Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: John Morales on June 06, 2018, 09:08:13 am

Title: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter
Post by: John Morales on June 06, 2018, 09:08:13 am
This could be a great option for our motorhomes and at a great price.  We can keep an eye on our house and chassis batteries on our phone.

Bluetooth Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter - Thornwave Labs Inc (https://www.thornwave.com/products-btdcpm?utm_medium=paidsocial&utm_source=%7B%7Bsite_source_name%7D%7D&utm_campaign=%7B%7Bcampaign.name%7D%7D&utm_content=%7B%7Bplacement%7D%7D&utm_term=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D)
Title: Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter
Post by: craneman on June 06, 2018, 10:41:25 am
Looks like it could give the soc that my Victron connect app is missing.
Title: Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter
Post by: Moby on June 06, 2018, 12:06:02 pm
Something to look into.
Anybody have one installed?  Looks like a super simple install - what one lead to + and one to - and off you go?
Title: Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter
Post by: jcus on June 06, 2018, 12:18:20 pm
Something to look into.
Anybody have one installed?  Looks like a super simple install - what one lead to + and one to - and off you go?
Internal shunt is 60 amp, looks like you will need a external shunt in one of your house battery leads to get full functionality, if your charge or discharge amperage is more than that.
Title: Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter
Post by: craneman on June 06, 2018, 07:53:29 pm
The manual mentions it is capable of external shunt function  monitoring 300 to 600 amps with good resolution and higher if resolution can be sacrificed.
Title: Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter
Post by: Moby on June 06, 2018, 08:19:31 pm
For house side,  no inverter, would average draw be over 60?
Title: Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter
Post by: jcus on June 06, 2018, 08:33:34 pm
For house side,  no inverter, would average draw be over 60?
Probably not.
Title: Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter
Post by: AC7880 on June 06, 2018, 09:46:41 pm
Looks like it could give the soc that my Victron connect app is missing.


Must be differences in our systems.  Victron connect app shows me state of charge top center with my setup..
Title: Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter
Post by: craneman on June 06, 2018, 10:28:18 pm

Must be differences in our systems.  Victron connect app shows me state of charge top center with my setup..
I just have the 150/85 controller, no shunt or soc.
Title: Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter
Post by: jcus on June 06, 2018, 10:34:01 pm
I would get this one and keep everything Victron. Victron Energy BMV 712 Smart Precision Battery Monitor (https://shop.pkys.com/Victron-Energy-BMV-712-Smart-Battery-Monitor-with-Bluetooth-PN-BAM030712000-_p_6968.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwjN7YBRCOARIsAFCb936ocbvr771e_krps2rBmaICgYq5U-RyWWtCMMNanfoOmmPdn9rK2KsaAgB3EALw_wcB)
Title: Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter
Post by: AC7880 on June 06, 2018, 10:37:11 pm
I just have the 150/85 controller, no shunt or soc.

Understood. I have the integrated shunt with the BMV battery monitor.
Title: Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on June 06, 2018, 10:49:53 pm
Or get one from a Forum member.  Same price plus you get Alan as part of the deal.
Victron BMV-712 Smart Battery Monitor with Built-In Bluetooth (https://baymarinesupply.com/electrical/battery-monitors/victron-bmv-712-smart-battery-monitor-with-bluetooth.html)

Title: Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter
Post by: Barry & Cindy on June 07, 2018, 01:11:21 am
This is a very powerful device full of features and completely replaces all functions of Trimetric meter.  A lot for $90.

Thanks for the sharing.  It is less than one year on the market and they are making many updates. 

Their smartphone / tablet app looks full of features.

The documentation is great, and the configuration flexibility is powerful.  For example, if the internal shunt is wired backward, the negative sign for current flow direction can be reversed on the app.
Title: Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter
Post by: OSIN on June 10, 2018, 02:10:47 am
I have the Victron 712 with Bluetooth in my other rig, works fantastic. The iPhone app is awesome...The other rig (Landmark 5th Wheel) also has 1080 watts AM solar panels, Magnum 2800 Inverter, Magnum 1000 Inverter for fridge only, Victron 150/85 charge controller, (with Bluetooth) 660ah Lifeline AGM's. What a great system!

Hoping to do a similar system with the Foretravel soon!
Title: Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter
Post by: jhardman on June 10, 2018, 03:26:05 pm
Does anyone know how hard it would be to upgrade from an older Victron to the newer Bluetooth version?

I'm only just beginning to learn my handy skills and have little confidence in my ability.

(I am about to put my step back on after having it made out of stainless and refiberglassed. I have done that by myself with the help of David and several other forum members advising me).
Title: Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter
Post by: TulsaTrent on June 11, 2018, 12:42:01 am
I am about to put my step back on after having it made out of stainless and refiberglassed.
Pictures, pictures; we want pictures.
 
I have not yet taken mine apart, but sure need to one of these days. 
 
My understanding of the bottom step is a flat piece of metal with two triangles welded onto the top of it, and a long hinge pop-riveted onto it. There is a fiberglass box (with no top) attached to the metal plate, but how? I assume the moisture gets into the box because the caulking around the edge of the metal is flawed. to get the water out of the box, where do I need to put drain holes?
 
How thick is that metal plate? How thick was your SS plate? Were you able to salvage your Foretravel step cover?
 
Thanks,
 
Trent
Title: Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter
Post by: folivier on June 11, 2018, 07:50:00 am
Jhardman, this should plug into the back of your BMV battery monitor to give you bluetooth.
Amazon.com: Victron VE.Direct Bluetooth Dongle: Computers & Accessories (https://www.amazon.com/Victron-Energy-ASS030536010-VE-Direct-Bluetooth/dp/B01CGFF8Q2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1528717598&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=victron+bluetooth+dongle&psc=1&smid=AERMGYAT5R869)