Problems Setting up a Cerbo GX on a Raspberry Pi with MacBook Pro laptop

[featherlite]

go to Settings -> Wifi -> Wifi Networks to connect to your wireless network.

Well, with the ethernet cable connected, on my laptop, I used Remote Console and tried to “set up” WiFi but I was not successful. Before I go into details, let me start by recalling the following.

Recall that before I tried to set up WiFi, with the ethernet cable plugged in, all I had to do was open Victron Connect, click on the Cerbo GX Pi, and go either to the VRM web page or the Remote Console. This was the case for both my Iphone and my laptop. So simple!

When I went to the VRM web page, on both my iPhone and laptop, I could see my shunt and the “standard view” on the Cerbo GX screen that looks like the below sample photo, except I only have my shunt connected to the GX (I copied the below sample photo from the web).



However, after unsuccessfully trying to set up WiFi, I am no longer able to see the “standard view” on the VM portal. But I am able to manipulate the Remote Console, on both the phone and laptop.

I tried unplugging ALL cables, rebooting the Pi, rebooting my phone and rebooting the laptop, but still could not get back to the standard view on VRM

Right now, I can only access the Remote Console if the ethernet cable is plugged in, albeit with no standard view on VRM.

The following relates solely to use of my laptop.

In Remote Console, but not on VRM standard view, I can still see my shunt showing 57%, as depicted in the below photo:


What follows is an explanation of what I did trying to set up WiFi using my laptop.

Below is a photo showing the screen after I went to Settings/Ethernet:


Notice in the above photo that the ethernet State is “connected”.

When I went back back to Settings/WiFi, and clicked WiFi, the following screen appeared showing the State “disconnected”, and ready for the router’s password to be entered (my annotations in red):


After I entered the router’s password, the following screen appeared:


The above screen seems to show that WiFi is connected, but that confuses me because the ethernet cable is still plugged in.

After typing in the password, I clicked the arrow at the bottom of the screen (not shown) which made me think the password was accepted and set.

However, every time I navigate away from that screen, the WiFi appears to disconnect. Consequently, when I unplug the ethernet cable, I can no longer access Remote Console.

My thinking now is that I need to get back to where I started when I first saw the “standard view”, before I started trying to connect with WiFi.

I again humbly plea for help!

 

[Adam De Lay]

In the VRM, you have to click on the Dashboard link in the menu on the left to view the "standard" view.


As far as the WiFi config is involved, unless you see an IP address listed on this page, your WiFi isn't connected. The WiFi symbol at the top of the screen may just indicate that it's attempting to connect. You can have both Ethernet and WiFi connected at the same time.


Edit: you would also see a State of "Connected" if your WiFi connection was successful.

 

[featherlite]

click on the Dashboard link in the menu on the left to view the "standard" view.

Thanks Adam,

When I click on "dashboard" the 'standard view" does not appear, even with the ethernet cable connected.

an IP address listed on this page,

Do you mean the page shown on the Remote Console Screen shown in my photo above with the blinking WiFi radar icon? If so, you are teaching me that I was not connected to WiFi.

Does it matter that I changed the user to "Super User"?

Any more thoughts?

 

[Adam De Lay]

When I click on "dashboard" the 'standard view" does not appear, even with the ethernet cable connected.

What do you see?

Do you mean the page shown on the Remote Console Screen shown in my photo above with the blinking WiFi radar icon? If so, you are teaching me that I was not connected to WiFi.

Yes, you were not connected. A blinking light probably means it was either scanning or attempting to connect, but it never did. You need to retry connecting to WiFi till you see "State: Connected".

Does it matter that I changed the user to "Super User"?

No

 

[featherlite]

What do you see?

When I click on "dashboard" I see the below screen:




I now notice the red banner at the top of the above screen saying:

"a few seconds ago, data from an unauthenticated device has been received. See Device authorisation tokens for more information"

I think this might have popped up after I tried to change back from "Superuser" to "User Installer" when I feared I messed up by making myself Superuser. Probably nothing to be distracted by now, i presume.

 

[Adam De Lay]

When I click on "dashboard" I see the below screen:

View attachment 178405


I now notice the red banner at the top of the above screen saying:

"a few seconds ago, data from an unauthenticated device has been received. See Device authorisation tokens for more information"

I think this might have popped up after I tried to change back from "Superuser" to "User Installer" when I feared I messed up by making myself Superuser. Probably nothing to be distracted by now, i presume.

Click the link in the red banner at the top. You have to re-authorize data from your rapsberry pi.

 

[featherlite]

Click the link in the red banner at the top

Good news!
I reset the tokens, using the Reset Tokens button, like you suggested and now the VRM screen shows my shunt again at 57%, like this:




I never told you my final goal and why I bought this Pi.

I have a converted cargo trailer with Victron components inside along with two 280Ah Lifepo4 batteries and 1000 watts of solar panels on the roof. I tow the trailer with my pickup truck. I want the ability to monitor the system using my iPhone while driving the truck. The Victron bluetooth signals do not extend the far distance to the truck

I am hoping the Pi will do this for me. So far, I am optimistic.

I started trying to read the Pi with my iPhone. But when i got stuck, I moved to the laptop.

If you are up to it, and i have not yet worn you out, maybe we can go back to trying to set up WiFi on the laptop. My thinking is that if my laptop will work with WiFi, eventually so will my iPhone.

What say?

.

 

[sunshine_eggo]

how will the RPi get internet access while driving?

 

[Adam De Lay]

I'm not sure if the pi can create a hotspot for remote connections...at least mine can't but it's an older model.

 

[featherlite]

how will the RPi get internet access while driving?

I have a Verizon MiFi “hot spot” that I am hoping the Pi can connect to, with the Pi and the MiFi hot spot next to each other in the trailer, and me sitting in my truck with my phone.

In the past, I have routinely connected both my phone and my laptop to the MiFi, to gain access to the internet.

When I first started setting up the Pi, with the Raspberry Pi loaded on the Pi, the Pi was able to access and surf the internet through the MiFi hot spot connection. So, in that configuration, the Pi was able to connect to the MiFi hot spot and the internet.

In turn, but this time with the Venus software loaded on the Pi, and with the phone connected to the MiFi hot spot, and with the Victron Connect app open on my phone, I was able to see the Cerbo GX Pi on my phone. This configuration was with the MiFi hot spot, the phone and the Pi, all sitting on the table next to each other. In that configuration, when I clicked on the Cerbo GX Pi, I could then click on the VRM tab and connect to the VRM portal, online. But I could not access the Remote Console or see the “standard” view on the portal. I now understand that, in that configuration, the Pi was not connected to the internet.

Also, when I placed both the Pi and the MiFi hot spot in the trailer while I sat in the truck with my phone, I was able to see the Victron Connect app on my phone with the Cerbo GX Pi displayed and I could click my way to the VRM portal, online, just as I described in the immediately preceding paragraph. The only difference here was that the distance was longer between: (i) the phone, in my truck, and (ii) both the Pi and MiFi, in the trailer. This made me think that the MiFi hot spot was actually doing something beneficial, because without the MiFi hotspot the distance was to far for the Victron connect app on the phone to see the Cerbo Gx Pi .

As I write this post, I have never been able to get the Pi with Venus to connect to the internet via WiFi. I can only connect using the ethernet cable.

I am hoping that, if the Pi can connect via WiFi to my router in my house, then I will be able to substitute the MiFi hot spot for the router connection.

So, my question now is: how to get the Pi to connect via WiFi to the home router. If that works, I would move on to trying to connect the Pi to the MiFi hot spot.

 

[featherlite]

I'm not sure if the pi can create a hotspot for remote connections

My thinking is that the MiFI hot spot, not the Pi, will be the hot spot. I dunno.

 

[Crowz]

Just add a router that runs on 12v. All of my netgear stuff actually runs on 12v dc it just uses wall adapters to provide the 12v from 120v ac. I just cut the cords and spliced into my 12v stuff to run them.

Plug your pi into the router your adding. Once configured you can set the router up to hook to your home router when in range. Even when not in range you can log onto the wifi with your phone/tablet/etc to access the pi and since its a real router it will have full wifi range reaching the cab of your truck and even a good bit away from the trailer where ever your using it. You can also have the router hook into available free wifi hot spots giving you an internet hotspot where ever you are.

I can't even tell the router uses any power so they are definitely low power devices.

 

[ksmithaz1]

I have a Verizon MiFi “hot spot” that I am hoping the Pi can connect to, with the Pi and the MiFi hot spot next to each other in the trailer, and me sitting in my truck with my phone.

It can

In the past, I have routinely connected both my phone and my laptop to the MiFi, to gain access to the internet.

Some MiFi's have limits, but it should be more than 2.

When I first started setting up the Pi, with the Raspberry Pi loaded on the Pi, the Pi was able to access and surf the internet through the MiFi hot spot connection. So, in that configuration, the Pi was able to connect to the MiFi hot spot and the internet.

This is not articulated well.

In turn, but this time with the Venus software loaded on the Pi, and with the phone connected to the MiFi hot spot, and with the Victron Connect app open on my phone, I was able to see the Cerbo GX Pi on my phone. This configuration was with the MiFi hot spot, the phone and the Pi, all sitting on the table next to each other. In that configuration, when I clicked on the Cerbo GX Pi, I could then click on the VRM tab and connect to the VRM portal, online. But I could not access the Remote Console or see the “standard” view on the portal. I now understand that, in that configuration, the Pi was not connected to the internet.

I don't know the Venus software. Does it run on RaspiOS or Armbian or what? You will likely need to run the CLI config tool for the appropriate OS, raspi-config or armian-config or .. To configure the ESSID and such.

As I write this post, I have never been able to get the Pi with Venus to connect to the internet via WiFi. I can only connect using the ethernet cable.

You will have to configure the wifi/password/whatever. This is done using a gui management tool when you have a full desktop, and it generally configures only for the logged in user. The cli tool configures it to run as the 'root' user at startup. Physical wired interfaces generally configure as dhcp by default.

 

[ksmithaz1]

Drill down, follow the menu's raspi-config for raspbian, armbian-config for armbian, or clue us in on the OS variant.

 

[featherlite]

Just add a router that runs on 12v.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Adam De Lay]

My thinking is that the MiFI hot spot, not the Pi, will be the hot spot. I dunno.

Ok, you should be able to connect to the MiFi.

Did you ever retry connecting to your house WiFi?

 

[Adam De Lay]

If you would be willing to give me remote access to your system to try and connect the wifi, sent me a PM.

 

[featherlite]

Did you ever retry connecting to your house WiFi?

Not yet, but I want to try again.

 

[featherlite]

give me remote access to your system

Adam,

That would be wonderful!
I will send you a PM in the morning to schedule a time that is convenient for you, so that we can start the process.
Thank you!

 

[Samsonite801]

Adam,

That would be wonderful!
I will send you a PM in the morning to schedule a time that is convenient for you, so that we can start the process.
Thank you!

Hey, just as a side note, I have a bunch of RPi's, I use for MyPi turning on/off lights in my shop, for Rune Audio music client, Venus OS for the VRM, etc, (mine all happen to be RPi 3 B+ models, so older hardware).

I had trouble getting any of them to connect to my Starlink WiFi router (using converged WiFi) until I split the 2.4g and 5g radios into separate SSIDs, once I split them, then the RPi's connected right up.

Not saying that is any issue for yours, but just putting it out there in case if it becomes necessary to try in troubleshooting...