Our goal is to make the one-time installation directions as simple as possible.  If you prefer to have the steps below completed remotely by us, please purchase the Remote Assisted Setup Option.

The following steps are required to be completed on the Victron Cerbo.  WiFi, MQTT and Node RED need to be enabled, and a custom flow loaded and deployed:

1. Connect the Cerbo to the internet over WiFi using the Victron touchscreen and navigating the settings pages.

2. Update the Cerbo firmware, and choose the "large" image (this will allow for Node RED). Choose to use the new GUI if you haven't already.

3. From Settings/Integrations enable MQTT access.

4. From Settings/Integrations Enable Node RED.

5. From Settings/Connectivity/WiFi enable Create access point. Make a password. The list of wifi networks now will include venus-xxxxxxxxxxxxx. Do not select it, but make a note of it so you can connect to it later.

6. Setup your free VRM account for cloud access and remote control and link it to your Cerbo at: https://vrm.victronenergy.com

7. Connect to your system over VRM via a web browser link in the previous step

8. Choose Venus OS Large from the VRM web menu and launch Node-Red

9. Download this file.

10. From the top right Node RED menu, select import and import the file downloaded in the previous step. If prompted, install missing modules.

11. Press Deploy

The following steps are required to connect the wireless display to WiFi:

1. Move to the van or within range of the Cerbo WiFi. 

2. Connect the display to USB power. 

3. One minute after launch, it will start the setup portal hot spot. Use your phone and connect to SSID: LaunchControl-Config. 

4. Select venus-xxxxxx from the hotspot portal. Enter the password you setup previously on the Cerbo and save.

The device should launch and become functional in a moment. Future reboots happen in just a couple seconds, but it will take about 1 minute after a cold start of the van for the Victron Cerbo to power up and begin to send data.

Ruuvi tags are small, low cost and accurate bluetooth temperature sensors that can be added inside and outside the van. They provide very accurate temperatures that can be displayed on the Cerbo, the web panel, and the remote touchscreen. They will also display with historical charts on VRM.  The Cerbo will provide an alert when it's time to change the battery.

Ruuvi tags can be purchased from several vendors online including Amazon.

Indoor model: Ruuvi Tag

Outdoor model: Ruuvi Tag Pro

Mounting: Suggested mounting location inside the van is on the forward edge of the cabinet above the passenger seats. Outside the van, we suggest affixing with zip ties to a location on the roof that is well shaded and has free air movement.    

Adding: When adding the Ruuvi tags to the Cerbo, it's important to use the proper device names so they map properly to LaunchControl:

Web Control Panel

The web control panel can be accessed locally or over the internet if your Cerbo has web access.

Internet Access (best option if online)

1. Connect to VRM from your device: https://vrm.victronenergy.com

2. Navigate to Venus OS Large

3. Launch the Node-Red Dashboard

Note: if you are receiving an error about an expired token, refresh the Venus OS Large page and try again.

1. • Optionally open the Console for remote screen access

Local access (no internet or access point installed)

1. Connect your device to the Cerbo WiFi access point noted above

2. Open a web browser to: https://172.24.24.1:1881/dashboard/page1

Cerbo Controls

The new Cerbo controls can be found in the top left corner of the Victron touchscreen. Currently, the controls allow for launching device timers and the sleep timer. The sleep timer defaults to turning off the inverter, water pump, and Starlink at 2am, so this can be enabled without any extra hardware or effort.  You can adjust the sleep time on the web control panel or with the remote touchscreen.

Remote Touchscreen

See this YouTube video for use: https://youtu.be/Vuok86__elU

The remote display can be powered with a USB-C cable.  It can also be hardwired with a 5v connection, but this modification is to be completed at your own risk.  A DC-DC buck converter can be used to convert 12v power to 5v.  You could also open the case, clip off the connector and solder wires directly to the circuit board.  I used 6" of wire and a JST connector to make a quick disconnect.  Drill a 3/8" hole for the wires, but measure carefully because the connector is not centered on the display.