3 tons
NV.
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Joined: 03/13/2009
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2oldman wrote:What I find strange about my Victron unit is that either it or my Android phone insists location service be turned on.
I suspect it may be the Android, only because I’ve never got that or a similar message over two generations of iphones, though I get that this is just anecdotal…
3 tons
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Skibane
San Antonio, TX
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Joined: 11/09/2005
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Boon Docker wrote:This monitor is the one I have. It is an awesome little unit.
For the features, that is a screaming deal.
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PerryB67
Lanesboro, Minnesota
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Joined: 07/07/2017
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StirCrazy wrote:I'll second this one. a generic version of the Victron that works just as well at 1/5 the price, just doesnt have bluetooth. very simple install remove your negitive patery cable, run a new short one from the battery to this, then your old cable you tookoff on to the other end of the shunt. run a tiny power wire to the shunt, then find a place to dril the small hole run the wire and your done. inital setting you just enter how many AH your battery is and your off. Sorry, not even close to the information/history the Victron 712 shunt's have. A friend has one and it's just a realtime meter, with no history. It's the history that told me our WFCO delivered 21 volts to ruin our batteries. No telling how many batteries would have been ruined before realizing it was the WFCO.
You get what you pay for.
Enjoy,
Perry
2016 Bigfoot 25RQ
2019 F150 Max Tow, Max Springs, 3.5 EB Quad Cab
Victron 712, Victron 100/20, Victron 100/30
160 Watts on the Roof, 100 watt portable
Two 100 ah SOK LFP Batteries
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profdant139
Southern California
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Joined: 11/14/2005
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Very thought-provoking discussion! Yes, to be clear, I am hoping to get more than a real-time voltage reading and then just infer state of charge from the voltage. I have often used my multi-meter to read voltage, and the readings vary a lot depending on whether I have let the battery "rest" sufficiently before taking a reading.
In order to get a proper resting reading (with no distortions due to the various items that draw juice), I have to disconnect the battery and wait at least 15 minutes before taking the reading. (Some folks say you have to wait a half hour, but I have done experiments, and the readings level off after about 15 minutes).
And it is a hassle to sit there and wait 15 minutes on a daily basis -- we've got other things to do!
So that is why I am leaning toward a device that will give me a reasonably accurate measurement of how much juice is really in the battery at any given time. That's especially true since we use a portable solar panel. Since we are away from the trailer almost all day, every day, there is no way to know how much juice the panel has jammed into the battery during the day -- were there clouds during the day? Did I misalign the panel?
(Pro tip -- use the compass on your phone to find South so that the panel gets the best possible solar exposure. Don't just guess where South is. Please don't ask how I learned this.)
The solar panel, by the way, adds to the uncertainty of a simple multi-meter or volt-meter. Because the solar panel charges my battery at around 14 volts or so, the battery is often "hyped up" by the juice flowing from the panel. So allowing a sufficient rest period is doubly important, because the high inflow from the panel distorts the true baseline voltage.
(I'm sure I am mangling all of the technical lingo, but you get my point -- looking at voltage may not really tell the whole story.)
I'm going to have to review the various suggestions made above, to see which monitoring unit will do an adequate job for my limited needs.
2012 Fun Finder X-139 "Boondock Style" (axle-flipped and extra insulation)
2013 Toyota Tacoma Off-Road (semi-beefy tires and components)
Our trips -- pix and text
About our trailer
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single list."
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time2roll
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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I spent the monitor money on a larger battery. The need to monitor fell away to about nothing. (voltmeter)
The monitor does not give any additional power.
2001 F150 SuperCrew
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
675w Solar pictures back up
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Ivylog
Blairsville, GA and WPB, FL.
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Joined: 06/30/2004
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The second reply…Aili for $41 is the best suggestion. With only one battery you do not need the 350A size. I’m using one and it tells you everything you need to know and easy enough to install.
This post is my opinion (free advice). It is not intended to influence anyone's judgment nor do I advocate anyone do what I propose.
Sold 04 Dynasty to our son after 14 great years.
Upgraded with a 08 HR Navigator 45’...
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punomatic
Pacific Northwest
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Joined: 08/28/2006
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I put this one on my trailer. Inexpensive, easy to install, it works great and you can turn off the back light so you are not using battery to light the screen when you don't need to see it. I added a DPDT switch so I can monitor charging OR discharging with a flip of the switch.
DW and Me
2016 Riverside White Water Retro 195
2014 Nissan Titan SL Crew Cab
Formerly, I used to work for the department of redundancy department.
Life in Black and Blue
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PerryB67
Lanesboro, Minnesota
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Ivylog wrote:The second reply…Aili for $41 is the best suggestion. With only one battery you do not need the 350A size. I’m using one and it tells you everything you need to know and easy enough to install. The Aili only tells you in realtime what is going on. That's great if everything is working properly. It's only slightly better than a cigarette plug voltage meter. I want to know the net amp use overnight, or if there was a voltage spike that ruined, or about to ruin, my batteries. BTDT! A monitor with history will do that. Unless Aili recently came out with a new meter that stores some history it's merely a realtime meter. You'll understand what I'm talking about when you have a problem, but the cheap Ali is just that, cheap.
If all you want is a simple realtime meter then the Aili is decent, but very limited. However, if you really want to monitor what's happening with your system over time then the $130 for the Victron SmartShunt is a far superior choice.
Plus the Aili is harder to install than the SmartShunt .
Enjoy,
Perry
* This post was
edited 12/16/21 09:40am by PerryB67 *
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2oldman
NM
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Joined: 04/15/2001
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PerryB67 wrote: You'll understand what I'm talking about when you have a problem, but the cheap Aili is just that, cheap. Money wins.
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FWC
The Wilderness
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Joined: 09/12/2020
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Money is only one factor out of several. In terms of functionality the order is:
Victron BMV-712 > Victron Smart Shunt > AiLi > Voltmeter > dummy lights > nothing.
In terms of cost, it is exactly the opposite.
If you are truly budget limited then pick what ever fits your budget.
However, for most of us with $20K - 500K campers, $100 is in the noise and having a better idea how things are working is probably worth the cost. Particularly with lead acid batteries who boondock, it is important to know that your batteries are actually getting fully charged, which a meter with history will tell you.
* This post was
edited 12/16/21 10:43am by FWC *
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