Victron energy Venus GX User manual

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Venus GX (VGX) manual
In many ways the Venus GX (VGX) and the Color Control GX (CCGX) are the same device. They
share a lot of hardware, and they run on identical software - our 'Venus OS' - therefore firmware
numbering is the same; and new version releases always apply to both devices at the same time.
As many of the functions of the two devices are identical, the CCGX Manual should also be consulted
if something is not specifically covered in this VGX manual.
This manual refers to the latest firmware version. A device connected to the internet will perform
new-version updates automatically. Check the latest firmware version here.
Venus GX/CCGX comparison table
See Victron GX product range.
1. What's in the Box?
Venus GX (VGX)
VE.Can terminator (2 pcs).
Power cable with inline fuse and M8 terminal eyes for battery- or DC busbar-attachment.
Terminal Blocks for all the connectors on each side.
Label showing WiFi key and product details.

Last update: 2019-07-04 09:50 venus-gx:start https://www.victronenergy.com/live/venus-gx:start?rev=1562226653
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1.1 Overview of connections
2. Accessing the device
Because the Venus GX has no visual display or buttons, it is accessed for setting-up and monitoring
by using the 'Remote Console' feature. You can do this through VRM, using the built-in WiFi Access
Point, or by using the local LAN/WiFi network.
2.1 Accessing 'Remote Console' via VRM
Connect the Venus GX to the internet by plugging it into a working Ethernet network which as a DHCP

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server (most networks do). It will immediately connect to VRM.
Go to https://vrm.victronenergy.com/ and follow the instructions to add the device. More information
about this is available in the VRM Manual.
When you've done that, click the 'Remote Console' link to open the window, like this:
More information about 'Remote Console' on VRM is explained here.
2.2 Accessing 'Remote Console' via the built-in WiFi Access Point
Steps:
Make sure you are no further than a few metres away from the Venus GX1.
Go to the WiFi settings on your phone / tablet / laptop.2.
After searching, it will show up in the list:3.
Connect to WiFi using the 'WiFi key' which you will find printed on the side of the box …and also4.
on a card in the plastic bag - which you should keep in a safe place.
Open VictronConnect, and select the GX device from the Device list5.
Select Remote Console - See this VictronConnect feature video for step by step instructions.6.

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If you cannot use VictronConnect, you can use a web browser and navigate to the IP address1.
172.24.24.1 - See this How to connect to the Venus GX video for step by step instructions.
Note that for added security it is possible to disable the WiFi Access Point. See Settings → Wi-Fi →
Create access point.
Caution: Once WiFi Access is disabled the only way to get it back is by using 'Remote Console' on
VRM -which requires a working internet connection; or via 'Remote Console' on LAN which requires a
working network connection (but no internet).
2.3 Finding the IP address
If you've accidentally disabled Remote Console on VRM, the only way to re-enable it is via Remote
Console on LAN. And to do that you'll need to find the IP address of the Venus GX. There are several
ways of finding it:
IP Address on VRM
On VRM, you'll find the IP address on the Device List page of the installation. Note that this does
require the Venus GX to be connected to the internet.

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Network (on Microsoft Windows)
In a local network, for example at home, you can also find the Venus GX in the Windows 'Network'
overview:
Double-clicking the icon will open up Remote Console on LAN.
Open the 'Properties' window to see the IP address.

Last update: 2019-07-04 09:50 venus-gx:start https://www.victronenergy.com/live/venus-gx:start?rev=1562226653
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This uses Universal plug-and-play broadcast technology.
3. LEDs and Push-button - explanation
3.1 LEDs
Boot-up
On the side of the Venus GX, there is an LED. During power-up it it goes through these states:
Stage 1: Both green and red illuminate briefly and faintly (it's hard to see the green) for
approximately 1 second.
Stage 2: Red illuminates for approximately 1 second.
Stage 3: Green illuminates for approximately 0.5 seconds.
Stage 4: Both green and red illuminate briefly and faintly (it's hard to see the green) for
approximately 1 second.
After that the LED will be blinking green continually.
3.2 Small button located to the right of the green 14-Terminal Connector
Block

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There is at the moment no functions to the button.
4. Digital Inputs
The Venus GX has five digital inputs. The channels are accessible via the RJ-12 socket on the side.
This is available for self-wiring by the user/installer.
4.1. Wiring details
The inputs are non-isolated. They operate at 3V3 levels, and can withstand up to 5V input. Each input
has an internal 10k pull-up resistor to 3V3. We recommend wiring it to a potential free relay or
otherwise open collector/optocoupler output.
RJ12 pinout Input
pin1 input1
pin2 input2
pin3 input3
pin4 input4
pin5 gnd
pin6 input5
4.2. Configuration
Each of the digital inputs can be configured as a pulse meter, or as one of a number of predefined
sensors that can also be configured as alarms.
The possible configurable functions are:
Function States
Pulse meter N/A
Door alarm Open/Closed

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Function States
Bilge pump On/Off
Bilge alarm Ok/Alarm
Burglar alarm Ok/Alarm
Smoke alarm Ok/Alarm
Fire alarm Ok/Alarm
CO2 alarm Ok/Alarm
Generator Running/Stopped
The function of each input can be configured in the GUI under Settings → I/O → Digital Inputs.
Once the input is configured for its intended purpose, it will show up with other devices.
Other parameters related to that function can be configured by entering the device menu and
selecting Setup. For pulse meters, you can configure the unit, the multiplier (the volume represented
by each pulse) and reset the counter.

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For other sensors and alarms, you can decide whether the input should be treated as an alarm
condition, whether the labels should be inverted, and whether the logical levels should be inverted.
To swap the labels attached to the alarm, set Inverted to on.
If a logical low input (0V) should be considered a positive condition, set Inverted alarm logic to
on.
4.3. ModbusTCP
The values/states of the digital inputs are available on ModbusTCP. For more details about this, please
download a copy of the document “Modbus-TCP register list” from our website.
5. How does the Venus GX compare with the CCGX?
See products_running_venus_os

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6. Factory reset
There is no factory reset option in the Venus GX.
With regards to locking one-self out, the details:
The built-in WiFi Access Point is by default enabled, it can be disabled. And its not possible to
change the WiFi password.
Remote Console on LAN is by default enabled. It can be disabled in the GUI, but a reboot will
always re-enable it. It is possible to change the password (and thereby locking one-self out).
Remote Console on VRM is by default enabled, can be disabled.
Ethernet IP Addressing
Reconnect via Ethernet - DCHP or known manually configured IP Address
With above functionality in mind, the only real way to lock one self out completely is by changing the
password of the Remote Console function, and then forgetting that. As long as that is not the case, its
always possible to connect the device to an Ethernet network. In the (most common situation) that
the Ethernet settings have been left at DHCP; then use VictronConnect to find the GX Device on the
network.
Reconnect via Ethernet - unknown manually configured IP Address
If the Ethernet settings have been changed to a manual IP address, and the details of that are no
longer available; then its still possible to recover the connection. Using a feature called link-local
addressing. Which we added in v2.30.