Victron Cerbo GX MK2: The Hub of a Victron System

The Victron Cerbo GX MK2 is the communication center of a Victron system. It doesn’t make or store power. Instead, it connects your inverter-charger, solar charge controllers, battery monitor and lithium BMS, shows them on one dashboard, and puts the whole system online through Victron’s free VRM portal. This review covers what the Cerbo does, what it connects to, and whether your build actually needs one.

Victron Energy’s own Cerbo GX introduction.

EXPLORIST life covers the Cerbo GX basics.

Victron Cerbo GX MK2: What It Connects To

Port or feature	Used for
VE.Bus	MultiPlus, MultiPlus-II and Quattro inverter-chargers
VE.Direct	SmartSolar MPPTs, SmartShunt, BMV, Phoenix inverters, Orion XS
VE.Can / NMEA 2000	Lynx Smart BMS, newer chargers, marine networks
Resistive tank and temperature inputs	Fresh, grey and fuel levels; battery or cabin temperature
Relays	Generator auto start/stop and other switching
Micro SD slot	Offline data storage
Wi-Fi access point	Local setup from a phone or VictronConnect
GX Touch 50 / 70 port	Optional waterproof touchscreen on one cable

Source: Victron Cerbo GX product page. Check the MK2 datasheet for exact port counts before you plan your wiring.

Victron Cerbo GX MK2 Specs (Full Datasheet Table)

Spec	Cerbo GX MK2
Supply voltage	8–70V DC
VE.Direct ports	3, isolated (max 15 VE.Direct devices incl. USB)
VE.Bus	2 paralleled RJ45 sockets, isolated
VE.Can	VE.Can 1 isolated, VE.Can 2 non-isolated
Tank / temperature / digital inputs	4 / 4 / 4 (digital inputs count pulses)
Relays	2 x NO/NC: 6A to 30VDC, 1A to 70VDC, 6A at 125VAC
USB	3 host ports, all fully functional
Wireless	2.4GHz Wi-Fi with access point, Bluetooth for setup only
Ethernet	10/100, isolated except the shield
Size / rating	78 x 154 x 48mm, IP20, -20 to +50°C

Source: Victron Cerbo GX manual, technical specifications (MK2 part numbers BPP900450110 and BPP900451100). Victron also lists an MK3 (BPP900451130) that supports up to 25 VE.Direct devices.

What We Like

VRM remote monitoring. Victron describes VRM as free. You can see live data, history and alarms, and change settings remotely, as long as the Cerbo has internet.
DVCC. The Cerbo lets a managed lithium battery or Victron BMS control the charge limits of every charger in the system. Victron says a GX device is required for many third-party lithium battery integrations.
Generator auto start/stop, which is a big deal for RVs and off-grid cabins.
Flexible mounting. It fits on a DIN rail, and the optional GX Touch screen runs on a single cable, so the clutter stays in the electrical bay.
Venus OS updates keep adding features and third-party device support.

What to Watch

It adds cost and does nothing on its own; it only makes sense with several Victron devices.
No built-in screen. Budget for a GX Touch 50 or 70, or use the Ekrano GX instead.
Remote access needs internet: Wi-Fi, Starlink, Ethernet or a cellular router.

Do You Need a Cerbo GX?

Your system	Cerbo GX?
One MPPT plus a SmartShunt in a small van	Optional; VictronConnect Bluetooth may be enough
MultiPlus plus MPPT plus shunt	Recommended for settings, DVCC and one dashboard
Lithium battery needing CAN communication	Usually required
Remote cabin or RV you want to check from home	Yes, for VRM
Generator auto start	Yes

Cerbo GX vs Ekrano GX

The Ekrano GX builds the GX computer into a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Cerbo is a box with an optional screen. Mount the Cerbo near the batteries if your gear sits under a bed or in a rear garage.

Manual Settings Worth Checking

Power it from the battery. The supplied cable has an inline 3.15A slow-blow fuse. Victron strongly recommends powering the GX directly from the battery, not from an AC adapter on the inverter’s output.
VE.Can port speed. Each MK2 port can run as VE.Can (250 kbit/s) or BMS-Can (500 kbit/s). Set the port your lithium battery uses to match the battery’s CAN speed, and fit the supplied terminators.
Relay 1 can be set as an alarm relay, generator start/stop, tank pump, temperature relay or manual. Relay 2 supports temperature or manual control.
DVCC. Turn it on only when every connected device runs compatible firmware.

Setup and Troubleshooting Tips

Multi and Cerbo won’t start after a shutdown. If the Cerbo is powered from the Multi’s AC output, both can wait on each other forever. Victron’s quick fix is to unplug the VE.Bus cable briefly. The permanent fix is to power the Cerbo from the battery.
Can’t switch the Multi on or off. A Digital Multi Control or VE.Bus BMS disables that switch. If one was removed, run “Redetect system” in the Multi’s menu.
Readings look wrong. Victron says Multis aren’t measuring instruments. Efficiency losses and VA vs watts explain most gaps. Add a SmartShunt for accurate battery data.
Error #48. DVCC is on, but a device has incompatible firmware.
Error #46. The data partition is full, usually from Node-RED or Signal K data.
No SIM slot. The Cerbo has no built-in modem. Use a mobile router over Ethernet or a GX LTE 4G.
Bluetooth won’t see my MPPT. That’s normal. The Cerbo’s Bluetooth is only for initial network setup.

For the complete spec sheet and current manual, see the Victron Cerbo GX page.

FAQ

What’s new in the MK2?

The MK2 is the current production version of the Cerbo GX. Check Victron’s datasheet for its exact connector changes.

Does the Cerbo work without internet?

Yes. Local monitoring works over the screen, the Wi-Fi access point or the LAN. Only VRM remote access needs internet.

Can the Cerbo talk to my Battle Born or EG4 battery?

Many third-party lithium batteries are supported through the GX device. Check Victron’s battery compatibility list for your exact model.

What is the Cerbo GX’s power draw?

The manual’s spec table doesn’t list one, so measure it on your system with a shunt.

Can I connect two Cerbos to one Multi?

No. Victron’s FAQ says one GX device per VE.Bus system.

How many solar chargers can it handle?

Up to 15 VE.Direct devices on the MK2, counting USB adapters.

Sources: Victron Cerbo GX product page and Cerbo GX manual (victronenergy.com); Victron Energy, “Cerbo GX Introduction”; EXPLORIST life, “Victron Cerbo GX Basics”.

Sources: Victron Cerbo GX manual: installation, technical specifications and troubleshooting chapters (victronenergy.com, accessed Oct 2026); Victron Energy, “Cerbo GX Introduction”; EXPLORIST life, “Victron Cerbo GX Basics”.