Battery Monitor

[mottseng]

I searched through the forum and didn't come up with an answer however, I am in the market for a battery (multiple batteries) monitor that displays all the relevant information. There are several on the market through Amazon but wanted to solicit info from those that have had good luck with a particular one.

[puffcard]

How many banks do you have. I got two and the LinkLITE by Xantrax, it does all need and happy with performance.

[mottseng]

I have two deep cycle AGM house and two wet for cranking. Really not concerned about the cranking more for the house.

[john61ct]

Multiple batteries connected into one bank only requires one monitor.

For state of charge, nothing beats SmartGauge, marketed in NA by Balmar, very user-friendly.

Others log AH in and out via a shunt, give more detailed info but more complex to keep accurate.

Victron BMV-702 is a good one, also Bogart Trimetric.

Most will also display voltage-only on the Starter bank.

[Bleemus]

Smart Gauge in combo with the Victron.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by mottseng

I have two deep cycle AGM house and two wet for cranking. Really not concerned about the cranking more for the house.

Slightly off topic, but why two engine batteries on a 30ft yacht?

Pete

[mottseng]

Originally Posted by Bleemus

Smart Gauge in combo with the Victron.

I was looking up all the products mentioned and some I like and others are just getting pricey. Not being a liveaboard and generally use the boat for weekends I am looking for something simple to install and relatively inexpensive. The Smartgauge seems to fit the bill other than the expense of it.

Thanks

[Kenomac]

I just installed the Smart Gauge a few hours ago it was very easy. Looking to simplify my monitoring over the Magnatronic DCC 4000 I've been using for six years. Here's the thread I just began today on the same subject.

I purchased it a few months ago on eBay for just over $200.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...st-188297.html

[ErikFinn]

See if this helps:

https://www.google.com.sg/search?q=c...&bih=729&dpr=2

[john61ct]

Originally Posted by mottseng

I was looking up all the products mentioned and some I like and others are just getting pricey. Not being a liveaboard and generally use the boat for weekends I am looking for something simple to install and relatively inexpensive. The Smartgauge seems to fit the bill other than the expense of it.

Thanks

You can find cheaper, but if it isn't accurate. . .

Realize banks are consumables, but the infrastructure to get good lifespan out of them should last at least as long as the boat.

Nice thing about FLA you can get accurate SoC from $10 hydrometer.

Don't rely on just measuring volts.

[mottseng]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Slightly off topic, but why two engine batteries on a 30ft yacht?

Pete

good question. That is what the boat came with.

[mottseng]

Anyone have any experience good or bad with these?

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by mottseng

good question. That is what the boat came with.

Well, that needs sorting then. Assuming you have one good engine start battery and the house bank can be switched into the start circuit in an emergency, then you really don't need the second engine battery.

The one thing you don't have on a 30ft yacht is space and capacity for heavy things. you will read on here of huge solar installations the size of an oil platform and battery banks to rival a submarine. That isn't us with 30 ft yachts. It is far more important to keep the weight in check if you want to go fast and 30 kgs of battery you don't need is a prime candidate.

This will also save a few bob when time comes to replace them.

Pete

[mottseng]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Well, that needs sorting then. Assuming you have one good engine start battery and the house bank can be switched into the start circuit in an emergency, then you really don't need the second engine battery.

The one thing you don't have on a 30ft yacht is space and capacity for heavy things. you will read on here of huge solar installations the size of an oil platform and battery banks to rival a submarine. That isn't us with 30 ft yachts. It is far more important to keep the weight in check if you want to go fast and 30 kgs of battery you don't need is a prime candidate.

This will also save a few bob when time comes to replace them.

Pete

Pete, thanks for the comments and I do agree with you. The house and cranking battery banks are completely separate with each having their own selector switches. I just replaced the house with two new AGM 100Ah deep cycle. The cranking batteries are much smaller and seem to be wired in parallel. When starting the engine I always put the selector to both and when I turn the engine off at an anchorage I turn the selector off. The house selector I always keep to both. The intent here is to use the battery monitor primarily to monitor the house although knowing the state of charge on the cranking batteries is a bonus.

You talk about weight being an issue, I tow a ridiculous overweight dinghy with motor and at times it feels like I am dragging a parachute behind me. There is one area I can improve on performance and speed.


Thanks.

[mottseng]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Well, that needs sorting then. Assuming you have one good engine start battery and the house bank can be switched into the start circuit in an emergency, then you really don't need the second engine battery.

The one thing you don't have on a 30ft yacht is space and capacity for heavy things. you will read on here of huge solar installations the size of an oil platform and battery banks to rival a submarine. That isn't us with 30 ft yachts. It is far more important to keep the weight in check if you want to go fast and 30 kgs of battery you don't need is a prime candidate.

This will also save a few bob when time comes to replace them.

Pete

Looking at your pics, I love how you have the dinghy up on the transom.