VictronConnect Update 5.73

Very cool!  In some ways it’s a little thing, but it’s still very cool.

The update before this allowed your devices to be grouped together at the top of the screen, which is awesome if you are at a Lance rally where so many of us have Victron equipment.  However, I noticed that while my two controllers and battery monitor were grouped together, my inverter is listed as other devices - even though it is connected to my VE.smart network.

The other thing - did you check the settings for the BMV (SmartShunt) and solar controller to see if any of the settings had changed (gone back to default) after the firmware update?  I don’t think any of mine did, but haven’t checked yet.

I checked both my solar C/C and shunt, and both devices retained my custom settings after their updates.

Yay!

I don’t have an answer for your inverter.

Regards,    
Jim / crewzer

I checked my settings and they were retained also.  No idea why the dongle for my MultiPlus continues to show under "other devices" - not sure that's such a big deal that it's not listed under "My devices".  While it provides some really good info that I do use, it's usually under specific conditions, and rarely when I'm boondocking.

This summer it's been hot and I've been staying at parks with electric or full-hookups mostly, and I've rarely seen other Victron devices.  I see them often when boondocking or at Lance Rallies.

I really like the new information - very handy.  I know I will really appreciate it once it cools down some and I start boondocking again - it's always interesting to see what the two controllers are doing and see how much influence my portable panel has (a lot usually).

Just updated the Victron app on my Android phone and then used it to update the FW in my devices.  Love the new BT broadcast mode.

Added it to my BMV and MPPT. Looks like the DC-DC doesn't have the update yet, although the data provided is pretty useless anyway - just voltage in and out. Would be nice if Victron could update the firmware to provide the same info as the MPPT.

Thanks for the heads up, Jim! I went ahead and did the update and agree it's a huge improvement to usability. Yet another reason to choose Victron since they actually do new feature development.

@JamesInTahoe posted:

Added it to my BMV and MPPT. Looks like the DC-DC doesn't have the update yet, although the data provided is pretty useless anyway - just voltage in and out. Would be nice if Victron could update the firmware to provide the same info as the MPPT.

Rats. I was hoping for more data from the DC-DC converter. Oh well, maybe next time!

Safe travels,    
Jim / crewzer

Yep, this update was a very beneficial one. Love the ability to see crucial info displayed without actually having to open each device.

The only gripe I have is...I found out this update was available when I was camping in Alabama Hills this week. Until one performs the update or any update for that matter, the app is unusable for any device slated to receive it. I had absolutely no service and wasn't about to tap on "Update" until I was back in civilization again. The thing that really pissed me off is...I checked each device I have for updates before leaving the house, "just in case" as this isn't the first time I've found the app wanting to update when I was out of service range.

@fpmtngal, Harriet, my Inverter also shows up under "Other Devices" too. Not sure as to why but like you, it gets opened less frequently than the Controller or BMV-712.

What? You mean I gotta ask the thingamgiggy to send lightning bolts through the air to talk to my smarter than me Victron smart  shunt? Sheesh 🙄 Again? Where’s Larry and Kevin when I need them?

Bob/Texas

@R&V Spiker posted:

Yep, this update was a very beneficial one. Love the ability to see crucial info displayed without actually having to open each device.

The only gripe I have is...I found out this update was available when I was camping in Alabama Hills this week. Until one performs the update or any update for that matter, the app is unusable for any device slated to receive it. I had absolutely no service and wasn't about to tap on "Update" until I was back in civilization again. The thing that really pissed me off is...I checked each device I have for updates before leaving the house, "just in case" as this isn't the first time I've found the app wanting to update when I was out of service range.

@fpmtngal, Harriet, my Inverter also shows up under "Other Devices" too. Not sure as to why but like you, it gets opened less frequently than the Controller or BMV-712.

Randy,

My understanding is any device-specific firmware updates are bundled in a VictronConnect app update. IOW, the devices can’t find their individual firmware updates until the VC app has been updated.

HTH,    
Jim / crewzer

@jarheade6 posted:

What? You mean I gotta ask the thingamgiggy to send lightning bolts through the air to talk to my smarter than me Victron smart  shunt? Sheesh 🙄 Again? Where’s Larry and Kevin when I need them?

Bob/Texas

You’ll just need to pack up and head west to find either Kevin or Larry.

I can just hear your answer already - why don’t I come back to my home state, shouldn’t I actually set foot in it once in a while (I haven’t been there since 2019, when I established residency).

@R&V Spiker - Glad to know your list is the same as mine as far as the MultiPlus.  I wondered if there was something wrong with my set-up but couldn’t find any setting that might change it, since the other items automatically showed up under my devices.

@Crewzer posted:

Randy,

My understanding is any device-specific firmware updates are bundled in a VictronConnect app update. IOW, the devices can’t find their individual firmware updates until the VC app has been updated.

HTH,    
Jim / crewzer

Jim and @R&V Spiker, that was my understanding too. The firmware arrives part in parcel with the app update and the firmware upload starts when permission is granted. I've noticed the warning not to leave the app while it's uploading device firmware. There's also the text of reassurance - that if the upload is interrupted the device will function under the currently operating firmware.

@VigII posted:

Jim and @R&V Spiker, that was my understanding too. The firmware arrives part in parcel with the app update and the firmware upload starts when permission is granted. I've noticed the warning not to leave the app while it's uploading device firmware. There's also the text of reassurance - that if the upload is interrupted the device will function under the currently operating firmware.

Thanks for that Dave. Even still, knowing what you just posted now, if the situation like what happened last week at AH with zero service, I would still opt to wait until I returned to civilization. To me it's just not worth risking it...even if the risk is minor to non-existent. I can wait and with the BMV-712 display, I can still see the various things of interest, just not neatly displayed as on the phone screen.

@R&V Spiker posted:

Thanks for that Dave. Even still, knowing what you just posted now, if the situation like what happened last week at AH with zero service, I would still opt to wait until I returned to civilization. To me it's just not worth risking it...even if the risk is minor to non-existent. I can wait and with the BMV-712 display, I can still see the various things of interest, just not neatly displayed as on the phone screen.

If it ain't broke don't fix it!

I couldn't agree with you more! I have also waited even though Victron is very clear about the update process. Your point about the BMV monitor is another old school reason physical gauges remain practical.

IIRC, there was another recent update to the Victron app.  I didn't pay that much attention to it until today, when I was updating my phone to iOS16.  When I looked at the Victron App, I saw this:

My inverter is now listed under My devices.  That makes things better for me, very cool!

@fpmtngal, Harriet, did you have to add something to the inverter to make it Bluetooth? Mine does not show up on my list of Victron products.

Frank, this is what you need to see the inverter on your phone. Install is straightforward. VE Bus Smart Dongle.

Thanks

@fpmtngal posted:

IIRC, there was another recent update to the Victron app.  I didn't pay that much attention to it until today, when I was updating my phone to iOS16.  When I looked at the Victron App, I saw this:

My inverter is now listed under My devices.  That makes things better for me, very cool!

I just checked and my inverter is also now included in My Devices. Must have been an automatic update. My current FW version is 5.74

I'm on 5.74 as well. I just need to buy the dongle.

I have an unused Smart Shunt I need to sell.

@Frank 2285 - What Randy said.  I had the dongle put in as part of my initial install, I like being able to see what’s going on with it.  How come you are selling the smart shunt?

@R&V Spiker - That’s what my version is also.  I vaguely remember updating the app recently - I just checked and it was released like a week ago.  I hadn’t noticed the change until today, when I was checking various apps to see whether they all play well with Apple’s new iOS.  Love the change.

Excellent!

Safe travels,    
Jim / crewzer

Android app has been updated too and has summary option also.

Dongle ordered,  should be here Friday.

Do I have  plug my computer into the Multiplus to see if updates are available or needed?