Victron CANvu GX: Touchscreen GX Display Explained

The Victron CANvu GX is the rugged member of Victron’s GX family. It’s a sealed 4.3-inch touchscreen that does the same core job as a Cerbo GX: it monitors your inverter/charger, solar chargers and batteries, and connects the system to the free VRM portal. The difference is the IP67 housing, which lets it live in places a Cerbo can’t. Here’s what Victron’s documentation says it can do and what you need to buy with it.

Victron CANvu GX: Key Specs

Item	CANvu GX
Display	4.3″ touchscreen
Protection	IP67
VE.Direct ports	3
Other connections	VE.Can, VE.Bus, Ethernet, USB
Inputs and relay	1 analog input, 1 digital input, 1 relay
Supply voltage (via kit cable)	8-32 VDC
Safety standard	IEC 62368-1

Source: Victron CANvu GX manual and GX product range comparison, victronenergy.com.

What Makes It Different

Victron says the CANvu GX is similar to the older Color Control GX, and most of its functions are covered in the CCGX manual. Its strengths are:

IP67 sealing. Victron’s launch post says it’s dust-tight and can survive 30 minutes in water 1 meter deep.
Touch control without a separate GX Touch screen.
A second CAN-bus port, separate from VE.Can, according to Victron’s launch announcement.

According to that same announcement, it has no built-in buzzer and no built-in WiFi. A USB WiFi dongle can be added.

The IO Extender Kit You Must Buy

This is the detail people miss. Victron’s manual says the CANvu GX IO Extender and wiring kit is sold separately and is always needed. The kit includes:

The IO extender
The power cable (8-32 VDC)
A VE.Can cable
An Ethernet cable

48V systems need a suitable power supply or a 48V-to-24V converter, because the supply range tops out at 32V. Victron also notes that the CAN-bus connections are not isolated.

Who It’s For

Open boats, helms and work vehicles where the display gets wet or dusty.
Industrial or outdoor cabinets that need a sealed screen.
Systems that already use VE.Direct gear (MPPTs, BMV, SmartShunt), with three VE.Direct ports built in.

Who Should Skip It

Van and RV owners inside a dry cabin. A Cerbo GX with a GX Touch 50 or 70 is the more common pairing and has newer features.
48V systems that don’t want to add a converter.
Anyone who needs built-in WiFi.

Good to Know Before You Buy

The extender kit is an extra purchase.
8-32 VDC supply limit.
Smaller 4.3″ screen than the GX Touch 70 or Ekrano GX.

Victron lists every CANvu GX variant, with datasheets, on its official product page.

Worked Example: An Open-Helm Boat

A centre-console boat with a 24V lithium bank, a SmartSolar MPPT, a SmartShunt and a small Phoenix inverter. The CANvu GX mounts at the helm, exposed to spray:

Power: from the 24V system through the kit’s power cable, within the 8–32VDC range.
VE.Direct: the MPPT, SmartShunt and Phoenix each take one of the three VE.Direct ports.
Display: the 4.3″ touchscreen shows battery state of charge, solar power and inverter status in one place.
VRM: a USB Wi-Fi dongle connects to the marina’s network or a mobile router when available.

Worked Example: A Work Truck

A service truck with a 12V battery bank running tools through an inverter-charger. The CANvu GX mounts in the cab, where dust and dirt would be a concern for other displays. Its VE.Bus port connects to a MultiPlus, and the relay can be set to start a generator or switch an alarm.

CANvu GX vs Cerbo GX With GX Touch

Feature	CANvu GX	Cerbo GX + GX Touch 50
Screen	4.3″ touchscreen, built in	5″ GX Touch
Protection	IP67	Indoor use
VE.Direct ports	3	3 (Cerbo GX MK2)
Built-in Wi-Fi	No (USB dongle)	Yes
Supply voltage	8–32VDC via kit	8–70VDC
Typical place	Helms, outdoor cabinets, vehicles	Dry cabins, vans, RVs, homes

Both run Venus OS, so menus, VRM features and device support work the same way.

Installation Steps

Mount the CANvu GX in a panel cut-out at the helm or dashboard.
Connect the IO Extender and the kit’s power cable to the 12V or 24V supply.
Plug VE.Direct devices into the three ports, and the VE.Bus cable to the inverter-charger if fitted.
Add a USB Wi-Fi dongle or Ethernet for VRM.
Work through Settings to name the system, set the time and enable VRM logging.

Using the Analog and Digital Inputs

The analog input can read a resistive tank sender or temperature sensor, and the digital input can monitor a door, bilge alarm or similar contact. Together with the relay, these let the CANvu GX act as a small monitoring hub for a boat or vehicle, alongside its battery and solar data.

Remote Console

Like other GX devices, the CANvu GX provides Remote Console over the network and through VRM, so you can see the same screens from a phone or laptop.

Planning the Supply for 48V Systems

On a 48V system, a small DC-DC converter from 48V down to 24V or 12V powers the CANvu GX within its 8–32VDC range. Choose a converter with a little headroom over the display’s needs, fuse its input close to the battery, and keep the negative common with the rest of the system.

FAQ

Is the Victron CANvu GX waterproof?

It’s rated IP67, so it’s dust-tight and survives temporary immersion, according to Victron.

Does the CANvu GX work on 48V?

Not directly. Its supply is 8-32 VDC, so Victron says 48V systems need a power supply or a 48V-to-24V converter.

Does it connect to VRM?

Yes. Like other GX devices, it connects the system to the VRM portal over Ethernet or a USB WiFi dongle.

Can the CANvu GX run Venus OS Large?

It runs Venus OS like other GX devices. Check Victron’s current Venus OS documentation for which features are supported on each GX model.

Can I mount it outdoors in direct sun?

Its IP67 rating covers dust and water. For direct sun, follow the manual’s guidance on operating temperature and screen visibility.

Sources: Victron CANvu GX manual (victronenergy.com/live/venus-os:canvu-gx); Victron GX product range comparison; Victron blog “Announcing the new CANvu GX” (March 2019); accessed Oct 2026.