New Venus OS on Ras Pi

[lonnie]

Apologies is this a bit niche but I know a good few funsters are using a Raspberry Pi to run the Venus OS. I've done this successfully for a couple of years but after I've upgraded all my Victron kit I refreshed my Pi 3 B+ with a fresh image of Venus 3.54.

But, I can no longer power it from the 12v > 5v step down. It works fine with Raspberry power supply (via 240v) but I get nothing with the one that's always worked.

So, could anyone running the new OS let me know how you power yours from 12v please?

 

[Lenny HB]

I put 3.54 on my P3B it completely crashed it, had to start again, runs fine with 3.3.

 

[lonnie]

I put 3.54 on my P3B it completely crashed it, had to start again, runs fine with 3.3.

I think I'll have to try that Lenny. Btw, I think you have an Orion XS. If so, can you see it in your console?

I can see mine on the Victron Connect app but not via the console using a ve.direct cable.

 

[Lenny HB]

I think I'll have to try that Lenny. Btw, I think you have an Orion XS. If so, can you see it in your console?

I can see mine on the Victron Connect app but not via the console using a ve.direct cable.

Not wired it in yet only just got my UART to USB hub they were out of stock. At the moment playing about making a case for my Pi & screen on my 3D printer.

If I get a chance I'll try it later.

 

[lonnie]

Excellent, thanks.

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[AdrianChen]

I think I'll have to try that Lenny. Btw, I think you have an Orion XS. If so, can you see it in your console?

I can see mine on the Victron Connect app but not via the console using a ve.direct cable.

The xs shows on mine, as alternator, wonder if it's software version?

Ah that's the vrm gui2 one though...

 

[Lenny HB]

Excellent, thanks.

Tried it, doesn't show on either of the home screens but if I go to Setting then Device Manager it's there and I can click on it and see all the info.

The xs shows on mine, as alternator, wonder if it's software version?

Ah that's the vrm gui2 one though...

I didn't think you were running a Raspberry.

 

[AdrianChen]

Tried it, doesn't show on either of the home screens but if I go to Setting then Device Manager it's there and I can click on it and see all the info.

I didn't think you were running a Raspberry.

No I'm not, but surprised the console didn't show the XS, then I realised that I am on Gui V2 console and meant to delete or clarify, then the wife got back from the shop and moaned for me to get a move on - then I regretted reading the post......

 

[AdrianChen]

This is on Connect, remotely from home, but the same on the local Bluetooth:

 

[AdrianChen]

This is the dashboard - No Show, but then I tend to go straight to the Console on the Victron screen..

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[AdrianChen]

Then on Gui V2 which shows on the Victron screen in the van:

 

[AdrianChen]

Apparently graphics acceleration issues holding back V2 on the Pi.....

 

[lonnie]

Thanks both, much appreciated. That's good to see it shows as alternator in the GUI.

I've had a pig of day trying to sort this - including a wasted couple of hours due to a faulty SD card!

So I started from scratch and went back to the last Venus image before the new GUI (3.42). I connected all four devices (Including the IP22!!!) through the Duppa 4 port USB to TTL UART as recommended by OldAgeTravellers and Two on Tour .

I can see them all fine in the Victron Connect App (via Bluetooth) but the Orion XS refuses to appear in the VRM Console (via ve.direct cables). The cables were purchased from Duppa.net with the USB hub and all seem ok but I had to butcher one to connect to the IP22 internal PCB.

I then updated the 'firmware' on the Pi to 3.54 using the VRM portal (that worked really well) and also turned an old Samsung phone into a dedicated display (thanks again AdrianChen ).

So a succesfull day in the end - with the exception of the XS. I've seen a bit of internet chatter about issues with v1.07 of the XS firmware but mine is v1.06 and Victron now reports this as the latest. I might try and swap the Rx/Tx in the connector as I needed to do this for the IP22.

Thanks again for the replies

 

[Lenny HB]

I'm using the Duppa hub & cables like I said the XS doesn't show on the home screen but if you go into devices it's there and you can see all the data. So I think it must be a problem with Venus OS.

As for SD cards I often have problems, I find the installer seem to screw cards that have been used before even if they have had long format. Never have trouble with a new card.

Not tried via VRM if I get time tomorrow I'll have a play.

 

[AdrianChen]

Thanks both, much appreciated. That's good to see it shows as alternator in the GUI.

I've had a pig of day trying to sort this - including a wasted couple of hours due to a faulty SD card!

So I started from scratch and went back to the last Venus image before the new GUI (3.42). I connected all four devices (Including the IP22!!!) through the Duppa 4 port USB to TTL UART as recommended by OldAgeTravellers and Two on Tour .

I can see them all fine in the Victron Connect App (via Bluetooth) but the Orion XS refuses to appear in the VRM Console (via ve.direct cables). The cables were purchased from Duppa.net with the USB hub and all seem ok but I had to butcher one to connect to the IP22 internal PCB.

I then updated the 'firmware' on the Pi to 3.54 using the VRM portal (that worked really well) and also turned an old Samsung phone into a dedicated display (thanks again AdrianChen ).

So a succesfull day in the end - with the exception of the XS. I've seen a bit of internet chatter about issues with v1.07 of the XS firmware but mine is v1.06 and Victron now reports this as the latest. I might try and swap the Rx/Tx in the connector as I needed to do this for the IP22.

Thanks again for the replies

I don't think 1.06 or 1.08 will mak3 any difference. I think it'll be the graphics issue needs to get resolved for gui v2

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[Lenny HB]

Tried via VRM today Orion XS doesn't show.

 

[Two on Tour]

As for SD cards I often have problems, I find the installer seem to screw cards that have been used before even if they have had long format. Never have trouble with a new card.

I used to use balenaEtcher to format and load Venus images, but I started to get corrupted sd cards and Vesus images failing to open, so I changed to using the official Raspberry Pi Imager and have had no problems since.

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[Two on Tour]

Apologies is this a bit niche but I know a good few funsters are using a Raspberry Pi to run the Venus OS. I've done this successfully for a couple of years but after I've upgraded all my Victron kit I refreshed my Pi 3 B+ with a fresh image of Venus 3.54.

But, I can no longer power it from the 12v > 5v step down. It works fine with Raspberry power supply (via 240v) but I get nothing with the one that's always worked.

So, could anyone running the new OS let me know how you power yours from 12v please?

View attachment 1015110

I use these 5 amp adjustable DC-DC step down converters to power my Pi's

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/39418698...pid=5339023013&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

 

[Lenny HB]

I used to use balenaEtcher to format and load Venus images, but I started to get corrupted sd cards and Vesus images failing to open, so I changed to using the official Raspberry Pi Imager and have had no problems since.

https://www.raspberrypi.com I've been using /software/

Thanks Paul, I've been using balenaEtcher.

 

[Vansflyer]

Then on Gui V2 which shows on the Victron screen in the van:

View attachment 1015855

I fitted an Orion 50A yesterday and connected it to my pi (powered by a regular 12v-5v USB socket btw) and the screen in the van shows it as an alternator.
VRM home screen doesnt show it but it is listed in devices as Orion.
Android phone with Victron mod and remote console on my phone show the same home screen.
Running gui mods on the pi and the latest Venus large software.

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[Lenny HB]

I fitted an Orion 50A yesterday and connected it to my pi (powered by a regular 12v-5v USB socket btw) and the screen in the van shows it as an alternator.
VRM home screen doesnt show it but it is listed in devices as Orion.
Android phone with Victron mod and remote console on my phone show the same home screen.
Running gui mods on the pi and the latest Venus large software.



View attachment 1016609

View attachment 1016610

Which version of Venus OS are you running?

 

[Vansflyer]

Venus 3.54 on a pi4b I think from memory. Had to update gui mods to latest version as previous didn't support it.

 

[Lenny HB]

Venus 3.54 on a pi4b I think from memory. Had to update gui mods to latest version as previous didn't support it.



View attachment 1016617

I m using a 3B, v3.54 completely screwed it running v3.3 now, was thinking of getting 4b but they are much more current hungry.

 

[Vansflyer]

I m using a 3B, v3.54 completely screwed it running v3.3 now, was thinking of getting 4b but they are much more current hungry.

The solar (even in Winter) covers the 4b and the Mifi in the van but they do pull more than I would like but I do disconnect the screens power. Nothing else left on in the van when not in use, the panel above the door is "off" as the parasite drain when on is just under an amp.
Very limited knowledge of pi versions so no idea why a 3 won't work and a 4 does. Hardware maybe?

 

[AdrianChen]

I fitted an Orion 50A yesterday and connected it to my pi (powered by a regular 12v-5v USB socket btw) and the screen in the van shows it as an alternator.
VRM home screen doesnt show it but it is listed in devices as Orion.
Android phone with Victron mod and remote console on my phone show the same home screen.
Running gui mods on the pi and the latest Venus large software.



View attachment 1016609

View attachment 1016610

That's what I get using a Cerbo (Beta 3.6-25), so yours is all good insofar as Victron have got to date.

IIRC, Orion XS support came in around 3.4, so perhaps if you can get 3.54 working on the Pi with the Pi imager you'll get the Orion Lenny HB ?

Does GuiMods do anything on the new guiV2?

I really want to try using a Pi just for the fun of doing it!

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[Vansflyer]

Still playing around with it so not sure what the Guimod options are but initial findings are they only change the screen display hard wired to the pi, nothing on VRM which I guess is logical. Do you have Guimods on the Cerbo AdrianChen? When I went to 3.54 originally gui was out of date and the pi wasn't happy at all so I rolled back the software until gui was updated.
Just logged into VRM on my Mac and it had a wobble ... couldn't change to new interface and had to do it on my Android phone. Now working again so no idea what went on.
I wonder if anyone has got 3.54 working on a 3b?

 

[Lenny HB]

IIRC, Orion XS support came in around 3.4, so perhaps if you can get 3.54 working on the Pi with the Pi imager you'll get the Orion

Might give it a try but on a new SD card, don't want to screw my working OS.

 

[AdrianChen]

Still playing around with it so not sure what the Guimod options are but initial findings are they only change the screen display hard wired to the pi, nothing on VRM which I guess is logical. Do you have Guimods on the Cerbo AdrianChen? When I went to 3.54 originally gui was out of date and the pi wasn't happy at all so I rolled back the software until gui was updated.
Just logged into VRM on my Mac and it had a wobble ... couldn't change to new interface and had to do it on my Android phone. Now working again so no idea what went on.
I wonder if anyone has got 3.54 working on a 3b?

No guimods didn't think it worked with V2, hence my question

 

[Vansflyer]

No guimods didn't think it worked with V2, hence my question

Just in the van and having a fiddle with the pi. I cannot get the new UI on the screen that is connected to the pi with hdmi cable. Works fine on VRM and a dedicated Android phone.
Guimods still changes the screen but from the old ui and not the new.
Done a bit of digging and found this ..looks like Venus for pi still can't do the new ui which is disappointing but hey ho.

 

[Cheese Monster]

lonnie
I was running Victron OS large image on an RPi 4 until November 2024. I had problems with USB power output with the number devices connected.

My first mod was to use a power HAT

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This allowed the Pi to run from the 12v of the leisure batteries.

I was always aware of the heat generated by this Pi running Victron OS compared to all my other Pi 3 4 and 5.

In November I decided to dump Victron OS and just run Rasbian 64 bit headless and Node-Red. I added a Waveshare USB HAT to save using USB hubs to connect all the ve.direct dongles to.

The Pi4 runs so much cooler now, USB connection stability is improved and I can also connect WiFi MQTT peripherals such as a power meter.

If you don't need Victron cloud storage could this be an alternative?