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This will be a multi-part series so please check out all the sections!
Part 1 – Monitoring Options
Every Campervan and Motorhome will have Lesiure Batteries installed.
But no matter what type of Batteries you have, and no matter how many batteries you have, it is essential you are able to keep an eye on them as incorrect use and excessive discharging will cause premature aging, lost capacity and permanent damage!
There are numerous ways to monitor your batteries, and as you go up in price you usually get extra features. A typical monitor is provided when the vehicle has a Sargent or ZIG distribution system.
This is a EC50 Control Panel, as used by the very popular EC155 System
And a Control Panel from a ZIG System
The problem with these units is the information is purely an indication and not very precise at all.
A better solution is a simple Voltmeter such as the one below.
These come in a variety of styles and colours – click on the image above to see some of the Voltmeters we sell outselves.
The Voltmeter may not be sufficient for larger systems or owners that have more demands from their battery system as the voltage varies depending on the load and can therefore be misleading themselves (although a lot better then a series of lights!)
What is needed for the more demanding user is a Battery Monitor that provides what is referred to as a SOC – State Of Charge. This lets you know just how much battery life is left (100% SOC being fully charged) and can be seen whether the system is under light load OR heavy load.
A very popular Battery Monitor system which provides Voltages, Current and Power Draw and State of Charge is the NASA Marine BM series. Below is an example, the BM1:
Another great option – and one I personally recommend, prefer, and use myself is the Victron BMV range of Battery Monitors. An example is shown below
The Victron BMV is not as clear to see as the NASA Marine BM, however it has extra features and benefits that more than outweigh that, I believe.
The BMV-700 Models can be fitted with an optional Bluetooth Dongle which lets you monitor your system via a Smartphone (and the BMV-712 has built-in Bluetooth).
The screenshot here shows some of the information you can see via your Phone and the Victron App on a BMV-712
There is also a new device from Victron called the “Smart Shunt” that is a ‘headless’ BMV and you use the VE Connect app to view the information just like the BMV-712
The NASA Marine BM range and the Victron BMV-700 Monitors will serve you very well and allow you to get the best from your batteries (although remember they are informational devices – you still have to use the information and potentially reduce use if approaching a minimal battery condition