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Topic: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter (Read 1193 times) previous topic - next topic

Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter

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
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter

Reply #1 –
Looks like it could give the soc that my Victron connect app is missing.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter

Reply #2 –
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?
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Moby –
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.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter

Reply #4 –
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.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter

Reply #5 –
For house side,  no inverter, would average draw be over 60?
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Moby –
For house side,  no inverter, would average draw be over 60?
Probably not.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter

Reply #7 –
Quote from: craneman –
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..
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter

Reply #8 –
Quote from: AC7880 –

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.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter

Reply #10 –
Quote from: craneman –
I just have the 150/85 controller, no shunt or soc.

Understood. I have the integrated shunt with the BMV battery monitor.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter

Reply #12 –
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.

Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter

Reply #13 –
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!
Prior 2003 U295  40ft  400Hp -Sold
2020 F350 Tremor - Sold
2021 Bundutec Roadrunner - Sold
2017 Airstream Classic - Sold that POS
2017 F250 - Sold
2019 Sprinter Van - Sold
2022 Winnebago Revel 4x4


Army Airborne Vet.

Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter

Reply #14 –
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).
1996 36' U295 Build #4879 Motorcade #18088
2007 Jeep Liberty 4x4 FMCA #F474816
Foretravel Mid-South
There's no happy like Foretravel happy!

Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter

Reply #15 –
Quote from: jhardman –
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
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Bluetooth Smart Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter

Reply #16 –

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

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell