Victron energy Color Control GX User manual

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/live/start
)
Color Control GX manual
Note: this manual corresponds to Color Controls running the latest software. Internet-connected Color Controls will update to the latest version automatically. Check our blog posts for the latest firmware:
https://www.victronenergy.com/blog/category/firmware-software/
[
https://www.victronenergy.com/blog/category/firmware-software/
]
1. Installation
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/live/_media/ccgx:ccgx_schematic_diagram.png
)
For class B EMI compliance, place the provided snap-on ferrite beads around every connection cable. Place the beads as close as possible to the ColorControl.
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1.1 Power
Power the Color Control GX (CCGX) on the Power IN V+ connector. It accepts 8 to 70 V DC. The CCGX will not power itself from the network connections. Use a 1A slow blow fuse.
If you power the CCGX from an AC adaptor connected to the AC-out of VE.Bus products (Inverter, Multi or Quattro), then a deadlock will happen after the VE.Bus products are powered down for any reason (after any
operational fault or during a black start). The VE.Bus devices will inhibit their boot process until the CCGX is powered up, but the CCGX will not boot until it has power. This deadlock can be verified by briefly unplugging
the CCGX VE.Bus cable and observing that the VE.Bus products immediately start to boot.
This deadlock can be avoided in two ways:
Power the CCGX via the DC bus; or
Cut pin 7 in the VE.Bus cable connected to the CCGX
Cutting pin 7 of the VE.Bus cable to the CCGX (brown/white according to standard RJ45 ethernet cable colour coding) allows the VE.Bus products to start up without waiting for the CCGX to boot up first. It is harmless to
do this in any case (even if the CCGX is DC powered).
VE.Bus BMS note: when the CCGX is used in an installation with a VE.Bus BMS, connect Power in V+ on the CCGX to the terminal called 'Load disconnect' on the VE.Bus BMS. And connect both negatives to a common
Battery -.
Because the CCGX is connected to many different products, ensure that proper care is taken with isolation to prevent ground loops. In 99% of installations this will not be a problem.
The VE.Bus ports are isolated
The VE.Direct ports are isolated
The VE.Can ports are isolated
The USB ports are not isolated. Connecting a Wi-Fi Dongle or GPS Dongle does not create a problem, since it is not connected to another power supply. Even though there will be ground loop when you mount a
separately powered USB hub, we did extensive testing and it did not cause any issues
The Ethernet port is isolated, except for the shield: use unshielded UTP cables for the Ethernet network
Extending the number of USB ports by using a hub: there is a limit to the amount of power that the onboard USB port can provide. Especially when extending the number of ports, we recommend to always use powered
USB hubs. And to minimize the chance of issues, do not use the lowest cost USB hub available.
1.2 Connecting Victron products
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1.2.1 Multis/Quattros/Inverters (VE.Bus products)
To keep this text short, Multis, Quattros and Inverters are referenced as VE.Bus products.
The minimal version of the VE.Bus devices connected is 19xx111 or 20xx111, released in 2007. VE.Bus firmware 26xxxxx and 27xxxxx is also supported. 18xxxxx is not.
Note that it is not possible to use the Remote on/off (header on the VE.Bus control PCB) in combination with a Color Control GX. The jumper link needs to be in the header, as it is by default.
Single VE.Bus products
To connect a single VE.Bus product, connect it to one of the VE.Bus sockets on the back of the CCGX. Both sockets are identical, use either one. Use a standard RJ45 UTP cable, see our pricelist.
Parallel, split- and three-phase VE.Bus systems
To connect multiple VE.Bus products, configured as a parallel, split-phase or three phase VE.Bus system, connect either the first or the last VE.Bus product in the chain to the VE.Bus sockets on the back of the CCGX. Both
sockets are identical, use either one. Use a standard RJ45 UTP cable, see our pricelist.
Hub-1 systems using the VE.Bus to VE.Can interface
In certain feed-in hub-1 systems, with one or more MPPT 150/70 or 150/85 solar chargers, the VE.Bus system can be connected to VE.Can using the VE.Bus to VE.Can interface (ASS030520105). See the
manual of that
interface
(
/live/ve.can:ve.bus_to_ve.can_interface_manual
)
for more information.
When using that VE.Bus/VE.Can interface, the VE.Bus system should
not
be connected directly to the VE.Bus ports on the back of the CCGX as well. Connecting the CCGX to the VE.Can network is sufficient: it will use
the canbus to communicate to both the VE.Bus system as well as the solar chargers.
VE.Bus systems with Lithium batteries and a VE.Bus BMS
Connect the CCGX to the socket labeled ‘MultiPlus/Quattro’, or to one of the Multis/Quattros in the system. Do not connect to the Remote panel socket on the VE.Bus BMS.
Note that it will not be possible to control the On/Off/Charger Only switch or change the input current limit with the CCGX: these options will (automatically) be disabled in the CCGX menu when a VE.Bus
BMS is used. The only option to control a Multi or Quattro when used with a VE.Bus BMS is to add a Digital Multi Control to the system.
Combining MultiPlus/Quattro with a VE.Bus BMS and a Digital Multi Control is possible. Connect the Digital Multi Control to the RJ-45 socket on the VE.Bus BMS labeled ‘Remote panel’.
To auto-power-down the CCGX in case of a low battery, power the CCGX through the VE.Bus BMS: connect Power in V+ on the Color Control GX to Load disconnect on the VE.Bus BMS. And connect both
negatives to a common Battery -.
Combining the CCGX with a Digital Multi Control
It is possible to connect both a CCGX and a Digital Multi control to a VE.Bus system. The ability to switch the product On, Off or set it to Charger Only via the CCGX will be disabled. Same for the input current limit:
when there is a Digital Multi Control in the system, the input current limit set at that control panel is leading, and changing it on the CCGX is not possible.
Connecting multiple VE.Bus systems to a single CCGX
Only one VE.Bus system can be connected to the VE.Bus ports on the back of the CCGX. The professional solution to monitor more, is to add a second Color Control GX.
To connect more than one system to the same CCGX, use one VE.Bus to VE.Can interface (ASS030520105) for each additional system. Note that the VE.Can network needs to ter m inated and powered. For powering the
VE.Can network, see Q17 in our
data communication whitepaper
[
https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/Whitepaper-Data-communication-with-Victron-Energy-products_EN.pdf
]
.
Note that the functionality will be
very
limited: only one VE.Bus system will be made visible in the overviews. And the data on the VRM Portal will either be incorrect or will only contain data from one of the VE.Bus
systems. There are no short term plans to improve this.
In case you were wondering: using an USB-MK2 to connect the second system is, unfortunately, not possible.
1.2.2 BMV-700 series and MPPTs with a VE.Direct port
Up to two such products can be connected directly on the back of the CCGX, using a standard VE.Direct cable. There are two types of VE.Direct cable available:
Straight VE.Direct cables, ASS030530xxx
1.
VE.Direct cables with an angled connector on one side, to minimize required depth behind a panel, ASS030531xxx
2.
VE.Direct cables have a maximum length of 10 meters. It is not possible to extend them. If longer lengths are needed, use the VE.Direct to VE.Can interface. Note that this is only works for BMVs. Not for the MPPT solar
chargers with a VE.Direct port. See next paragraph for more information on that VE.Can interface.
Connecting more than two VE.Direct products to a single CCGX
Option 1: use the VE.Direct to USB interface (ASS030530000). The CCGX has two USB ports. Use a USB-hub when more than two USB ports are needed.
Option 2: BMVs can also be connected using the VE.Direct to VE.Can interface (ASS030520400). MPPTs cannot be connected using this canbus interface since it does not (yet) translate the solar charger data into canbus
messages. When using the VE.Direct to VE.Can interface, make sure that the VE.Can network is terminated, and also powered. For powering the VE.Can network, see Q17 in our
data communication whitepaper
[
https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/Whitepaper-Data-communication-with-Victron-Energy-products_EN.pdf
]
.
Notes about older VE.Direct MPPTs
The MPPTs need to run firmware version v1.09 or later. Contact Victron Service for update instructions and files if necessary.
An MPPT 70/15 needs to be from year/week 1308 or later. Earlier 70/15s are not compatible with the CCGX, upgrading MPPT firmware will not help. To find the year/week number, look for the serial number
which is printed on a label on the back. For example number HQ1309DER4F means 2013, week 09.
1.2.3 Skylla-i, Lynx Shunt VE.Can, Lynx Ion + Shunt and MPPTs with a VE.Can port
To connect a product with a VE.Can port, use a standard RJ45 UTP cable. See our pricelist, ASS030064xxx and ASS030065xxx.
Do not forget to terminate the VE.Can network on both ends, using a
VE.Can terminator
[
https://www.victronenergy.com/accessories/ve-can-rj45-terminator
]
. A bag with two terminators is supplied with each VE.Can product.
They are also available separately: ASS030700000.
Other notes:
To work with the CCGX, an MPPT 150/70 needs run firmware v2.00 or newer.
1.
It is possible to combine a Skylla-i control panel with a CCGX.
2.
It is possible to combine a Ion Control panel with a CCGX.
3.
The Skylla-i, Lynx Shunt VE.Can, Lynx Ion + Shunt and the MPPTs with a VE.Can port all power the VE.Can network. It is therefore not necessary to separately power the VE.Can network. All the protocol
converters, for example the VE.Bus to VE.Can interface, and the BMV to VE.Can interface, do not power the VE.Can network.
4.
1.2.4 BMV-600 series
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Use the VE.Direct to BMV-60xS cables, ASS0305322xx
1.2.5 DC Link box
Connect the DC Link box to a BMV-700, using the supplier RJ-12 cable. Then connect the BMV-700 to the CCGX, see above paragraph for instructions.
1.2.6 VE.Can Resistive Tank Sender Adapter
See
its page and manual on our website
[
https://www.victronenergy.com/accessories/ve-can-resistive-tank-sender-adapter
]
for details about the Adapter.
To connect a product with a VE.Can port, use a standard RJ45 UTP cable. See our pricelist, ASS030064xxx and ASS030065xxx.
Do not forget to terminate the VE.Can network on both ends, using a
VE.Can terminator
[
https://www.victronenergy.com/accessories/ve-can-rj45-terminator
]
. A bag with two terminators is supplied with each VE.Can product.
They are also available separately: ASS030700000.
Make sure that the canbus is powered, see the
Power chapter in the Tank Sender Adapter manual
[
https://www.victronenergy.com/live/ve.can:ve.can_resistive_tank_sender_adapter#power
]
for details.
1.2.7 NMEA Tank senders from other manufacturers
All tank senders that transmit the NMEA2000 Fluid Level PGN, 127505, are supported: the tank level will be visible on th CCGX.
For some tank senders it is also possible to configure the capacity and the fluid type from the CCGX. For example the Maretron TLA100. Others might work as well. Try to find out.
To connect an NMEA2000 network to the CCGX, use the
VE.Can to NMEA2000 cable
[
https://www.victronenergy.com/cables/ve-can-to-nmea2000-cable
]
.
1.3 Measuring PV Inverter output
Measuring the output of a PV Inverter is recommended to provide the user with a total overview of both actual current power balance and energy distribution. Note that these measurements are only used for displaying
purposes, and that they are not used, nor necessary, for any algorithms to operate.
There are multiple options to display the output of a PV Inverter on the Color Control GX:
AC Current Sensor
[
https://www.victronenergy.com/accessories/ac-current-sensor
]
, wired to the analog inputs of a Multi or Quattro (lowest cost, least accurate).
AC Current Sensor Manual
(
/live
/ac_current_sensor:start
)
.
1.
Fronius PV Inverters
[
http://www.fronius.com/
]
can be read out digitally via the local
LAN
(
Local Area Network
)
. See the
CCGX / Fronius manual
(
/live/ccgx:ccgx_fronius
)
.
2.
Wired HUB-4 Sensor
[
https://www.victronenergy.com/accessories/wired-ac-sensor
]
, either wired to the CCGX, or connected wireless using our Zigbee to USB/RS485 interfaces. Instead of used for Hub-4 regulation, it
can be configured to measure output of a PV Inverter. See the last chapter in the
Hub-4 manual
(
/live/system_integration:hub4_grid_parallel#using_the_wired_hub-4_ac_sensor_to_measure_pv_inverter_output
)
for wiring and configuration.
3.
Wireless AC sensors
[
https://www.victronenergy.com/accessories/wireless-ac-sensor
]
. See the
Wireless AC Sensor manual
(
/live/ccgx:ccgx_wireless_ac_sensor
)
.
4.
1.4 Internet connectivity
Connect the CCGX to the internet to get all the advantages of the VRM Portal. The CCGX will send the data gathered from the connected products to the VRM portal (
https://vrm.victronenergy.com/
[
https://vrm.victronenergy.com/
]
). Here it is possible to monitor your energy usage, view the current status of connected products, configure
email alarms
(
/live/vrm_portal:alarms
)
and download data in CSV and Excel
formats.
Download the
iOS or Android VRM App
[
https://www.victronenergy.com/support-and-downloads/software/
]
to monitor your system from your smartphone or tablet.
Besides sending data for remote monitoring, an active internet connection will also allow the CCGX to regularly check for a new firmware version, which will be (automatically) downloaded and installed. It is not necessary do
this manually using a microSD or USB flash drive.
There are several ways to connect a CCGX to the internet:
Run a network cable to its Ethernet
LAN
(
Local Area Network
)
port
Connect to Wi-Fi, using a USB Wi-Fi dongle plugged into the CCGX
To a mobile (cellular) network, using a 3G or 4G router
USB Tethering on a mobile phone
The four chapters below describe these options in detail.
1.4.1 Ethernet LAN port
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1.4.2 Wi-Fi USB dongle
Using a Wi-Fi dongle it is possible to connect to WEP, WPA and WPA2 secured networks. There are two supported USB Wi-Fi dongles. Both also available from stock at Victron Energy:
CCGX WiFi module simple (Nano USB), small, low cost. Victron part number BPP900100200
Startech USB300WN2X2D
[
https://www.google.nl/search?q=Startech+USB300WN2X2D
]
, slightly higher cost and also better reception. Victron part number: BPP900200100
Although other Wi-Fi dongles may work, others have not been tested and therefore we do not offer support for other dongles.
The Wi-Fi menu shows the available networks. When a network is selected, it is possible to fill in the password (if the password is not already known) to connect to the network. Setting up via WPS is not supported.
When the CCGX finds multiple Wi-Fi networks of which the password is known, the strongest network is selected automatically. When the signal of the connected network gets too small, it will automatically switch to
stronger networks, when it knows the password of that network.
1.4.3 Mobile (cellular) network using a 3G or 4G router
To connect the CCGX to a mobile (cellular) network, such as a 3G or 4G network, use a cellular router. Connect the CCGX to that router with either a
LAN
(
Local Area Network
)
cable or the router's Wi-Fi network.
Make sure to use router that is designed for unattended setups. Do not use low cost consumer-grade routers, intended for business or leisure travel. The more expensive professional router will quickly pay for itself. And won't
require you to travel up and down to only find out that it needs a power cycle. Examples of such professional routers are the
H685 4G LTE from Proroute
[
http://www.proroute.co.uk/proroute-4g-routers/proroute-h685-4g-
lte-router/
]
, as well as the
Industrial 4G router range from Pepwave
[
http://www.peplink.com/products/max-industrial-4g-router/
]
.
More information in
this blogpost
[
https://www.victronenergy.com/blog/2014/03/09/off-grid-color-control-gx-to-vrm-portal-connectivity/
]
.
Note that the CCGX does support USB 3G/4G dongles.
1.4.4 USB tethering on a mobile phone
Note that this is in the category: nice that it works, as long as it works, but don't rely on it. Enable USB tethering on your phone (See Google on how to do that for your particular make, model and operating system). It has
been reported to work on:
Samsung Galaxy S4
And reported not to work on:
iPhone 5s with iOS 8.1.1
1.4.5 IP Configuration
For 99% of all installations, IP address configuration will not be necessary, since those networks support automatic IP configuration (DHCP). This is also the CCGX default setting. It is also possible to manually configure an
IP address:
Complete details of IP requirements, as well as used port numbers are available in the
VRM FAQ - ports and connections used by the CCGX
(
/live
/ccgx:ccgx_faq#what_type_of_networking_is_used_by_the_color_control_gx_tcp_and_udp_ports
)
.
1.4.6 Connecting both Ethernet and Wi-Fi (failover)
It is possible to connect the CCGX to both Ethernet and Wi-Fi. In this case, the CCGX will try to determine which interface provides an active internet connection and then use that interface. When both have an active
internet connection, the Ethernet connection is used. The CCGX will automatically check again for active internet connections when something changes on the interfaces.
1.4.7 Minimize internet traffic
In situations where internet traffic is expensive, for example a satellite uplink or with roaming GSM/cellular charges, you may want to minimize the internet traffic. The steps to take are:
Disable auto-update
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Do not enable remote support
Possibly set the Logging interval to a very low frequency. Note that state changes (charging →inverting, or bulk→float) and also alarms will cause extra messages to be sent
To find out how much traffic you need, in order to purchase the right plan, the best way is really to let the system r un for a couple of days and monitor the internet RX and TX counters in your 3G or 4G router. Or even
better, some mobile companies will report the data used via a website. Besides the above three points, the amount of data used is also very dependent on the system:
More products connected will generate more data
A state change (from inverter to charger for example) will trigger a data transmission, so a system with very frequent state changes will also tend to generate more data. This is especially true in certain Hub-1 and
Hub-2 systems.
Note that CCGX versions prior to v1.18 would still check for software updates daily, even when auto-update was be switched off. This has been changed in v1.18: disabling auto-update also disables the check, saving a lot of
data.
We recommend to set the mobile plan up in such a way that there are no surprises. Make sure to put a cap on data usage, or use pre-paid plans.
One customer has come up with an even more advanced plan. They had to, since they are using global roaming SIM Cards that start at EUR 0,20 cents per megabyte, but in the more interesting countries to visit they go up to
several Euros per megabyte. His solution is using a VPN and he modified the IP routing table to route ALL traffic to and from the CCGX via his VPN. Using a firewall at the VPN server allows him to control traffic
according to time, connection type, place and destinations. Note that this is really out of scope for Victron to support you with. If you need this, look for a Linux and networking expert that can help you.
1.4.8 More information about setting up an internet connection and VRM
Setting up a VRM account
(
/live/vrm_portal:start
)
Trouble shooting connectivity between the CCGX and the VRM Portal
(
/live/vrm_portal:troubleshooting_ccgx_vrm_connectivity
)
VRM Portal alarms and monitoring
(
/live/vrm_portal:alarms
)
VRM Portal - Frequently asked questions
(
/live/vrm_portal:faq
)
1.5 Connecting a USB GPS
Use a GPS to track remote vehicles or boats and optionally get an alarm when they leave a designated area (geofencing). It is also possible to download a gps-tracks.kml file which can be opened with Navlink and Google
Earth for example.
Use an off-the-shelf USB-GPS, Victron does not sell them. Plug it into one of the two USB sockets. After a while, which can take up to a few minutes, the CCGX will automatically recognize the GPS. The location is
automatically sent to the VRM online portal, where it is used to show the position on the map.
The CCGX supports GPS modules that work with the NMEA0183 command-set, as almost all do. Both 4800 and 38400 baud. Tested for compatibility are:
Globalsat BU353-W SiRF STAR III 4800 baud
Globalsat ND100 SiRF STAR III 38400 baud
Globalsat BU353S4 SiRF STAR IV 4800 baud
Globalsat MR350 + BR305US SiRF STAR III 4800 baud
2 Configuration
2.1 Configurable parameters
After completing the installation and setting up the internet connection (when relevant), go through the menu from top to bottom to configure the CCGX:
Item
Default
Description
General
Remote support
Off
Enable this to allow Victron engineers to access your system in case there is a problem.
Access level
User and installer
Set this to User only to prevent accidental and unwanted changes to the configuration.
Audible alarm
On
When there is an alarm on the CCGX or one of the connected products, the CCGX will beep, unless this setting is set to Off.
Demo mode
Off
Enable to On for shows or exhibitions to simulate a VE.Bus system and some other products.
Update firmware
Auto update
On
We recommend to leave this enabled. A r eason to disa ble it ca n be to completely eliminate the risk o f a fir mware update causing problems. For
example on a very remote and difficult to access installation. Another reason to disable it is to reduce internet traffic usage.
Update to
Latest release
Leave this set to the default setting, 'Latest release', unless you want to participate in test versions. Note that we do not recommend setting
Color Controls which are installed in customer systems to anything other than 'Latest release'.
Date & time
Date/Time local
Automatic from internet
Set time on CCGX without internet connection. Changing this setting on CCGX with a working internet connection will make no effect as it
will be re-synchronised from a time server
Change time zone
Select the correct time zone.
Remote console
Enable password check
Enable and set password authentication to access to the remote console.
Disable password check
Disable password to access the remote console.
Enable on VRM
No
Enable on VRM allows connection to the CCGX anywhere through the VRM portal.
Trouble shooting Remote Console on VRM
(
/live
/vrm_portal:troubleshooting_ccgx_vrm_connectivity#trouble_shooting_remote_console_on_vrm
)
Enable on
LAN
(
Local Area Network
)
No
Enable direct connection to the CCGX typing it's IP address on a web browser. Enable it only on trusted networks.
System setup
AC input 1
Generator
Select Generator or Grid. Soon we will also allow to set this to Shore power instead of grid.
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Item
Default
Description
AC input 2
Grid
Same choices as above.
Battery monitor
Automatic
Select the SOC source. Useful for systems with multiple BMVs.
More details
(
/live
/ccgx:start#select_soc_source_from_the_gui_to_display_on_the_main_overview_screen
)
. If using the VRM portal, ensure the VRM Main
Battery source setting under Settings –> General on the VRM site matches the CCGX SOC source.
Synchronize VE.Bus SOC with battery
No
Continuously updates the VE.Bus SOC with the one provided by the selected battery monitor. Note: do not use this in combination with an
Hub-2 Assistant.
Has DC system
No
Enable this for boats, vehicles and other installations with DC loads and chargers other than the Multi and MPPT chargers. Not applicable for
most off-grid installations. The difference between the DC current measured by the Multi and by the BMV will be attributed to a 'DC system'.
It can be an alternator, pumps, DC fridge, etcetera. Note that the value shown will always be an approximation.(in order to achieve this and
make changes in the system setup page, you have to change the access level to user&installer, the initial password is “zzz”)
Display & language
Brightness
Configure the brightness between 0 and 100%
Display off time
Set between 10 seconds and 30 minutes, or never
Show mobile overview
No
Enable this to show the mobile overview page which is designed for Marine and RV applications. This overview gives direct access to the AC
Current limit as well as the On/Off/Charger only settings and pump control. Also shows up to four tank levels.
Language
English
Choose between English, Dutch, Chinese, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Swedish, Turkish and Arabic.
VRM online portal
Log to
Internet
Choose between no logging at all, logging via the internet directly to the VRM Portal, and logging to a microSD card or USB flash drive. See
chapter 2.2 below for more information.
Log interval
15 minutes
Set to anything between 1 minute and 1 day. Choose longer times on systems with an unreliable connection. Note that this setting does not
affect reporting problems and state changes (bulk →absorption) to the VRM Portal: such events will initiate an immediate transmission of all
parameters.
Wireless AC Sensors
Select the position for each AC sensor (PV Inverter on AC-input 1, 2 or on AC-output).
More information about the Wireless AC sensors.
(
/live/ccgx:ccgx_wireless_ac_sensor
)
Wired AC Sensors
Configure the Wired AC Sensor, used for one of three things:
measure the output of a PV Inverter,
measure and regulate a
Hub-4 system
(
/live/system_integration:hub4_grid_parallel-ccgx_control_loop
)
measure the output of an AC Generator.
Ethernet
Select the configuration type (DHCP vs. manual configuration) and IP settings.
Wi-Fi
Manage wireless networks and IP settings.
GPS
Format
Select the format in which to show the Latitude and Longitude.
Speed unit
km/h
Choose between km/h, meters per second, miles per hour or knots.
Generator start/stop
Configure generator autostart settings and conditions.
Generator auto start/stop with Color Control GX
(
/live/ccgx:generator_start_stop
)
Tank pump
Configure automatic starting and stopping of pump based on tank level.
Pump auto start/stop with Color Control GX
(
/live/ccgx:pump_start_stop
)
Relay
Function
Alarm relay
Select the relay function. Possible functions are Alarm relay, Generator start/stop, Tank pump and None(disabled).
Polarity
Normally open
Select the polarity of the relay on the back of the CCGX. Normally open or normally closed. Note that setting it to normally closed increases
the CCGX power draw.
Services
ModbusTCP
Off
This setting enables the ModbusTCP service. More information about ModbusTCP in this document:
https://www.victronenergy.com/upload
/documents/Whitepaper-Data-communication-with-Victron-Energy-products_EN.pdf
[
https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents
/Whitepaper-Data-communication-with-Victron-Energy-products_EN.pdf
]
VRM two-way communication
No
Enable remote configuration and firmware updates.
CCGX Remote VEConfigure and firmware updates
(
/live/ccgx:ccgx_ve_power_setup
)
When using a VE.Bus system, it is possible to configure the severity of problems on the VE.Bus system that should cause a notification to show up on the CCGX (and make it beep):
Disabled: the CCGX should never beep and show a notification
Alarm only: the CCGX should only beep and a show a notification when the VE.Bus system switched off in an alarm condition.
Enabled (default): the CCGX should beep and show a notification
When all done, don't forget to change the access level to user when required.
Click the thumbnail below to see the complete menu-tree:
(
/live/_media/ccgx:menustructure_ccgx.jpeg
)
2.2 Logging data for the VRM portal
Color Control GX manual [Victron Energy] https://www.victronenergy.com/live/ccgx:start
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The CCGX can be used in combination with the
Victron Remote Management (VRM) portal
[
https://vrm.victronenergy.com/
]
: The CCGX monitors all products
connected to it and the VRM portal makes the statistics easily accessible.
Since version 1.40, dealing with an absent or intermittent internet connection has changed. Data is sent out via the Internet if it's available, and will fall back to
non-volatile storage when there is a (temporary) Internet outage. The built-in non-volatile storage can contain 48 hours worth of data. To extend this period, one
can insert an microSD card or USB stick, and the CCGX will automatically transfer any data that may reside on the internal storage to it, and will start using this
external memory as backlog buffer. You can see that it's active in the settings menu:
When using this external memory, it will still make use of an active internet connection to send its backlog. That means that even with months worth of backlog,
once the CCGX re-acquires an Internet connection, all of the backlog is sent out. And because of an enhanced algorithm, this takes considerably less time and
traffic than before.
When a CCGX is permanently without Internet, one can choose to upload the backlog buffer manually. First step is to use the
GUI
(
Graphical User Interface
)
to
eject the storage; don't just take out the SD-card/USB-stick. Then it can be removed from the CCGX and inserted into a computer or laptop, the data file on it
can be uploaded on the VRM Portal with the 'Upload CCGX File' option:
Important to know, is that when the microSD card or USB stick is re-inserted, the existing buffer, including its data, is used again. This allows for taking out the microSD card temporarily for whatever reason,
but this also
means that when the data file has been uploaded to VRM, it needs to be renamed or removed from the microSD card / USB stick before re-inserting
, otherwise the data will be transmitted again, sooner or later,
on-line or off-line.
Because of the aforementioned improvement in sending of backlog data, the data logging is also highly resillient to bad internet connections. Lines of up to 70% permenant packet loss are still sufficient to get the data out,
albeit a bit delayed sometimes.
With a log interval of once per minute, the required storage space roughly amounts to about 25
MB
(
Megabyte
)
per month, depending on the amount of products that are connected. So with a 1
GB
(
Gigabyte
)
microSD card,
you can store about 3 years of backlog. In other words, any microSD card or USB stick should be sufficient to store the 6 months of data VRM retains.
Should the storage space run out, no more data is logged. This is due to the nature of Sqlite files. Removing data from the Sqlite database doesn't free up usable disk space, and because of internal fragmentation, it's also not
guaranteed that there is enough free internal space.
Color Control GX manual [Victron Energy] https://www.victronenergy.com/live/ccgx:start
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If both a microSD card and a USB flash drive are connected to the CCGX, then data is logged to the one that was inserted first. If one is removed, the CCGX will not try to write to the other, but will create an internal
backlog buffer until a new storage medium is inserted and then use that storage medium.
The microSD card or USB flash drive must be formatted as FAT12, FAT16 or FAT32 file system and not exFAT or NTFS. SD and SDHC type microSD cards which are less than or equal to 32
GB
(
Gigabyte
)
are sold
containing FAT12, FAT16 or FAT32. This means they can be used without a problem, unless they are subsequently formatted to a different and non acceptable file system. SDXC type microSD cards which are mostly greater
than 32 are sold with exFAT, and therefore cannot be used with the CCGX without reformatting and possibly repartitioning.
2.3 Configuring Multi and Quattro input current limiter setting
This chapter explains how to enable or disable user control of the input current limiter setting, as available here in the menu:
The limit as set by the user in the CCGX will be applied to all inputs where 'Overruled by remote', configured with VEConfigure, is enabled:
As an example a boat with two inputs, and a Quattro:
genset capable of delivering 50A, connected to input 1;
1.
shore power connected to input 2, actual available power depends on rating of the available connection in the harbour.
2.
In that case, configure the system exactly as in above VEConfigure screenshot. Input 1 has priority over input 2, therefore the system will automatically connect to the genset whenever it is running. The fixed input current
limit of 50A will be applied. And when the genset is not available, and mains is available on input 2, the Quattro will use the input current limit as configured in the CCGX.
Two more examples, if you disable overr ule by remote For both of them, setting a current limit in the CCGX will have no effect. And the opposite: if you enable 'Overruled by remote' for both inputs, the current limit set in
the CCGX will be applied to both inputs.
Note that it is not possible to control the input current limit in certain installations. In these cases, the CCGX menu will not allow changing the setting:
Installations with a VE.Bus BMS
1.
Installations with a Digital Multi Control (or its predecessors)
2.
Color Control GX manual [Victron Energy] https://www.victronenergy.com/live/ccgx:start
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2.4 Select SOC source from the GUI to display on the main Overview screen
(Settings →System Setup →Battery monitor)
In the image below you can see a range of selectable choices for the SOC values that will be shown in the main Overview screen. Choose the source you want to see on the main Overview screen of your CCGX.
(
/live/_detail/ccgx:batteryselection-options.png?id=ccgx%3Astart
)
In the example image above we have chosen the Automatic setting. When automatic is selected, the System setup screen for this example will then report as shown in the image below.
Color Control GX manual [Victron Energy] https://www.victronenergy.com/live/ccgx:start
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(
/live/_detail/ccgx:bmv_auto.png?id=ccgx%3Astart
)
The 'Automatic' function uses the following logic:
First try to use a battery service (BMV or Lynx Shunt VE.Can).
1.
If there is more than one battery service, just use a random one.
2.
If no battery service is available, check there are no solar chargers and no normal chargers.
3.
If there are none present, assume that there are no other DC chargers or loads, and that it is therefore safe to use the VE.Bus SOC (
more info on BMV vs VE.Bus SOC
(
/live
/vrm_portal:faq?&#what_is_the_difference_between_the_bmv_soc_and_the_vebus_soc
)
).
4.
The 'No battery monitor' choice:
Use the 'No battery monitor' choice in systems where there is only a Multi connected to the CCGX, and no battery monitor, even though that system does have other DC loads or other chargers connected to the same
battery, making the SOC from the Multi incorrect.
See also this
CCGX FAQ page on whether a BMV is necessary in a system or not
(
/live/ccgx:ccgx_faq#do_i_need_a_bmv_to_see_proper_battery_state_of_charge_or_not
)
.
3 More information resources
CCGX Datasheet
[
https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/Datasheet-Color-Control-GX-EN.pdf
]
CCGX - Frequently asked questions
(
/live/ccgx:ccgx_faq
)
Generator auto start/stop with Color Control GX
(
/live/ccgx:generator_start_stop
)
Manually updating CCGX firmware
(
/live/ccgx:firmware_updating
)
CCGX Remote VEConfigure and firmware updates
(
/live/ccgx:ccgx_ve_power_setup
)
VRM Portal - Frequently asked questions
(
/live/vrm_portal:faq
)
Open source
(
/live/open_source:start
)
Trouble shooting Remote Console on VRM
(
/live/vrm_portal:troubleshooting_ccgx_vrm_connectivity#trouble_shooting_remote_console_on_vrm
)
DISQUS Comments
Color Control GX manual [Victron Energy] https://www.victronenergy.com/live/ccgx:start
11 de 13 21/11/16 19:12