Battery monitor question

[tim1970]

I am about to replace my battery with 4 6 volt batteries. (I have another post with some other questions about this)

When I do this, I plan on adding a Victron battery monitor. It looks like it will be an easy install with just adding a shunt on the ground wire.

My question is about how it functions. I know it will tell me pretty much everything I need to know when I am unplugged and relying on battery power. However, will it be able to tell me how much power is being consumed when I am plugged in? Is there anything useful that it will tell me, or is it only for times I am not hooked to power?

Is this a decent monitor? I am open for other recommendations if you think there is a better option. However, it must be simple to install.

Thanks

[dieseltruckdriv]

Dredging up an older thread, I ended up buying the Victron BMV700. I like Bluetooth stuff, but don't need it while in the 5er. Ulitmately I used much scientific input, research on the subject,and testimonials to decide. Actually it came down to asking the DW which one she would rather look at, and she chose. 😉 Installation was very simple, easier than my last 5er, and I also added a couple group 31 AGMs, but haven't tested them out yet.

[Cydog15]

hedge wrote:

Cydog15 wrote:
Somebody please tell me how blue tooth works when I walk past the end of my awning and get out of range. It this just for sitting in my recliner drinking a beer and counting flowers on the wall? It don't bother me at all but why do I want to look at a phone app 10 feet from the monitor and how is that helpful, seriously.

You seem to have some axe to grind about bluetooth for some reason, maybe you don't find it useful but many do.

Bluetooth range is much more than 10 feet, I can use around the entire campsite. I can also attach while in the house with my RV parked outside.

I researched both before I purchased and am satisfied that I made the right choice.

I guess I don't have an axe to grind with Bluetooth, I just can't find it helpful in the campsite when it's right there to look at. Now if I go 4 wheeling, fishing, hunting, or leave the rig for an extended period, it makes sense and granted I have a hot spot or or some way to get internet most places I go or store and more in the last few years than ever. Yes, there are a few dead spots out there, I get it.

[hedge]

Cydog15 wrote:
Somebody please tell me how blue tooth works when I walk past the end of my awning and get out of range. It this just for sitting in my recliner drinking a beer and counting flowers on the wall? It don't bother me at all but why do I want to look at a phone app 10 feet from the monitor and how is that helpful, seriously.

You seem to have some axe to grind about bluetooth for some reason, maybe you don't find it useful but many do.

Bluetooth range is much more than 10 feet, I can use around the entire campsite. I can also attach while in the house with my RV parked outside.

I researched both before I purchased and am satisfied that I made the right choice.

[red31]

Cydog15, my ole phone could talk to my CC (detached garage wall) from my kitchen window, it was more than 10'. Displaying the history after being away for some time confirmed it was working and if it hit 14.4v daily or not. The history is not available from the front screen. With newer phone I need to go to the back door and step just outside to talk to the CC, still over 10'. I find it useful but understand you may not esp if you limit it to 10' or not interested in any of the other features.

[Cydog15]

Do your own thinking. These cats are salesmen. I'd listen to guys like bestconverter that will actually talk to you. And that ability to equalize is cool.

[Cydog15]

Somebody please tell me how blue tooth works when I walk past the end of my awning and get out of range. It this just for sitting in my recliner drinking a beer and counting flowers on the wall? It don't bother me at all but why do I want to look at a phone app 10 feet from the monitor and how is that helpful, seriously.

[hedge]

Here is a screenshot from the Victron app. I don't have a Victron controller but I believe you can use the same app with their newer controllers.



I don't think it was mentioned yet but another advantage of the Victron is the wiring harness it comes with to wire up the shunt, it's completely idiot proof and plug and play.

[time2roll]

Yes batteries may not be fully 100% charged while in use but if I see 14.6 at some point I know I am good to go for a day or two. Time at 14.6 depends on start voltage allowing for 2 hours while in use or 5 minutes in storage. I am not concerned about total depth of discharge or counting amp/hrs.

[Cydog15]

time2roll wrote:

Cydog15 wrote:
I find it funny how there is always about 4-5 of the same people that camp like Daniel Boone making decisions for folks that want simple battery monitoring or solar charging. Same with solar panels. Nobody else will post because they will get attacked and ridiculed like there is only the one option. Most ironic is the they seem to be vendors and get cuts of the recommendations it appears.

Not sure what that means but here is my monitor for the 4x GC2 and solar:

I like that. You must be in boosting. That seems high for normal use unless it's just that time to give them hell for a few hours ha

[time2roll]

Cydog15 wrote:
I find it funny how there is always about 4-5 of the same people that camp like Daniel Boone making decisions for folks that want simple battery monitoring or solar charging. Same with solar panels. Nobody else will post because they will get attacked and ridiculed like there is only the one option. Most ironic is the they seem to be vendors and get cuts of the recommendations it appears.

Not sure what that means but here is my monitor for the 4x GC2 and solar:

[Cydog15]

I find it funny how there is always about 4-5 of the same people that camp like Daniel Boone making decisions for folks that want simple battery monitoring or solar charging. Same with solar panels.

[grizzzman]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi grizzzman,

No, I don't own an amp-hour counter of any kind. I already made that clear in the thread, so do read all the posts. I don't need to own one to know that the Victron is better, cheaper and smaller than the Trimetric.

I spent considerably more that the cost of an amp-hour counter on a watt meter device I find more useful. I do monitor instantaneous amps and voltage. I have the watt meter set up so I can know what to reimburse folks when they are kind enough to offer me a shore power connection. It tells me what my peak load is (7000 watts in the winter)

grizzzman wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
dieseltruckdriver,

The Trimetric doesn't do much more than the vanilla amp-hour counter that you had before.

Do you own one?

So the answer to my question is no

[BFL13]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi red31,

Great Link and an interesting read.

red31 wrote:
https://marinehowto.com/programming-a-battery-monitor/

Yes! I like how he shows the %SOC reading is bogus in so many ways.

IMO he could have suggested cross-checking the AH count with the "morning voltage" for reasonableness, which is one of my big things.

The voltage/SOC tables are for "resting" and in theory are no good while camping, but in real life, with very low loads, they are a good indicator of how things are going. The "morning voltage" isn't that far off if you are consistent in taking it with the same low loads.

If the AH count (down from your own idea of full) suggests you are near 75% SOC and the voltage suggests you are near 50% SOC, that is a Clue! 🙂 The counter may be wrong, or you may have a load running you didn't know about. (I have found the converter left on when on inverter that way 😞 )

[pianotuna]

Hi red31,

Great Link and an interesting read.

red31 wrote:
https://marinehowto.com/programming-a-battery-monitor/