victron energy GX LTE 4G Modem and GPS User Manual

victron energy GX LTE 4G Modem and GPS

Introduction

General description

The GX LTE 4G is an accessory for GX devices. It is a cellular modem that supports 2G, 3G and 4G technologies. It provides mobile internet for the system and a connection to the Victron Remote Management (VRM) portal. See also the GX LTE product page on our website.

There are multiple models, refer to the table below to see which model best matches the available cellular network bands in your region.

Part number| Name| Region| Used module| Supported LTE bands
---|---|---|---|---
GSM100100400| GX LTE 4G-E| For EMEA (Europe, Middle-East, Africa), Korea, Thailand| SIMCom SIM7600E| 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41
GSM100200400| GX LTE 4G-A| For North America| SIMCom SIM7600A| 2, 4, 12
GSM100300400| GX LTE 4G-SA| For Australia, New Zealand, South America| SIMCom SIM7600SA| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40, 66

For more details, please refer to the SIM7600X Comparison Table.

Features

Built-in GPS receiver

The GX LTE 4G includes a built-in GPS receiver. When the optional active GPS antenna is installed, the system can be tracked as well as geo-fenced on the VRM Portal.

The required accessory part number is GSM900200100 – Active GPS Antenna for GX GSM.

GX compatibility

The GX LTE 4G can be used with any of the GX devices and requires Venus OS v2.60 or newer to be installed on the GX device.

SIM card

It requires a SIM card of the Mini-SIM format.

When to use a mobile router instead

 The GX LTE 4G provides an internet connection for the GX device only. There is no option to share the internet to laptops, phones, or other devices.

For installations where more devices need internet, such as a yacht or RV, consider installing a mobile router instead.

Antennas and accessories

A small indoor LTE antenna is included. Optionally, we also sell an outdoor LTE antenna, which increases the range:

• Part number GSM900100400 – Outdoor 4G GSM Antenna

What’s in the box?

• GX LTE 4G (with integrated USB cable)
• GSM 2G/3G/4G mini rod antenna (for indoor use)
• DC power cable (with inline fuse and terminal block)

Installation and configuration

Installation step-by-step

Follow the steps below to install the GX LTE 4G:

1. Mount the device in a place that is not covered by metal objects. Consider using the optional outdoor antenna when installing the GX LTE 4G in a closed metal enclosure, car, or van to increase the range.
2. Mount the included antenna to the SMA connector labeled LTE.
3. An optional active GPS antenna is screwed onto the SMA connector labeled GPS.
4. Insert the SIM card. You will need to eject the SIM card tray with a pen or other pointy object. Be aware that the SIM card tray sits slightly recessed inside the unit. Be sure to push it all the way in.
5. Connect the GX LTE 4G to the GX device with the supplied USB cable. Use a USB hub if all USB sockets are already in use.
6. Connect the DC power supply (8 to 70 VDC). A 1.4 m cable with M10 cable lugs and a built-in Slow Blow fuse 3.15A 250V, 5x20mm is included. Pay attention to the correct polarity as labeled on the front sticker.
7. After power-up, the blue LED will be solid blue. Once it has registered on a network, the LED will start blinking slowly. Finally, when the internet connection is established, the LED will blink quickly.

Configuration

The GX LTE 4G is configured entirely via the connected GX device.

Setting a SIM-PIN helps reducing the risk of the SIM card being stolen and used. Use a mobile phone to set the SIM-PIN, and thereafter configure it on the GX device as follows:

1. When using a SIM card with its SIM-PIN security disabled, the system will work without further configuration.
   

2. Setting a SIM-PIN helps reducing the risk of the SIM card being stolen and used. Use a mobile phone to set the SIM-PIN, and there after configure it on the GX device as follows:
   Go to Settings → GSM modem → PIN.

3. Enter the same PIN that was previously set in the mobile phone or provided by the network operator.
   

4. Go to Settings → GSM Modem → APN and set the APN name if necessary. Some mobile networks require manual configuration of an APN especially when roaming. Contact your network operator for details.
   

5. If you are installing the GX 4G LTE in an area where you can expect internet coverage to be occasionally disrupted, you should enable the “Reboot device when no contact” option in the GX device’s VRM menu. This will automatically restart the GX device and power cycle the GX if it has failed to transmit data to VRM for the configured time.
   

 Note that if you are leaving internet service coverage areas (such as an RV on the move, or a boat leaving dock to go to sea), then it is recommend to disable this setting, so that your GX is not rebooting itself for no reason. Or set it, for example, to a two hour time-out and accept a reboot every two hours when underway.

Watch this video to learn how to connect via LAN, WiFi and the GX GSM which is the same as the GX LTE: Connecting a Victron GX Device online and setting up a GX GSM

Operation

SIM status

The SIM status is displayed on the GSM overview page on the GX device. The following table shows all possible states and their meaning:

hang out a little.
PIN required| SIM card requires a 4 digit PIN for unlock.
PUK required| SIM is locked due to wrong PIN inputs. 8 digit PUK is required to release the lock state.
SIM failure| SIM does not respond – might be broken.
SIM busy| SIM is in busy state.
SIM wrong| Type of SIM is not supported.

Status Bar

Cellular modem status can be checked at a glance by looking at the status bar.

connection). Possibly on purpose, because an Ethernet or WiFi connection is available.
| Cellular modem is properly configured, the 4G/3G/Edge etc. icon reflects that the cellular modem internet connection is in use and what type of connection is applied.
| WiFi is available and its internet connection is in use. WiFi has priority over cellular connection.
| SIM-PIN code is required.
| Roaming, only informative. To use internet connection while roaming, it needs to be enabled in Settings → GSM modem → Allow roaming.

GPS

When the optional active GPS antenna is added, the position is sent to the VRM portal and also displayed in the GX device as follows:

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting guide

There are many reasons for a modem internet connection to not work. Carefully go through each step of this troubleshooting guide. Make sure to start at the first step. When asking for help, make sure to mention each step taken and the result.

Settings → GSM modem menu.
3| SIM card status| Check the SIM Status in the menu, it must show “Ready”. It will show “SIM not inserted”, or “PIN required”, or “PUK required” and more related errors when there is a problem. Please refer to the SIM status list [6] for details.
4| Signal strength| 1 bar minimum for VRM logging, 2 or 3 bars are necessary for a working remote console. An outdoor antenna typically increases received signal by 15 dB to 25 dB.
5| Carrier registration| Check that a name of a Cellular provider is visible in the “Carrier” field. If it is not, check signal strength and otherwise contact your SIM card provider and/or insert the SIM card in a phone to double check its operation and subscription status.
6| Internet connection| Verify that the Internet shows “Online”. Reasons for the system to not go “Online” whilst properly registered on the Network are:

1. APN not configured, contact the network operator for details.
2. The network is a different one than the home network (ie. roaming), and the setting to permit Roaming is disabled.
3. Signal strength is strong enough to register on the network, but not to open the data connection to the internet.

7| Connection to VRM portal| Verify that the VRM Portal menu shows a recent last connection time. See Settings → VRM Portal. For more details, see the VRM Connection troubleshooting chapter of the GX Manual.

 Note that Ethernet and WiFi connections have priority over the cellular connection. Even when the available Ethernet or WiFi connection does not have a good connection to the internet, there is no automatic detection in place which in such case switches over to the GX GSM. In more technical language: when the cellular data connection is active, it is configured with a high routing metric. This way, the Linux kernel prioritizes Ethernet or Wifi when these are available.

What to do if the GX LTE 4G is not staying connected?

Enable the “Reboot device when no contact” configuration setting in the VRM menu of the GX device. That will reboot the GX (and with it the GX GSM) automatically if the internet connection is not available. See also the configuration chapter [4] for more details.

Technical data

Technical data

GX LTE 4G| GSM100100400 | GSM100200400 | GSM100300400
---|---
Supply voltage range| 8 – 70VDC
Power draw| 2.5W while 2G/3G/4G data transfer <1.0W in idle mode +0.4W if GPS is enabled
Operating temperature range| -40 +50°C (-40 – 120°F)
Power cable (included)| 1.4m cable with inline fuse holder, terminal block and 10mm ring terminals
Inline fuse (included)| T3.15A250V
COMMUNICATION
USB communication port| Fixed 1.0m cable with USB-A connector (connects to the GX device)
LTE antenna connector| Type SMA Female (optional 4G outdoor antenna GSM900100400)
GPS antenna connector| Type SMA Female (optional GPS antenna GSM900200100)
GNSS| GPS/Beidou/GLONASS/GALILEO/QZSS
SIM card| Regular Mini SIM (supports both 1.8V and 3V)
Data transmission (max. Download/Upload)| LTE Cat-1: 10 Mbps / 5 Mbps 3G (HSPA+): 42 Mbps / 5.76 Mbps
2G (EDGE): 236.8 Kbps / 236.8 Kbps
2G (GPRS): 85.6 Kbps / 85.6 Kbps
Status indicator| Blue LED
INSTALLATION & DIMENSIONS
Dimensions (l x w x h)| 106 × 42.5 × 22mm
Weight| 0.08kg (0.177lbs)
Wire gauge (power cable)| 0.5..1.5mm2 / AWG 28..16 or use supplied power cable
Recommended fuse size| 500mA @ 12V / 250mA @ 24V / 100mA @ 48V or use supplied inline fuse
STANDARDS
Safety| EN 60335-1 / EN 60335-2-29 / EN 62368-1
Emission / Immunity| ECE R10-5
QM| EN 9001:2015

Appendix

Accessory / Antennas

Outdoor 2G and 3G GSM Antenna

This antenna can be used with the GX LTE 4G, for 2G, 3G as well as 4G bands.

Outdoor 4G GSM Antenna

This antenna is optimized for 4G frequency bands and as such will have slightly better reception on the 4G network. It can be used with the GX LTE 4G for 2G, 3G and 4G bands.

If the 2G/3G variant does not provide sufficient signal quality in an installation, the solution is to contact a local GSM antenna provider. All the necessary information, including a link to the cellular modem (Sitcom) used, can be found in this manual.

Active GPS Antenna

Notes regarding regional coverage

A good reference to check frequencies is 4G world Coverage Map. Note that the page also contains 2G and 3G information,
which is on its GSM World Coverage link on the top.

Dimensions

Warranty

Five year limited warranty

This limited warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship in this product and lasts for five years from the date of original purchase of this product.

The customer must return the product together with the receipt of purchase to the point of purchase.

This limited warranty does not cover damage, deterioration or malfunction resulting from alteration, modification, improper or unreasonable use or misuse, neglect, exposure to excess moisture, fire, improper packing, lightning, power surges, or other acts of nature.

This limited warranty does not cover damage, deterioration or malfunction resulting from repairs attempted by anyone unauthorized by Victron Energy to make such repairs.

Victron Energy is not liable for any consequential damages arising from the use of this product.

The maximum liability of Victron Energy under this limited warranty shall not exceed the actual purchase price of the product.

rev 01 01/2023 This manual is also available in HTML5

References

• GX LTE 4G - Victron Energy
• SIM card format and size comparison | Comparison tables - SocialCompare
• SIM7600X Module 4G Wireless Solutions | SIMCom Wireless Solutions Co.,Ltd.
• Victron GX product range [Victron Energy]
• 12. VRM Portal
• GX LTE 4G manual
• 4G map LTE World Coverage Map - LTE WiMAX HSPA 3G GSM Country List

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