Log In | Register
Skip to main content
Topic: Mounting a battery monitor gauge (Read 612 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Mounting a battery monitor gauge
I want to mount a battery monitor gauge in my mid bath.
Where do you all mount them in this model?

If it's too much of a hassle I'll install just the Bluetooth version.

Thanks
2021 Mid Bath
Re: Mounting a battery monitor gauge
Reply #1 –
I can't help you with the mounting location in your Mid Bath however, you will be very glad if you go with the bluetooth model as I have. It makes it very easy for setting up the parameters using your smart phone and occasionally checking the status of the batteries. I never check the unit's display screen and have even taped off the screen to darken the room at night. For that reason placing the display may not be that important.
2026 Coach House 27' "Casa Azul"
2010 RB "Monty"  &  2021 RB "Villa Verde"
2004 Born Free 26'
1998 Beaver Patriot 33'
1992 Barth Breakaway 28'
1982 Fleetwood Jamboree 23
Re: Mounting a battery monitor gauge
Reply #2 –
In my midbath I installed a battery monitor in the end panel of the cabinet above the sink. You can cut a new hole in the panel, but  since I was mounting several other gauges there (inverter/charger controls, SeeLevel II tank gauge, etc.), I chose to make a new end panel out of plywood.

However, since battery monitors with Bluetooth became available, in my more recent rigs I've left the gauge buried under the bed with the rest of the electrical gear, and just used my phone to monitor my batteries. True, it takes a few seconds to launch the app and connect to the  monitor, but I get better information, and it's much easier to adjust the settings when necessary. (In the case of Victron equipment the same app lets me monitor and control my solar controller, battery charger, lithium batteries, etc.) And I can do all this from anywhere in the rig. Like Mike, I much prefer the Bluetooth method.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Mounting a battery monitor gauge
Reply #3 –
Ted,

Not sure which monitor you plan on using. Before the solar upgrade in our RB, I was always having trouble with the state of charge of the AGM’s in the rig. Killed em good and dead.

While at a Morro Bay GT two years ago, I was introduced to the Victron BM 712-Smart monitor. I purchased it directly from AM Solar. I waited to do the monitor installation since I hadn’t decided on which battery direction I was going to take.

I’d read that AM Solar has great tech support for those who purchase directly from them rather than those who buy Victron gear to save a few bucks on Amazon and then come to AM for advice.

During the solar install, I had them mount the battery monitor under the dinette seat with the rest of the kit. I use the Bluetooth App to check charge levels. No unnecessary holes to cut in the paneling and no need to snake data cables.

Out of site but not out of mind.

Kent

2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Mounting a battery monitor gauge
Reply #4 –
Wait a minute, don’t the new LD’s come with one already?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Mounting a battery monitor gauge
Reply #5 –
In our 94 mid bath, the battery's are on the entry door side. I made a bracket to mount the monitor in and then did a friction fit over the door in that wasted space. No holes except to access the battery box. Leeds ran behind the door trim. I suppose battery location has changed through the years.

Jon
1994 MB
Re: Mounting a battery monitor gauge
Reply #6 –
Quote from: HiLola  - 
Wait a minute, don’t the new LD’s come with one already?

It came with a built in surge protector.
No battery monitor other than the solar controller but I want more readings than that.
2021 Mid Bath
Re: Mounting a battery monitor gauge
Reply #7 –
Quote from: JonS  - 
In our 94 mid bath, the battery's are on the entry door side. I made a bracket to mount the monitor in and then did a friction fit over the door in that wasted space. No holes except to access the battery box. Leeds ran behind the door trim. I suppose battery location has changed through the years.

Jon

They've changed.
Our battery compartment is under the fridge just behind the driver's side.
2021 Mid Bath
Re: Mounting a battery monitor gauge
Reply #8 –
On my 2006 MB I mounted mine down low above the propane detector.  Short distance to batteries and very easy installation
2006 MB
Re: Mounting a battery monitor gauge
Reply #10 –
If you are talking about monitoring while in the RV as opposed to remotely, this is $18 at Walmart.

Greg
2006 26.5' MB
Re: Mounting a battery monitor gauge
Reply #11 –
Ted,

I’m not familiar with that device. It’s definitely an upgrade from the display provided by the Blue Sky 3000i which did a poor job of helping me stay ahead of the batts discharge rate.

The fact that your proposed monitor provides access to data via a smartphone is a plus.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Mounting a battery monitor gauge
Reply #12 –

"this is $18 at Walmart"

Unfortunately, that's not a battery monitor--it's just a voltmeter. And looking at a battery's voltage, especially while it's in use, is the least accurate way to judge its state of charge. If you turn on an appliance or two, the voltage will immediately drop, but that doesn't mean the battery is in bad shape. When you turn them off, the voltage will rise again, but that doesn't mean the battery is in good shape. When you're driving, the voltage will be high even if your battery is almost dead, because the engine's alternator is pumping in power... but when you turn off the engine, the voltage will drop. Same thing if a cloud shades the sun and causes your solar charger to stop working for a few minutes.

You get the idea. The voltage goes up and down all the time, and it has little to do with the battery's state of charge. The only time you can trust it is when the battery is in a state of "resting charge"--when there has been no charging or discharging for several hours. That's fine if you're willing to get up at 3:00 a.m. and not turn on any lights. But for practical purposes, voltage doesn't tell you much, unless it's at an extreme low--say, 11.5 V--in which case your batteries may be dead.

This is why many of us are willing to spend a couple hundred bucks for an intelligent battery monitor such as Balmar's SG200 or Victron's BMV-712. These battery monitors can give you an accurate reading of your battery's state of charge, regardless of whether charging or discharging is going on. The Balmar product can even tell you the battery's state of health--how it's performing in real life, compared to its rated capacity.

If you do most of your camping plugged in at a commercial campground or state park, that information may not be too important to you. But if you enjoy boondocking, a good battery monitor is vital.

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Mounting a battery monitor gauge
Reply #13 –
Tedeboy-

I installed the Trimetric display on the inside face of the cabinet door under the sink, next to the Progressive Industries EMS display.

Mark H.
Former owner, 31-foot gas Class A
Former owner, 1997-8 mid-bath
Re: Mounting a battery monitor gauge
Reply #14 –
Andy - I get all of that and I boondock all the time.  We just disagree on what's vital vs interesting.  I have found with my Alaskan camper and a 170W briefcase solar panel, that as long as the solar is on float as the afternoon passes, the batteries are fully charged and good for a couple of days.  The LD is even better on power, since it has a LPG powered refrigerator.  Only if the batteries don't get fully charged every couple of days do I need to pay attention.  That's when the "$18 volt meter" is useful.  When I get up in the morning, I can check the voltage.  If it is too low and we expect a cloudy day where I worry about the batteries being harmed, on comes the generator.  I've done this for years with no problems.  Now if I had 600-800W of solar, an inverter to run all sorts of appliances and expensive Li batteries that I'd rather not have to replace, I'd get a cool controller/monitor system too.
Greg
2006 26.5' MB
Re: Mounting a battery monitor gauge
Reply #15 –
People lived without battery monitors for years and maintained their batteries using the 'it seems to work OK" method.
That might have been fine with an inexpensive Series-24 battery but today's LDs have two very expensive AGM batteries that can be easily ruined with improper charge management. At $600 a set, IMO, it's a good idea to keep an eye on them.
A battery monitor isn't absolutely needed, some are perfectly happy with the glowing LED indicators.  A battery monitor provides valuable information on the 12-volt electrical system that isn't available using other methods and, if you are paying attention, can help diagnose developing problems.
More information is good.  YMMV

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Mounting a battery monitor gauge
Reply #16 –
Quote from: tedeboy  - 
I want to mount a battery monitor gauge in my mid bath.
Where do you all mount them in this model?
If it's too much of a hassle I'll install just the Bluetooth version.

All that I installed were in the padded panel that you see when entering the coach. I have seen them mounted off the side of the refrigerator and in the panel in front of the water tank. If you are going to use Bluetooth most often, it isn't critical
I like mounted gauges, others are happy to use their phone. With the battery monitor, and other gauges and readouts, mounted in plain view, I know they will be checked more often than having to fumble with a phone to check the charge level.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Mounting a battery monitor gauge
Reply #17 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
.... but today'expensive AGM batteries that can be easily ruined with improper charge management. ...
Larry

What are the main differences in the maintenance of my AGM system as opposed to my previous Trojan T-105 system, besides adding water?

I'll check the manual also.
2021 Mid Bath
Re: Mounting a battery monitor gauge
Reply #18 –
Quote from: tedeboy  - 
What are the main differences in the maintenance of my AGM system as opposed to my previous Trojan T-105 system, besides adding water?

The main thing to be aware of is overcharging. If you overcharge a conventional lead-acid battery, distilled water will need to be added.
Overcharge an AGM battery, it will be destroyed and ready for replacement, there is no way to add water or electrolyte, I know folks who have lost more than one set of AGMs, due to overcharging.
Make sure the converter and solar controller are properly set up for AGMs. Other than not having to periodically add water, AGMs offer few other benefits to the average LD user.

Lead-acid battery user until lithiums become cheaper.
Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Mounting a battery monitor gauge
Reply #19 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
The main thing to be aware of is overcharging. If you overcharge a conventional lead-acid battery, distilled water will need to be added.
Overcharge an AGM battery, it will be destroyed and ready for replacement, there is no way to add water or electrolyte, I know folks who have lost more than one set of AGMs, due to overcharging.
Make sure the converter and solar controller are properly set up for AGMs. Other than not having to periodically add water, AGMs offer few other benefits to the average LD user.

Lead-acid battery user until lithiums become cheaper.
Larry


Can I safely assume my new rig is properly set up at the Mothership and therefore won't overcharge them?
2021 Mid Bath
Re: Mounting a battery monitor gauge
Reply #20 –
Two weeks ago I bought all the pieces to install a 400W PV system on my boat.  I made the purchase from AM solar based on recommendations here on the forum.  Garrett was a big help with recommendations and advice, and appreciated knowing that the Lazy Daze forum is supportive of their business. (He asked that I say Hi to Kent.)

When I informed him that I wanted to include a monitor, he suggested that I use the Victron 100/30 controller and use the Bluetooth feature for monitoring.  If I don't like it, a monitor can be added after the fact.

We spent nearly a week on anchor after the install and I am really pleased with the system.  Best of all, the Bluetooth signal is strong all over the boat and the monitor feature using the phone is everything I need.  He was correct and I'll skip the remote monitor.

Even this old dog can still learn a new trick.

Harold
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Mounting a battery monitor gauge
Reply #21 –
"he suggested that I use the Victron 100/30 controller and use the Bluetooth feature for monitoring.  If I don't like it, a monitor can be added after the fact."

Fair enough. But the 100/30 can only tell you the battery voltage and the solar power going in. It can't tell you how much power is going out, nor the batteries' state of charge, nor their state of health. I wouldn't be happy not knowing those things.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Mounting a battery monitor gauge
Reply #22 –
True Andy.

I also have a Link 2000 with a Freedom 2500 charger/inverter for my house battery bank that tells amps in and out, state of charge, and other values, so the bluetooth connection to the Victron is adequate for my needs for monitoring PV performance.  I am curious about wiring my negative solar lead through the Link shunt to see power in and out, but that is another project.

Harold
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Mounting a battery monitor gauge
Reply #23 –
Removing the microwave provides good access, so I mounted battery monitor, solar charge controller, and inverter/charger remote, all above and to the right of that in my '05 MB
bumper
"Yonder" '05 MB
"WLDBLU" glider trailer