A Victron Venus OS Raspberry Pi build gives you most of what a Cerbo GX does: VRM monitoring, the Remote Console and system control. Victron publishes the images itself. But the Pi needs extra interfaces, has fewer built-in inputs, and comes with no official support. Here’s an honest comparison, using Victron’s Venus OS wiki and the Cerbo GX manual.
Electrical work can be dangerous: follow the manual, fuse and size every cable correctly, and use a licensed electrician for anything connected to household wiring.
Victron Venus OS Raspberry Pi: Supported Models
| Pi | Status per Victron’s wiki |
|---|---|
| Pi 2, 3 B, 3 B+ | Supported (raspberrypi2 image) |
| Pi Zero 2W | Venus OS v2.90 or later |
| Pi 4, CM4, Pi 400 | Supported (raspberrypi4 image; rev 1.4/1.5 boards need v2.90+) |
| Pi 5 | Supported from Venus OS v3.70 |
| Pi Zero, Zero W, Pi 1 | Not supported |
Source: victronenergy/venus GitHub wiki, “raspberrypi install venus image”.
Cerbo GX MK2 vs Raspberry Pi
| Cerbo GX MK2 | Raspberry Pi + Venus OS | |
|---|---|---|
| VE.Direct ports | 3 isolated | Via VE.Direct to USB cables |
| VE.Bus (MultiPlus, Quattro) | 2 isolated RJ45 | Needs an MK3-USB |
| VE.Can | 2 ports (1 isolated) | Needs a tested CAN interface |
| Tank / temp / digital inputs | 4 / 4 / 4 | GPIO, with workarounds |
| Relays | 2 | 1 defined by default |
| Power supply | 8–70V DC | 5V supply, so you need a converter |
| Support | Victron dealers | Community forum only |
Sources: Victron Cerbo GX manual; Venus OS Raspberry Pi wiki.
The Hidden Costs
- Cables. Victron strongly recommends its isolated VE.Direct to USB cable over DIY cables, and you need one per device.
- MK3-USB for any MultiPlus or Quattro. Victron notes the older MK2-USB isn’t supported.
- A DC-DC supply to run the Pi from your battery.
- Re-imaging. Victron says some updates need a fresh SD-card image, which wipes your settings.
Add those up for a system with an inverter and two MPPTs, and the savings over a Cerbo shrink quickly.
No Official Support
Victron’s wiki is clear: the Raspberry Pi image is a community effort. Don’t contact Victron service or sales about it, and don’t open GitHub issues. Use the Modifications section of the Victron Community instead.
When the Pi Makes Sense
- Learning and tinkering, or a test bench.
- Small systems with a single MPPT or SmartShunt over VE.Direct USB.
- Owners comfortable with Linux, SD cards and forums.
When to Buy the Cerbo GX
- Boats, RVs and homes where reliability matters.
- Lithium batteries on CAN-bus, tank sensors or generator start relays.
- Professional installs where warranty and dealer support count.
Victron’s Cerbo GX product page has the full datasheet and manual downloads.
Worked Example: Pricing a Small Van System Both Ways
A system with one MultiPlus-II, one SmartSolar MPPT and a SmartShunt needs these interfaces on each platform:
| Item needed | Cerbo GX | Raspberry Pi |
|---|---|---|
| MultiPlus-II connection | Built-in VE.Bus port | MK3-USB |
| MPPT connection | Built-in VE.Direct port | VE.Direct to USB cable |
| SmartShunt connection | Built-in VE.Direct port | VE.Direct to USB cable |
| Power from the 12V battery | Built-in 8–70V input | 12V-to-5V converter |
| Display | Optional GX Touch or Remote Console on a phone | Optional screen or Remote Console on a phone |
On the Pi, every Victron device adds an interface cable, so the hardware list grows with the system. A Cerbo has those ports built in, so the cost stays the same as you add up to three VE.Direct devices.
Worked Example: A Bench or Learning Setup
For learning the software, a Pi 4 with a single VE.Direct to USB cable to an MPPT or SmartShunt is enough to explore the Remote Console, VRM portal, history graphs and Node-RED on the Venus OS Large image. Nothing in the vehicle or home depends on it, so experimenting is low-pressure, and the same skills transfer straight to a Cerbo GX later.
Installing Venus OS on a Pi: The Short Version
- Download the image for your Pi model from Victron’s Venus OS image list, as listed on the wiki.
- Write it to a microSD card with a tool such as balenaEtcher.
- Boot the Pi with Ethernet connected, find its IP address, and open the Remote Console in a browser.
- Connect the VE.Direct to USB cables and MK3-USB; devices appear in the device list.
- Enable VRM in Settings and register the Portal ID on the VRM website.
What You Get on Either Platform
- Remote Console: the same menus and overview screen on the Pi and the Cerbo.
- VRM: remote monitoring, history and alarms, plus remote firmware updates on supported devices.
- DVCC: coordinated charge control with a managed battery, where the interfaces support it.
- Venus OS Large features: Node-RED and Signal K on the Large image.
Venus OS Large
Victron’s Venus OS Large image adds Node-RED for custom automation and Signal K for marine data. It runs on the Cerbo GX and on supported Raspberry Pi models, which makes the Pi a handy place to build and test flows before deploying them on a Cerbo.
Display Options for the Cerbo GX
The Cerbo GX has no screen of its own. Victron’s GX Touch 50 and GX Touch 70 connect with a single cable and show the full Remote Console, or you can use a phone or tablet over Wi-Fi. Many RV and boat owners mount a GX Touch by the entry door or helm.
Which Pi Model to Choose
For a new build, a Pi 4 or Pi 5 gives the most headroom for Venus OS Large features such as Node-RED, and both have built-in Ethernet and Wi-Fi. The Pi 3 B+ is fine for basic monitoring with one or two devices. The Pi Zero 2W is compact but has fewer USB ports, so a powered USB hub is often needed for multiple VE.Direct cables.
Power and Storage Tips
Use a good-quality 5V converter rated for at least 3A from the battery, and a reliable microSD card. Since some updates need a fresh image, keeping a spare card with your current setup ready to swap in is a simple way to stay online.
FAQ
Does VRM work on a Pi?
Yes. The VRM Portal ID comes from the Ethernet MAC address.
Can I use a touchscreen?
Yes. Victron’s wiki covers the official 7-inch display and HDMI screens.
Can I move from a Pi to a Cerbo GX later?
Yes. The VE.Direct and VE.Bus devices connect directly to the Cerbo’s built-in ports, and your VRM history stays with the account; the Cerbo gets its own Portal ID.
Does the Pi need Ethernet?
Wi-Fi works on Pi models that have it, but Ethernet is handy for first setup and for finding the device’s IP address.
Sources: victronenergy/venus GitHub wiki (Raspberry Pi install); Victron Cerbo GX manual (victronenergy.com, accessed Oct 2026).
Related: EcoFlow Delta 3 Max App Guide, EcoFlow Delta 3 Max Offline No Wi-Fi, Weboost Home Multiroom Review, plus the Victron Energy Guide