Victron solar battery display on overhead console

[chrisbonwick]

I am installing a solar/battery system to my van I thought I would share my solution to mounting a screen to see the battery/solar status etc.

This is still work in progress but I have made a surround for a Victon GX touch, this is run from a Victron Cerbo which will take all the inputs from solar/battery/tanks etc.

I decided the best place for a screen was the blank plate on the overhead console - I have a shuttle so no cubby hole. I used the OG plate and added a 3d printed part to set the screen at a usable angle

The cable on the back of the GX touch is an HDMI/USB combo wire, so easily ran above roof liner, down trim beside the windscreen on the driver’s side and reaches to the bottom where the OBD port is.

Next plan is to work out where to mount the Cerbo



For ref - i've photoshopped the interface on the below image to see what the screen will look like when i've wired it in.




I have a Pylontech 100ah lithium battery which will feed into the Cerbo which will handle the BM, the Victron MPPT will also feed in so I can see what the solar situation is.

Thats it for now will update when I get any further.

 

[Salty Spuds]

I do like an overhead console, very space shuttle, however…having had and used a van for 8 years, that display would ideally be in the habitation area. Once parked up, roof up, blinds in, we hardly ever stray into the cab, the seats are swivelled and the footwells are full of “stuff”. It’s a nice use of the space, but I think you’ll soon get tired of clambering over the seats to get to the controls.
Just my 2 penneth fwiw.

 

[chrisbonwick]

I do like an overhead console, very space shuttle, however…having had and used a van for 8 years, that display would ideally be in the habitation area. Once parked up, roof up, blinds in, we hardly ever stray into the cab, the seats are swivelled and the footwells are full of “stuff”. It’s a nice use of the space, but I think you’ll soon get tired of clambering over the seats to get to the controls.
Just my 2 penneth fwiw.

Yes good point, will work for me though as it’s mainly a day van and I find it very handy to sit up front and check - and my drivers seat doesn’t swivel as I have made a little kitchen pod to go behind the driver seat….

 

[chrisbonwick]

Now wired in - the new interface on the Victron Cerbo is much nicer! I didn’t realise but the bms from the Pylontec battery picks up how much current is going in or out - so when I turn on the engine the Dc-Dc Gives approx +360w and this shows up on the screen, and when I turn on the fridge it shows this as approx -60w - good to know what’s going in and out of the battery and can accurate State of Charge….

 

[Sackmycook]

Very gucci, great addition

 

[Drive Wayne]

View attachment 302923Now wired in - the new interface on the Victron Cerbo is much nicer! I didn’t realise but the bms from the Pylontec battery picks up how much current is going in or out - so when I turn on the engine the Dc-Dc Gives approx +360w and this shows up on the screen, and when I turn on the fridge it shows this as approx -60w - good to know what’s going in and out of the battery and can accurate State of Charge….

I do love my Cerbo, and to use it remotely via VRM is great to see what's going where. Mine is in the rear habitation department because it made the wiring easy!
Have a look into the Ruuvi sensors for even more 'nice to see' data! Temperatures and water level sensor which is useful when we are parked up, accessing the cupboard under the sink to see the water level is impossible with the bed down.

 

[chrisbonwick]

I do love my Cerbo, and to use it remotely via VRM is great to see what's going where. Mine is in the rear habitation department because it made the wiring easy!
Have a look into the Ruuvi sensors for even more 'nice to see' data! Temperatures and water level sensor which is useful when we are parked up, accessing the cupboard under the sink to see the water level is impossible with the bed down.

View attachment 302930

View attachment 302931

That’s cool - I’ll look into that! Next I’ll be wiring my Mppt into it to see what the solar is giving me….

 

[Qnapper]

Any update on your project / looks great.