Connect a Victron Cerbo GX to the VRM Portal using the GX LTE 4G Cellular Modem + GPS Tracker

[@rosslukeman]

Get the Ultimate Van Power Cheat Sheet: www.rosslukeman.com/vanpower

[@habana7638]

Are you sure you are not in Almere Ros, haha leuke grap.. 😄

[@geneschlegel1609]

Ross, your video helped push me to go this route so I can set up a geofence around our RV while it's in storage. I started having issues within couple days. I got 152 and 153 errors. After days of research and conversations with a distributor it turns out the Sixfab sim card operates on the LTE-M network and does not work like a normal sim card that that is needed. The GX LTE 4G A uses a SIM7600A chip that operates on 3 bands (2, 4, and 12). I was going to use a spare Verizon sim card I had but its not on 12. The chip’s literature lists AT&T and Rogers (Canada) as carriers. I didn’t want to use AT&T if possible so I checked and T-Mobile also operates on the 3 bands needed. I went into a local T-Mobile store and they set me up with a new sim card. Cost was $10.00 for the prepaid card and $10.00 for 2GB of data per month. I’ve had it operating for 3 days with no problems. I can quickly connect to the Cerbo and make changes to settings in real time from my computer at home or via cell phone.

[@joesmith1142]

Thank you! Finally a simple strait forward description that makes sense. There are so many Victron devices and SO much documentation with cross references, it gets so confusing. This video was a godsend. I just wanted to know how to get my Victron comms to connect remotely to the portal. Perfect! Thanks for taking the time to do this video.

[@rosslukeman]

Thanks Joe! It was kind of a convoluted process to get this all set up. Good to know this video helped you with your project. It's a cool device once it's up and running. Thanks for tuning in-

[@thehastywombat]

Thanks Ross, this was a great little introduction to the modem. I'm coming up to the planning of my electrical system soon, so have been paying more and more attention to your emails and videos.

[@rosslukeman]

Hey there, I'm glad that was useful. Definitely helps to know these little accessories exist as you plan your system. Thanks for following along with my emails and vids. Appreciate that!

[@johnguilbert1349]

Thank you Ross, got mine setup today your guide was helpful.

[@rtmsound1877]

Great video as always. My problem with this modem is it's a $30 circuit board with a $200 blue sticker. I love my victron equipment, I believe they make the best. I just don't like the price on some of the accessories.

[@rosslukeman]

I agree, it's not cheap, but part of the reason they have the most innovation is they charge the most and can pay their people to develop new items. This modem is a case in point, I am not finding an equivalent item from any other power system manufacturers.

[@johnplyler7054]

Ross, You put out some of the most informative video's! Thanks so Much!!! I know of several wanting a video on how to setup the Wakespeed Regulator along with the REC-Active BMS should you want additional ideas.

[@rosslukeman]

Hi John, thanks for tuning in and for the suggestion!

[@mikes.5133]

Hi Ross, I really like your videos! You explain them very well and I like your English as well. Cheers, mike😀

[@rosslukeman]

Thank you Mike!

[@brianchetelat6601]

Thank you Ross, very helpful for when I might need this on my system. Appreciate it.

[@rosslukeman]

Thanks for tuning in Brian, I'm glad that was useful.

[@silvanocometta9760]

As usual, excellent video tutorial. Thanks a lot.

[@rosslukeman]

Appreciate it Silvano, thanks for tuning in!

[@mvintrigue-trawlerdiy1101]

Thanks man!! I appreciate the info. Amazing stuff!

[@rosslukeman]

I'm glad that was helpful! Thanks for tuning in-

[@adriaanwinkelmans139]

Hi Ross, great video! Clear and accurate explanation on the GSM-modem topic. Thanks for that. I'm having the following problem, more or less related: Installed a Cerbo GX and configured it to the connect via the existing wifi network. The Wifi router is next to the Cerbo, so no problem with signal strength. After operating fine for weeks the Cerbo suddenly lost connection with the wifi network. When I check the Wifi settings of the Cerbo through the touch screen, in the list of detected networks the Cerbo states "No network adapter". Seems like the internal wifi receiver/adapter is malfunctioning or somthing like that. I did not manage to find a sattisfying explanation online. Do you laybe have an idea what I could try to solve this? Thanks in advance.

[@rosslukeman]

Hi Adriaan, thanks for checking out my video, I'm glad you got something out of it! On your issue, my apologies but nothing immediately comes to mind. I would break it down and ensure each part of the system is online, such as ensuring you can pick up that wifi router on other devices to verify that is still operable. Perhaps reboot the Cerbo, which I'm sure you've already done. Perhaps contact your Victron dealer, nothing immediately comes to mind on my end. Good luck with it- Thanks, Ross

[@peterthomas3882]

Awesome video and explanation! I'm wondering if the Cerbo GX will failover to the GX LTE modem if the wifi were to lose Internet connectivity? Or must it be toggled manually by disabling wifi in the settings?

[@rosslukeman]

Yes it falls to GX LTE automatically if WiFi goes away. However if there is a WiFi signal available at all, it will stay on that, even if it’s poor quality. In that case the user may need to manually disable the WiFi.

[@peterthomas3882]

@@rosslukeman good to know and thanks for the info!

[@davidpatrick1813]

I have two cell phones that have data and wifi … i can connect via wifi on the cerbo to use the display on the phones but for the life of me I can’t get the cerbo to have an internet connection. In the wifi set up in the software it has error not connecting to vrm

[@aborayan6831]

Hi how are you..can the gx start a car when the battery bank got low

[@klinne55]

Great video ! How does this modem relate to the Victron Globalink thingy?

[@rosslukeman]

Hi Karl, the GX modem puts GX devices online, whereas the GlobalLink thing is like a GX device and GX modem in one. It's for putting smaller off-grid systems online to connect to the VRM portal, however it lacks a lot of the ports and features of the GX devices, such as Cerbo GX. You can plug about 2 things into it. Comparatively, with Cerbo GX you can plug in about 20.

[@danielegraff]

Ross, What is your average "data use" for this per month? I'm trying to decide if the cost of the SIM card + data cost is worth the $$ for my situation. Thanks!

[@rosslukeman]

Hi Daniel, I would estimate about $5 is what it would be for me. I shut it down since I have a permanent WiFi signal where the Cerbo is. The one trick you can do to reduce data is change the log interval from 5 minutes to something more spaced out. There are a lot of intervals in the Cerbo VRM settings, all the way up to just once a day. Good luck with it!

[@danielegraff]

@@rosslukeman thanks!

[@DavidisinFilm]

Thanks!