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I’m going to be installing a Cerbo GX and a Touch GX 50 (along with an entire solar and inverter set up) in an Airstream. The location where the Cerbo GX will be installed is on the opposite side of the trailer from where the Touch GX 50 will go, and running the HDMI cable across will be nearly impossible. However, there is an existing unused CAT5 cable running between the two locations.
Is there any reason I couldn’t use an HDMI+USB over CAT5 extender between the two?
I know the Cerbo GX is fairly new and the monitor that goes with it has an extremely short HDMI/USB cable. It is ridiculously short. This needs to be rethought. I asked my distributor if I could add an extender cable. He inquired and was told no. Well since that is a no go, I ordered a heavily shielded 30' cable. I tried it on the TV with HD and it worked flawlessly. So since this little monitor is not running anywhere near that kind of performance I see no reason why it would not work. I connected it up and voilla! It seems to work like a charm and now I can use this. Just thought I'd throw that in here. The cable I bought is very heavily shielded. It is about 1/3" in diameter.
Hi @jsalbre
There is no reason why you couldn't use such an extender, it's just that we haven't tested it so don't know if it works.
if you test it, please let us know if it works :)
Excellent, thank you! I’ll give it a try and let everyone know (once I can find a Cerbo GX and GX Touch 50 in stock that is).
Unfortunately I am in the same position on a 1999 Foretravel U320 except I either need to extend both the HDMI & USB or try this idea. It will be easier to fish a Cat5 cable where I need to go. Fortunately I do have a Cerbo GX and GX Touch 50 in hand... What setup were you thinking and maybe I'll give it a shot.
I'm unfortunately stuck waiting for the Cerbo GX to be in stock anywhere, so It'll likely be a while before I can test it myself.
I hadn't chosen a solution. My plan was to grab a couple extenders off Amazon and try them out.
I have an Cerbo GX on order since Jan. Just got notified it may be August when it will be delivered. Maybe you can help me. I want to locate the Cerbo next to the smart solar, lynx shunt, and multiplus and then run a single cat5 to where I am going to install the Touch 50. Here is a link to a product on Amazon I was considering using.
https://www.amazon.com/Basicolor-Extender-Lossless-Transmitter-Receiver/dp/B07DJ56875/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=4FJM9KV9NJT2EZWSN2YE
I would be very curious how your testing goes. Unfortunately I am going to have to wait to install most of the Victron equipment until I understand if I have to run 4 cables or just one extender.
I've run the wires but am waiting for a couple more parts to do the actual install. I ran a powered USB extender, an HDMI extender, the included UTP for the BMV Smart-712, a VE Direct cable and an extra Cat-5 line. If this does not work then I was going to use something similar to your link except only for the HDMI/USB for the Touch 50 as the UTP and VE Direct are in place.
While the only Victron support configuration is the provided cable direct to the Cerbo GX.
It might be useful to know that the USB is only providing power, so a big long USB extension cable (which is usually intended for data) is not as helpful as another USB power supply close to the GX touch itself.
Both the display, and the touch signals are sent via the HDMI.
I just installed the Touch 50 with 6' Amazon unshielded extension cables without a problem.
However, if the Cerbo GX is powered the cables need to be connected in a specific order or alternatively the Cerbo needs to be rebooted. If not the screen will freeze.
Victron needs to recommend and approve cable extenders. I also will have ~ a 25' distance between the touch 50 and Cerbo Gx unit. Someone mentioned a heavily shielded HDMI extension cable. A link would be nice and also what lengths are available. Since apparently the USB is not used for data, adapters that use heavy gage wire for the +/- connections could be made by cannibalizing and splicing to the connectors from an old USB extension cable... OR...
Male adapter, use your own RED/BLACK 18 Ga wire:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08D3KT5Q2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A321AXKQ39MW9R&psc=1
Female adapter, use your own RED/BLACK 18 Ga. wire:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GPGHL5S/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A18HETBC27977J&psc=1
This is a shielded 25' HDMI extender cable. Absent some much needed engineering input from Victron I may shotgun and try this cable to interconnect the Cerbo Gx and it's Gx Touch 50.
https://www.amazon.com/High-Speed-HDMI-Extension-cable/dp/B00GBBSGSA/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1AY2DV0K794CM&dchild=1&keywords=hdmi%2Bextender%2Bcable&qid=1600650027&refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A6570043011&rnid=2883252011&s=aht&sprefix=hdmi%2Bextender%2Caps%2C219&sr=1-5&th=1
I'm having the RV manufacturer install a 1" diameter (ID) low voltage type flexible conduit between the two equipment locations so it should be easy to pull the HDMI and other necessary wires between the locations.
Delock HDMI and USB extention cables 5m are working.
I have the Cerbo GX and Touch 50 in my airstream connected via an hdmi extender over cat 5. I tested several that did not work but this one works flawlessly.
AV Access 4KEX70-L.
I power the touch 50 and the Extender with this power supply, it supplies 5V for the touch 50 and 18V for the extender. There may be better option, this is what I have working now.
PST-YD100W
Terry
I thank Terry for the helpful suggestion above. I followed his approach. Using the AV Access product he recommended, I can report that I am able to view and operate with touch commands a GX-70 installed in our kitchen with our Cerbo installed near our batteries in our remote cabin's basement. I used a Victron ethernet cable (20 meters; purchased from Bay Marine - https://baymarinesupply.com/victron-energy-rj45-utp-cable.html) to connect the AV Access transmitter in the basement to the receiver box upstairs in the kitchen. I used an Iogear HDMI cable from Newegg to connect the Cerbo GX to the AV Access transmitter box in the basement. Everything seems to working well.
One additional note for anyone else thinking of following this same approach: I found the AV Access boxes run warm to the touch, so when I mounted them our plywood backing in the basement and kitchen cabinet, I used spacers to offset them from the wood. I think it is unlikely they'll run hot enough to cause a fire if they were mounted right against the wood, but wanted to play it extra safe. Moreover, the improved air circulation will hopefully help the AV Access boxes run cooler and last longer. Thanks again to Terry for this great suggestion!
I installed a a touch 50 with a 25ft USB + HDMI extension. Worked fine.
I tried a random UTP active extender I got off ebay but no joy.
The AV Access 4KEX70-L recommended above is kinda pricey
So much for hdmi being a standard... perhaps its being used here in a proprietary way?
Not really keen on stringing up an extension cable at the site between the garage where the system is installed and the kitchen where the screen will be more useful to have, about 10m (30 ft) because we have very powerful electric storms here in summer and EMP's can and do ruin electronics with long cables attached, although a screened one might be an option.
