I can the SmartSolar, Orion Tr, BMV-712. Seems pretty silly not to allow customers to configure everything through one interface. What's different for the USB VE.Bus mk3 that the VE.Bus Smart Dongle doesn't do? Should be mostly just a dumb "pass the bits back and forth" channel.
I'd love to hear from Victron what the technical reason is that you can't properly configure that way. Seems like some artificial product segmentation from the GX, yet it specifically calls the Smart Dongle as "...a great alternative in caravans, smaller yachts and motor homes for which the Color Control GX or Venus GX are a step too far."
Smells like "buy _both_ dongles to get your system setup and monitor it", aka make us pay twice. For a system installer person, not too big a deal since the USB would be what they'd use, and leave the Smart Dongle for monitoring, but for the rest of us... Makes me tempted to buy the USB, setup, and return. Except far, FAR too many returns just end up in landfills.
Also very important, why the heck can't I update the firmware that way? I can with my other Victron devices over BT.
Also, in reference to the VE.Smart network to share battery info, I already have BMV-712, why can't the VE.Bus Smart Dongle _read_ that data to pass it to VE.Bus?
This is not actually an ask victron forum. So while they do hang around there are more official channels.
With the small team Victron keeps I don't even know how they crank out what they do. All official support and distribution is done through their networks.
The newer products can be done on the fly and with Victron connect and fw updates with BT like the others. So yes you can don't choose a ve bus product. Some of them have built in shunts so you won't even need a BMV (like the inverter rs.)
The ve bus dongle page is clear. It is just for monitoring. And it never claims to be anything else. It was meant to add some BT function to older units. So Increase functions instead of replacing the whole thing. Neat way to keep the e-waste down and still give a cheaper option for those who want something simple. It is an older product.
It does not seem to be the product for you though. Doesn't meet your needs.
The inverters were not designed to smart network. If your system is not complex then voltage and amps based charge stages will be enough. (The simple answer is firmware and maybe hardware capabilities for the SOC pass on feature - would be nice though) And Victron are cooking up some large features right now.
