Battery Monitor - Help Needed

[JConsroe]

I have been scouring the forums and internet for info on the best battery monitor for my usage. We have been doing more and more boondocking and I would like to know how much power I’ve used and when I need to fire up the honda generator and re-charge.

I have a 2005 CCD 28’ with rear bedroom. I come up with two choices. Both seem to have their advantages and different locations of the stunt.

Option 1: Victron BMV-702 – Has a small screen, good functionality, can be accessed and programed by a nifty Bluetooth or computer app, can sense the temperature of the batteries and the half way charge point..The shunt needs to be located inside or in a weatherproof box.Would I even benefit from the temperature sensing?The shunt would need to be mounted inside by my power bus and might not be within 18” of the negative post which they say you must do.

Option 2: Bogart Trimetric 2030RV – Has a larger screen, same basic functionality, no Bluetooth, no temperature sensing, great service from best connector since they sell it..The shunt can be located inside the battery box outside the trailer.

I think I would prefer the Victron for the attractive reasons above. The incoming power line from my battery is in the front of my trailer behind the couch back (behind the wall seen through the hole in my picture). I can’t for the life of me figure out how to gain descent access to this area. It’s the same place that the battery disconnect is located. I’m too big to fit under the couch and do wiring in there. I can’t pull the plywood under the couch seats off, its pocket screwed or screwed from below. Short of removing the entire couch, how can I get in there and mount the shunt for the Victron.

Either solution will also require me to figure out how to get a wire from that area out to the battery box – either for the temperature sensor for the Victron or the main control wiring for the Bogart/Trimetric.

Then where do I mount the monitor? Up in the cabinet with the radio/dvd panel would be preferred but I have no idea how to get a wire from the wiring terminals behind the couch up into the cabinet above without them being visible. A problem for both monitor choices. There are speaker wires going from the couch section up to this area but they are tightly packed into the skin of the trailer.

Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks very much

[alano]

Sorry, I'm not sure how you gain access to behind your couch, but I'm sure someone will shine in here and help you. However, you should have solar pre-wiring installed, and you can repurpose the CAT5 cable that currently exists. You should find one end of the CAT5 cable behind the couch and the other end near your CatCon monitor. If you pull out the CatCon monitor, you should be able to feel around and find the other end of the CAT5 cable. Since the CAT5 cable is made from 4 twisted pairs, you'll be able to use one pair for the shunt. You'll need to splice into this cable to create any needed connections. Hope this helps.

[Wolfe]

the BMV-702 works for me, % of charge is the one i like best

[Wolfe]

The SHUNT should be close to the NEGATIVE POST OF THE BAT. re read the book.
You don't need to see the read out, it is all done from your phone.

[JConsroe]

Alano thanks for the input, there is a cat5 cable behind my micropulse monitor, thanks very much. I can cross one unknown off the list.

Wolfe Im aware that the shunt needs to be close to the negative terminal thats why its a part of my question. Thanks for the vote for Victron.

[dames7]

If you plan on any dry camping:

Go to AGM 6 Volt with get rid of the Converter that comes with your AS and get Boondocker BD1260C (60 Amp 4-Stage Converter/Charger)Boondocker series units deliver exceptionally clean AC to DC power for Battery charging or as a DC Power Supply.

Dimensions: 10.5" X 7" X 3.5"
*
Ship Weight: 7 lbs.

KEY FEATURES:

14.6 Boost Mode Output
13.6 Normal Mode Output
13.2 Float (trickle) Mode Output
Built-in desulfation cycle
Over-temp, Over-current Protection
105-130*VAC Input Operation
Reversed Polarity Voltage Protection
>85% Efficiency
Safe, Cool, Quiet & Reliable Operation
<1% Load Regulation
Filtered DC Output (Works with or without a battery)Thermostatically Controlled, Variable Speed Quiet Cooling Fan
3*Year Hassle Free Warranty

And Trimetric 2025RV Battery System Monitor / We have teamed with Bogart Engineering to provide*a better*RV battery monitor.* Smaller design with the same great features as the original Trimetric but now includes second battery bank voltage monitor and built-in lightning protection.* Dimensions:* 4-1/4" X 3"**

Part NumberTM2025RV

[alano]

dames suggestion is a good one. Upgrading your converter to include a 3 or 4 stage battery charger will certainly help you get more energy out of your batteries and help you avoid inadvertent overcharging.

You could also accomplish the same thing by installing a couple of solar panels and a solar charger since the solar chargers include a 3 or 4 stage battery charger. This would cut down on the hours that you'd need to run your generator.

[lsbrodsky]

I initially had the Trimetric and it did all I needed with in mounted in the forward wardrobe. I just did a big electrical upgrade and installed all Victron equipment. I love being able to use my phone to view battery parameters anywhere in the trailer proximity. I vote for Victron.

Larry

[JConsroe]

Thanks folks. I already upgraded the converter to a four stage Progressive dynamics 4655 and it has the dongle so I can boost the charge when using the generator. Most camping we do is in the woods so solar isn't really advantageous.

The million dollar question is how to access the area behind the couch. Im about to just cut a hole

[dalecamp`]

I've been using the Trimeteric for 3 years. Charging when boondocking with a Yamaha
2000 inverter/charger. I like the Trimeteric and have no experience with the Victron.
It's nice to know what is going on with the charger and battery, and ongoing usage. Bluetooth realtime data would be too much information IMO. I'm sure the Victron will give similar if not identical service. Good luck.
My experience, a generator will not give enough voltage to fully charge your battery. Unless you charge for a really long time. An hour in the morning and evening will keep it usable at greater than 85%. You will be lucky to keep it in the high 80%.
Check out Handy Bob's Blog for great information about Silar and Trimeteric.
https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/

[TouringDan]

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[glenrms]

Removing the sofa is fairly easy. I had to do it last summer to dry out my floor. There are a handful of screws that are easily reached with a power driver. Some are secured to the floor and others are secured to the section on the left side. The L section to the left does not need to come out. You will need to lay on the floor but I don't remember it as being difficult at all when I did it. It's mostly trying to find all the screws that hold it together.

[SCOTTinNJ]

Why would one shunt have to be protected and the other not? Or is it in a protected enclosure already?

[JConsroe]

The victron shunt needs to be protected from moisture because it has a small circuit board on it that monitors the battery temperature. The bogart shunt doesnt have a circuit board so it is more tolerable to moisture.

[JConsroe]

Well I removed every screw in the couch only to realize it is screwed in from behind the backrest and there are no removable fasteners between the couch and the converter section on the L. Its stapled and glued. So I gave up and cut a new access hole on the couch base. While I had everything disassembled I also cut an access hole so I can get to the DC wiring bus if I ever need to.



Now I just need to figure out if I can use the cat5 cable that AS pulled from this front area up to where my monitor is on the Victron and I should be in business.

Im going to mount the Victron shunt on the negative battery feed just after it comes into the trailer. This is within 18" of the terminal and keep it protected inside the trailer.

[SCOTTinNJ]

Originally Posted by JConsroe

The victron shunt needs to be protected from moisture because it has a small circuit board on it that monitors the battery temperature. The bogart shunt doesnt have a circuit board so it is more tolerable to moisture.

Got it. Makes sense.

[JConsroe]

Ok I got the Victron installed and everything back together. I got an RJ12 crimping tool and I was able to repurpose 6 of the 8 wires of the Cat5 wire already pulled to the back of my tank monitor.

I really like the Victron so far. A special thanks to Alano for helping me!

[alano]

Nice install! I found cutting the aluminum to be the most stressful part.

[JConsroe]

I hear ya! Nice thing is a 2" hole saw is exactly the right size even though its a European product made in the Netherlands

[rnelson]

Nice install. I am considering adding a monitor to my system. I have upgraded my battery to two 6v Trojans and changed my converter to a PD4655. I also added a disconnect to eliminate all parasitic loads when in storage. My question is does the Victron monitor work correctly when the disconnect is turned back on after storage? Does it Need to be re-programmed each time the battery is disconnected?