Credits

Special thanks goes to the following for the basis of this modified code:

• https://github.com/SirUli/FroniusSmartmeter
  
• https://github.com/bradcagle/dbus-btbattery
  
• https://github.com/victronenergy/velib_python
  

And all other authors and community members of victron which developed or helped to develop drivers, services and components

Inverters

This is a driver for VenusOS devices.

The driver will communicate with PIP/Axpert/Infinisolar/Voltronic/PowLand/OutBack and other compatible solar inverters via Bluetooth
and publish this data to the VenusOS system.

!!! System needs to have a Bluetooth-supported panel in range! see images

Prerequisites

You need to setup some dependencies on your VenusOS first:

1. SSH to IP assigned to VenusOS device
   

2. Resize/Expand file system
   

/opt/victronenergy/swupdate-scripts/resize2fs.sh

3. Update opkg
   

opkg update

4. Install pip
   

opkg install python3-pip

5. Install build essentials as bluepy has some C code that needs to be compiled
   

opkg install packagegroup-core-buildessential

6. Install glib-dev required by bluepy
   

opkg install libglib-2.0-dev

7. Install bluepy
   

pip3 install bluepy

Installation

When you install with one of these methods the system will take care of starting the service and keep it running. You might want to start things manually. In this case, do not use the SetupHelper method. Install manually but skip the install script. After that you can proceed with the configuration and testing manually section.

Install with SetupHelper from kwindrem

This script is meant to be installed through the SetupHelper of kwindrem. https://github.com/kwindrem/SetupHelper

Use the following details:

Package Name: OutbackSPC
GitHub User: DonDavici
Github branch or tag: main

Install manually

1. Install git
   

opkg install git

2. Switch to the victronenergy directory

cd /opt/victronenergy

3. Clone OutbackSPC repo
   

git clone https://github.com/DonDavici/OutbackSPC.git

4. run install script

run ./installservice.sh

5. Reboot your system

reboot

Configuration

Due to the fact that we have to connect to the device to read the data (I don't think it has implemented notify functionality - maybe I am wrong ;-) we have to trust and pair our device manually before we can use it with our service.

1. select our service directory

cd /opt/victronenergy/OutbackSPC

or if you used SetupHelper

cd /data/OutbackSPC

2. Scan for nearby devices

./scan.py

After you have found out the mac address of your device you have to make the device connectable.
replace xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx with the Bluetooth address of your Inverter

3. Start bluetoothctl
   

bluetoothctl

4. Trust the device
   

trust xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx

5. Pair with the device
   

pair xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx

(enter 000000 or 123456)

6. Connect optionally to verify connection
   

connect xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx

7. Exit bluetoothctl

exit

8. Edit default_config.ini (set OUTBACK_ADDRESS)

nano default_config.ini

8. Reboot system

reboot

Test with output to console

with config (OUTBACK_ADDRESS has to be set in default_config.ini)

/opt/victronenergy/OutbackSPC/dbus-btoutback.py

Test without config

/opt/victronenergy/OutbackSPC/dbus-btoutback.py xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx

Logfiles

/var/log/OutbackSPC

NOTES:

$\color{Red}\Huge{\textsf{This driver is still in development and may not work as intended. Use at your own risk!}}$