Battery Monitor

[sneuman]

I am in Antigua and blew out my old Heart Interface Link 2000. I am hoping to pick up a replacement in St. Maarten, a duty-free port.

One large bank (4 - 6v Golf Cart batteries) and a separate starter battery.

Any thoughts on a suitable replacement for the Heart?

[NewMoon]

For the monitor function:

https://www.victronenergy.com/battery-monitors/bmv-700

If your Link 2000 was also controlling the Heart inverter/charger, as mine was, you may need something else to replace that.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by NewMoon

For the monitor function:

https://www.victronenergy.com/battery-monitors/bmv-700

If your Link 2000 was also controlling the Heart inverter/charger, as mine was, you may need something else to replace that.

I agree. I have a (still working) Link 2000 that runs our 1998 Heart Freedom 15. I ran the F15 for a few years before I installed the Link 2000, which I had purchased at the same time. Our F15 doesn't have the echo charge on it, and came with the big 2/0 wiring pre-connected to the I/C, so it may be different than the newer ones. My F15 has a manual switch on it to turn the inverter on and will be charging once shorepower is available (regardless of the switch position), no way to turn that off. Since it has an ATS inside, even if the shorepower is available with the switch with the inverter on, there won't be any issues.

The "something else" Rick mentioned would be a Heart Freedom remote panel, which could be as difficult to find as a Link 2000!!! So I suggest you consider the manual operation I mentioned with the separate BMV-700, for starters.

Of course, the Victron is a coulomb counter.

There is merit in considering the many discussions about the disadvantages of coulomb counters compared to the newer Smart Gauge. Dockhead has written in quite some detail about this, so an advanced search on Smart Gauge by Dockhead would find them.

Some have also suggested both Victron types and Smart Gauge.

I'm fine with my Link 2000 because I know how to program and use it. Maine Sail's website has a "How to program your battery monitor" thread, and I've presented my "Gotcha" article many times (so you can search for that, too).

[Vasco]

Stu,

Interesting to find someone with a Link 2000 still working! Mine crapped out long ago.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Vasco

Stu,

Interesting to find someone with a Link 2000 still working! Mine crapped out long ago.

Too true. Only thing that isn't working is the backlighting. Thank goodness.

[NewMoon]

Originally Posted by Vasco

Stu,

Interesting to find someone with a Link 2000 still working! Mine crapped out long ago.

Mine (on my 26-footer) is 18 years old and still fine.

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by NewMoon

Mine (on my 26-footer) is 18 years old and still fine.

That's two.

[sneuman]

Mine worked fine until a few weeks ago.

[Firestorm]

My Link 2000 is still going after 18 or 19 years and is use to control my Heart Freedom 1000 inverter and monitor four golf cart batteries.

When the time comes for replacement of either of these I will will choose Victron. I have one of their MPPT regulators for my 3 solar panels , and it is a great product.