Remote battery monitoring via smartphone

[Jill on Maya]

Is remote (long distance) monitoring of battery status via a smartphone app something available now or just a dream for the future? Does anyone have knowledge of or experience with this technology and its application to a cruising vessel with absentee owner?

[Aloft]

It might be overkill for just battery monitoring, but Victron's Color Control GX will connect to the internet and report whatever's connected to it - Victron's BMV battery monitor, solar chargers, inverters, their digital battery chargers. Nice if you've got a few of their devices, a little pricey for just monitoring a battery.

Ditto for the Magnum, but you need to have their inverter - the device is the MagWeb.

MarineSync has a monitoring device for power, bilges, temp, etc., that connects through a 3G phone connection. Might be US only, but check with them. MS2 for Boaters.

There's a new product from India called the Wattmon that looks interesting, but I don't think it's available worldwide yet. I'll be trying to get ahold of one as soon as they are, looks like a good concept.

I'm sure there other devices out there for domestic use.

[botanybay]

I am using victron equipment and can do exactly what you are trying to do.

I use a color control gx and a 700 series victron monitor. The vrm portal provides history and logging independent of the phone. There is a great app from victron for your phone as well as a Web interface.

In addition the system can send warning messages about critical system status.

I specifically monitor mid point voltage on my 24v bank via this method.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[skipmac]

Sorry if I missed this but how does the Victory link to your phone? Does it have to have a WiFi connection that I link to remotely with the app like a website?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[skipmac]

Stupid smart phone that thinks it knows what I'm trying to say. Victron not Victory.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[conachair]

Originally Posted by Jill on Maya

Is remote (long distance) monitoring of battery status via a smartphone app something available now or just a dream for the future?

Openplotter running on a Raspberry Pi isn't there yet but should be hopefully before too long.

https://www.gitbook.com/book/sailoog...tation/details

Already it can send tweets or email for some sensors with logical criteria, so if say the temperature drops under whatever it will email , I think a voltage sensor is under development. Connection through a gsm modem might be working already to send txts . My pi 3 draws under 200mA.

[liveaboard60]

Originally Posted by Aloft

<snip>
MarineSync has a monitoring device for power, bilges, temp, etc., that connects through a 3G phone connection. Might be US only, but check with them. MS2 for Boaters.

<snip>

I checked the MS2 link and it seems to be more of a monitoring service (like ADP) in which you pay a monthly fee for the monitoring.. That's too bad because I would like to be able to monitor a few things on my boat, and be able to add a webcam to be able to see things such as mooring lines - in a marina without floating piers <bummer>.. flk k

[wrwakefield]

Originally Posted by Jill on Maya

Is remote (long distance) monitoring of battery status via a smartphone app something available now or just a dream for the future? Does anyone have knowledge of or experience with this technology and its application to a cruising vessel with absentee owner?

Hi Jill,

We installed a remote vessel monitoring device from Siren Marine for similar reasons.

It uses a cellular data SIM card that works internationally. [~160 countries...]

Among many other things, it also reports battery voltage- and has user settable high and low thresholds for reporting.

Many more details are available on our blog post about installing and using this device if you are interested.

Best wishes finding what is best for you.

Cheers!

Bill

[Rapanui]

Depending on what you intend to do, a GPS GSM boat/caravan alarm will monitor battery voltage and other signals plus obviously an intruder alarm and geofence as well. They are quite affordable and low current draw.GSM-GPS alarm AUTODIAL SMS Pager Vehicle/Car/Boat/Moto | eBay

[Symphony]

Originally Posted by conachair

Openplotter running on a Raspberry Pi isn't there yet but should be hopefully before too long.

https://www.gitbook.com/book/sailoog...tation/details

Already it can send tweets or email for some sensors with logical criteria, so if say the temperature drops under whatever it will email , I think a voltage sensor is under development. Connection through a gsm modem might be working already to send txts . My pi 3 draws under 200mA.

The Raspberry Pi sounds like a good possibility for me. I have a router and great wifi onboard already (thanks to Island Time antenna and Ubiquity) and this could offer camera, temperature, humidity, and voltage monitoring.

Or maybe sensors are wifi enable already?

[Neptune's Gear]

All available right now. See Marine Monitoring Products | SmartSwitch, or send them an email, and Neil, the owner, will be happy to help. Tell him you got the lead from me!

[hsi88]

MyBoatStatus - Online wireless vessel monitoring

They have modules to monitor just about everything, including batteries.

[Symphony]

wow. thanks, Neptune and hsi88! the state of the art is really advancing quickly. an R-pi unit is likely overkill for my purposes given all these wonderful stand-alone and NMEA devices.

I have a network and backbone (Raymarine, a bit wonky) as well as high-speed wifi throughout the boat already.

[Symphony]

hey, thanks to conachair, denali rose, and rapanui - a lot of interesting options. the nutty part of me is interested still to start playing with the R-pi and arduino world so maybe an AC/ DC voltage and bilge water monitor would be a reason to start.

or I could just go sailing and wait till winter for this. :-)

[Aloft]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Sorry if I missed this but how does the Victory link to your phone? Does it have to have a WiFi connection that I link to remotely with the app like a website?

It links through a Color Control GX panel, which ties most Victron devices together, and has Internet connectivity through either Victron's portal or optionally it's own internal web server (for which you'd need to have a stable IP address and port through your router's firewall).

The battery monitor does connect to a phone with a Bluetooth dongle, but that's only for when you're aboard.