![]() On the other hand, if you have a simple system with just one or two Victron devices the Raspberry Pi option can save you quite a bit. If you plan to use more than a small handful of the IOs on the Cerbo, it’s likely to be a better value. Plus, there are four resistive tank inputs, four temperature inputs, four digital inputs, and two relays. The cost difference could vary some if you have fewer (or more) VE.Direct devices.Ĭerbos have three VE.Direct, two VE.Bus, two VE.Can, and two BMS-Can ports. The biggest equalizer is the $70 VE.Bus to USB adapter required for the MultiPlus. A $135+ difference is nothing to sneeze at but it’s also not quite as dramatic as $35 versus $300. The all Victron configuration costs about $325. Victron VE.Direct cable – $15 (again two would be required for battery monitor and solar charge controller).Let’s compare that to the cost of using a Cerbo GX and the required cables: The computer, its parts, two of the VE.Direct USB adapters, and VE.Bus to USB adapter the total comes to about $188. My build is monitoring a Multiplus inverter (connects via VE.Bus), a SmartShunt battery monitor (also VE.Direct), and a SmartSolar MPPT solar controller (VE.Direct). Victron VE.Direct to USB adapter – $30.00 (I have two in my installation, one for the battery monitor and one for the solar controller)Īlthough the headline here might be the $35 computer, let’s look at the real cost for the build.12-volt to 5-volt Micro USB Buck booster – $9.00.Instead of a starter kit, here’s a list of every part I’ve used to create my solution: Several companies offer starter kits but these often push a $35 computer over $100. The hardware Several of the parts required to build a complete Piīecause Pis come as a bare board with additional parts needed, you may find it daunting to figure out what to buy. The 400 is a Pi 4 B computer housed in a compact keyboard. In fact, I’m writing this article on a Raspberry Pi 400. The Raspberry Pi 400 I’m using to write this articleĪlthough I’m going to concentrate on using a Pi as a single purpose device, I think it’s worth emphasizing that these are full y fuctional computers capable of serving a multitude of needs. I did try to complete the build on a 4 and failed. But, Venus OS support for the 4 is more complicated with only some serial numbers working. Lots of companies bundle starter kits with everything you need except a keyboard and monitor to get started.įor this project I’ve used Raspberry Pi 3 B+ units. ![]() Pis are sold as bare boards, so you will need some accessories like a power supply, case, and microSD card to get going. The cheapest one can be purchased for $5 and the most expensive version with 8 GB of RAM costs $75. It runs a version of Linux that includes a full graphic user interface like Windows or MacOS. The Raspberry Pi is an inexpensive, credit-card sized, fully capable computer. But, when you’re done with this guide you will also know how to use a $35 Raspberry Pi to collect data, display it on your boat, and send it to VRM. ![]() ![]() Typically a Cerbo GX, Color Control GX, or Venus GX. VRM receives data from a device running Victron’s Venus OS. Victron’s VRM is their powerful portal that integrates all the information collected from Victron electrical equipment installed on your boat (or RV or land-based solar installation). This guide walks you through the steps required to get Venus OS up and running on a Pi and sending data about your electrical system to VRM. But, many people hear Raspberry Pi and either think dessert or that it’s over their heads and too complex. Victron has a long history of embracing the open-source community and they’ve continued that effort by supporting Venus OS on a Raspberry Pi. ![]() But, running one of these systems has typically required Victron hardware which starts around $300. The Victron Remote Management (VRM) portal and their Venus OS monitoring software deliver best-in-class access to information about your boat (, RV, or fixed solar) electrical sytem. A Raspberry Pi mounted and running Venus OS on Harvey ![]()
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