Battery monitor?

verdigo

What all do I need to install a battery monitor. Recommendations for the monitor?

Cariboocoot

Re: Battery monitor?

A battery monitor, a shunt, and some wire. Plus the right numbers to program it with.

In addition to the ones NAWS sells http://www.solar-electric.com/metersmonitors.html the Victron is spoken highly of by forum members (I haven got a retail link for it though).

BB.

Re: Battery monitor?

Here is a link to Victron's website.

The Trimetric and the Victron units probably are a good representation of the low to higher end products. You should be happy with either.

From your signature--You have a MS Classic... That is a Midnite Classic I assume--If so, Midnite is "close" to releasing an integrated shunt plus software (for the Classic). If you can wait (months or less?), I would look really closely at that setup when released.

Outback also has an integrated Shunt System too...

Outback Power Flexnet-DC System Monitor

And Midnite has a simple "intelligent voltmeter" that some folks find very handy... It will warn you if your battery bank has not been recharged back over >~90% capacity in the last week or so... A handy meter it its own right (and costs less than a battery monitor too).

MidNite Solar MNBCMS Battery Capacity Meter

-Bill

verdigo

Re: Battery monitor?

BB. wrote: »

From your signature--You have a MS Classic... That is a Midnite Classic I assume--If so, Midnite is "close" to releasing an integrated shunt plus software (for the Classic). If you can wait (months or less?), I would look really closely at that setup when released.

Outback also has an integrated Shunt System too...

Outback Power Flexnet-DC System Monitor

And Midnite has a simple "intelligent voltmeter" that some folks find very handy... It will warn you if your battery bank has not been recharged back over >~90% capacity in the last week or so... A handy meter it its own right (and costs less than a battery monitor too).

MidNite Solar MNBCMS Battery Capacity Meter

-Bill

Thanks Bill. I can wait.

Shadowcatcher

Re: Battery monitor?

I chose the Victron because of simplicity and size
http://www.victronenergy.com/battery-monitors

verdigo

Re: Battery monitor?

Shadowcatcher wrote: »

I chose the Victron because of simplicity and size
http://www.victronenergy.com/battery-monitors

Thanks. Did some reading on the BMV602. Pretty nice! The web site also has a lot of good system wiring diagrams for noobs like myself.