Has anyone tried using a Raspberry Pi to remotely monitor Victron equipment while away from home? I've done some searching, but there seems to be limited info on this use case. I don't need a touch screen—just want the unit to connect to the VE Smart Networking System. What would be better for this, the Raspberry Pi 4B or 5? Any tips or experiences would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
Honestly, I’ve been using my Raspberry Pi 3 for around 7 years now without any issues. It’s been working great for remote monitoring! You don't necessarily need the latest model unless you have other plans for it.
Either the Pi 4B or 5 should work just fine. I set up mine to monitor a Victron 100/50 charge controller, and it was a pretty smooth process thanks to Victron releasing dedicated software for it. Just follow the setup instructions, and you’ll be good to go!
I actually use an Orange Pi with Solar Assistant software alongside a Victron smart shunt. It manages everything remotely really well! The Orange Pi is similar, but just a heads up in case you want to explore alternatives.
I’m not really familiar with Orange Pi. How does it compare to Raspberry Pi in terms of ease of setup and performance?
Thanks! I was honestly surprised to learn that Victron’s own gear doesn't have this monitoring feature built-in, especially considering how pricey their equipment is. It's cool to know there's a more affordable option!