Victron GX Interface

This driver is used to receives readings locally, via IP (Wi-Fi or Wired), for the Victron GX MQTT service. It is ALSO a “Webview” driver allowing you to use T3 or T4 Touchscreens to view the GX web interface.

Driver Properties:

• IP Address: The local IP address of the GX Device
• Last Communication: The last time the driver communicated with the GX Interface
• Comms Timeout Alert (S): After communication is lost, how many seconds should pass until the Communication Failure programming event is fired.
• Various Readings: visible in Composer when Debugging is enabled.
• Debug Mode: Set to print to troubleshoot the driver.

Readings Currently Supported:

• AC Critical Loads L1/L2/L3 P: The power usage in Watts for Live 1, Live 2 & Live 3 for the Critical loads (as classified in the GX Device)
• AC Genset Loads L1/L2/L3 P: The power usage in Watts for Live 1, Live 2 & Live 3 for the Genset loads (as classified in the GX Device)
• AC Grid Loads L1/L2/L3 P: The power usage in Watts for the Live 1, Live 2 & Live 3 for Grid loads (as classified in the GX Device)
• AC Loads L1/L2/L3 P: The power usage in Watts for Live 1, Live 2 & Live 3 for the AC loads (as classified in the GX Device)
• Battery SoC: The current battery state of charge. Battery percentage.
• Battery State: Idle, Charging or Discharging
• Solar Inverter Total P: The total power in Watts from all the Solar Inverters in the system loads (as classified in the GX Device)
• Solar Charger Total P: The total power in Watts from all the Solar Chargers in the system loads (as classified in the GX Device)
• Solar Total P: This is the Solar Inverter Total P and Solar Charger Total P added together.
• System State: Off, Low Power Mode, Fault, Bulk, Absorption, Float, Storage, Equalize, Passthru, Inverting, Power Assist, Power Supply Mode, Bulk Protection (as classified in the GX Device)
• Minimum SoC Limit: The current Minimum SoC Limit setting
  • ESS Mode: The current ESS Mode currently set (See ESS Mode Descriptions below)
  • ESS State: The current ESS State currently set
• GX Relay 1 & 2: Connection & control of Relay 1 & 2 on the Cerbo GX unit

Alerts:

• Gridlost: When the Grid AC no longer provides sufficient power (as classified in the GX Device)
  • NOTE: This is sometimes disabled by default. To enable this, on the GX interface, go to Settings – System Settings – Monitor Grid = Enabled
• High Temperature: When Inverter temperature becomes too high (as classified in the GX Device)
• Low Battery: When the Battery SoC becomes low (as classified in the GX Device)
• Overload: When the Inverter is overloaded (as classified in the GX Device)

Debug:

• Enable this to see the reading live in the properties field.
• Debug will disable itself after 60 minutes.
• Quick Trick to for an update of all reading. Re-Enter the IP address and press set. This forces a reconnection and refreshes all readings.

Actions:

• Reload All Readings: Forces a disconnect & reconnect which forces the GX Interface to send all its data back to the driver.
• Print PV Charger Addresses: Prints the bus addresses of the PV Chargers in the Lua tab. You will need this address for the Homemation Solar Charger driver’s address property.
• Print PV Inverter Addresses: Prints the bus addresses of the PV Inverters in the Lua tab. You will need this address for the Homemation Solar Inverter driver’s address property.

Connections:

• None currently but this is a feature I would like to add soon allowing connections to things like lighting scenes for “Low power mode” etc. removing the need to program such things.

Programming:

• All the above readings are available as an Event within Programming in Composer
  • This allows you to trigger events based on readings.
• All the above readings are available as a Conditional within Programming within Composer
  • This allows you to compare readings and program accordingly.
  • Example: If SoC less than 50% then Activate “Low Lighting” Advanced Lighting Scene
• All the above readings are available as a Device Variable within Composer
  • This allows you to use the readings in things like Push Notifications or Emails for informational purposes.
• Programming Commands:
  • Set Min SoC Limit: Set the minimum SoC
  • Set ESS Mode: (See ESS Mode & Multiphase regulation below)
    • External Control
    • Keep Batt. charged (Multiphase reg: Total)
    • Keep Batt. charged (Multiphase reg: Single)
    • Optimized with Batt.Life (Multiphase reg: Total)
    • Optimized with Batt.Life (Multiphase reg: Single)
    • Optimized without Batt.Life (Multiphase reg: Total)
    • Optimized without Batt.Life (Multiphase reg: Single)

ESS Mode Descriptions & Multiphase regulation:

• Click this link & see point 4.3. GX device - ESS Settings

• Click here to understand more about Multiphase regulation

FAQ:

• What is this driver for?
  • Communicating with the Victron GX Interface using their built in IP MQTT service. This is all local, so no internet required.
• Can I test the driver first?
  • Although, tested on various systems and all systems worked right away, please trial this driver before purchasing. As with all Homemation drivers, Showroom licenses are free and activate automatically.
• Can I get push notifications or emails?
  • Yes, you can, if you have 4Sight or use a 3rd party notification service the readings are available as a “Device Variable” which then allows you to include the reading within a push notification or email.
• Can I use the readings in Programming?
  • Sure can. Each reading is available as an Event (When) and a Conditional (If). With these you can react accordingly within programming
• What do you do with the readings?
  • I currently use the SoC the most. With the Homemation Occupancy driver I set the Timeout and Lights on value based on battery percentage.
  • I also use Battery State. When discharging, check the alarm state, if it’s Armed then no one is home and be sure to turn EVERYTHING possible off.
  • A beta tester is using the PV readings to automatically load shed high power usage items within their home when there isn’t sufficient power generated from sunlight.
• What features are still on the to-do list?
  • Add an action button to force an update of the properties for a dealer to view
  • Add the PV Charger readings
  • Investigate adding the Minimum battery state of charge reading.
  • Investigate adding the Solar Yield for the Day reading
  • Investigate adding the Grid Level Set Point reading.
  • Investigate adding the ability to set the generator on or off from Victron.
  • Investigate adding the ability to set the minimum Battery State of Charge.
  • Investigate adding the ability to set the Grid Level Set Point.