Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: No Shunt Battery Monitor (Read 1119 times) previous topic - next topic

No Shunt Battery Monitor

I just ran across this battery monitor. Looks interesting, no shunts, it reads battery capacitance and from that can determine battery capacity. Has anyone tried one of these?

Balmar Smartgauge Battery Monitor

Peter and Tammy Fleming
1991 U300 GV 40 - Sold, owned for 4 years
Downsized to Roadtrek Popular 210 class B

Re: No Shunt Battery Monitor

Reply #1 –
I'm skeptical. This sounds too good to be true.  With no shunt, it has no reliable way of knowing load.  Without knowledge of load, is that voltage an unloaded voltage that gives a good idea of battery state of charge, or voltage under unknown load.

I imagine this might sort of work by guessing when it is not loaded and not being charged, then taking a snapshot.

But the PDF file uses the word proprietary where I'd like to see facts.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: No Shunt Battery Monitor

Reply #2 –
They claim 5% accuracy after it "learns" your battery after a few cycles. West Marine here in Mpls has one, I'm going to try it. I'll run some measured load tests with my inverter, and report results.
Peter and Tammy Fleming
1991 U300 GV 40 - Sold, owned for 4 years
Downsized to Roadtrek Popular 210 class B

Re: No Shunt Battery Monitor

Reply #3 –
Here is a review with some testing:

Smartgauge monitor review
Peter and Tammy Fleming
1991 U300 GV 40 - Sold, owned for 4 years
Downsized to Roadtrek Popular 210 class B

Re: No Shunt Battery Monitor

Reply #4 –
Looking forward to your reports Peter.
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: No Shunt Battery Monitor

Reply #5 –
Quote from: rbark –
Looking forward to your reports Peter.
Mounted the Smartgauge panel yesterday, today will run the wires. Next post will be report on how it works.

Peter and Tammy Fleming
1991 U300 GV 40 - Sold, owned for 4 years
Downsized to Roadtrek Popular 210 class B

Re: No Shunt Battery Monitor

Reply #6 –
Anxiously waiting the report. Nice when someone else does the initial testing.  ^.^d
Larry
1996 U295 36'
Build # 4805
Actually we sold it but just like to lurk

Re: No Shunt Battery Monitor

Reply #7 –
Wiring is done. Been through the setup, the initial charge defaults to 75%, but if you know the state of your batteries, you can set the start point. My house batteries have been on float all morning, so I set the initial charge at 100%. From here according to the manual, it will learn over a few cycles. Note the Aims display is not accurate - shows only 75%.



Peter and Tammy Fleming
1991 U300 GV 40 - Sold, owned for 4 years
Downsized to Roadtrek Popular 210 class B

Re: No Shunt Battery Monitor

Reply #8 –
Peter, how's the no shunt battery monitor going?
The selected media item is not currently available.
My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: No Shunt Battery Monitor

Reply #10 –
The first battery monitor went with the '91 when we sold it. I was very happy with the readings as verified with known discharge testing that I did using a 200 watt light bulb and a 1500 watt electric grill as inverter test loads.

I bought another one and just got it installed into the Roadtrek. I haven't been out camping yet this spring so it hasn't been through the few discharge cycles needed to synchronize with the house batteries.

My solar panel is keeping the house batteries at full charge, the monitor is showing 100% in the photo.
Peter and Tammy Fleming
1991 U300 GV 40 - Sold, owned for 4 years
Downsized to Roadtrek Popular 210 class B