Battery Monitoring

Submitted: Saturday, Apr 16, 2016 at 18:21

ThreadID: 132145 Views:2500 Replies:5 FollowUps:5

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TOOLEY

Can anyone give some advice on these 2 products?

1 - CTEK CTX BATTERY SENSE
http://www.rv4x4.net.au/ctek-ctx-battery-sense-battery-monitoring-on-your#.Vw1xe60EAwg.facebook

2 - BM-PRO Battery Check
http://teambmpro.com/au/battery-check.html

Cheers Steve

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Reply By: Sigmund - Monday, Apr 18, 2016 at 08:18

Monday, Apr 18, 2016 at 08:18

Is there a problem you need to diagnose?

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Follow Up By: Kevin S - Life Member (QLD) - Monday, Apr 18, 2016 at 10:02

Monday, Apr 18, 2016 at 10:02

I think he probably wants to buy one, Sigmund.

Kevin

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Follow Up By: Sigmund - Monday, Apr 18, 2016 at 10:09

Monday, Apr 18, 2016 at 10:09

Sure, and it always helps to have the most info you can get.

But if there's say inadequate supply in the current rig, maybe just a cheap inline meter/monitor will be enough to diagnose where the problem is. $40 to $50 on eBay.

That's of course after you've done the numbers on what's likely to be going into the batteries and what the drain is. See the solar calculator on the Redarc website for a simple approach to this task.

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Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Tuesday, Apr 19, 2016 at 16:20

Tuesday, Apr 19, 2016 at 16:20

Sigmund, the type of equipment you are proposing only give indications of current and voltage whilst you are monitoring the system. The equipment the OP is asking about keeps track of your battery usage and presents the results as a SOC (state of charge.)

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Follow Up By: Sigmund - Tuesday, Apr 19, 2016 at 18:02

Tuesday, Apr 19, 2016 at 18:02

No, there are inline meters that run a total.

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Follow Up By: Sigmund - Wednesday, Apr 20, 2016 at 09:07

Wednesday, Apr 20, 2016 at 09:07

Eg. the Aus supplied KickAss meter/analyser that I have records amp hour and watt hour totals since it was last plugged in. Yes, that's only inputs but that may be enough.

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Reply By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Monday, Apr 18, 2016 at 14:21

Monday, Apr 18, 2016 at 14:21

I cannot be sure what sort of advice you are looking for. Product quality, capability, reliability, ease of use etc.
Both of these monitor the battery and communicate to a phone app by Bluetooth. They each display battery voltage and the BM-PRO also displays instantaneous current.
They each have a low voltage alarm.
They both display with fancy dials and bargraphs but are still no more than a voltmeter although the sales pitch may lead one to believe more!
They are not suitable for installation within the engine bay and the BM-PRO is limited to a maximum of 80 Amperes.
As an alternative to conventional volt/ammeters they have the advantage of not requiring mounting of gauges on the dashboard.

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Allan

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Reply By: Member. Rob M (QLD) - Tuesday, Apr 19, 2016 at 17:20

Tuesday, Apr 19, 2016 at 17:20

Hi Steve,

Can't comment on the CETEk device, but I have a BM-PRO on the house batteries in my caravan.
It may be a bit of a gimmick, but i do find it useful to see how much power we consume over night depending on tv usage etc, when we are free camping.
It also is good to know how much charge the solar is putting in.
I know you can get other gauges to do this, but this suits my needs.
Having all the info in one simple device.
PS I have no idea how accurate it is.

Rob M

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Reply By: Gundarooster - Thursday, Apr 21, 2016 at 15:17

Thursday, Apr 21, 2016 at 15:17

Tooley,

Ive got a Ptojecta Dual battery monitor in my Patrol and its fantastic! Early version was a bit dodgy but replaced under warranty (twice) and Third one is a total internal redesign and works a treat! Small, easy to read and very low drain so it's left on 24x7 even though the vehicle only gets driven about once a week does not flatten the batteries.

Ive also got an RV Electronics Dual tank and battery monitor in the van and whilst early days looks good also.

I thought about a dual battery monitor in the van but no point as they are always connected in parrallel.

Gazza

AnswerID: 598940