I realize this is not a towing specific question, but we're all friends here so I hope you will understand

Anyway, I am looking for the simplest (preferably cheap) way to get an accurate value of battery life for my trailer. I hate the standard lights that come with all RVs. I would like something that gives me an actual amp reading if possible or even a percentage.

At some point in the future I will upgrade to LiFePo and solar which will have plenty of equipment that will give me all sorts of data, but for now I have two 6 volts lead acid batteries with 230Ah capacity and small genny for boondocking and want to have an accurate battery level.

 

A monitor with a shunt. There are cheap ones that will get the job done for what you want.Victron BMV712 is used a lot and can carry over to your upgrade.

https://www.electronicshub.org/best-...tery-monitors/

 

Thanks scraprat. That was a helpful list and prompted me to do some additional reading for future. Looks like I will go with the Renogy monitor for now as the Victron is like $270 up here!

 

I got the Bayite one off of Amazon, I've been happy with it. It could be a little easier to use, but it isn't difficult at all.

 

I second the Victron stuff! Especially if you are going to create an ecosystem. It is a little pricier, but has some nice features and a lot of happy customers (myself included). One thing though, if you do end up going with Victron, don’t buy from Amazon. Buy from reputable companies. Also, some of those places will give discounts if you call them and talk to them. But yes, there are several other less expensive options that will also reliably get the job done.

 

I hear what you are saying and will look into all options when the time comes. I have read many good things about Victron as well as Renogy, so it will come down to local availability and price ( I want a local retailer for potential warranty issues but also to support local retailers given the current economic climate). For now though, I just want a monitor and a shunt and the Renogy seems to be the ticket for me given features vs price.

 

Friends don't let friends buy Renogy. For what you get, it's overpriced and lacks quality. Some of their equipment is just downright limiting (specifically their DC-DC/MPPT device).

I have the Victron BMV-712 in my system. I installed it when I added solar (Victron MPPT x 2) and LiFePO4 batteries (560 Ah). Then I installed a Victron Multiplus, Victron Cerbox GX and Touch 50.

If you don't need the display that comes with the BMV-712 then get the Victron SmartShunt. It has all the bells and whistles as the BMV-712 but you use an app on your phone to get the state of charge and other stats. The only downside of the SmartShunt is that the Bluetooth range isn't as good as the BMV-712. The SmartShunt wasn't available when I did my first upgrade, otherwise I would have gone with it.

Finding the right devices locally can be hard. Most RV dealers are still in the dark ages and go cross-eyed if you ask about LiFePO4 batteries. I wouldn't trust them to know how to put in a proper LiFePO4 system (it's more than just a drop in battery). Here are a few good online vendors that I've used over the past two years. All of them will answer questions if you call them and all are authorized Victron dealers.
Solar Supply House - Very good technical knowledge
Bay Marine Supply - Parts I've needed have almost always been in stock
altE Store - They host a free conference that has been very educational for me

You didn't ask about cables but I've had excellent results working with TEMCo Industrial. All my welding cable (2/0, 6 awg), PV cable, lugs, heat shrink tubing and large cable crimper came from them.

 

I plan to install LiFePO once my lead acids are toast. Can't wait.

 

Well thanks for warning about Renogy. My only intention and purpose at this time is to get a status monitor with a shunt. Apparently Victron is expensive here in Canada.

Once I decide to fully convert to solar and LiFePo batteries, I will be looking into more details related to equipment and cables, etc. I most certainly will not have an RV dealership do the work, I will go to a solar install specific company. Likely 2-3 years out

 

^^^ This...

^^^ This...

^^^ This...


We installed a complete solar charging system with a Victron MPPT controller and Victron BMV-712 monitor. We could not be happier with the performance, features and ease of use granted by the Victron components. We use our 5th wheel for boondocking a lot and we needed quality components that we could count on. Victron is a top tier brand and they have a great reputation that we have seen first hand come.

Buy once, cry once...

 

Just to continue to pile on... I understand what you mean by only needing a shunt to monitor things now... I started the same way... I bought the "less expensive" items to begin with, but then replaced them with the "more expensive" items, which simply made everything costs even more since I did in fact buy twice! I really do understand, but if you even think you will "upgrade" or add to the system later, I fully believe it is in your best interest to start with those items now. You can start with just the Smart Shunt like mentioned above for a little less than the BMV712 and they will both work the same, you just won't have the screen with the Smartshunt. However, if you drop the money on it, I believe you will be happier... and even more so down the line as you continue to add devices to the system that integrate seamlessly with the kit you already have.

And I'll admit, I didn't think that poorly of Renogy, however, all I have is a few of their solar panels... All of my equipment is Victron (BMV712, Power In, Multiplus, MPPT, and the CerboGX (monitored with an iPad so it's wireless). But it seems like many folks are ok with Renogy, but no way is it as diverse as the Victron stuff. Victron is in a league of it's own in this case! But I have no issues with their panels so far, however, if I were to do this again, I would have went with larger panels than the six 100 watt panels on my roof...

I will also agree with the TEMCo wire. I actually bought it off of Amazon, but it all shipped direct from TEMCo so I was comfortable with this purchase from Amazon. You can simply go and pick the gauge wire you want, how many foot, and red or black, or both. It seems to be good wire, and very easy to work with.

 

I used Arctic Ultraflex Blue and Industrial Electrical Wiring Supplies | Polar Wire as the supplier for 95% of my wiring needs. I measured 4 times and ordered once.

They are in AK, but at the time shipping was free for orders over $300. Very high quality wire and lugs that I could not be happier with after a few years of being in service.