Victron Cerbo GX Setup Guide: VRM Remote Monitoring Step by Step

The Cerbo GX is the brain of any well-built Victron system. It connects your inverter, MPPT, battery monitor, and sensors into a single device — and through Victron's VRM (Victron Remote Management) portal, lets you monitor and control your entire system from anywhere in the world. This guide walks through the full setup from unboxing to live remote monitoring.

What You'll Need

  • Cerbo GX (includes GX Touch 50 or GX Touch 70 display, sold separately)
  • VE.Direct cables — one per device (MPPT, SmartShunt, etc.)
  • VE.Bus cable — for MultiPlus/Quattro inverter/charger
  • 12V or 24V DC power — Cerbo GX draws about 1W, powered directly from your battery bus
  • Network connection — Ethernet (recommended) or Wi-Fi; a GX LTE 4G modem for remote locations
  • A free VRM account at vrm.victronenergy.com

Step 1: Mount and Power the Cerbo GX

Mount the Cerbo GX in a dry, ventilated location — near your battery bank and inverter is ideal. Connect:

  • Red wire → positive bus (fuse at 3A recommended)
  • Black wire → negative bus

The Cerbo GX runs on 8–70V DC, so it works on 12V, 24V, or 48V systems without a converter.

Step 2: Connect Your Victron Devices

MultiPlus / MultiPlus-II / Quattro (VE.Bus)

Use the supplied RJ45 VE.Bus cable. Connect from the VE.Bus port on the Cerbo GX to the VE.Bus port on your inverter/charger. If you have multiple inverters in a split-phase or three-phase stack, daisy-chain them — the Cerbo GX only connects to the first unit.

SmartSolar MPPT (VE.Direct)

Each MPPT needs its own VE.Direct cable. The Cerbo GX has 3 VE.Direct ports — if you have more than 3 MPPTs, use a VE.Direct to USB adapter and a powered USB hub.

SmartShunt or BMV Battery Monitor (VE.Direct)

Connect via VE.Direct. This gives the Cerbo GX battery state of charge, voltage, current, and power data.

GX Tank Sensors / Temperature Sensors

Connect directly to the analog inputs or the tank sensor ports on the Cerbo GX.

Step 3: Network Connection

Option A: Ethernet (Recommended)

Plug a standard Cat5e/Cat6 cable into the Cerbo GX’s Ethernet port and connect to your router or switch. The Cerbo GX will obtain an IP address via DHCP automatically. This is the most reliable connection method for cabins, shore power setups, and fixed installations.

Option B: Wi-Fi

Go to Settings → Wi-Fi on the GX Touch display. Select your network and enter the password. Wi-Fi is convenient for boats at marina or RVs at campgrounds — note that public marina Wi-Fi is often unreliable for consistent VRM connectivity.

Option C: GX LTE 4G Modem (Remote Sites)

For off-grid cabins or boats offshore, plug the Victron GX LTE 4G modem into the Cerbo GX’s USB port. Insert a nano SIM card (most major US carriers work). The modem draws power from the USB port. This is what we use in our remote monitoring plans — it keeps VRM connected even with no Wi-Fi at the site.

Step 4: Create a VRM Account and Claim Your Installation

  1. Go to vrm.victronenergy.com and create a free account
  2. Once your Cerbo GX is online, go to Settings → VRM Online Portal on the display
  3. Note the VRM Portal ID (shown on screen) — it’s a unique 12-character code
  4. In VRM, click “Add installation” and enter your Portal ID
  5. Give the installation a name (e.g. “Sv Blue Moon” or “Cabin — East Texas”)

Within a minute or two, your system data will start streaming to VRM. You’ll see battery voltage, state of charge, solar production, and load consumption in real time.

Step 5: Configure DVCC (Distributed Voltage and Current Control)

If you’re using a managed lithium battery (Pylontech, Victron Smart Lithium with Smart BMS, or similar), enable DVCC:

Settings → DVCC → Enable

DVCC lets the battery BMS communicate charge voltage and current limits to the Cerbo GX, which then passes those limits to the MPPT and MultiPlus. This prevents overcharge and extends battery life. It’s mandatory for most managed lithium setups.

Step 6: Set Up Alerts and Notifications

In the VRM portal, go to your installation → Alarm Rules. Recommended alerts to set up:

  • Low battery voltage (e.g. below 11.5V for 12V systems)
  • High battery temperature
  • Shore power / AC input lost
  • MPPT fault
  • VRM connection lost (tells you the device went offline)

You can receive alerts by email or SMS. For boats and remote cabins, these alerts are genuinely critical — a low battery on a liveaboard in a hot climate can mean a flooded bilge pump or a dead refrigerator. Catching it early saves real money.

Remote Monitoring Plans from JonssonTech

Setting up VRM yourself is straightforward, but monitoring it daily is another story. Our monitoring and support plans handle that for you:

  • Essential Watch ($15/mo) — 24/7 automated alerts, monthly health report, VRM setup
  • Marine & Off-Grid Pro ($30/mo) — SMS alerts, bilge/tank monitoring, seasonal check-in call
  • Commercial Managed (from $100/mo) — multi-site fleet dashboard, defined SLA, annual audit

We set up VRM, configure your alert rules, and watch your system so you don’t have to.

Questions?

Call us at (346) 574-9652 or use our contact form. We’ve commissioned dozens of Cerbo GX installations across marine, RV, and off-grid systems and are happy to walk you through any part of the process.

We stock the Cerbo GX, GX Touch displays, GX LTE 4G modems, and all VE.Direct accessories. Ships nationwide in 5 business days.

Jonsson Tech LLC is an authorized Victron Energy distributor based in Magnolia, Texas. We provide remote VRM monitoring plans for marine, off-grid, and commercial Victron systems across the USA.

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