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I have a Multiplus II inverter and two MPPTs. I like having Bluetooth capability on the MPPTs, but using the dongle to monitor the Multiplus is a pain because I have to go to another building to plug into it. What’s the best way to set it up so I can monitor the system remotely?
@Todd Landfried, when you say "dongle to monitor the MultiPlus", I presume you mean the MK3 to USB Interface? If so, then I would suggest the VE.Bus Smart Dongle, which connects to one of the VE.Bus ports on the MultiPlus and provides monitoring and limited device functionality adjustment over Bluetooth. Granted, you're still limited to Bluetooth range with this option, but since you mention being happy with the SmartSolars, I presume that Bluetooth range is acceptable for you.
Thanks for your answer. This is kinda what I was thinking. Bluetooth is okay because I can connect to the MPPTs from inside the house. Where do you mount this? To the battery?
I see the capacity of the Smart Dongle is limited, but if I wanted more than that (not sure I need it), what then would be the recommended solution?
@Todd Landfried mounting is fairly flexible; it needs 12v pos and neg (you can takeoff directly from the Multi, or from the batts, or any 12v distribution source) and connects to the VE.Bus port with the standard RJ45 VE.Bus cable just like the MK3. Technically it would do you some good to mount it away from the Multi/batts just so the unit itself is closer to wherever you're accessing it via bluetooth (the bluetooth range is pretty decent, but it helps to extend the dongle closer to where you plan to access it from your phone).
The next option, as @ejrossouw has mentioned, is either a Venus GX or a CCGX, both of which are accessible through the VRM portal over wifi (with a separate 3rd party USB to wifi dongle) or wired connection over ethernet.
