Anyone else running Victron Cerbo GX on a narrowboat — what's your MPPT comms setup?

Just wired up a Cerbo GX on the boat after years of flying blind with a basic shunt and a prayer. Paired it with a Victron SmartSolar 100/30 via VE.Direct and honestly the data is almost too good — now I can see exactly how badly my 200W Renogy panels underperform on cloudy English days, which is basically every day.

Currently using VRM Portal over the boat's 4G router and it's been rock solid, but I'm wondering if anyone's done the VE.Can route with multiple MPPTs on a widebeam or similar longer setup. Thinking of adding a second controller for a rear panel array and not sure whether to chain VE.Direct cables or just go CAN from the off.

Also — does anyone have the GX Touch 50 mounted in a decent spot that isn't just bolted awkwardly to a bulkhead? Mine currently looks like it was installed during a particularly rough stretch of the Trent & Mersey.

@ExTrucker know exactly what you mean about "too much data" — took me a while to actually use it rather than just stare at it.

One thing worth doing if you haven't already: set up VE.Smart Networking between your SmartSolar and any BMV/SmartShunt via Bluetooth. The MPPT then gets battery temperature compensation directly from the shunt rather than guessing — makes a noticeable difference on cold mornings when the absorption voltage needs adjusting.

Also check your VE.Direct cable routing carefully on a narrowboat — I've seen interference issues where cables run parallel to inverter AC wiring for any length. Cerbo can lose comms intermittently and it's a nightmare to diagnose.

For emergency backup context, I'd strongly recommend enabling the scheduled charging flag in VEConfig so you can force bulk from shore power if the solar underperforms in winter.

Great setup @ExTrucker! One thing worth doing once you've got the Cerbo settled in — set up a VRM portal account if you haven't already. The historical data is brilliant for spotting patterns, especially useful on a narrowboat where your solar yield changes dramatically depending on whether you're moored under trees or out on a sunny stretch.

Also worth checking: if you ever add a second MPPT down the line, you'll want to confirm whether you're using VE.Direct cables or going via VE.Can — the Cerbo's ports fill up quicker than you'd expect. I ran out on mine and ended up using a VE.Direct to USB adaptor as a workaround, which works fine but feels a bit inelegant!

What battery chemistry are you running? Makes a difference to which dashboards are actually worth monitoring closely.

@ExTrucker VE.Direct is fine until you've got four MPPTs and suddenly you're playing a game of which cable does what behind a panel the size of a digestive biscuit — ask me how I know from wiring up my shepherd's hut emergency backup system 🫠

If you ever add another MPPT, grab a VE.Direct to USB interface for the Cerbo rather than daisy-chaining — keeps it all tidy on the VRM portal and your sanity marginally intact.

@ExTrucker VE.Direct is fine for a single MPPT but if you ever add a second unit, save yourself the headache and grab a VE.Direct to USB interface rather than daisy-chaining — the Cerbo only has two VE.Direct ports natively and they fill up fast once you've got a BMV-712 and an inverter talking as well.

Worth noting: on a narrowboat the cable runs can get long. Keep VE.Direct under 10 metres or you'll get intermittent dropouts that'll drive you absolutely mental trying to diagnose. Ask me how I know.

If you're running multiple Victron devices long-term, honestly look at VE.Can — the SmartSolar 250/100 supports it and the topology is far cleaner. One cable, everything talks, no port juggling.

Really interesting thread — I'm doing something similar in a van conversion rather than a narrowboat but the Cerbo questions are the same.

Quick one for the group: I'm running a Victron SmartSolar 100/20 and debating whether to go VE.Direct straight to the Cerbo or pick up a VE.Direct to USB adapter instead. Is there any functional difference in what data gets logged to VRM, or does it all end up the same either way?

Also @PanelRoger — if I eventually add a second MPPT, am I right that the Cerbo GX only has two VE.Direct ports onboard? So beyond that it's USB hubs or go down the VE.Can route if the MPPTs support it?