Battery Bank Monitors

Strecker25

Strecker25

Well-Known Member
SILVER Sponsor
Nov 20, 2014
4,917
Rochester, NY
Boat Info
2002 410DA
Engines
Caterpillar 350HP 3126
What’s everyone’s preferred platform for battery monitoring? I’d like to keep an eye on both banks in our boat. We don’t spend a ton of time on the hook but the old fridges suck down electrons and I just like seeing data.

something like these are interesting but I’m concerned with a Chinese shunt powering my whole boat. I’d like to see amp draw, voltage, aH remaining, etc.

https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-500A-...12+volt+battery+monitor&qid=1613270924&sr=8-3
 
Not as fancy, but I have a couple of USB outlets I installed and they have a digital display with the voltage. I can see the number drop when on the hook and gives me an idea of when to crank up the generator for a while.
 

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Absolutely Victron. Do you have wifi access at the dock?

I have single victron BMV-712 with display and a Cerbo GX device (actually RPi) which logs the data in internal memory and will upload it when re-connected. I'm on a mooring close enough to wifi and have 2 solar panels on a MPPT. I wired the fridge into the load output and can remotely control the fridge via the Victron VRM portal. I turn the fridge on earlier in the day before going out, or can leave it on all weekend if we're going out 2 days in a row. You can view all data on your phone via Bluetooth.

I love it. It helps so much on the hook as we are energy hogs and can deplete the batteries pretty quickly if not paying attention.
 
pyro said:
Absolutely Victron. Do you have wifi access at the dock?

I have single victron BMV-712 with display and a Cerbo GX device (actually RPi) which logs the data in internal memory and will upload it when re-connected. I'm on a mooring close enough to wifi and have 2 solar panels on a MPPT. I wired the fridge into the load output and can remotely control the fridge via the Victron VRM portal. I turn the fridge on earlier in the day before going out, or can leave it on all weekend if we're going out 2 days in a row. You can view all data on your phone via Bluetooth.

I love it. It helps so much on the hook as we are energy hogs and can deplete the batteries pretty quickly if not paying attention.
Click to expand...

we do have wifi available! I didn’t even consider the remote monitoring capabilities. I’m at the boat 4-6 days a week during the season but I do like the idea of being able to check in whenever I feel like it.
 
pyro said:
Absolutely Victron. Do you have wifi access at the dock?

I have single victron BMV-712 with display and a Cerbo GX device (actually RPi) which logs the data in internal memory and will upload it when re-connected. I'm on a mooring close enough to wifi and have 2 solar panels on a MPPT. I wired the fridge into the load output and can remotely control the fridge via the Victron VRM portal. I turn the fridge on earlier in the day before going out, or can leave it on all weekend if we're going out 2 days in a row. You can view all data on your phone via Bluetooth.

I love it. It helps so much on the hook as we are energy hogs and can deplete the batteries pretty quickly if not paying attention.
Click to expand...

I'd love to see a write up on how you did this. I attempted the Cerbo install on a pi (its loaded and boots up, but nothing connected, so I could not really go further).

I was thinking I wanted to put this information on the N2K network, as that would allow monitoring at the helm. For me, remote monitoring can be accomplished with a gateway from my N2K network and allow acess to anything on the N2K network (eventually).

Here's the Yacht Devices version, but currently in vaporware 1.0 (since Nov 2019)

upload_2021-2-14_10-8-12.png
 
Strecker25 said:
Looks good. Is that the promariner remote panel? I’ve read mixed results as to whether it’s worth it, does it give you useful info?
Click to expand...

I have that as well and while it does give battery voltage and current it only does so for total combined charging current. I'm glad I have it, but wish it gave independent battery info.
 
SKybolt said:
I have that as well and while it does give battery voltage and current it only does so for total combined charging current. I'm glad I have it, but wish it gave independent battery info.
Click to expand...

that echos the feedback I read. I might do dual victron monitors (1 per main bank) and see what kind of real estate I have left to add the promariner panel.

I’m considering replacing the OEM analog ammeter and voltage gauges with 2 x victrons
 
Here’s a pic of what our panel looks like. I have to measure where the analog gauges are first.


27BB4285-170A-4635-AA96-357BAF78C782.jpeg
 
Strecker25 said:
Looks good. Is that the promariner remote panel? I’ve read mixed results as to whether it’s worth it, does it give you useful info?
Click to expand...

Yes, The primary function for me is charge status. Temp feature is nice too. No regrets.
 
I also wish the victron could do multiple banks with one guage. I can measure voltage on the starting bank. Better than nothing. The phone app is pretty much all I use.
 
Craig said:
I also wish the victron could do multiple banks with one guage. I can measure voltage on the starting bank. Better than nothing. The phone app is pretty much all I use.
Click to expand...

yeah, I want to mainly monitor our cabin house bank but the other bank runs the anchor lights, gps, dash, and Everything else up top so I want to know where both banks are while on the hook
 
Strecker25 said:
that echos the feedback I read. I might do dual victron monitors (1 per main bank) and see what kind of real estate I have left to add the promariner panel.

I’m considering replacing the OEM analog ammeter and voltage gauges with 2 x victrons
Click to expand...

If battery monitoring is a must, no generator or don't like to run it, then remote monitoring is a must so you don't kill everything and can't get them started up when it's time to go. The victrons seem like a nice way to go without spending a ton.

I am one of those people that the generator is started up before we leave the dock and get's shut down when we return. Could be days between marinas at times. Thats why a good charging system is a must have and being able to monitor that is just as important. I use Maretron devices to be able to remotely monitor that and other aspects of the boats systems. For me everything must be NMEA 2000, that way I have only one technology to deal with for the boats systems.
 
SKybolt said:
If battery monitoring is a must, no generator or don't like to run it, then remote monitoring is a must so you don't kill everything and can't get them started up when it's time to go. The victrons seem like a nice way to go without spending a ton.

I am one of those people that the generator is started up before we leave the dock and get's shut down when we return. Could be days between marinas at times. Thats why a good charging system is a must have and being able to monitor that is just as important. I use Maretron devices to be able to remotely monitor that and other aspects of the boats systems. For me everything must be NMEA 2000, that way I have only one technology to deal with for the boats systems.
Click to expand...

we’re going to run the genny as much as possible on this boat as well. Our last boat was much smaller and had a 4kw Kohler which I swear made more noise than the main engines so we rarely ran it.

I just like toys and data, so this is just something else for me to play with and if I’m being honest probably unnecessary ;)

it’s only money, right?
 
Strecker25 said:
yeah, I want to mainly monitor our cabin house bank but the other bank runs the anchor lights, gps, dash, and Everything else up top so I want to know where both banks are while on the hook
Click to expand...

They make a smart shunt now with bt only.
I might give that a try for the starting bank since I always use the app anyway. Its like $130
 
Strecker25 said:
we’re going to run the genny as much as possible on this boat as well. Our last boat was much smaller and had a 4kw Kohler which I swear made more noise than the main engines so we rarely ran it.

I just like toys and data, so this is just something else for me to play with and if I’m being honest probably unnecessary ;)

it’s only money, right?
Click to expand...

So if thats the case, take a look at the NMEA 2000 options and look at the newer Varatron battery monitor for NMEA 2000. If data and electronic toys is your thing, then NMEA 2000 is for you. Many many threads here on it. :rolleyes:
 
Strecker25 said:
we’re going to run the genny as much as possible on this boat as well. Our last boat was much smaller and had a 4kw Kohler which I swear made more noise than the main engines so we rarely ran it.

I just like toys and data, so this is just something else for me to play with and if I’m being honest probably unnecessary ;)

it’s only money, right?
Click to expand...

But thats at least half the fun. What else you going to do all winter??
 
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