Victron Communication Cables – What to use where?
This blog contains a selection of commonly used communication cable types as used in Victron inverter - charger systems.
1. RJ45 straight UTP cable
This cable is used for computer networks, internet, ethernet, but also used for inverter/ chargers to communicate to each other and to a GX product. This is a cable with 8 conductors.
In a straight cable, pin 1 on one side connects to pin 1 on the other side, pin 2 connects to pin 2 and so on. To test if the cable is wired correctly you can use a cable tester. Victron uses this cable for VE.Bus and VE.Can applications.
At SunStore we sell the type A (e.g. for BYD batteries) and type B (e.g. for Pylontech batteries) cables in 2 lengths (Click here for our VE.Can to Can-Bus Cables); for an I-G3N battery, a straight cable is required. Click here to shop for our Victron RJ45 UTP Cables.
It is not recommended to make these cables yourself. A badly crimped connector can be the cause of hard to diagnose system faults.
The RJ45 cross over cable looks like a regular “straight” RJ45 UTP cable. These were used in old computer networks or used by other inverter manufacturers. These cables cannot be used for Victron equipment.
2. RJ45 terminator
The RJ45 is used to terminate a daisy chain CANbus network. One terminator is placed at the first item in the chain and one at the last item in the chain. The terminators are often included when you buy the Victron components, but follow this link to shop for additional Victron Energy Terminators.
3. RJ45 cable with special pinouts
These cables look like regular “straight” RJ45 UTP cables, but they have been rewired to serve a specific purpose. These type of cables are for special applications.
In Victron systems they are used between specific batteries and GX devices. Cable labelling is very important, as it indicates how the cable is internally wired.
4. VE.Direct cable
The VE.Direct cable is 4 core data cable, used for connecting the SmartSolar MPPT charge controllers to the GX devices, for example.
At SunStore we sell the VE.direct cable in different lengths (e.g. 0.3, 0.9, 1.8, 3.0, 5.0 and 10.0 meters) and in straight and angled versions (for the Color Control GX), click here to shop for Victron VE.Direct to VE.Direct Cables.
5. MK3 to USB interface
This interface is used to connect a computer to a VE.Bus product. The MK3 replaced the MK2 interface. The MK2 can still be used. This product is for sale at SunStore, follow this link to shop for your Victron MK3 to USB Interface.
6. VE.Direct to USB interface
This interface is used to connect a computer to a VE.Direct product or to connect a VE.Direct product to a GX device USB port. There is only one length available, and for sale at SunStore, click this link to buy your Victron VE.Direct to USB Interface.
7. RS485 to USB interface
This interface is used to connect an energy meter (e.g. the Victron Energy Meter ET112) to a GX device; we sell this interface at SunStore in two different lengths (1.8 and 5.0 meters), click this link to shop for the Victron RS485 to USB Interface..
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Source: Adapted from: Victron Energy, Wiring Unlimited - Rev 06 47