Unlike many other BMS, the 123\SmartBMS has extensive Victron integration. This means that it is possible to connect one or more 123\SmartBMS to the Victron to monitor and – optionally – control the Victron devices directly via DVCC.
Most Victron devices can be controlled via a GX, for example the Victron Cerbo GX. The GX sends the correct info to the charger/inverter, for example to the Quattro. Some devices even have a GX integrated, for example the Multiplus GX. This saves on adding an external GX.
By combining one or more 123\SmartBMS with a Victron GX, it is possible to control the connected Victron devices by the 123\SmartBMS. Moreover, it is even possible to connect multiple battery banks, each with it’s own 123\SmartBMS system, to the GX. The 123\SmartBMS Venus software will combine the BMS information of all banks into one Manager unit, which in turn can control all Victron devices.
Connect the 123\SmartBMS to the Victron GX #
Step 1. Download and install the 123\SmartBMS made “venus-data.tar.gz” software which can be found here. Put it on an empty FAT32 formatted USB drive. Do not extract the file.
Step 2. Plug the USB drive into a Victron GX USB data port.
Step 3. Reboot the GX. The software is now copied. After the GX is restarted, you can remove the USB drive.
Step 4. Reboot again. The software will install after the reboot.
Step 5. Connect a 123\SmartBMS to USB cable from the 123\SmartBMS End Board Ext Data port to the Victron GX USB port. After several minutes, you should see a 123\SmartBMS instance appear on the remote console and VRM.
Note: if you have the Victron Cerbo GX, only two out of three USB ports work – the data ports
Note 2: if you do not have enough USB ports, just connect a USB hub to the USB port. A passive USB hub works fine.
Setup the 123\SmartBMS #
Connect to the 123\SmartBMS via the app. Go to Settings. Make sure that “Critical Mode” is turned on. Critical Mode ensures that the Charge signal relay is not turned off when the battery is fully charged, and that the BMS software for the Victron works correctly.
Enable DVCC on the Victron GX #
DVCC turns the BMS from a monitor on the Victron to an active controller. With DVCC, the 123\SmartBMS is able to control all connected Victron chargers and inverters how much they can charge and discharge maximum. These maximum charge and discharge parameters are called “battery operating limits” or “BOL” for short.
To activate DVCC, open the Victron GX remote console, either via LAN or via VRM. Then go to Settings->DVCC. Enable DVCC.
Also enable SVS and STS. This ensures that the BMS measured voltage and temperature are used by the Victron system.
For energy storage systems (ESS): setup the Victron device with VEConfig #
If your device is not configured for control by the GX, then make sure to do this.
The following step describes the configuration of a Phoenix/Multiplus/Quattro with VEConfig.
Step 1. Use the MK3-USB and connect it to the Victron device. Download and install Victron VEConfig.
Step 2. Add the ESS Assistant
Step 3. Start the assistant. Select “Other BMS”.
Continue until the assistant is finished.
Step 4. Send the settings to the target.
Step 5. Open the Victron (remote) console. Go to Settings->ESS. Set Mode to “Optimized (with BatteryLife) and configure the rest of the parameters as desired. The BatteryLife algorithm will ensure that the battery get’s fully charged regularly, which is needed for the BMS to sync the SoC. This ensures a correct SoC.
For more information on ESS, see the Victron ESS manual.
Ready to go #
The BMS integration with Victron is now completed. As a result, the 123\SmartBMS data should be visible in the Victron console and on VRM. Connected devices like the Multiplus are now controlled via DVCC and if needed, running as energy storage (ESS).
