Battery Monitors - Victron BMV-712 or AiLi Battery Monitor

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by MyronL

Began reading this thread on battery monitors and thinking maybe I should get one. I have the two 6 volt batteries and 200 watts of solar power, and we rarely use shore power when we camp.

Monitors are very practical, though they seem to be a bit pricey. I should get one. Then my brain freeze thawed out. Some years back when I invested in solar I chose the SunSaverDuo solar controller made by Morningstar. It’s in the tongue box a foot from my batteries.

I have the SSD-25RM, $154 with the optional Remote Meter. Now I don’t even think about it. A wire from the controller runs to the remote, kept up on a shelf inside the trailer. Its LED buttons tell me the battery voltage status, solar input, it has a temperature sensor, and probably other stuff I also forgot about.

Myron years ago AM Solar talked to me when I was thinking about solar . The first item I was told to put was a battery meter . He said you need to see and know what your batteries are really doing . I installed the Victron . Reason I can see on my iPhone and iPad from inside the house using Bluetooth . So I did and the later did the solar . On utube there is a fellow named Casey and his install on his 2015 , 19 ft . I only purchased the 700 not the 712 . The 712 does have more features but I was happy with the 700 . Pat

[sklein]

We will be getting our new E17B in December and are planning on installing a Victron BMV-712 after delivery. ETI will run the RJ-12 cable during the build process so we need to figure out where we will place the shunt intercepting the negative return side of the batteries. We are also planning on installing solar charge controllers after delivery. ETI is routing the roof-mount MC4 and Zamp cables to terminate under the passenger-side rear dinette bench, which is where they say the charge controller normally goes. However, I believe the power center is mounted under the driver-side rear dinette bench. This seems to create a situation where there isn't a single negative return point for the 12 volt wiring.

Any suggestions as to where the shunt should be mounted, and whether we have the correct "lay of the land" would be much appreciated!

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by sklein

We will be getting our new E17B in December and are planning on installing a Victron BMV-712 after delivery. ETI will run the RJ-12 cable during the build process so we need to figure out where we will place the shunt intercepting the negative return side of the batteries. We are also planning on installing solar charge controllers after delivery. ETI is routing the roof-mount MC4 and Zamp cables to terminate under the passenger-side rear dinette bench, which is where they say the charge controller normally goes. However, I believe the power center is mounted under the driver-side rear dinette bench. This seems to create a situation where there isn't a single negative return point for the 12 volt wiring.

Any suggestions as to where the shunt should be mounted, and whether we have the correct "lay of the land" would be much appreciated!

We mounted our shunt on top of the battery box cover using velcro (no drilled holes). It's in a place you'll never use, is up out of the way, yet easy to access, and always stays where it belongs.

Enjoy,

Perry

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Perryb67

We mounted our shunt on top of the battery box cover using velcro (no drilled holes). It's in a place you'll never use, is up out of the way, yet easy to access, and always stays where it belongs.

Perry: Doesn’t the batteries being outside on the bumper on a 17 complicate the issue?

[Vermilye]

A fairly new offer from Victron is the Smart Shunt. It is less expensive than the 712, and does not require making a hole to mount the meter. There is no meter - it uses Bluetooth to communicate with your phone.

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Perry: Doesn’t the batteries being outside on the bumper on a 17 complicate the issue?

Yes. As happens quite often I ass u me.

Enjoy,

Perry

[flynfrfun]

I put the shunt for my BMV-712 on the side of the battery box. I chose the side between the spare tire and the battery box to make it less visible. I used a small plastic electrical box from the hardware store with a sealable lid.

The bluetooth works great in my tow vehicle so I can see how long it takes to recharge the batteries while on the road. It's nice to know if your batteries are charged all the way up by the time you get to your destination (if you are not using hookups).

I really like the idea of the smart shunt Jon referenced above. I find that I don't need to stare at the monitor very often. I usually only need an occasional "curiosity" check which the bluetooth would be great for. The only thing I would like to know is if it's bluetooth range would be as good since it will be mounted down low wherever the batteries are. In the case of the 17B that would be at the back bumper which would increase the distance to the tow vehicle.

[sklein]

I looked at the SmartShunt and that does simplify the installation, but I like not having to pull out my phone (plus the range issue) so I'm tending towards the BMV-712. The question of the mounting location still remains.

Anyone know what is attached to the most-negative terminal of the batteries on the E17B? Sounds like there is a frame ground and a cable to the power center under the driver-side rear dinette bench. Any others?

[75thRanger]

Along with some other things I've decided to do to my electrical system, I've decided to look at the Victron battery monitor. I desperately need this device( yeah, right), Of course, need got absolutely nothing to do with it.

Seems a straight forward install but what I'm wondering is the cable size to the battery neg from the shunt battery side. I have the ETI installed Inverter and can cut the inverter cable and connect it from the battery to the battery side of the shunt.

Then connect all negs(2) to the load side of the shunt. Question is, is the present size inverter cable large enough for this?

I don't know the inverter cable size and it's difficult for me to read the cable. That stuff is wrapped tighter then my Daddy's Wallet.

[sklein]

ETI just told me the only connection to the negative side of the battery is the frame ground and that the "converter box" is also grounded to the frame -- no cable to the battery.

Is the negative on the ETI-installed inverter connected directly to the battery or also to the frame?

[Effie]

In my e19 I installed the shunt in a sealed electrical box mounted on the back of one of the battery boxes. Bought a ready made 18" 2/0 AWG cable for connection to the battery.

[Effie]

In my e19 the inverter's negative was connected directly to the battery, I don't think it's a good practice to use the trailer's frame for this connection.

[sklein]

I agree it is definitely not a good practice to run large currents thru the frame. I was a bit concerned that the power center / converter is frame grounded, but that is a max of 55A. Still not particularly optimal. Thanks for the confirmation on the inverter wiring!

[sklein]

I guess I'll need to wait until we actually have trailer in-hand to see how the negative wiring is routed. I'd prefer to have the shunt "inside" since I have the RJ-12 cable to route.

Probably end up with:

• Mount a distribution block and shunt under the passenger side rear dinette seat
• Move the frame ground from the battery to the distribution block
• New beefy cables from the battery to the shunt and shunt to the distribution block
• All subsequent connections (charge controllers, inverter) connect to the distribution block

The icky part of this is that now the same area that has the outside access door also has charge controllers, inverter, and lots of wiring. Maybe some plywood dividers...

[75thRanger]

Originally Posted by sklein

ETI just told me the only connection to the negative side of the battery is the frame ground and that the "converter box" is also grounded to the frame -- no cable to the battery.

Is the negative on the ETI-installed inverter connected directly to the battery or also to the frame?

The GoPower manual states "Connect the neg cable from the battery to the neg terminal of the inverter."

[75thRanger]

Originally Posted by Effie

In my e19 I installed the shunt in a sealed electrical box mounted on the back of one of the battery boxes. Bought a ready made 18" 2/0 AWG cable for connection to the battery.

Do you have a source for the 2/0 cable? That sounds like what I need.

[sklein]

InvertersRUs.com seems like a good source for battery cables (and other goodies):

https://invertersrus.com/product/spa...attery-cables/

[Effie]

Amazon



https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[tdf-texas]

Originally Posted by 75thRanger

Do you have a source for the 2/0 cable? That sounds like what I need.

If you want to replace the 2 gauge negative battery wire with 2/0, you need to replace all the battery wires between the batteries and to the inverter to gain any benefit.

I replaced my battery wires with this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I installed them using one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Effie]

Originally Posted by tdf-texas

If you want to replace the 2 gauge negative battery wire with 2/0, you need to replace all the battery wires between the batteries and to the inverter to gain any benefit.

I replaced my battery wires with this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I installed them using one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I was thinking of doing the same thing, did you see any performance improvement after the upgrade?