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ticki2's avatar
ticki2
Explorer
Jan 27, 2021

Victron BMS 712 ?

In the victron 712 data sheet it states storage temperature from -20C to 50C . Where I live it gets a lot colder than -20C = -4F . I have called a distributor and they have no clue . Anyone have any insight as to what happens below -20C . Thanks

18 Replies

  • Just remember, they are delivered in trucks that aren't heated. It will be fine. Mine is on my third winter, and I just checked it last weekend, and it works fine.

    That goes for both the batteries and the Victron.
  • ticki2 wrote:
    Let me paint a better picture . The camper is stored outdoors for the winter . Temperatures will fall below -4 F many times , including the camper interior . The 3 stage converter is plugged in 24/7 to keep batteries charged to prevent freezing . So my question is how will that senarrio affect the Victron


    Hi,

    No need to float the batteries. Charge them for a week. Disconnect. Charge them 1 day per week there after.

    I have no problems with any of my RV electrics at -37 c (-34 f)
  • 3_tons's avatar
    3_tons
    Explorer III
    The parameter may have more to do with battery behavior (chemical sluggishness temporarily affecting accuracy) than the meter itself - I would not overthink it... The BMV 712 is outstanding, you’ll have no regrets.

    3 tons
  • You won't get definite clarification as the testing in lower temperatures in all likelihood simply hasn't been performed.

    It would most likely be fine. I'd be far more worried about other equipment in subzero temperatures than anything in a BMV-712.
  • Let me paint a better picture . The camper is stored outdoors for the winter . Temperatures will fall below -4 F many times , including the camper interior . The 3 stage converter is plugged in 24/7 to keep batteries charged to prevent freezing . So my question is how will that senarrio affect the Victron
  • Components are only tested to specific temperature ranges, and will likely continue to work for a reasonable amount of skew outside of those ranges. Since the BMV-712 is a solid state device, it would likely continue to monitor far below that threshold. I would expect that the display and control buttons would be the first things to fail as temperatures fall. At some point, of course, the entire device would cease to work. In my anecdotal experience, displays don't always come back from subzero temperatures, but most other solid state components will once warmed up.

    The more important question here is what part of the BMV-712 is going to be exposed to such temps? The shunt, I imagine, would function perfectly fine well into the negative temperatures, which is the part that needs to be located near your batteries. The display could be located inside the camper, where additional insulation and the fact that it might be heated comes into play. In that case, I'd be much more worried about your television ceasing to work than I'd be of the BMV.

    And finally, it's worth mentioning that if your batteries are inside a bay door of the camper, it's likely a little warmer than the outside temperature in there.