Cerbo MK2 GX Product Improvements

How does the new Cerbo MK2 GX model from Victron Energy differ from the older model?

Before we talk differences, note that 1) this upgraded version is the same price, new SKU, and 2) the Cerbo MK2 GX is designed to replace the Cerbo GX, meaning the older model will not be manufactured going forward. If you've been using or the lower-cost Cerbo-S, that model remains unchanged. 

Almost identical in appearance and design, the new Cerbo GX MK2 has a few improvements, namely:

• Two fully functional CAN bus ports, VE.Can 1 and VE.Can 2 (instead of one VE.Can and one BMS-Can port).
• VE.Can 1 is isolated (on previous models, there was no isolated CAN bus port).
• The RJ-45 sockets have been rotated 180 degrees, accessible from the front.
• All three USB ports are fully functional.
• Digital inputs can do pulse counting.  

The functionality improvements to the CAN bus ports revolve primarily around the use of RVC in RV communications. As for the RJ-45s, we’ve all experienced difficulty getting our fat fingers behind the release to pull out an RJ45. Now, it's very easy to access them.  

On the current Cerbo model, the USB port next to the HDMI was non-functional other than providing power to the HMI touch screen. Now, we can use it for communications. This is a real benefit when you've run out of VE.direct ports and you want to start adding USB to VE.direct cables (you now have one more spot to plug into). Or, if you want to add an external WiFi antenna or various accessories like energy meters, etc, which take 485 or 232 inputs via USB, you have one more place to bring them into the Cerbo.  

As for pulse counting, this functionality was available in earlier versions of the Victron’s Color Control and were removed when updates were made to that GX device. This feature was much beloved by well used by water pump system designers who used the pulse counter to measure water flow. What could you use it for? Anything from RPM measurements to how many times a door was opened on an enclosure. It's up to you, to but it's functional once more and a nice added feature.  

Have a question about this device - or any question related to the Victron product line? Reach out to our team.