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VictronConnect manual

12. Settings Lock

In this section:

12.1. Introduction

‘Settings lock’ offers installers the chance to lock critical settings to prevent accidental or unhelpful changes being made to a system’s operating parameters. It will enhance system stability and is invaluable to engineers who manage hundreds of installations.

All other controls, such as setting low-voltage alarms, initiating a battery equalisation, updating firmware, and setting current limits, remain available to system owners and end-users. Real-time data, historic data, and graph analysis also remain accessible.

In emergency cases, end-users can always access locked product settings by using the ‘Password lost’ function.

If a user has removed a password, the installer or OEM will receive a notification when they reconnect to the product.

Please also watch the introductory video for this new feature and see the slide presentation here.

12.2. Features

  • Lock product settings in one step

    • Lock critical settings for end-users in one simple step. Click ‘Lock product settings’ on the product’s info tab and repeat for all products in the installation.

  • Built-in password manager

    • Inside VictronConnect, log in to VRM to store passwords automatically in your VRM account. There is no need to type the password each time, and passwords are not lost when the phone is lost.

  • Daily controls and firmware updates remain accessible

    • End-users with locked systems can still control and update their product. The critical settings are locked and become view-only for end-users.

  • Unlocking product settings

    • The product settings can be unlocked by using the password. When the password is entered, the settings will become editable on the device and/or VRM account that was used. The product remains locked for other devices.

  • Full settings remain accessible to the installer

    • Passwords are saved to the phone and the VRM account that locked the products. All settings remain editable on the device or VRM account that was used to apply the lock. For other users, the critical settings remain view-only.

  • Remove settings lock

    • The password can be permanently removed by clicking 'Remove lock' (password needed). Alternatively, click ‘Password lost’ to remove the lock via the PUK code or a VE.Direct cable. Thus, end-users can regain control over their installation if needed. Installers will be able to see if passwords are removed/updated.

12.3. Supported products

The following products are currently supported:

  • BMV-712

  • SmartShunts (all models)

  • SmartSolar MPPTs (all models)

  • Multi RS (all models)

  • MPPT RS (all models)

Please note that the firmware of these products will most likely require an update. To do this, use the VictronConnect app v6.00.

Products that will get Settings Lock support soon are:

  • Orion XS

  • Smart Inverters

  • VE.Direct Smart Dongle

12.4. Instructions and explanation

12.4.1. Explanation about Locking versus Unlocking versus Removing

  1. Locking product settings

    • Adds the lock to the product.

  2. Unlock product settings

    • After entering the password, the settings can now be edited. But the lock remains in place → settings remain protected.

    • A lock icon in VictronConnect indicates that the settings are protected. A closed lock means that you have no access, while an open lock means that the settings are protected and that you have access.

  3. Removing the settings lock

    • After removing the settings lock, the settings are accessible again. Lock items are removed.

12.4.2. How to lock

Before you start, make sure the VictronConnect app and product firmware are up to date.

Step 1 - Go to the lock feature

  • Go to the 'Product info' tab of the Victron product

  • Click on 'Add lock' to start setting the product settings lock

VictronConnect_Settings_Lock_Prodcut_Info.png

Step 2 - Choose the password

When you click 'Generate', VictronConnect will suggest a random password. Alternatively, you can enter your own code.

Tips:

  • You can use the copy button to copy the password and use it for other Victron products in the same system that you might want to lock with the same password.

  • Do not use the same password for all installations.

  • The password is automatically stored on the phone and in your VRM user account, so there is no need to worry about losing the phone or tablet.

VictronConnect_Settings_Lock_Password.png
Step 3 - Confirmation screen

  • The product's settings are now locked for other users

  • Clicking on 'Close' takes you back to the product

VictronConnect_Settings_Lock_Confirmation.png

Step 4 - Seeing the settings menu

  • Now that the product settings are locked, a lock icon is presented in the top-right corner of the product settings screen.

  • Press the lock icon to enter the password and unlock the settings. For more information, see the next section.

  • Settings are not editable as long as the product settings are locked.

  • Some settings will remain editable by the user. This applies to mostly harmless settings and/or relate to user preference.

VictronConnect_Settings_Lock_Settings_Menu.png

12.4.3. How to unlock

By using the password that was set for a specific product, a user can access the product settings.

Once the password is entered in VictronConnect, it is stored on the phone and in VRM and does not need to be entered again on whatever device that is logged into the VRM account. The product remains locked for users attempting to make changes from other devices.

Step 1 - Obtaining access

  • After connecting to a locked product, there is the lock icon on the upper right. Click that icon to unlock.

  • Enter the 8-digit password to unlock the settings.

  • Clicking on the 'Password lost' link will start the password loss process. VictronConnect first prompts the user to contact the installer. Upon further clicking, the user can remove the password by entering the PUK code or connecting via a VE.Direct cable.

  • The 'Lean More' link opens this section in the VictronConnect manual.

VictronConnect_Settings_Lock_Obtaining_Access.png
Step 2 - Access granted

  • The lock icon is now open, indicating the settings can be edited.

VictronConnect_Settings_Lock_Access_Granted.png

12.4.4. How to remove the settings lock

The product settings lock can be removed from a product if no longer needed by the installer, or via the password lost flow by the end user.

The password can be removed using the product PUK code or via a VE.Direct cable.

Step 1 - Go to the Product info page

  • Remove the product settings lock by clicking on 'Remove lock' at the bottom of the page.

VictronConnect_Settings_Lock_Remove_Lock.png
Step 2 - Acknowledge the warning

  • The user first sees a warning explaining why they should contact the system installer and not remove the lock.

  • The warning also states that removing the lock will be noticed by the installer, like removing a tamper seal.

  • Find the contact details of your dealer via your product serial number on the Victron Support web pages by clicking on the 'Contact your dealer' link.

  • Click on 'Continue' to continue the lock removal process.

VictronConnect_Settings_Lock_Unlock_Warning.png
Step 3 - Enter the password

  • The PIN can be used to remove the lock.

  • If the password is already known on this device, this step is skipped and the lock is removed directly.

  • Alternatively, the user can use the password lost flow to remove the lock via the product PUK code or VE.Direct cable

VictronConnect_Settings_Lock_Enter_Password.png
Step 4 - Confirmation

  • The lock is now removed.

  • The time and date of when the lock was removed is stored and visible to the user.

  • When reconnecting for the first time, the installer will get a warning.

VictronConnect_Settings_Lock_Removed.png

12.4.5. Built-in password manager

In the main VictronConnect menu, there is a new entry called 'Saved product passwords'.

It shows all serial number/password combinations stored on the phone.

When VictronConnect is logged into VRM, then these are automatically backed up to the VRM user account and synchronised with your other phones or tablets in case logged into the same VRM user account.

Not connected to the internet while setting up a system? No problem - VictronConnect automatically stores them in the background and will regularly check if there is a connection. The sync status is displayed at the top of the page.

View or search all saved passwords for your VRM account in one list.

Easily see and copy the product password to send to colleagues or end-users. Only visible when logged into the installing VRM account.

VictronConnect_Settings_Lock_Password_Manager.png

12.5. Q&A

Q: Can other installers receive passwords or edit rights on installations from the original installer?

A: Passwords or edit rights cannot be shared via the VRM account. Passwords can be viewed by the original installer in the ‘Saved product passwords’ section.