Updates to the Victron Venus operating System
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 5/19/2026 to
System Integration
Venus is the operating system that powers the Ekrano GX and Cerbo GX. This article keeps track of upgrades to the operating system and gets updated from time to time as necessary.
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Spring checklist for boat electrical systems
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 5/5/2026 to
News
Spring is the season where bad electrical connections come to haunt you. Moisture and salt air are the natural enemies of your boat’s wiring, so a focused electrical audit is essential before your first launch.
Programming your Balmar alternator regulator for Lithium Ion batteries
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 5/4/2026 to
Alternators
The Balmar MC-618-H alternator regulator comes with a built-in program for Lithium Ion batteries but it needs to be adjusted to suit your manufacturers specifications
Wiring the Lynx BMS backwards
Posted by on 4/27/2026 to
Batteries (Lithium Ion)
By default current must flow from the batteries through the Lynx BMS from left to right. This article shows how to reverse it with a few tweaks to wires and settings.
Victron Lynx Smart BMS NG firmware v1.17
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 4/14/2026 to
Batteries (Lithium Ion)
Released April 2026, the Lynx Smart BMS NG firmware v1.17 improves DVCC charging control, resolving unstable behavior seen on some systems when regulating charge voltage. This keeps charging stable, prevents chargers from switching off unnecessarily,
Basic programming for Wakespeed regulator with a Victron Cerbo GX
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 3/5/2026 to
Alternators
These instructions are for programming a Wakespeed alternator regulator to charge a Victron lithium battery directly, using the Cerbo GX as the mediator between the two
Latest Updates to Victron Connect App
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 2/23/2026 to
System Integration
Victron Connect is the app used to configure, monitor, update and diagnose your Victron product. The program is constantly evolving and this article is intended to keep you up to date on the latest improvements. It will be updated whenever a major update is made.
Victron Training Courses for Professional Installers
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 1/21/2026 to
News
These training courses are being run by Victron Energy and are all 2 day events. Signup is at Victron Professional . Participation is limited to professionals only.
What is a galvanic isolator and why should my shore power system have one?
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 1/21/2026 to
Shore Power
A galvanic isolator is a device used to block low voltage DC currents coming on board your boat on the shore power ground wire. These currents could cause corrosion to your underwater metals; through hulls, propeller, shaft etc.
Using your Cerbo GX to monitor your bilge
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 12/16/2025 to
System Integration
Its possible to use your Victron Cerbo GX as a bilge monitor. There are two ways to set it up, one with a dedicated float switch that works as a high water alarm, and the other way is connected to your existing bilge pump.
New ABYC rules for the case ground terminal of inverters, inverter chargers and battery chargers.
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 12/16/2025 to
Battery Chargers
The latest revision of the ABYC standards changes the requirement for inverter charger case ground
2025-2026 PKYS New Years Opening Hours
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 12/15/2025 to
PKYS INC will be open online throughout the New Year holiday period but our customer service and shipping departments will be closed the following times.........
Using other brands of networked Lithium Batteries in Victron Systems
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 11/20/2025 to
System Integration
We recently got to play with an Epoch Lithium Battery and were able to network it to a Cerbo GX. Here is an account of how it worked out...
Sneak preview of new Victron products being announced at Metstrade in November 2025
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 11/14/2025 to
News
Victron announce these new products as teasers without any promise as to when they will be available. Here are a selection......
Wakespeed announce new Firmware 2.6.1
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 11/12/2025 to
Alternators
Wakespeed’s latest release is built on real-world feedback. Firmware 2.6.1 and the updated Wakespeed App v1.11 deliver more precise regulation and broader system compatibility.
Victron System for large Catamaran
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 10/17/2025 to
Projects
The photos shown here come from a Blog Post from Victron Energy I am just showing the photos here and a brief summary of the project.
A key to identifying your alternator terminals
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 10/7/2025 to
Alternators
How to deal with a boat that is tripping the dock Ground Fault circuit breaker
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 9/3/2025 to
Circuit Protection
Recently boaters have been coming across docks fitted with ground fault circuit breakers on their shore power receptacles. This is in accordance with the latest edition of the National Electrical Code and applies to all new construction. Eventually, as docks get rebuilt, all docks will be wired to this standard. Unfortunately for some boaters their boats are having a hard time using these receptacles because they trip immediately on switching on the power. This article is an attempt to explain what this is all about and what can be done about it.
Now the Cerbo GX or Ekrano GX can have a page dedicated to Electric Propulsion
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 7/23/2025 to
Electric Propulsion
Your Cerbo or Ekrano can have a dedicated display for electric boats
Two new products add to the utility of the Cerbo GX
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 6/26/2025 to
System Integration
The arrival of the new Venus operating system 3.6 is the kickoff for the two new products described in this article; The Energy Solutions SmartSwitch DC4 and the GX IO-Extender 150.
New Android GX Wifi Display
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 5/2/2025 to
System Integration
Victron just brought out a new app that can be installed on any Android device running version 8.0 or higher, and connects to the GX device over the same Wifi network. In order to use the App you have to dedicate the Android device to this use
Yanmar Common Rail 4JH57 Alternator Photos
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 4/16/2025 to
These photos of the Yanmar Common Rail marine diesel 4JH57 are to help determine the correct alternator replacement.
Victron Price Increase for China originated products
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 4/11/2025 to
News
On April 11th Victron announced a price increase of 30% on China originated products, the full text of the announcement is below.
An explanation of isolated ground vs case ground alternators
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 3/12/2025 to
Alternators
Isolated ground alternators do not have any electrical connection to the engine block and the case of the alternator is not part of the current path. They will have a dedicated negative output terminal that is isolated from the case.
New Victron VE Bus firmware release March 2025 to improve charging performance of MultiPlus and Quattro when used with gensets
Posted by Peter Kennedy on 3/3/2025 to
System Integration
VE.Bus firmware version v555 introduces two significant improvements: the most important one for us in the US is for systems combining gensets with Multi and Quattro inverter/chargers. The upgrade improves the charging ability when used with certain gensets.
Peter Kennedy has been in business since 1991 designing, installing and servicing marine electrical systems. The purpose of this blog is to offer support to both professional installers and do-it-yourself boat owners who wish to undertake this work themselves.
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