Palazzo Battery Monitor Install (Magnum ME-BMK)

[Redridge]

Thought Id start a new thread on this so that it may be easy to find… I will also link it to the Palazzo mod/upgrade thread. I will update as the installation develops.

Since our Palazzo has a Magnum inverter, a Magnum generator auto start and a magnum interface… it would only make sense to use the Magnum battery monitor (ME-BMK).

Here are the Parts left to right:
18" #4 battery cable
battery load sense wire
500amp shunt
magnum me-bmk
communication cable to the inverter




this is the battery compartment for the Palazzo 33.3. The batteries are 6volt golf cart type. They are first wired as a pair to double the voltage (12v) and then wired as Parallel to double the amps (not sure, what ampacity these batteries hold maybe 220amps each battery). The 12v positive terminal is on the bottom battery left post and the 12v negative terminal is at the top battery left post. I will mount the shunt on the right side of the wall.



location of the shunt… drill and tap 8/32 SS screws. After it is tapped, I sprayed black paint to the exposed metal.



remove existing negative cable from battery and attach it to one side of the shunt (cable painted red by Thor). Attach new 18" cable to the negative battery and the other end to the other side of the shunt.



This pic shows conduits that lead to the compartment underneath the bed via tunnel. All wiring will use this tunnel.



stay tuned for part 2….

[Redridge]

Part 2

size your wires harness about 5 feet and attach to the BMK connector. The power requires a 2A fuse. I used flex tubing for added wire protection. Red wire is 12v+, white is 12v-, Gray cable is the communication cable and the twisted pair blue/orange is the shunt sensor.




open up the cover at the foot of the bed under the mattress. The right hand side corner is right above the battery compartment… run your wire harness here.



In the battery compartment, connect the shunt sensor and power to the BMK module.



Attaché BMK module to the frame of the bed.



Run the communication cable (left of the green cable) to the engine/tranny belly… you may have to remove some of the expansion foam and respray it once the the wires are run.



run the comm cable along the wiring bundle on top of the tranny, towards the DEF tank and into the inverter compartment.





Attach the comm cable using an RJ11 splitter… unplug the ags comm cable on the inverter, and insert to one side of the splitter, insert BMK cable (that was just pulled over the tranny) to other side of the splitter. Attach pig tail on the RJ11 splitter to the inverter.

It should only take a second for the BMK module to attach itself to the network.



Reset the rAH out feature and watch how much current is being used up in your battery bank… The state of charge takes a few days to come up.

1.1 amps to start the generator…




Thats about it… overall its about a 5/10… 10 being the hardest for a DIY.

[TheArnolds]

Thanks!

[TK IV]

Redridge,
Thank you for the excellent tutorial. Has anyone installed the ME-BMK on a 36.1? Our batteries are on the opposite side from the 33.3. Looking for insights like shown above.

[alindsay]

Originally Posted by TK IV

Redridge,
Thank you for the excellent tutorial. Has anyone installed the ME-BMK on a 36.1? Our batteries are on the opposite side from the 33.3. Looking for insights like shown above.

I did it on my 36.1 - was way easier than this.

I put everything in the Inverter compartment and running the wires was a piece of cake.

At first I was a little intimidated by the install but after having some "electrical" problems, I saw how everything was laid out. The Inverter compartment is right behind the battery compartment and there is a pass thru for cables.

Very easy install on a 36.1

I do need to get back in there and finalize the install but adding the ME-BMK and ME-ARK50 was easy and a nice addition.

My coach is at storage but let me know if you want more details.

Allan

[TK IV]

Allan,
Thanks for the reply. What is the MEARK-50?

[alindsay]

Originally Posted by TK IV

Allan,
Thanks for the reply. What is the MEARK-50?

The ME-ARC50 is a plug in replacement of the original monitor you see in the coach. Just pull out the existing monitor and replace with the ME-ARC50. Then use the additional settings to get better control of your batteries.

Here is the link to the one from Amazon: Amazon.com: MAGNUM MAGN-ME-ARC50 / Remote Control Advanced ME Series: Computers & Accessories

Coupled with the BMK, it gives you much more control over your battery charge process. Redridge is a much more knowledgable person on this but at a high level, you can set the State of Charge (SOC) level to invoke charging of your batteries. I think there is a post on the forum somewhere with more info..I'll look for it and post if I find it.

Here is a link but also do a search on "ME-ARC50" returning matching POSTs

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f281/pala...ml#post2077288