Powering Smarter Boating

Having an effective and reliable electrical system onboard is vital, given the ever- increasing electrical demands of onboard equipment and the replacement of generators with solar and high-output alternators.

Electrical systems have traditionally been designed and built using components from different manufacturers, and were often not easy to configure or integrate. Creating a system that is easy to understand, operate and maintain can be even more elusive. That is, unless you consider installing a Victron Energy system.

Wide range of products

Victron Energy, an innovative electrical systems manufacturer, has become a world leader in some of the most robust, innovative and modular electrical systems available today. From its humble beginnings as a small company in the Netherlands, founded by an engineer who wanted to improve the unreliable inverter he had recently borrowed, to the universally recognized blue modules that make up its power systems, the name Victron has become synonymous with innovative quality.

Family-owned and in business for over 50 years, Victron Energy now has a complete line of products that can not only meet the power-control needs of boaters, but really any user needing reliable energy.

While Victron’s product line covers a wide range of energy requirements, its marine systems are increasingly popular. Its product line includes a wide range of components that, when combined, can create a custom modular system for any vessel. These components include products that charge and convert power, such as combination inverter/chargers and DC-DC converters, EV charging, isolation transformers and autotransformers.

Victron also has a line of batteries and battery monitors, battery management systems, and battery protection modules, as well as isolators and combiners. It has a full line of solar panels, chargers and solar charge controllers. For all these integrated components, Victron also offers highly advanced, nuanced local and remote monitoring systems. Also offered are a wide array of accessory components that help tie all this equipment together, making it completely customizable.

Monitor it

Victron’s monitoring systems really set it apart from other competitors. Monitoring is possible through various products. These include a very intuitive and comprehensive app, as well as VRM widgets that provide instant access to data from your smart device without opening an app or searching through pages. It also has displays and touchscreen controls, and can interface with most multifunction displays. Whether onboard or on land, you can see all the data you need. You can even integrate third-party sensors for tank levels and more, with full monitoring on your smart device.

The heart of Victron’s systems is its communication center modules. On the marine side of its products, the Cerbo GX is one of the most popular communication center modules. With other Victron-connected devices tied into the Cerbo CX, it’s possible to monitor and control the system from anywhere. Through the Victron Remote Monitoring (VRM) portal and the Victron Connect app, users can monitor systems, view historical data, and remotely control components within the system. Monitoring and control can be done remotely or via an onboard touchscreen, such as the waterproof Victron GX Touch 50 or GX Touch 70 displays, or any of the multifunction displays mentioned above. Victron also offers a Cerbo-S GX for simpler systems where BMS-CAN bus and temperature and tank connections are not needed.

Building a system

As stand-alone devices, Victron’s products are well-engineered, durable and reliable. They show their full potential, however, when integrated into a Victron system and connected to a communication center module. These modules have powerful dual-core processors (with rumors of even more powerful ones in upcoming models), run on Victron’s intuitive Venus OS, and are easy to program and set up.

Victron’s website (victronenergy.com) is an excellent resource for discovering components and accessories for your own system.

If this all still seems a bit daunting, a local marine electrician can help design and install the system.

Victron is not the only manufacturer providing excellent electrical components. However, it has mastered and is continually updating its equipment for those who must rely on a robust off-grid power supply. It has become exceedingly popular for a reason.