question

Bill avatar image
Bill asked

Building a Raspberry Pi with Venus OS

I am considering building a Rasberry Pi device to monitor my two SmartSolar controllers via USB cables. What would I be missing from buying a Venus GX? I really don't need much of an interface if I can web or vnc into it. Can it upload the the Victron VRM website? Thanks, Bill

Venus OSVenus GX - VGXRaspberry PiSignalK
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Apologies all, I know this thread has existing in the main Q&A space for a long time. But it really belongs in the modifications area, so I have moved it there.

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wkirby avatar image
wkirby answered ·

If all you want to do is connect VE.Direct devices (your SmartSolar MPPT's) with USB cables you won't need much more.
You get the Remote Console interface as usual by pointing your browser at the Raspberry Pi IP address.
You'll have the full functionality of VRM too, as if you were using an actual Venus device.

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Stefanie (Victron Energy Staff) avatar image
Stefanie (Victron Energy Staff) answered ·

This Raspi - Venus OS thing really made me curious since I read about it here in the forum. I love to play with these toys ;-) Y'day I ordered a b3+. Should be here by today and ready to set it up. It then hopefully will monitor the Multiplus, MPPT and BMV and connects to the boat network. Insane how much work Victron and all the other devs have put into it.

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John Rushworth avatar image John Rushworth ♦♦ commented ·

Enjoy. As you have a boat try the Venus/SignalK install https://github.com/SignalK/signalk-server-node/issues/517 I have it on a Pi.

Previously I had a beta as it were on my CCGX and blogged about it. https://www.victronenergy.com/blog/2018/05/28/signal-k-embracing-connectivity-with-victron-energy/

If you want to read the history and Matthijs's hard work. https://www.victronenergy.com/live/open_source:ccgx:installing_ccgx_func_on_raspberry_pi

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Stefanie (Victron Energy Staff) avatar image Stefanie (Victron Energy Staff) ♦♦ John Rushworth ♦♦ commented ·

Thanks, John. Been following your blog posts with great interest.

I will read about it and then think whether it makes sense and how to integrate it into the boats system.

Had been looking at SignalK development from the very first days. But so far it couldn't attract me to set something up. The main reason: already too many displays with all it's different info aboard and I couldn't decide how to get that all into one place. And I didn't want to spend money yet on these iKommunicate/iKonvert devices while SignalK is still a niche protocol with little to no relevance in the marine market. But could be exciting to play around.

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the-salmon avatar image the-salmon commented ·

Hello! Just to better understand, if I want to monitor MPPT and Multiplus II from a Raspberry, which connections do I have to put in place?

- MK3-USB from MP II to Raspberry and VE.Direct-USB from MPPT to Raspberry

OR

- MK3-USB from MP II to Raspberry and VE.Direct from MPPT to MP II (no need for USB converter in this case)

Does Raspberry Venus OS support Bluetooth connection with SmartSolar MPPTs?

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Bill avatar image
Bill answered ·

I just wrote the venus os to an sdcard. It created 4 FAT partions. 40meg, 2 each 500 meg and one 768 meg and left the other 13.15 GB un-allocated.

Is that what is supposed to do? I guess I should just use a 2 GB card if this is correct.


I haven't found a RP locally yet so I was thinking about running it in a virtual machine. But I am guessing it only works with an ARM processor so that probably wont work. Bummer. -Bill

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markus avatar image markus ♦♦ commented ·

"I was thinking about running it in a virtual machine. But I am guessing it only works with an ARM processor so that probably won't work"

I would not say so ;o)

https://community.victronenergy.com/comments/2675/view.html

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dunnp avatar image dunnp commented ·

I struck the exact same problem yesterday trying to burn the image to a 64GB card and a 32GB card. I was using Win32DiskImager (using Windows 10). When I tried with Etcher - bingo, worked first go.

Phil

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sieade245 avatar image
sieade245 answered ·

Just wanted to add. Been using a CCGX for over a year now. Bought a used pi 3B on ebay and followed the instructions on Github. Swapped it out, connected everything up. ET112 grid meter via Victron USB cable, multiplus via mk3-USB and ethernet connection to network. Up and running straight away, same interface as CCGX all working. Even connected via Wifi so I can remove the powerline link in the garage. And it even connects to victron portal same as before so exactly the same as before!! Hopefully can sell the CCGX and put the money towards some Hue lighting.

I'm not sure who to thank for this but I hope you're reading. Well done.

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hansbaer avatar image hansbaer commented ·

hi,

which type of batteries are installed on th MPII? is there also a can connection between raspberry and the battery?

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off-grid-house avatar image
off-grid-house answered ·

Has any connected a raspberry pie running this to batruim

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nebulight avatar image nebulight commented ·

You'll need some type of CAN hat for the pi as Batrium will connected to the pi over CAN bus. Check out www.canable.io

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off-grid-house avatar image off-grid-house nebulight commented ·

I tryed it few months ago without a shielded tophat 4 can bus blew my batruim bms up. So slightly nerous about doing it again

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