Cerbo GX Autostart Generator Relays

[StogieMan]

I’m going to be re-running the solar panel wires and putting them in a combiner box on the roof now that the weather is warmer. Since I’m going to be taking things apart, I have a few things that I want to add while I’m at it. I have a baby circuit breaker box that came with my install kit that I never installed and will be adding it between the ATS and the Victron Multiplus to isolate things further if I need to if troubleshooting. I’m also going to add a a cutoff switch for the Li-BIM 225 for the same reason. I know it’s probably overkill but easier to work on things.

I’ve been doing some research on adding a generator auto start switch. But along the way, it appears that I don’t need one and can accomplish this by installing two relay switches in between the generator and the Cerbo GX. One is for the on function and the other for the off function. Attached is a diagram that I found on the net from Why Not RV along with his install video that I will be following. Only decent video I found too. You can start at it at the 3:23 mark as the first few minutes are on his LP Generator install. Tough to find any good info on this install and Victron doesn’t really give you decent guidance IMHO on the install and all over the place on it but seems that you can add it to their Venus and the Victron Multiplus as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q--VUa8OPI4

By tying into the Cerbo GX, I’ll be able to access a bunch of features on the the GX Monitor such as turning on/off the generator automatically to charge the batteries at set points, turn on/off the AC, quiet hours function when staying at a campground, run the generator on a monthly basis for maintenance etc. just to name a few.

I really like the Cerbo GX which has a lot of functions such as tank monitoring, temperature monitoring for your refrigerators etc. and triggering alarms. I looked into their tank monitoring system before I installed the SeeLevel II tank monitor but I think these are designed for new a new build as it would be a nightmare to try to drop one of those into our tanks.

As always looking for some additional info if someone has installed this or a similar function to their Victron Cerbo GX or have any tips on making the install any easier or any lessons learned. Appreciate any feedback and will post on the install when complete. Thanks in advance.

[StogieMan]

My generator wiring diagram.

[Seanlb]

Some folks have been using the Atkinson GSCM with success. Might be worth looking into.

https://atkinsonelectronics.com/gscm-generator-start-control-module-rev-c-5-13/

[StogieMan]

Originally Posted by Seanlb

Some folks have been using the Atkinson GSCM with success. Might be worth looking into.

https://atkinsonelectronics.com/gscm...le-rev-c-5-13/

Hi,

Thanks. I did see that one but I'm a very hesitant after my experience with their Atkinson Solar Charge controller. I know it's a different product but my judgement is a bit jaded on the company in general. I feel like they're a bit behind on their technology. Again, I could be totally off on this product though.

[jnm30327]

Some comments although I may be too late.

1. I bought the 5" GX monitor but decided it was too small. I sold the 5" on EBay and bought a 7". Much easier to read.

2. I also installed the GuiMods to improve the GX display and make it more usable. This is shareware and available at no cost. All that is required is a USB Thumb drive. It might also help with your relay setups. See here. In particular GuidMods allows the Cerbo Display to show Fahrenheit instead of Celsius. See picture.

3. I wanted to put ultrasonic sensors on LP Tanks and Gray and black tanks to connect to Cerbo through the Victron Tank 140 device. I bought from Safiery but could not make the LP sensors work and decided the water level sensors required too much work to install. I returned all of the Safiery sensors. I replaced with Mopeka sensors for the LP tanks. They work but only connect to their cell phone app. I wish Mopeka would connect their sensors to the Cerbo through Bluetooth. I am still using original SeeLevel sensors for water tanks.

[StogieMan]

Originally Posted by jnm30327

Some comments although I may be too late.

1. I bought the 5" GX monitor but decided it was too small. I sold the 5" on EBay and bought a 7". Much easier to read.

2. I also installed the GuiMods to improve the GX display and make it more usable. This is shareware and available at no cost. All that is required is a USB Thumb drive. It might also help with your relay setups. See here. In particular GuidMods allows the Cerbo Display to show Fahrenheit instead of Celsius. See picture.

3. I wanted to put ultrasonic sensors on LP Tanks and Gray and black tanks to connect to Cerbo through the Victron Tank 140 device. I bought from Safiery but could not make the LP sensors work and decided the water level sensors required too much work to install. I returned all of the Safiery sensors. I replaced with Mopeka sensors for the LP tanks. They work but only connect to their cell phone app. I wish Mopeka would connect their sensors to the Cerbo through Bluetooth. I am still using original SeeLevel sensors for water tanks.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm definitely going to look into the GuiMods.

Funny, I came across the kwindrem's post from the Victron Community as he made his SeeLevels work with Cerbo or Venus. I really don't see why this can't work with some type of workaround. It can control up to four tanks. While I have things apart, I'm going to putz around and see if I could make the SeeLevelII monitors work with my Cerbo somehow. I mean all the wiring for the tanks are wired right up to my locker area and easily accessible.

With the SeeLevelII monitors, the propane install was pretty easy. I didn't even have to attach anything onto the propane tank. However, I've seen some people have to add some type of cap add on to the actual valve to get it to work.

That is one thing that irks me about Victron - tough to get any any answers from them directly and they refer you to your supplier but I get it. However, the Victron Community is pretty solid and a resourceful bunch at making things work. You just have to find your problem and resolution.

Fingers crossed as I'm going to be starting tomorrow and try the get everything done before the weekend.

[StogieMan]

Just a quick update that I finally got this installed. It's up and working. Install info can be found here:

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f24...-234941-3.html

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by Seanlb

Some folks have been using the Atkinson GSCM with success. Might be worth looking into.

https://atkinsonelectronics.com/gscm-generator-start-control-module-rev-c-5-13/

This is the controller I use.

[StogieMan]

GMFL,

Very sweet looking set up that you have there. Did you do it yourself? I'm also way too jealous of the space you have. I have the multi control as well and absolutely love it. Not having to scroll through menus is a big plus.

One thing that I found out the hard way was that you have to set it physically to 20 amps incoming when running the generator. I assumed that the Multiplus 3K would detect that automatically but not so. Every time I ran the generator and turned on the microwave or AC, it would trip the generator breaker. Duh, I still had set it at 30 amps incoming as this what I use a majority of the time. I now have a reminder on the panel.

As in my previous post, I did consider it but just not fond of the company itself. How was the setup? Easy drop in or a PITA configuration?

For the relays, it was just the wiring to the actual relays that was a pain.

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by StogieMan

GMFL,

Very sweet looking set up that you have there. Did you do it yourself? I'm also way too jealous of the space you have. I have the multi control as well and absolutely love it. Not having to scroll through menus is a big plus.

One thing that I found out the hard way was that you have to set it physically to 20 amps incoming when running the generator. I assumed that the Multiplus 3K would detect that automatically but not so. Every time I ran the generator and turned on the microwave or AC, it would trip the generator breaker. Duh, I still had set it at 30 amps incoming as this what I use a majority of the time. I now have a reminder on the panel.

As a side note I noticed your BMV square bezel is not mounted correctly. You can separate the silver bezel cover off the white base an put the white base over the gauge.

As in my previous post, I did consider it but just not fond of the company itself. How was the setup? Easy drop in or a PITA configuration?

For the relays, it was just the wiring to the actual relays that was a pain.

Yes I did the install myself. I do right at 40 installs/year. The Atkinson GSCM is much nicer then the crappy PWM sun explorer charges they make.
I have the onboard Onan 2500i kit from AirKrafters and the GSCM allowed for simple reliable integration between the Victron Cerbo and Onan system.

[gblackburn]

Originally Posted by GMFL

This is the controller I use.

First, that is an awesome install. There is a reason why you do 40+ installs a year. I ended up doing my own installation which is a LOT of work but I had fun and learned a lot about the system.

I noticed that you are using a Multi Control with a Cerbo GX Monitor.

I have a friend in Texas that wants to use both of these together as well.

Are there any issues with having 2 operator interfaces?

How do both of these connect to the Cerbo GX at the same time?

Thanks in advance.

[StogieMan]

Originally Posted by gblackburn

First, that is an awesome install. There is a reason why you do 40+ installs a year. I ended up doing my own installation which is a LOT of work but I had fun and learned a lot about the system.

I noticed that you are using a Multi Control with a Cerbo GX Monitor.

I have a friend in Texas that wants to use both of these together as well.

Are there any issues with having 2 operator interfaces?

How do both of these connect to the Cerbo GX at the same time?

Thanks in advance.

They don't - the Multi Control is connected to the Victron Multiplus and the GX is connected to the Cerbo GX.

Edit to add: No issues with operator interfaces. Almost some redundancy but convenient.

[gblackburn]

StogieMan

That makes sense and makes it easy. He is the same as you, he just wants to flip a switch to turn the Inverter off when he is not using it, and not go through the menus.

Thanks

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by gblackburn

StogieMan

That makes sense and makes it easy. He is the same as you, he just wants to flip a switch to turn the Inverter off when he is not using it, and not go through the menus.

Thanks

One more Caveat. Both the MultiPlus and the MultiControl connect to the CerboGX via Cat5 to the V.E.Bus port. The MultiPlus has Two V.E.Bus ports and the CerboGX has Two V.E.Bus ports. It does not matter how the components are connected together. Both items can be connected to the CerboGX using the two V.EBus ports or they can be chained together using one port from each device (MultiControl connected to the MultiPlus and MultiPlus connected to the CerboGX)
It just depends on the layout and the install needs.

Yes they work well together and make the system easier to use. (no need to navigate menus)