Originally posted by ncitro
View Post
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Victron Battery Monitors or Others - Why Do I need One?
Collapse
X
-
2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.
- Likes 1
-
Originally posted by Yoda View Post
Just hold on Neil - I have a better idea. Why don't we all leave the snow behind, load up the tools and boondoc on the beach and help Vivian out? A remote island in the sun sound good right now?
Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.
Neil Citro
2018 Reflection 28BH Pepwave
2019 F350 6.7L Long Bed Crew Cab
Comment
-
Originally posted by ncitro View Post
I do like that plan but all my tools and my shop are here lol.
Been watching a ton of how to install battery monitor videos. I think this will be my first step to determine which way to go for my power needs. This one was my favorite easy to understand video.
https://youtu.be/tObHbsSDWeQVivian
2018 Reflection 303rls
Ford F-350 diesel long bed 4 x 4 SRW
Demco Recon
Comment
-
Originally posted by Beachcamper View Post
Thank you Neil, I would take you up on the offer but in the summer or fall. Never been in snow so might be dangerous driving up there pulling the 303 As Yoda mentioned, it’s much nicer down here right now
Been watching a ton of how to install battery monitor videos. I think this will be my first step to determine which way to go for my power needs. This one was my favorite easy to understand video.
https://youtu.be/tObHbsSDWeQ
Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.
Neil Citro
2018 Reflection 28BH Pepwave
2019 F350 6.7L Long Bed Crew Cab
- Likes 1
Comment
-
Beachcamper
Vivian
I hope your "secluded island" is rather large as I can see a long convoy of GD'ers coming your way.
BrianBrian & Michelle
2018 Reflection 29RS
2022 Chevy 3500HD
Comment
-
Originally posted by Country Campers View PostBeachcamper
Vivian
I hope your "secluded island" is rather large as I can see a long convoy of GD'ers coming your way.
Brian
Vivian
2018 Reflection 303rls
Ford F-350 diesel long bed 4 x 4 SRW
Demco Recon
- Likes 1
Comment
-
Back to the serious work of ordering a battery monitor. I looked at the Victron and the Renogy monitors. Also looked at Alli for the mid range cost. In the Victron offering the cheapest is the BMV 700 as it does not have the Bluetooth dongle. I honestly don’t believe I need this feature with my 2 100 ah AGM 12 volt batteries and no solar other than a portable 100 watt suitcase and future purchase of a small generator. Looking at the champion dual fuel to use with propane. Unless I am wrong and would benefit with monitoring from phone. What would be great is an alarm to let me know when I am at 50% capacity which is really what I care about. Not taking batteries below 50%.
https://www.amazon.com/Victron-Energ...ci_mcx_mr_hp_d
For you gurus based on my setup, would you still get the Victron or go with the cheaper Alli? Still need to buy the stranded cable another $15 and would need to get a 1/0 AWG negative cable to go from battery to shunt for both units.
https://www.amazon.com/AiLi-Voltmete..._t2_B084M2XYK4
Last edited by Beachcamper; 01-31-2021, 10:45 AM.Vivian
2018 Reflection 303rls
Ford F-350 diesel long bed 4 x 4 SRW
Demco Recon
Comment
-
Originally posted by Beachcamper View PostB I honestly don’t believe I need this feature with my 2 100 ah AGM 12 volt batteries and no solar other than a portable 100 watt suitcase and future purchase of a small generator. Looking at the champion dual fuel to use with propane. Unless I am wrong and would benefit with monitoring from phone. What would be great is an alarm to let me know when I am at 50% capacity which is really what I care about. Not taking batteries below 50%.
https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/..._glass_mat_agm
Jim
Jim and Ginnie
2024 Solitude 310GK - 2020 F350 Dually
GDRV Technical Forum Moderator
GDRV Rally Support Coordinator
- Likes 1
Comment
-
Beachcamper
Vivian,
The Victron SmartShunt would be high quality at a lower cost and would have BlueTooth to set alarms for notifications and other functions.
https://www.amazon.com/Victron-Smart...32901260&psc=1
Jim
- Likes 1
Comment
-
Jim, I am looking at Lifeline AGM and they mention only taking them down to 50%. But I have also seen other material stating 80%. Still on the fence between going lithium or AGM just can’t justify the cost.
This was cut and paste from Lifeline website: What depth of discharge should be used when sizing a battery?
To get the best cycle life, the average depth of discharge should be as low as possible. Concorde recommends the average depth of discharge to be no greater than 50% of the battery’s 20 hour rating.
Vivian
2018 Reflection 303rls
Ford F-350 diesel long bed 4 x 4 SRW
Demco Recon
Comment
-
Originally posted by MidwestCamper View PostBeachcamper
Vivian,
The Victron SmartShunt would be high quality at a lower cost and would have BlueTooth to set alarms for notifications and other functions.
https://www.amazon.com/Victron-Smart...32901260&psc=1
Jim
Is this to be used with the Aili or Victron only? That alarm function is a plus and not having to bring the actual monitor into the living space is becoming more palatable. I was looking at how to wire the Aili to living room from front bay. It would not be impossible but it’s quite the mission to get wires to convenience center and then drilling the holes to flush mount the monitor.
Vivian
2018 Reflection 303rls
Ford F-350 diesel long bed 4 x 4 SRW
Demco Recon
Comment
-
The BMV700 is a Victron unit without Bluetooth. The BMV712 has Bluetooth where you can program (easy to do) and monitor your battery usage and set low limits to monitor charge intervals and more. The latest version is whats referred to as a SmartShunt where you have all the same features as the BMV712 such as Bluetooth and the Victron Connect App but without the control head. This is a good option since you do not have to bore a hole to mount the gauge with the SmartShunt unit. The Victron Connect App gives you all the information you need right on your smart phone.
Everything you need is provided with the Victron Smartshunt. You will need to install the device which would involve some minor modifications to your negative battery cable.
Jim
Comment
-
Originally posted by Beachcamper View Post
Is this to be used with the Aili or Victron only? That alarm function is a plus and not having to bring the actual monitor into the living space is becoming more palatable. I was looking at how to wire the Aili to living room from front bay. It would not be impossible but it’s quite the mission to get wires to convenience center and then drilling the holes to flush mount the monitor.
Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.
Neil Citro
2018 Reflection 28BH Pepwave
2019 F350 6.7L Long Bed Crew Cab
Comment
-
Originally posted by Beachcamper View PostJim, I am looking at Lifeline AGM and they mention only taking them down to 50%. But I have also seen other material stating 80%. Still on the fence between going lithium or AGM just can’t justify the cost.
This was cut and paste from Lifeline website: What depth of discharge should be used when sizing a battery?
To get the best cycle life, the average depth of discharge should be as low as possible. Concorde recommends the average depth of discharge to be no greater than 50% of the battery’s 20 hour rating.
The initial price of a lithium is high, but cost of ownership is extremely competitive if not superior IMHO. Consider the long term per amp-hour delivered along with the fantastic recharge rate of a lithium. Yes, a new converter will probably be required, too, but that's easy to swap out in your 303. I sound like a salesman (sorry!) but I'm convinced that a Battle Born, Victron BMV-712 battery monitor (or SmartShunt), and a lithium-capable converter is a fantastic system for our trailers.Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.
Howard & Francine
2017 Ford F-350 DRW, '19 315RLTSPlus
Comment
Comment