10. Marine MFD integration by App
10.1. Introduction & requirements
A Glass Bridge is a MFD (Multi-Functional Display) that integrates a boat’s systems and navigation status into a large screen or screens at the helm of the vessel, so doing away with multiple gauges, brackets and wiring complications.
A Victron system can be easily integrated into that, as shown in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWdEQfYZKEs
Functionalities:
Monitor shore power and generator status.
Monitor battery status for one or more batteries. By using the voltage of for example battery chargers, it can also visualise secondary batteries such as Generator starter batteries.
Monitor the power conversion equipment: chargers, inverters, inverter/chargers.
Monitor solar production from an MPPT Solar Charger.
Monitor AC loads, and DC loads.
Control shore power input current limit.
Control the inverter/charger: switch it off, on, or set it to charger-only.
Optionally open the Victron Remote Console panel; allowing access to further parameters.
Please note that monitoring and control of AC chargers connected via VE.Direct or VE.Can (this applies to Phoenix Smart Chargers and the Skylla series) only works when shore power is connected.
Victron equipment compatibility:
All Victron inverter/chargers: From a 500VA single phase device up to a large 180kVA three phase-system, including Multis, Quattros, 230VAC and 120VAC models.
Battery Monitors: BMV-700, BMV-702, BMV-712, SmartShunt, and newer, Lynx Shunt VE.Can, Lynx Ion BMS.
All Victron MPPT Solar Charge Controllers
Required components:
Battery system.
Victron GX Device (all models are compatible: CCGX, Cerbo GX, Cerbo-S GX, Venus GX, and so forth)
Victron Inverter/charger.
Victron Battery monitor.
Ethernet network cable connected between MFD and the GX device
MFD specific ethernet adapter cable (only for some brands, see detailed information in below links)
10.2. Compatible MFDs and instructions
Instructions for Navico MFDs (Simrad, B&D, Lowrance)
Using the App for other purposes
The App as visible on the MFDs, is a HTML5 App, hosted on the GX Device. It can also be accessed from a normal PC (or a tablet), by navigating to with a browser to: http://venus.local/app/. Or replace venus.local with the GX IP address.