Victron Connect app on Axiom MFD

[[2574]]

Has anyone managed to download the Victron Connect app on to an Axiom? I was thinking it would be very handy and easy to load the app and then acess the various Victron devices from the MFD over Bluetooth just as can be done with the phone/tablet app. Very simple. But reading the Victron website they only discuss linking the Cerbo via either ethernet or NMEA - which is a much bigger workup as it requires the running of cables in already very tight conduits. Any experience gratefully received.

 

[lustyd]

If you have (modern) radar then it’s Ethernet anyway so the cable can be split and a switch added. Cerbo is amazing but a Raspberry Pi with VenusOS does the same thing. I just swapped the Pi for a Cerbo and honestly the only improvement was the hardware is better to install and neater.
Mine is connected to B&G via Ethernet with a 5 port Teltonika switch along with a WiFi router, two plotters and radar.

 

[Ian_Rob]

It feels that it should be possible but when I queried this with the electronics specialist who installed my Axiom he told me that they can’t be interfaced via bluetooth. Seems ridiculous to me but……..?

 

[[2574]]

It feels that it should be possible but when I queried this with the electronics specialist who installed my Axiom he told me that they can’t be interfaced via bluetooth. Seems ridiculous to me but……..?

It does seem ridiculous I agree. The Axiom Pro MFD seems to be an android beast, it surely just needs the android app? It has Netflix and other nonsense pre-installed, why did they do that? Who wants Netflix on the chart plotter?

 

[vas]

BT is not something Victron is keen on supporting for serious things (as far as I've followed and read about it at least)
They only want to support it to get to your mobile and see what's going on your system. The rest they want a Cerbo or raspi and via the internet do what you like.
Not played with an axiom, but wouldn't bother trying to setup BT with victron.

 

[[2574]]

BT is not something Victron is keen on supporting for serious things (as far as I've followed and read about it at least)
They only want to support it to get to your mobile and see what's going on your system. The rest they want a Cerbo or raspi and via the internet do what you like.
Not played with an axiom, but wouldn't bother trying to setup BT with victron.

That’s interesting bearing in mind I have 4 x battery monitors, a smart shunt and an MPPT, all Victron, that use BT. I also have a Cerbo connected via VE direct (to the shunt and MPPT) and Ethernet (to the Multi). Just wanted to avoid another cable from the Cerbo to the MFD.

 

[vas]

yes but do they communicate between them using BT for anything "serious" or you just see them all reporting their data on the victron connect app on your phone/tablet?
It seems that Victron are keen on getting all their kit in network mode so they can exchange info/alter settings and operate without your intervention and for that they need a "controller" cerbo/rpi. this becomes more apparent once lifepo4 batteries are involved with their BMSs being able to "instruct" chargers to alter profiles, etc.

V.

 

[[2574]]

yes but do they communicate between them using BT for anything "serious" or you just see them all reporting their data on the victron connect app on your phone/tablet?
It seems that Victron are keen on getting all their kit in network mode so they can exchange info/alter settings and operate without your intervention and for that they need a "controller" cerbo/rpi. this becomes more apparent once lifepo4 batteries are involved with their BMSs being able to "instruct" chargers to alter profiles, etc.

V.

Yes, I see your point. The only non “phone/tablet reporting” use is that the MPPT uses a BT group to monitor battery temperature and voltage to optimise it’s charging profile. Whether that is a “serious” use or not is debateable.

 

[KompetentKrew]

BT is not something Victron is keen on supporting for serious things (as far as I've followed and read about it at least)
They only want to support it to get to your mobile and see what's going on your system. The rest they want a Cerbo or raspi and via the internet do what you like.
Not played with an axiom, but wouldn't bother trying to setup BT with victron.

Believe Victron support bluetooth "smart networking" between a Smart Shunt and Smart Solar, but I agree with your point otherwise. My Victron Multiplus cannot be smart networked, despite having the bluetooth dongle for it.

 

[KompetentKrew]

Has anyone managed to download the Victron Connect app on to an Axiom? I was thinking it would be very handy and easy to load the app and then acess the various Victron devices from the MFD over Bluetooth just as can be done with the phone/tablet app. Very simple. But reading the Victron website they only discuss linking the Cerbo via either ethernet or NMEA - which is a much bigger workup as it requires the running of cables in already very tight conduits. Any experience gratefully received.

I know this isn't the answer you want to hear, but IMO you should consider an NMEA 2000 network as this will allow you to get lots of other data into the Axiom.

Wherever your horrid conduit is, once you get a single NMEA cable though it then you can add lots of NMEA transducers or instruments at either end of the conduit - or wherever on the boat - by adding further T-pieces and backbone.

I had surprising success using an electrician's fish cable and fairy liquid as lubricant to draw NMEA 2000 cable through a conduit that I thought was impossible. I actually gave up in frustration a few times but really, with hindsight, I can say that the biggest obstacle was my own lack of perseverance - knowing now that it's possible, I could have easily got it done in a couple of hours.

I used a nail to pierce the NMEA cable several times, each hole about ½cm and at 90° from the next. Then I looped fishing line between each hole and the end of the fish cable, so the NMEA cable was secured to the fish cable with several loops of fishing line. The fishing line was some thick stuff I found onboard, and it was always the fishing line that broke when the NMEA cable got stuck in a tight part of the conduit - in the end I think I had to pierce a couple more holes in the NMEA cable so it was secured and pulled by a couple more loops. The fish cable is incredibly strong, and the hard part can be getting a grip on it - at one point I took a chunk out of it using mole grips as a handle.

I really did give up several times in frustration thinking this was impossible, and sulked for days about it. I'd be very surprised if your conduit is tighter than mine.

 

[lustyd]

Who wants Netflix on the chart plotter?

Why not? Many boats have the HDMI out go to a TV in the saloon so this is a perfectly reasonable thing to have on board to save yet another box being added. We have broadband Internet on board through Starlink so often stream movies etc. and as I said above it's all connected with an Ethernet switch.
You can't complain that your kit doesn't do what you want while simultaneously refusing to modernise your boat.

I really did give up several times in frustration thinking this was impossible, and sulked for days about it. I'd be very surprised if your conduit is tighter than mine.

In my experience, the conduits usually are wide enough if you first remove legacy wiring. Trying to add NMEA2k as well as keeping legacy sensor cabling is a recipe for disaster and frustration. I struggled with mine at first but after removing all the old stuff I now have nmea, ethernet and power all over the boat and the conduits now have capacity for more if something else came along.

 

[[2574]]

You can't complain that your kit doesn't do what you want while simultaneously refusing to modernise your boat.

That’s a bit strong, I’ve just installed the new Axiom Pro with Doppler radar as well as installing a new Multi with a Cerbo so, evidently, I already have an N2k network on board I was just thinking of an easy win with the Connect app. I wouldn’t want to use the MFD for Netflix, we simply use a Firestick, much less power consumption.

 

[lustyd]

That’s a bit strong, I’ve just installed the new Axiom Pro with Doppler radar as well as installing a new Multi with a Cerbo so, evidently, I already have an N2k network on board I was just thinking of an easy win with the Connect app. I wouldn’t want to use the MFD for Netflix, we simply use a Firestick, much less power consumption.

So, given you already have Ethernet cabling, why not do what I suggested in #2? It achieves exactly what you're asking for. You didn't acknowledge my post so I assumed you either didn't have Radar or were just against modernisation.

 

[[2574]]

So, given you already have Ethernet cabling, why not do what I suggested in #2? It achieves exactly what you're asking for. You didn't acknowledge my post so I assumed you either didn't have Radar or were just against modernisation.

Don’t understand why radar has any significance, to get sailing data in to the mfd an N2k bridge is needed. Having just fitted an Axiom pro I surely can’t be against modernisation?

 

[lustyd]

Don’t understand why radar has any significance

Because modern radar uses Ethernet. It's also likely that you could connect the Cerbo and Axiom via the wifi network, but I'm guessing you don't have a router on board

 

[PaulRainbow]

Because modern radar uses Ethernet. It's also likely that you could connect the Cerbo and Axiom via the wifi network, but I'm guessing you don't have a router on board

Simple enough, but very expensive with Raymarine kit, they don't use standard Ethernet cables, but typical Raymarine ripoff ones. A pair of cables and a hub will set the OP back about £500 !!

 

[lustyd]

Simple enough, but very expensive with Raymarine kit, they don't use standard Ethernet cables, but typical Raymarine ripoff ones. A pair of cables and a hub will set the OP back about £500 !!

Can they not be cut? B&G also use proprietary stuff, I just cut their cable in half and popped RJ45s on the cut ends and voila! two cables which can be used on normal Ethernet switches. This solution can be about £30 including a switch or £40 if you don't already have a crimp tool. I recommend Cat5E shielded RJ45 as they crimp more consistently on thin inner cables than Cat6 or Cat7.
Ideal RJ45 8P/8C Modular Plug 25 Pack - Screwfix

 

[[2574]]

Simple enough, but very expensive with Raymarine kit, they don't use standard Ethernet cables, but typical Raymarine ripoff ones. A pair of cables and a hub will set the OP back about £500 !!

That’s mad isn’t it? I don’t want tech for tech’s sake, it just means I’ll have to keep on using the iPad to access the Victron app and use BT. Or VRM if I’ve internet access.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Can they not be cut? B&G also use proprietary stuff, I just cut their cable in half and popped RJ45s on the cut ends and voila! two cables which can be used on normal Ethernet switches. This solution can be about £30 including a switch or £40 if you don't already have a crimp tool. I recommend Cat5E shielded RJ45 as they crimp more consistently on thin inner cables than Cat6 or Cat7.
Ideal RJ45 8P/8C Modular Plug 25 Pack - Screwfix

Was about to type up something similar, but got sidetracked.

I would (and have) do exactly this. Cut the radar cable in a convenient place, fit normal RJ45s and connect to a switch. Something like a Netgear et al, that normally gets powered by a 240v to 12v power adapter, bin the adapter and run it from the boats 12VDC. Run a Cat5 from the switch to the Cerbo should sort it out.

 

[PaulRainbow]

That’s mad isn’t it? I don’t want tech for tech’s sake, it just means I’ll have to keep on using the iPad to access the Victron app and use BT. Or VRM if I’ve internet access.

Completely mad, but you can buy converter cables from Raymarine, £60+ each and you need two !! Then you can use a standard switch/hub and Ethernet cable to the Cerbo.

Better yet, don't give any more of your hard earned to Raymarine, follow posts#17 and #19