Victron Cerbo GX Setup Guide for Campervans

The Victron Cerbo GX is the communications hub of a full Victron electrical system. It connects your MPPT solar controller, MultiPlus inverter/charger, SmartShunt battery monitor, and any other Victron devices into a single integrated system — and makes all of that data available on a touchscreen display or remotely via the Victron VRM portal.

If you have assembled a Victron ecosystem in your campervan and want to monitor everything from one place, the Cerbo GX is the component that ties it all together. This guide covers setup, device connection, and getting remote monitoring working.

For the individual components, see our Victron SmartShunt setup guide and Victron SmartSolar MPPT setup guide.

What the Cerbo GX Does

The Cerbo GX is a data aggregator and communications device. It:

• Connects to all Victron devices via VE.Direct (cable) or VE.Can (network)
• Displays system data on a connected GX Touch 50 or GX Touch 70 screen
• Transmits data to the VRM portal over Wi-Fi or mobile data (via optional Victron GX LTE)
• Enables remote monitoring and control from anywhere with internet access
• Coordinates charge sources — the Cerbo can instruct MPPT and inverter/charger to adjust behaviour based on battery state

It does not charge the battery itself — it just monitors and communicates between devices that do.

What You Need

• Victron Cerbo GX (~£200): The main unit
• GX Touch 50 or GX Touch 70 (~£100-£160): Optional but strongly recommended touchscreen display
• VE.Direct cables (~£8-15 each): One per Victron device to connect (MPPT, SmartShunt, etc.)
• Victron SmartShunt (~£60): Battery monitor — essential for the Cerbo to show accurate battery state
• VRM account: Free on Victron's website — needed for remote monitoring
• Wi-Fi or LTE connection: For VRM — the Cerbo has built-in Wi-Fi; LTE needs a £90 Victron GX LTE dongle

Compatible Devices and Connection Methods

The Cerbo GX has two VE.Direct ports, one VE.Bus port, and VE.Can on the PCB. For more than two VE.Direct devices, you need a VE.Direct to USB interface and use the Cerbo's USB ports.

Step-by-Step Setup

Step 1: Mount the Cerbo GX

The Cerbo GX is a compact unit (134mm × 79mm × 26mm) that mounts in your electrical bay. It needs:

• A 12V power feed from your leisure battery (fused at 1A)
• Cable access to each Victron device
• If fitting the GX Touch: a panel cutout or surface mount location

Mount the Cerbo away from high-heat sources. It generates minimal heat itself.

Step 2: Connect to 12V Power

The Cerbo connects to battery 12V via a small 4-pin connector (power cable supplied). Connect the red wire to a fused positive and the black to negative. Use a 1A inline fuse. The Cerbo draws approximately 0.5W at rest — negligible on any leisure system.

Step 3: Connect VE.Direct Devices

Connect each Victron device using a VE.Direct cable:

• SmartShunt: VE.Direct port 1 on the Cerbo
• MPPT controller: VE.Direct port 2 on the Cerbo (or via USB adapter for a third device)

Each VE.Direct cable provides both power to the device's communication circuit and data exchange. No separate power needed for communication.

Step 4: Connect GX Touch Display

The GX Touch 50 or 70 connects to the Cerbo via HDMI (display) and USB (touch input). Use the supplied cables. Mount the screen in a visible location in the living area — most builders fit it in a kitchen cabinet or on a panel near the main light switches.

The GX Touch powers from the Cerbo — no separate power needed.

Step 5: Configure the System on the Cerbo

Power on the Cerbo. The GX Touch will display the setup screen. Navigate to:

Settings → System Setup → Battery Monitor

• Set to "SmartShunt" (or your battery monitor device)
• Set battery capacity to match your actual battery (e.g. 230Ah)
• Set battery type (LiFePO4 or AGM)

Settings → System Setup → DVCC (Distributed Voltage and Current Control)

• Enable DVCC for coordinated charging between MPPT and inverter/charger
• Set maximum charge voltage to match your battery spec (14.2V for LiFePO4)
• Set maximum charge current if you want to limit total charging current

Step 6: Set Up VRM Remote Monitoring

1. Connect the Cerbo to your phone hotspot or van Wi-Fi router via Settings → Wi-Fi
2. Create a free account at vrm.victronenergy.com
3. On the Cerbo, go to Settings → VRM Online Portal → VRM Portal ID — note this code
4. On the VRM website, add a new site using the Portal ID
5. Within a few minutes, your system data appears on the VRM dashboard

VRM shows real-time data and 30+ days of historical data — battery state, solar yield, inverter usage, DC-DC charger activity. You can access this from anywhere with internet access.

What the Dashboard Shows

Once configured, the GX Touch main screen shows:

• Battery: State of charge (%), voltage, current in/out, estimated time remaining
• Solar: Current solar yield (watts), today's total (Wh)
• AC: Shore power or inverter status, AC load
• DC loads: 12V load current
• Flow diagram: Visual overview of energy moving between sources and loads

This single screen gives you everything you need to manage the system day to day.

Common Setup Issues

Device not appearing on Cerbo: Check VE.Direct cable is fully seated at both ends. Try a different VE.Direct port on the Cerbo. Some devices need to be in a running state before they communicate.

Battery state of charge wrong: Ensure the SmartShunt is properly calibrated — it needs to see a full battery (known 100% SOC point) to calibrate correctly. Charge the battery fully, then let it rest for an hour before the SmartShunt calibrates to 100%.

VRM not connecting: Check Wi-Fi settings on the Cerbo. The VRM connection requires outbound internet access on port 443. If using a mobile hotspot, ensure it has a data connection.

Is the Cerbo GX Worth It?

The Cerbo GX (£200) and GX Touch (£100-160) add £300-360 to your build. For a weekend camper with a simple 12V system, that is hard to justify. For a full-time van lifer with a Victron ecosystem, it is arguably the most useful component in the system.

The ability to check battery state from your phone while hiking, get alerted if something goes wrong, and analyse historical charging patterns to optimise your setup — these are genuinely useful capabilities at the full-time van life scale.

If you are building with Victron components throughout (SmartSolar MPPT, Orion-Tr Smart DC-DC, MultiPlus inverter, SmartShunt), add the Cerbo GX. It takes a good system and makes it fully observable.

FAQ

Does the Cerbo GX work with non-Victron batteries?

Yes — the Cerbo can monitor any battery via a Victron SmartShunt, regardless of battery brand. For BMS integration (cell-level data), you need a Victron Smart LiFePO4 battery or a compatible third-party BMS.

Can I use VRM without a GX Touch screen?

Yes. VRM works independently of the GX Touch — all data is transmitted via Wi-Fi regardless. The GX Touch is a local display only. You can monitor via the VRM website or app without any physical display.

Does the Cerbo need continuous internet for VRM?

No. The Cerbo stores data locally and syncs to VRM when a connection is available. If the van is parked in a no-signal area for a week, all data is retained locally and uploaded when you regain connectivity.

What is the difference between the Cerbo GX and the Color Control GX?

The Color Control GX is an older generation with a built-in colour screen. The Cerbo GX is the current generation — faster processor, built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and uses the separate GX Touch screen. Buy the Cerbo GX for new installations.