StirCrazy wrote:
your first mistake was spending to much on a battery monitor and leaving a WFCO in your unit ;) just kidding, well not realy. I always make a new converter of my choosing (usaly a PD varient) part of the deal to purchase. as for the victron, I did want Bluetooth, history, or anything.. I wanted to know how much battery was left as the 1991 cmper had nothing to indicate battery state of charge or anything. it has all the same readouts as the comparable victron at the time minus the hystory feature and one other one I cant think off... oh ya It hours to dead at the current draw, who cares realy about that.. no bluetooth when I got it and I spent 32 bucks CDN so 2.99 US haha and the 501 victro was over 200 CDN.
plus I believe the original poster asked for the simplest not the most expensive, but that could just be how I read it.
When our batteries died I cared about finding out why. The Ali wouldn't have told me, so how many batteries would have been destroyed before finding the problem? The 712 told me the issue, whereas the Aili would have been a waste of money. Until you need history you won't understand.
You're correct he did ask for "the most basic and inexpensive monitor?"
profdant139 wrote:
In your opinion, which is the most basic and inexpensive monitor?
But he also said,
profdant139 wrote:
Thanks in advance for your advice and expertise!
I don't consider the Aili a worthwhile monitor. Plus I gave "advice" knowing the difference between the Aili and the SmartShunt since I have "expertise" with the SmartShunt, and have a friend with the Aili.
profdant139 is much more informed and has other options because 2oldman, FWC, and I expanded on the choices. A forum gives those options. It was forum advice that separated realtime meters from historical monitors that provide considerably more help finding problems. By being able to immediately find our 21v charging issue we paid for that piddling extra cost many times over.
Enjoy,
Perry
