Victron BMV 600 - Issues Installing

[mkeller23173]

Hey folks,

Has anyone had any issues installing the Victron BMV600? It seemed pretty straight forward, but I'm not getting any power to the actual monitor from the shunt. Just a blank screen.

I have checked all the connections, compared them to the manual and had a friend double check my work. The fuse on the "power" cable to the shunt is fine.

Am I missing something really obvious? I believe it's just supposed to turn on once connected to power although the instruction manual leaves something to be desired.

Thanks for any help,

Mike

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Mike.

Sorry that problems with your Victron Battery Monitor (#BMV-600) brought you to us. Here’s hoping someone has a simple fix.

I presume you have this 186 page manual
➥ http://www.victronenergy.com/upload/...%20PT%20SE.pdf

As well as this quick install sheet
➥ http://www.victronenergy.com/upload/...05-07-2007.pdf

[mkeller23173]

Thanks Gord. Yes, I have both those things and neither are very helpful unfortunately.

[btrayfors]

Mike,

The BMV-600 is a wonderful little device, and generally very easy to install. It's always possible that you have a defective unit, but before you declare it so check the B+ voltage AT THE SHUNT to be sure the wire and fuse are intact. Then, be sure the UTP cable is well seated at both the cable and the meter.

If these are OK, then I'd get in touch with Victron in Maine or the Netherlands. They're generally very helpful.

Bill

[mkeller23173]

Thanks Bill, I hope to get down there this afternoon to test the voltage. Am I correct in thinking that as soon as the power is plugged into the shunt; and the UTP cable is plugged into the monitor that it will automatically come on right? There is no power button that I'm missing?

[btrayfors]

Originally Posted by mkeller23173

Thanks Bill, I hope to get down there this afternoon to test the voltage. Am I correct in thinking that as soon as the power is plugged into the shunt; and the UTP cable is plugged into the monitor that it will automatically come on right? There is no power button that I'm missing?

Yes, when power is applied the BMV starts up in the normal mode. If you get nothing, and you've measured B+ voltage at the shunt, then either the BMV itself is dead or the UTP cable is defective. IMHO.

Bill

[JayH]

I had trouble installing my BMV, too. It came on but would read a constant (incorrect) voltage. I contacted them in Maine and they shipped a replacement (good service). I used the replacement to figure out what was wrong with the original, and it turned out to be the cable.

[mkeller23173]

Well everyone problem solved. Bad fuse. Looked absolutely fine by thte naked eye, but when you put it through a multimeter, it's no good. Bypassed the fuse and all worked as expected.

Thanks everyone for all the ideas.