Victron bmv 712 setup install#
Victron bmv 712 setup generator#
Victron bmv 712 setup full#
Victron bmv 712 setup plus#

I am not saying that the other brands are bad monitors, simply that Victron was our choice for a simple installation.

The Victron has much easier wiring - almost plug and play - while the Xantrex is more complex.Ī couple of notes about the Victron (the other monitors may have similar features) - it will work with any type of batteries (wet cell, AGM, gel or even Li-ion) and the shunt is 500 amps which is sufficient for most starters, windlasses and other large loads.

The “base price” for the Victron monitors is similar to that of similar models from Xantrex, but the Victron ones come with pretty much everything needed for installation, whereas you have to buy a separate “installation kit” for the Xantrex ones (with either, you’ll still need to make up a cable or two and provide mounting hardware).

Victron bmv 712 setup install#

We went with the Victron as it costs the least, is the simplest to install and gets great reviews. Since ours would be simple, we were going to do it ourselves.Ī number of companies make battery monitors suitable for boats - Xantrex (formerly Link) is perhaps the best known, but Blue Seas also makes them as does Victron. Things like wiring in relays for generators and charger/inverters takes more advanced skills or hiring a professional.

Victron bmv 712 setup generator#

We didn’t need to do all that - we have one battery bank (we start the engine with the house bank since the engine is small), our generator is a portable Honda and our shore charger and inverter are stand-alones.Īdding a single bank or two-bank monitor is something that most boaters can do for themselves. Some, such as the Link 2000 that we had on our previous boat Que Tal, also control the shore charger and inverter. And relays can be wired in to do things like start a generator if the state of charge gets to a specified point.

Victron bmv 712 setup plus#

Choosing the Victron Battery Monitorīattery monitors can monitor a single bank or a single bank plus show the voltage on a second bank (say a starting battery). Plug something in (or turn it on) and see how the amp flow changes. The amps in/out are also important for knowing how we’re doing at any time during the day and it’s a big help in determining which items aboard are energy hogs. Thus, knowing both our total capacity in amp hours, and knowing how many we’re “down” at any time lets us know how we’re doing against this standard. In fact, some experts say not to use more than 20% or 25% before recharging. We never want to use more than half our battery capacity - using more will significantly shorten the life of the batteries. At least for Dave and I, the important numbers are the amps in and out and amp-hours down.

Victron bmv 712 setup full#

Most also show things like voltage and percentage of full charge, maybe battery temperature and some other things.

A battery monitor shows the net amps in and out of a battery bank and the net amp-hours used since the battery was last fully charged. We’re almost always either (or both) putting power into the batteries from the solar panels, or using at least a bit of power. Voltage isn’t a great way to determine state of charge in the first place, but for it to come close at all, the batteries have to be “at rest” for at least 15 minutes. And ones we couldn’t answer because Barefoot Gal only had a voltmeter that displayed the battery voltage. How do you know if your batteries are getting charged enough? If there’s enough power to watch a movie? If your solar panels or wind generator are sufficient? Do you need to run the generator?Īll important questions on a cruising boat. Pin it! Why You Need a Battery Monitor on a Boat