victron energy GSM100100100 GX GSM Modem and GPS Accessory for GX Devices User Manual

: June 5, 2024
: victron energy

Table of Contents

Victron energy GSM100100100 GX GSM Modem and GPS Accessory for GX Devices
Introduction
Antennas and accessories
Installation
Conﬁguration
GPS
Status
Troubleshooting
Supported Frequencies (2G/3G)
Technical Data
Accessory / Antennas
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

Victron energy GSM100100100 GX GSM Modem and GPS Accessory for GX Devices

victron-energy-GSM100100100-GX-GSM-Modem-and-GPS-Accessory-for-GX-Devices-
PRODUCT

Introduction

Product description

The GX GSM is an accessory for GX-devices. It is a cellular 2G and 3G modem; providing a mobile internet for the system and connection to Victron Remote Management (VRM) portal.
It requires a SIM card of the Mini-SIM format; and connects to the GX-device with an included 1m USB cable.
See also the GX GSM Product Page.
Video explaining how to connect using LAN, WiFi, and the GX GSM:

Antennas and accessories

GSM: A small indoor GSM antenna is included. As an option we also sell an outdoor GSM antenna:
GSM900100100 – Outdoor 2G and 3G GSM Antenna for GX GSM
GPS: The unit has a built-in GPS receiver. An antenna is not included; to use the GPS received; purchase the GPS Antenna.
GSM900200100 – Active GPS Antenna for GX GSM
See bottom of this manual for photos and specs of both antennas.

Compatibility

The GX GSM can be used with any of the GX Devices.
The GX GSM requires Venus OS v2.22 or newer to be installed on the GX Device.
1.4 When to use a mobile router instead
The GX GSM 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. More information here.

Installation

Mount the device and connect the antenna. Consider using the outdoor antenna when installing the GX GSM in a closed metal enclosure.
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.
Connect the GX GSM to the GX-device with the supplied USB cable. Use a USB hub if all USB sockets are already in use.
Connect DC power supply (8 to 70 VDC). A 1.4M wire is included, with M10 lugs and an inline fuse.
After power-up, the blue LED will be solid blue. Next, once it has registered on a network, it will start blinking slowly. Finally, when it has established the internet connection, it will be blinking fast.

Conﬁguration

victron-energy-GSM100100100-GX-GSM-Modem-and-GPS-Accessory-
for-GX-Devices-FIG-2

When using a SIM card with its SIM-pin security disabled, the system will work without further conﬁguration.
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.
Settings → GSM modem → PIN code victron-energy-GSM100100100-GX-GSM-Modem-and-
GPS-Accessory-for-GX-Devices-FIG-3
Some mobile networks require manual conﬁguration of an APN specially when roaming. Contact your operator.
APN name can be conﬁgured in Settings → GSM Modem → APN. victron-energy-
GSM100100100-GX-GSM-Modem-and-GPS-Accessory-for-GX-Devices-
FIG-4

Automatic recovery when disconnected
When installing the GX GSM, or GX 4G LTE in an area that you expect continuous internet coverage, you should enable the “Reboot device when no contact” option in the VRM menu of the GX device. This will automatically reboot the GX device, as well as power cycle the GX GSM, when the transmission of data to VRM has failed 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.

GPS

When the optional antenna is added; the position will be visible like this : victron-energy-GSM100100100-GX-GSM-Modem-and-GPS-Accessory-for-GX-Devices-
FIG-6
Also the position is sent to the VRM Portal.

Status

Status Bar
GSM modem status can be checked at a glance by looking at the status bar.

Icon	Details
GSM modem is connected to network, but not to the internet (no data

connection). Either on purpose, because an ethernet or WiFi connection is available.
| GSM modem is properly conﬁgured, the 3G/E/etc icon reﬂects that the GSM modem internet connection is in use.
| WiFi is available and its internet connection is in use. WiFi has priority over GSM.
| 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.

SIM Status

Status	Description
Ready	SIM card is installed properly and registered to the network
SIM not inserted	SIM card is missing or not inserted properly. SIM tray might

hang out a little.
PIN required| SIM card requires 4 digit PIN for unlock.
Status| Description
---|---
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

Troubleshooting

There are many reasons for 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.

Step	Details
1	Power
2	USB connection

Settings → GSM modem menu

3

|

Simcard 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 for details.
4| Signal strength| 1 bar is minimum for VRM logging, 2 or 3 bars are necessary for a working remote console

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 simcard provider and/or insert the simcard 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.

An outdoor antenna typically increases received signal by 15 dB to 25 dB.
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 prioritises Ethernet or Wiﬁ when these are available. This screenshot shows how all details look when everything is OK: victron-energy-GSM100100100-GX-GSM-Modem-and-GPS-Accessory-
for-GX-Devices-FIG-7

What to do if the GX GSM 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.

Supported Frequencies (2G/3G)

Available models & their supported frequency bands

GSM100100100 – GX GSM 900/2100:
- 2G (GSM/GPRS/EDGE): 850/900/1800/1900 MHz (Quad-Band)
- 3G (UMTS/HSPA+): 900/2100 MHz (Dual-Band)
- The used GSM module is a Simcom SIM5360E.
GSM100200100 – GX GSM 850/1900:
- 2G (GSM/GPRS/EDGE): 850/900/1800/1900 MHz (Quad-Band) – same between both models.
- 3G (UMTS/HSPA+): 850/1900 MHz (Dual-Band)
- The used GSM module is the Simcom SIM5360A.
- Expected in ﬁrst stock in 2020 Q3.
- And only short-lived; since its successor, the GX LTE 4G, having 2G/3G and also 4G support is also coming soon.

Notes regarding regional coverage
USA, Mexico, Canada, and most of South America: 1900 MHz is the most common frequency for 3G, which is unsupported for the current version of GX GSM. But a second model is coming in 2020, see above.
Australia: The 900MHz 3G frequency in remote areas is typically provided by Optus. Telstra’s rural 3G network operates at 850MHz which is not supported by the current version of GX GSM. Both Telstra and Optus operate 2100Mhz networks in urban areas and are supported.
In case of uncertainty please double-check: GSM World Coverage Map

Technical Data

Outer dimensions (LxWxH)| 106×42.5×22 mm (Drawing)
---|---
Voltage range| 8..70 VDC

Power draw

| 2.5 W while 2G/3G data transfer

<1.0 W in idle mode

+0.4 W if GPS is enabled

Recommended fuse size

| 500 mA @ 12 V

250 mA @ 24 V

100 mA @ 48 V

Wire gauge (power cable)| 0.5..1.5mm² / AWG 28..16
Antenna connector| Type SMA Female
SIM card| Regular Mini SIM

Accessory / Antennas

Outdoor 2G and 3G GSM Antenna

Part number	GSM900100100
Mounting option	Screw Mount
Cable Type	Rg-316
Cable Length	0.25 m
Connector	SMA Male Straight
Frequencies	800/900/1800/1900/2100 MHz
Signal Gain	3 dbi