iPad instead of Victron GX Touch

[El_Cid]

Hi everyone,

I have a solar power setup on my boat using only Victron components: 700W solar panels, MPPT, MultiPlus 3000W, the SmartShunt to monitor the lead acid batteries. This year I was planning to add a GX Cerbo. And I was also considering the GX Touch 70. But the latter seems expensive for the quality it offers. I could get an iPad mini for less - and the quality seems much better. My question is if I can access through the online (VRM?) portal running on the tablet all the functionality I would get from the GX Touch?

Thank you all!

 

[Bluedog225]

Following this.

 

[svsagres]

I have the smaller touch, and it’s a useful addition. Yes, I’ll often remote in even while down below, but it’s definitely useful to see what the unit is doing even if wifi isn’t up and running.

 

[Shinebox]

If you have a cerbo, then you can access directly over Wi-Fi via iPhone or iPad. If you set up vrm, and the cerbo is connected to a Wi-Fi network, then you can access from anywhere. Obviously connectivity is not always possible on a boat, however if the iPad is connected to the cerbo’s internal Wi-Fi, then you will be able to see everything that you would see with the victron panel.

 

[El_Cid]

Thanks for the replies!
I do have an always-on WiFi network on the boat. And I saw the Cerbo can be configured to use an external WiFi network, as opposed to creating it's own.
So it sounds like an iPad could fully replace the Touch. I think I will save the money for other upgrades.

 

[DJSmiley]

You might be able to use the HDMI port as well. If I remember correctly, VenusOS has USB support for keyboard/mouse. So if you get a regular HDMI touch display with USB HID it might just work.

Don't have it to test, but maybe a small 7" touch screen with HDMI input would work.

USB Touch Screen Monitor 7'' PC Screen HDMI Display for CCTV Raspberry Pi - US | eBay

Wide Compatibility: Can be worked as a Raspberry Pi screen, compatible with the latest Raspberry Pi 4, 3 B+, BB Black, Banana Pi, music player and other mainstream mini PC. The brightness, contrast, and color accuracy are all on point, driver-free and easy to setup.

www.ebay.com

VRM on a ipad would work also, but you do need internet access. You can enable the remote console on the cerbo as well and use a lan connection

Best tablet for an external CCGX display - Victron Community

community.victronenergy.com

 

[svsagres]

Thanks for the replies!
I do have an always-on WiFi network on the boat. And I saw the Cerbo can be configured to use an external WiFi network, as opposed to creating it's own.
So it sounds like an iPad could fully replace the Touch. I think I will save the money for other upgrades.

It’s always on until something goes wrong

 

[FloaterBoater]

I saw someone recently who had used a cheap touch screen photo frame "with some small modifications" in place of the victron screen. Not sure what the mods were, but worth looking into

 

[svsagres]

I saw someone recently who had used a cheap touch screen photo frame "with some small modifications" in place of the victron screen. Not sure what the mods were, but worth looking into

I’ve always had terrible luck with cheap electronics rotting away and failing on my boat. To the point where I don’t bother any more with cheap junk.

 

[El_Cid]

The thing is I have a bunch of older iPads and iPhones which I'd prefer to use. The quality of displays are much better than the GX Touch. The iPad can be configured to never turn off its display. However integrating the tablet into the navigation panel, while connected to power, won't look as good I guess.

 

[Shinebox]

I use the iPad and it works well. If I’m feeling flush, I may get the victron display, however it’s not needed.

 

[Hope_CA]

As I am still slowly learning about solar I have downloaded two different 12 month software programs on my iPad about how to a angle solar panels to improved solar energy production. So far I have not started in building my system because of supply chain problems. I am still uncertain about designing a build where I use 24 volt solar panels. I still am trying to under if I need a 24 volt or a 48 volt system to meet my power needs and so far I have not seen anyone online who has built and thing like I want to build so there is no point of reference. To things that I also have to consider is limiting weight and cost containment. I want to design and build a mobile large livestock solar powered livestock veterinary clinic to be used off and off grid and if necessary I can treat livestock on BLM land. I would have limited roof space and possible I would need additional solar panels.Like I know four wheel drive would be nice but that adds so much extra costs to the project. At the present time I am thinking about all of this being pulled by a box truck. Weight containment s a big issue for example if I have to carry 100 gallons of water or more just for livestock water the additional weight that would be and how that would effect gas mileag. In my early planing stage I wanted this unit to be self contained off grid for 90 days and that alone added extra costs and weight. I wanted my whole system to be controlled by multiple iPads.

 

[SilverbackMP]

There’s a guy on YouTube who does home automation stuff (homekit) with his iPad as the interface. Would be kind of neat to integrate all the solar stuff into a homekit screen…though I’m trying to limit IOT devices to a reasonable level with no Alexa type spyware shit going on and a series of firewalls (pfsense box from Netgate), VLANs, subnets etc.

 

[JoeHam]

I’ve only used an iPad, locally and around the country via VRM.

Frankly I can’t see why anyone would prefer the Victron touchscreen. The CerboGX is much more bang for the buck IMHO.

And you can use an iPad for a few other things as well ?.

I use these to mount the iPad on the dashboard of my boat when using a navigation app :

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JV75FC6/

They obviously would also work well for mounting in a home or RV for Victron monitoring.

 

[HighTechLab]

Same thing to use a smartphone vs Ipad

 

[JRH]

I’ve only used an iPad, locally and around the country via VRM.

Frankly I can’t see why anyone would prefer the Victron touchscreen. The CerboGX is much more bang for the buck IMHO.

And you can use an iPad for a few other things as well ?.

I use these to mount the iPad on the dashboard of my boat when using a navigation app :

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JV75FC6/

They obviously would also work well for mounting in a home or RV for Victron monitoring.

are you saying I can connect a large screen iPad in addition to and /or replace the smaller Victron screen when I get my Cerbo unit..
the reason I ask is I can’t see much of these new age screens like I used to… I just want to be able to see stuff easily without wearing 3X magnifying glasses …I don’t know why everything made these days as a data monitors are more suitable for a 10 year old with perfect 20/ 20 vision …
would a blue tooth or Wi-Fi connected small tv work . I will buy whatever makes it work…but not sure what’s needed…it sounds like you have found the answer.. please share…J.

 

[wholybee]

are you saying I can connect a large screen iPad in addition to and /or replace the smaller Victron screen when I get my Cerbo unit..
the reason I ask is I can’t see much of these new age screens like I used to… I just want to be able to see stuff easily without wearing 3X magnifying glasses …I don’t know why everything made these days as a data monitors are more suitable for a 10 year old with perfect 20/ 20 vision …
would a blue tooth or Wi-Fi connected small tv work . I will buy whatever makes it work…but not sure what’s needed…it sounds like you have found the answer.. please share…J.

It's a victron app you install on the ipad. It doesn't mirror the display, but otherwise lets you control the Cerbo.

 

[Tecnodave]

The iPad is not limited in it’s display capability, its a matter of the app.

 

[Tecnodave]

I do have and use the victron app for both iPhone and iPad, it allows basic programming of victron components but it does not have the cerbo screens. That is entirely doable. All it takes is the creative app to do it.

 

[wholybee]

I do have and use the victron app for both iPhone and iPad, it allows basic programming of victron components but it does not have the cerbo screens. That is entirely doable. All it takes is the creative app to do it.

Did you watch the video in post 15? It shows how to display the cerbo screens on the Victron App.