How to ‘Lock’ Charing Parameters in VictronConnect

Victron power systems are designed to be installed with the correct settings dialed in and then, for the most part, left alone. You'll notice that Victron inverter/chargers, solar charge controllers, and other smart devices don't have touch displays or buttons on the front to adjust settings on a whim. This intentional design decision protects settings from curious fingers that don’t know precisely what they are doing. 

Victron installers and manufacturers using Victron Energy equipment will appreciate a recent update to VictronConnect that enables the settings to be more secure and less likely to be tampered with. The "Settings Lock" inside VictronConnect, the main app used to program Victron smart devices via Bluetooth, allows installers to lock critical settings for the installed devices to prevent unwanted or accidental changes.

For businesses or equipment manufacturers installing hundreds - or thousands of systems - each year and monitoring them in the field, the ability to lockdown operating parameters and store passwords in one place is a real advantage.

While critical settings become view-only, the owners or end-users of “locked systems” can still access non-critical settings like low-voltage alarms or update firmware. The same real-time and historical data and graphical displays viewable from VictronConnect remain accessible to anyone with the Bluetooth PIN code. 

In an emergency, the user can follow prompts to remove a password and regain full access to the settings. Importantly, the installer can see if passwords are removed or updated. This is especially helpful especially when a system changes ownership; the new camper van owner decided to monkey with the settings and is now blaming you, the original installer, for a poorly functioning or non-operational system.

From our perspective its a liability issue when someone else adjusts settings potentially creating dangerous or performance problems. This shows that someone else has accessed the setting shifts accountability to the owner or their service technician. 

For more information and to begin implementing this into your installation process, follow the steps in the VictronConnect manual here or below: 

To begin implementing this into your installation process, follow the steps in the VictronConnect manual or see below: 

How to lock device settings in VictronConnect:

First, make sure the VictronConnect app and product firmware are up to date.

Step 1 - Go to the lock feature 

• While connected to the given Victron device on Victron Connect, go to the 'Product info' tab of that product. 
• Click on 'Add lock' to start setting the product settings lock.

Step 2 - Choose the password

When you click 'Generate', VictronConnect will suggest a random password. Alternatively, you can enter your own code.

Tips:

• You can use the copy button to copy the password and use it for other Victron products in the same system that you might want to lock with the same password.
• Do not use the same password for all installations.
• The password is automatically stored on the phone and in your VRM user account, so there is no need to worry about losing the phone or tablet.

Step 3 - Confirmation screen

• The product's settings are now locked for other users
• Clicking on 'Close' takes you back to the product

Step 4 - Seeing the settings menu

• Now that the product settings are locked, a lock icon is presented in the top-right corner of the product settings screen.
• Press the lock icon to enter the password and unlock the settings. For more information, see the next section.
• Settings are not editable as long as the product settings are locked.
• Some settings will remain editable by the user. This applies to mostly inconsequential settings and/or relate to user preference.

How to unlock

A user can access the product settings by using the password set for a specific product.

Once the password is entered in VictronConnect, it is stored on the phone and in VRM and does not need to be entered again on whatever device that is logged into the VRM account. The product remains locked for users attempting to make changes from other devices.

Step 1: Obtaining access

• After connecting to a locked product, the lock icon will appear on the upper right of the screen. To unlock the settings, click that icon. 
• Enter the 8-digit password to unlock the settings.
• Clicking on the 'Password lost' link will start the password loss process. VictronConnect first prompts the user to contact the installer. Upon further clicking, the user can remove the password by entering the PUK code or connecting via a VE.Direct cable.
• The 'Lean More' link opens this section in the VictronConnect manual.

Step 2: Access granted

• The lock icon is now open, indicating the settings can be edited.

How to remove the settings lock

The product settings lock can be removed from a product if no longer needed by the installer or via the password lost flow by the end user.

As mentioned above, the password can also be removed using the product PUK code or via a VE.Direct cable.

Step 1: Go to the Product info page

• Remove the product settings lock by clicking on 'Remove lock' at the bottom of the page.

Step 2: Acknowledge the warning

• The user first sees a warning explaining why they should contact the system installer and not remove the lock.
• The warning also states that removing the lock will be noticed by the installer, like removing a tamper seal.
• Find the contact details of your dealer via your product serial number on the Victron Support web pages by clicking on the 'Contact your dealer' link.
• Click on 'Continue' to continue the lock removal process.

Step 3: Enter the password

• The PIN can be used to remove the lock.
• If the password is already known on this device, this step is skipped and the lock is removed directly.
• Alternatively, the user can use the password lost flow to remove the lock via the product PUK code or VE.Direct cable.

Step 4: Confirmation

• The lock is now removed.
• The time and date of when the lock was removed is stored and visible to the user.
• When reconnecting for the first time, the installer will get a warning.

Built-in password manager

In the main VictronConnect menu, there is a new entry called 'Saved product passwords'.

It shows all serial number/password combinations stored on the phone.

When VictronConnect is logged into VRM, these are automatically backed up to the VRM user account and synchronized with your other phones or tablets in case you logged into the same VRM user account.

If you are not connected to the internet while setting up a system, VictronConnect will automatically store them in the background and regularly check for a connection. The sync status is displayed at the top of the page.

View or search all saved passwords for your VRM account in one list.

Easily see and copy the product password to send to colleagues or end-users. Only visible when logged into the installing VRM account.