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12-04-2019, 05:27 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 480
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Need cheapo battery monitor w BT
Hey guys,
I found my chassis batteries dead today. I got some unbelievable parasite draws on these. But my 100W solar panel was supposed to take care of that. I am in the process of finding out what went wrong there. Which could be many things. The coach is wintered, all battery sws and disconnect sws are off. And we are not plugged in.
So I have a trimetric that is hooked up to my house batteries. I paid $700 for a RV tech to drill a hole in the ceiling of my battery compartment to install it.
I am not a cheapo, well kinda, but I'm thinking I need to monitor the discharge on the chassis batteries. Voltage is ok but i need to know if my solar is charging or not and what is the draw on the chassis batteries. I don't want this to happen again. Is there a cheapo battery monitor around that could fit this bill and something with bluetooth?
I wish the trimetric could monitor both battery banks but it doesn't.
ps I have 1200W on the roof that keeps the house batteries charged.
__________________
2003 Monaco Signature Baroness
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12-04-2019, 05:34 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: FL 33993
Posts: 308
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__________________
2007 Fleetwood Providence 39V
Allison 3000MH 7.5 Onan
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12-04-2019, 06:25 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 480
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They are perfectly cheap enough compared to $200. But I didn't see any bluetooth capability.
I may be asking too much because there are cheapo BT models but they only display voltage. No current draw or charge.
__________________
2003 Monaco Signature Baroness
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12-04-2019, 06:31 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,565
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I added a trickle charger that is between the house batterys and chassis battery. Connects where the emergency start solenoid is. Any excess from shore or my solar goes to the chassis battery. Works like a charm.
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12-04-2019, 06:36 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,807
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kiss4aFrog
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Besides not being Bluetooth they only measure current/power in one direction.
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12-05-2019, 09:37 AM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: College Station, TX
Posts: 65
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I use the NASA BM-1 bluetooth battery monitor.
https://www.nasamarine.com/product/bm-1-bluetooth/
Simple to install and set-up. It can be used with either android or IOS. Will also monitor chassis battery (voltage only- requires a wire from the controller to the chassis battery).
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2017 Thor Challenger 37YT
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12-05-2019, 09:43 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Buxton, North Dakota
Posts: 3,940
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A Trik-L-Start will solve your problem
__________________
2003 Winnebago Adventurer 38G F53/ V10 605 watts of Solar
1999 Winnebago Brave 35C F53V10 Handicap Equipped
1999 Jeep Cherokee, 1991 Jeep Wrangler Renegade and 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Diesel
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12-05-2019, 10:08 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,565
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John Hilley
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That's what I use. Does a great job at keeping chassis battery up.
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12-05-2019, 10:36 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,529
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Quote:
Originally Posted by A32Deuce
That's what I use. Does a great job at keeping chassis battery up.
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True, I have one too but it does it's job only while on shore power or gen.
To the o.p: I'd be more inclined to fix/disconnect the loads that are killing the batteries- don't buy more stuff right now unless you're just compelled to do so. Use either a v.o.m. to look at voltages as you remove each load, or an amp clamp which might be easier.
My coach is stored with no hook up- it can sit sometimes for 2 months and the batteries are fine. I get 5 to 6 years out of a set.
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2008 Winnebago Sightseer 35-J
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12-05-2019, 10:55 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,565
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I also have 305 watts of solar so the chassis battery is always getting a hit.
Also our RV never sits that long, 4 weeks at the most.
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12-05-2019, 11:44 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,569
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Moira
I wish the trimetric could monitor both battery banks but it doesn't.
ps I have 1200W on the roof that keeps the house batteries charged.
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I'm pretty sure the trimetric has the input for a second battery. I believe it is voltage only (no shunt) but I can't really remember.
__________________
1996 Tioga Class C
2007 Monaco Diplomat 40 PDQ
TOAD 2012 Cadillac SRX 4
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12-05-2019, 11:59 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,569
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Moira
.... Is there a cheapo battery monitor around that could fit this bill and something with bluetooth?.....
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I wonder if you have to be concerned with the wattage of the shunt when installing on the chassis battery?
__________________
1996 Tioga Class C
2007 Monaco Diplomat 40 PDQ
TOAD 2012 Cadillac SRX 4
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12-05-2019, 01:01 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,438
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Quote:
Originally Posted by okcnewbie
I wonder if you have to be concerned with the wattage of the shunt when installing on the chassis battery?
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Yes, you would want shunt that can handle 1000 amps. That's what it could see with 2 950 CCA batteries running thru it.
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12-05-2019, 01:02 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,438
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Unless your 100 watt solar is connected directly to the chassis battery, turning off the battery disconnect may be shutting off the solar.
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