Color Control GX Manual

Measuring the output of a PV Inverter will provide the user with an overview of both actual power balance and the energy distribution. Note that these measurements are only used to display information. They are not needed nor used by the installation for its performance. Besides monitoring, the GX device can also curtail some types and brands of PV Inverters, ie. reduce their output power. This is used, and required, for the ESS Zero or limited feed-in feature.

Direct connections

Using a meter

For PV Inverters that cannot be interfaced digitally, a meter can be used:

Use a GPS to remotely, on the VRM Portal, track vehicles or boats. Also its possible to configure a Geofence, which will automatically send an alarm when the system leaves a designated area. And gps-tracks.kml files can be downloaded to open them e.g. in Navlink and Google Earth.

Victron does not sell USB-GPS modules, but the CCGX support third-party GPS modules which use the NMEA0183 command-set - almost all do. It can communicate at both 4800 and 38400 baud rates. Plug the unit into either of the USB sockets. Connection may take a few minutes, but the CCGX will automatically recognize the GPS. The unit's location will automatically be sent to the VRM online portal and its position is shown on the map.

The CCGX has been tested for compatibility with:

Instead of a USB GPS, a NMEA 2000 GPS can be used for remote vehicle or boat tracking in the VRM portal.

The third party NMEA 2000 GPS sender must meet the following requirements:

Most NMEA 2000 GPS-es are expected to work. Compatibility has been tested with:

To connect a NMEA 2000 network to the VE.Can port on the GX device, which both have a different style connector, there are two solutions:

Warning and solution for 24V and 48V systems

Whilst all Victron components accept up to 70V input on their CAN-bus connections, some NMEA 2000 equipment does not. They require a 12V powered NMEA 2000 connection, and sometimes work up to 30 or 36V. Make sure to check the datasheet of all used NMEA 2000 equipment. In case the system contains NMEA 2000 that requires a network voltage below the battery voltage, then either see above 3802 VE.Can Adapter by OSUKL, or alternatively install the VE.Can to NMEA 2000 cable without it’s fuse, and provide suitable power to the NMEA 2000 network using for example a NMEA 2000 power adapter cable – which is not supplied by Victron. The VE.Can port on the GX device does not need external power to operate.

A third-party NMEA 2000 tank sender must meet the following requirements to be visible on the GX device:

A single function reporting multiple Fluid Levels is currently not supported.

For some tank senders it is also possible to configure the capacity and the fluid type on the GX Device menus - for example the Maretron TLA100. This facility may be available with other senders made by other manufacturers - it's well-worth trying.

Tested compatible NMEA 2000 tank senders:

Most likely others work as well. If you know of one working well, get in touch with us on Community -> Modifications.

To connect an NMEA 2000 network to the VE.Can port on the GX device, which both have different type connectors, there are two solutions:

Warning and solution for 24V and 48V systems

Whilst all Victron components accept up to 70V input on their CAN-bus connections, some NMEA 2000 equipment does not. They require a 12V powered NMEA 2000 connection, and sometimes work up to 30 or 36V. Make sure to check the datasheet of all used NMEA 2000 equipment. In case the system contains NMEA 2000 that requires a network voltage below the battery voltage, then either see above 3802 VE.Can Adapter by OSUKL. Or alternatively install the VE.Can to NMEA2000 cable without it’s fuse, and provide suitable power to the NMEA 2000 network using for example a NMEA 2000 power adapter cable – which is not supplied by Victron. The VE.Can port on the GX device does not need external power to operate.

Mopeka sensor support has been added to Venus OS. These ultrasonic sensors use BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). This wireless technology allows devices to be networked within a range of about 10 meters, while consuming significantly less power than ordinary Bluetooth technology.

The Mopeka sensors feature ultrasonic sensing for pressurised and non-pressurised tanks and various tank commodities. Depending on the model, the sensors are attached to the bottom or top of the tank. The liquid level, temperature and sensor battery voltage are streamed wirelessly to the GX device.

Compatible Mopeka sensors

To connect the Mopeka sensors to the GX device via Bluetooth, the GX device needs Bluetooth functionality. Some GX products already have built-in Bluetooth, all others can easily be retrofitted using a standard USB Bluetooth adapter (see the Victron GX product range overview for GX products that have built-in Bluetooth).

However, an additional USB Bluetooth adapter, also for GX devices with built-in Bluetooth, allows for limited relocation of the Bluetooth radio (via a USB cable extension) close to other supported Bluetooth devices that might not otherwise be reachable.

USB Bluetooth adapters that have been tested and known to work:

A list of additional adapters that are also being tested, as well as adapters that have been tested and are known not to work, is available here: Victron Community.

5.6.1. Installation

The installation of the Mopeka sensor is very simple. First, however, the sensor must be installed according to Mopeka's installation instructions and configured via the Mopeka Tank app (available in Google Play and Apple App Store). Then the installation and configuration is done in the GX device as described below.

1. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled in the Bluetooth sensors menu (enabled by default).

2. Go to Settings → I/O → Bluetooth sensors menu.

3. Move the Enable slider to the right to enable Bluetooth sensors.

4. To find your Mopeka sensor, scroll down until you see them.

5. To activate the sensor, move the slider to the right. It should now appear on the Device List.

6. Repeat steps 1..5 for more than one sensor.

5.6.2. Configuration

1. Go to the Device List menu.

2. Scroll up or down and select the appropriate sensor.

3. Press the right arrow key or space bar on that sensor to open up the sensor Setup menu.

4. Scroll down to Setup and right arrow key or space bar again to open up the sensors Setup menu.

5. In the Setup menu you can change the tank capacity, select the liquid type and volume unit, set up calibration values for empty and full tank levels and read the actual sensor value.

6. After setup, go back to the Sensor overview menu.

7. Scroll down, select Device and press the right arrow key or space bar again to open up the device settings menu.

8. In the Device menu you can assign a custom name to the sensor and read out some additional device information.

9. Repeat steps 1..8 if you want to set up additional sensors.

5.6.3. Tank level monitoring

Tank levels can be monitored at various locations within the GX environment:

• Device List of the GX device

• Sensor overview menu of the GX device

• Graphical overview of the GX device

• VRM Dashboard

• VRM advanced menu widgets

• VRM App widgets

The Ruuvi sensor features temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure streamed wirelessly to the GX device via Bluetooth.

To connect the Ruuvi sensors to the GX device via Bluetooth, the GX device needs Bluetooth functionality. Some GX products already have built-in Bluetooth, all others can easily be retrofitted using a standard USB Bluetooth adapter (see the Victron GX product range overview for GX products that have built-in Bluetooth).

However, an additional USB Bluetooth adapter, also for GX devices with built-in Bluetooth, allows for limited relocation of the Bluetooth radio (via a USB cable extension) close to other supported Bluetooth devices that might not otherwise be reachable.

External USB Bluetooth adapters that have been tested and known to work:

A list of additional adapters that are also being tested, as well as adapters that have been tested and are known not to work, is available in this community thread.

Installation procedure

Make sure that Bluetooth is enabled in the Bluetooth menu (enabled by default).

Go to the Settings → I/O → Bluetooth sensors menu and then click Enable to enable Bluetooth temperature sensors.

The Ruuvi sensors come supplied with a removable plastic pull tab. This prevents it from discharging while on the shelf. Pull out the plastic tab and the unit will start transmitting its temperature information.

The sensor should appear in the menu, "Ruuvi ####" - with a 4 hexidecimal device ID, enable the specific Ruuvi sensor.

The Bluetooth adapters submenu displays a list of available Bluetooth adapters. The menu option Continuous scanning permanently scans for new Bluetooth sensors. Note that this option affects the WiFi performance of the GX device. Only enable this option if you need to search for new Bluetooth sensors. Otherwise, leave this option disabled.

If you have multiple sensors, you may wish to physically write this device ID on the sensor case itself to help keep track.

The sensor should now be visible in the main menu - by default it is labelled 'Generic temperature sensor (##)'

It is possible inside the temperature sensor menu to adjust the type, and also to set a custom name.

Battery Life and Status for Ruuvi Sensors:

The Ruuvi sensors use a replaceable CR2477 3V lithium coin cell, which is estimated to last more than 12 months, depending on the ambient temperature.

Low Battery Warning:

A low battery warning will appear on the Remote Console. If the GX device reports to VRM, the warning will also appear there.

The warning threshold is temperature-dependent:

It is possible to update the firmware for the Ruuvi with Ruuvi's own separate phone app, though this is not necessary unless you are experiencing issues.

Ingenieurbüro Mencke & Tegtmeyer GmbH (IMT) offer a range of digital silicon irradiance sensor models within the Si-RS485 series that are all compatible with a Victron GX device.

Compatibility

The optional/additional external module temperature, ambient temperature and wind speed sensors are also supported.

Optional/additional external sensors are either connected to the solar irradiance sensor with pre-installed plugs or pre-wired to the solar irradiance sensor (external module and ambient temperature only). When external sensors are connected via an appropriate solar irradiance sensor, all measurement data is transmitted to the Victron GX device with the single interface cable.

Each model solar irradiance sensor within Si-RS485 series has a different capability with regards to external sensors (or comes with an external sensor pre-wired), so carefully consider any future desires/requirements before initial purchase.

It is also possible to connect an independent IMT Tm-RS485-MB module temperature sensor (visible as ‘cell temperature’) or IMT Ta-ext-RS485-MB ambient temperature sensor (visible as ‘external temperature’) directly to the Victron GX device, without a solar irradiance sensor or in addition to one.

Operation

Wiring Connections

The schematic in the installation guide below depicts the wiring configuration in a typical installation.

Wire connections

Installation Notes

The maximum DC power supply voltage permitted for the IMT Si-RS485 series solar irradiance sensor range is 28.0VDC - accordingly for 24V and 48V battery banks/systems an appropriate Victron DC-DC converter (24/12, 24/24, 48/12 or 48/24) or AC-DC adaptor must be utilised in the installation.

For 12V battery banks/systems the IMT Si-RS485 series solar irradiance sensor range may be powered directly from the battery bank and will continue to operate down to minimum voltage of 10.5V (as measured at the sensor, account for voltage drop in the cable).

For detailed wiring/installation notes and specifications refer to the IMT Si-RS485 series solar irradiance sensor 'Quick Reference Guide' and Victron RS485 to USB interface cable ‘Datasheet’.

To ensure signal integrity and robust operation, particularly ensure that;

The IMT Si-RS485TC series solar irradiance sensor includes internal Galvanic Isolation (up to 1000V) between power supply and RS485 Modbus circuits, accordingly the non-isolated Victron RS485 to USB interface is suitable for most installations.

However, if an isolated RS485 to USB interface is preferred the only compatible device is Hjelmslund Electronics USB485-STIXL (any others type will not be recognised by the GX device).

Multiple Sensors

It is possible to connect multiple IMT Si-RS485 series solar irradiance sensors to a common Victron GX device, however a dedicated Victron RS485 to USB interface is required for each individual unit.

Multiple units cannot be combined on a single interface (as this is not supported by the related Venus OS software).

Configuration

There is normally no need for any special/additional configuration – the default ‘as shipped’ configuration is compatible for communication with a Victron GX device.

However, in cases where the IMT Si-RS485 series solar irradiance sensor has been previously used in another system and/or the settings changed for any reason, it is necessary to restore the default configuration before further use.

To revise the configuration, download the IMT 'Si-MODBUS-Configuration software tool'. Follow the instructions in the IMT ‘Si Modbus Configurator Documentation’. and check/update the following settings:

For further support related to configuration of the IMT Si-RS485 Series irradiance sensors please contact IMT Solar directly.

User Interface - GX device

Upon connection to the Victron GX device and power up the IMT Si-RS485 Series irradiance sensor will be automatically detected within a few minutes and appear in the 'Device List' menu.

Within the ‘IMT Si-RS485 Series Solar Irradiance Sensor’ menu all available parameters will be automatically displayed (dependent on the sensors connected) and update in real time.

Within the ‘Settings’ sub-menu it is possible to manually enable and disable any optional/additional external sensors that are connected to the IMT Si-RS485 Series irradiance sensor.

5.9.1. Data Visualisation - VRM

To review logged historical data on the VRM portal, expand the ‘Meteorological Sensor’ widget list and select the ‘Meteorological Sensor’ widget.

Data from all available sensor types will be automatically displayed in the graph. Individual sensors/parameters can also be disabled/enabled by clicking on the sensor name/legend.

Venus OS supports NMEA 2000 DC sensors that can be used to read alternator voltage, current and temperature from a generic alternator. Please note that the data is only displayed. They are not used for further calculations or functions.

The third-party NMEA 2000 DC sensors must meet the following requirements:

Most NMEA 2000 DC sensors are expected to work.

Compatibility has been tested with:

To connect a NMEA 2000 network to the VE.Can port on the GX device, which both have a different style connector, there are two solutions:

Warning and solution for 24V and 48V systems

Whilst all Victron components accept up to 70V input on their CAN-bus connections, some NMEA 2000 equipment does not. They require a 12V powered NMEA 2000 connection, and sometimes work up to 30 or 36V. Make sure to check the datasheet of all used NMEA 2000 equipment. In case the system contains NMEA 2000 that requires a network voltage below the battery voltage, then either see above 3802 VE.Can Adapter by OSUKL, or alternatively install the VE.Can to NMEA 2000 cable without it’s fuse, and provide suitable power to the NMEA 2000 network using for example a NMEA 2000 power adapter cable – which is not supplied by Victron. The VE.Can port on the GX device does not need external power to operate.