What Are Solar Monitoring Panels & Systems?
Solar monitoring panels and systems serve as the communication hub for a solar and battery installation. They connect every component in your system, including solar charge controllers, inverters, battery monitors, and generators, into a single intelligent network. This allows you to view battery state of charge, solar harvest, power consumption, and system alerts in one place, and access that data remotely from anywhere in Canada through the Victron Remote Management (VRM) portal.
Victron Energy GX Devices at Volts Energies
GX devices are the central communication hub for a Victron-based system. They collect data from every connected Victron product through VE.Direct, VE.Can, and Bluetooth, and display it locally, on an optional touchscreen, or remotely through the VRM portal.
Victron Energy Cerbo GX MK2
The Cerbo GX MK2 is Victron's current flagship monitoring hub, featuring a dual core processor and two fully functional VE.Can ports, one of which is isolated for improved system stability. It supports DIN rail or flush mounting and connects to an optional GX Touch 50 or GX Touch 70 display via a single cable.
The Cerbo GX MK2 includes four tank level sensor ports and four temperature sensor ports, making it the most complete monitoring solution for systems that need to track water, fuel, or holding tank levels alongside electrical data. It connects to the VRM portal and VictronConnect app for full remote monitoring and configuration from anywhere in Canada.
Victron Energy Cerbo-S GX
The Cerbo-S GX is a streamlined version of the Cerbo GX MK2, built around the same dual core processor and dual VE.Can architecture, but without the four tank and four temperature sensor ports. It is the right choice for systems that need full electrical monitoring and VE.Can capacity for up to 25 simultaneously connected VE.Can solar chargers, without the added cost of tank and temperature monitoring hardware.
Victron Energy GX Touch 70
A 7-inch waterproof touchscreen display that connects to a Cerbo GX, Cerbo-S GX, or other GX device via a single cable. The GX Touch 70 provides an instant visual overview of your entire system, including battery state of charge, solar harvest, generator status, and AC input and output, with full touch control for adjusting settings on the spot.
Victron Energy GX Touch 50
A more compact 5-inch waterproof touchscreen display offering the same top-mountable, single-cable installation as the GX Touch 70, suited for smaller dashboards in RVs, boats, and compact off-grid installations.
Victron Energy Smart Battery Sense
The Victron Smart Battery Sense is a wireless Bluetooth sensor that monitors battery voltage and temperature directly at the battery terminals, eliminating voltage drop errors that occur when a charger measures voltage at its own terminals instead of at the battery.
Available at Volts Energies:
- Smart Battery Sense (Long Range, up to 10m), transmits voltage and temperature data wirelessly to compatible Victron chargers and MPPT controllers from up to 10 meters away
This is especially valuable in off-grid cabins, RVs, and marine installations across Canada where the charger and battery bank are not mounted close together, ensuring charge voltage compensation reflects the true battery condition rather than cable voltage drop.
Victron Energy Control Panels
Digital Multi Control 200/200A GX
A remote control panel for Victron MultiPlus and Quattro inverter chargers, allowing on-off control, current limit adjustment, and charger mode switching from a remote location away from the inverter itself. Compatible with GX device integration for full system visibility.
Victron Energy MPPT Control Panel
A remote display panel for Victron SmartSolar and BlueSolar MPPT charge controllers, showing real-time charging status, solar harvest, and battery voltage without requiring a smartphone or GX device nearby.
MidNite Solar Monitoring at Volts Energies
MidNite Solar MNBABYBOX
A compact breaker enclosure designed for MidNite Solar charge controller installations, providing protected housing for control wiring and small breaker components within a MidNite-based off-grid system.
Which Panels and Monitoring System Do You Need?
Do you need full system monitoring including water and fuel tank levels? Choose the Cerbo GX MK2. Its four tank and four temperature ports make it the only GX device in this collection that supports tank level monitoring alongside electrical data.
Do you need full electrical monitoring without tank sensing? Choose the Cerbo-S GX. It delivers the same processing power and VE.Can capacity as the Cerbo GX MK2 at a lower cost for systems that do not require tank monitoring.
Do you want a large dashboard display for your main control area? Choose the GX Touch 70 for a 7-inch screen, or the GX Touch 50 for a more compact 5-inch display suited to RVs and smaller installations.
Is your battery charger mounted far from your battery bank? Choose the Smart Battery Sense Long Range to eliminate voltage drop errors and ensure accurate charge voltage compensation.
Do you need remote control of your MultiPlus or Quattro inverter charger? Choose the Digital Multi Control 200/200A GX panel for remote on-off and current limit control.
Are you running a MidNite Solar charge controller system? Choose the MidNite Solar MNBABYBOX for protected breaker and control wiring housing.
Cerbo GX MK2 vs Cerbo-S GX: Quick Comparison
Cerbo GX MK2
- Dual Core Processor: Yes
- VE.Can Ports: 2 (including 1 isolated port)
- Tank Level Sensor Ports: 4
- Temperature Sensor Ports: 4
- VE.Can Solar Charger Support: Up to 25
- GX Touch Compatible: Yes
- VRM Portal Access: Yes
- Best For: Marine, RV, and off-grid systems with tank and temperature monitoring.
Cerbo-S GX
- Dual Core Processor: Yes
- VE.Can Ports: 2
- Tank Level Sensor Ports: None
- Temperature Sensor Ports: None
- VE.Can Solar Charger Support: Up to 25
- GX Touch Compatible: Yes
- VRM Portal Access: Yes
- Best For: Electrical-only systems that do not require tank or temperature sensor connections.
Why Remote Monitoring Matters for Canadian Off-Grid Systems
For off-grid cabins, farms, and remote properties across Ontario, BC, Alberta, and Northern Canada, physical access can be limited during winter months or extended absences. A Victron GX device connected to the VRM portal allows you to check battery state of charge, solar production, and system alarms from anywhere with an internet connection, catching issues such as low battery voltage or charge controller faults before they become costly problems.
FAQs
What Is The Difference Between The Cerbo GX MK2 And The Cerbo-S GX?
The Cerbo GX MK2 includes four tank level sensor ports and four temperature sensor ports in addition to full electrical monitoring. The Cerbo-S GX shares the same processor and VE.Can capacity but omits the tank and temperature ports, making it a lower-cost option for systems that do not need tank monitoring.
Do I Need A GX Touch Display If I Already Have A Cerbo GX?
No. The Cerbo GX and Cerbo-S GX can be fully monitored and configured through the VictronConnect app or the VRM portal without a physical display. A GX Touch 50 or GX Touch 70 is optional and adds a local on-site dashboard for users who want an at-a-glance overview without a phone or computer.
How Does The Smart Battery Sense Improve Charging Accuracy?
Battery chargers normally measure voltage at their own terminals, which can differ from the actual battery voltage due to cable resistance and voltage drop. The Smart Battery Sense measures voltage and temperature directly at the battery terminals and transmits this data wirelessly via Bluetooth, allowing the charger to compensate accurately for true battery condition.
Can I Monitor My Victron System From My Phone Without A GX Device?
Yes, for individual devices. Smart-series Victron products such as the SmartSolar MPPT and SmartShunt connect directly via Bluetooth to the VictronConnect app. However, a GX device is required to combine multiple devices into a single unified system view and to access the VRM portal for full remote monitoring from anywhere in Canada.
Is The Midnite Solar MNBABYBOX Compatible With Victron Charge Controllers?
The MNBABYBOX is designed specifically for MidNite Solar charge controller installations and breaker configurations. It is not intended for use with Victron SmartSolar or BlueSolar MPPT systems, which use separate Victron-specific WireBox enclosures available in the Accessories collection.
Does Volts Energies Ship Panels And Monitoring Systems Across Canada?
Yes. All panels and monitoring systems ship nationwide across Canada. Free shipping applies on orders over $297.
