Victron EnergyVE.Direct Smart Dongle (Bluetooth) - Wireless Monitoring for BMV & MPPT - Compatible with iOS & Android via VictronConnect App

I attached this to my Victron Inverter. It connects via blue tooth to the FREE Victron app on your cell phone. My install only transmits about 15 feet through my Aluminum Airstream walls and then an exterior wall on my house. You need this wirelessly adjust your inverter alarms and other settings. It's great for monitoring the inverter status and showing how much power individual A/C devices are drawing, the total draw, and how much room you have to spare before you over load the inverter. NOTE: This should be used if your Victron device doesn't have built in Bluetooth AND there is a port on the device to plug it to.

Surprisingly this little until really does boost the signal. For my purpose seems to boost it to about 30'.

I bought this to go with the 12/375 inverter because I wanted to be able to play with the eco mode (which requires a dongle - either USB or Bluetooth - to configure).While for my current purposes the eco mode isn't going to be usable, I'm still happy I got the dongle because I can easily verify that the system is working as expected (ie, I'm not draining the battery too far, and the load is still there in a reasonable range) just by checking my phone.I could say that $50 for a BT dongle is pricey.. and yeah it is. I was thinking that they could've just as easily put a USB outlet on the inverter, right? TBH though the inverter isn't "smart" so you can't just throw a USB port on it; this dongle is more than just a BT interface - it's BT *plus* the smarts to measure the load and voltages as well as provide the app an interface over that BT.Regardless, the inverter didn't cost an arm and a leg and being able to get the info so easily semi-remotely (I can use the app from more than 50' away) makes this quite worthwhile.

Plugs in a victron an works really goodWas a bit hard to fig out though

When you don’t have a smart solar charger, this is the next best thing to read and adjust perimeter’s on the charger. Easy install and I think the Bluetooth range is a little farther than my smart solar charger. Which isn’t much, but every foot counts.

Why only 4 stars you ask? I’m annoyed that I even need this in the first place. It works great, decent range, and connects easily and quickly. I wish it output more information from my 12/500 phoenix, but overall I’m happy and annoyed.

This is Victrons way of making up for a crappy on board BT unit. I rate this module 5 stars because it works well. For $10 more than the Renogy module which is overpriced in its own right.

This bluetooth dongle is required in order to set up some of Victron Energy's lower priced devices, including the BlueSolar MPPT Solar Charge Controller. The dongle is plugged in, then using the Victron app on, for instance, an iPhone, a bluetooth connection is made to the device and current state information is then displayed and configuration parameters can be accessed.Without the dongle, only a few configuration options are available; it is a necessity if the default settings are not what is needed. The dongle can be removed after configuration is complete, and connected to another device as necessary. This has the benefit of securing the settings as made and preventing inadvertent or malicious changes made by others.The price of the dongle is reasonable, and the total cost of it and the controller combined is competitive. I'm happy with Victron products, including this one.