Victron Battery Monitor

[autorouter]

It shows you've consumed 1.8 Ah (amp-hours) of charge. If it took for example 10 hours then the discharge current flow, in amps, is 1.8/10 = 0.18 amps, in other words 180mA average current flow over that time period.

That's not unusual for a motorhome, because some items like the fridge and heater control boards take a small current, not to mention other things like a clock, step, tracker etc.

 

[Raul]

Thanks but why I have I lost a percent when it’s on eHu ?

If is lead, surface charge and self discharge. Lead self discharges faster than lithium, even if it does nothing, and add some parasitic load as Autorouter mentioned above.

 

[Lenny HB]

Thanks for all the help, Is this the Victron settings as the solar controller is only a slider button and it’s at gel.

What is your mains charger?

 

[irnbru]

Lenny HB This is the charger here but the setting I have changed is on the solar controller.

 

[ghoster]

Hi,
Sorry slightly off topic.
I am installing a victron bmv712 smart and I must be missing something as I cannot see how I connect the negative terminal to the battery only connection. Do you have to purchase this lead extra.

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[autorouter]

I am installing a victron bmv712 smart and I must be missing something as I cannot see how I connect the negative terminal to the battery only connection. Do you have to purchase this lead extra.

Yes you have to provide your own lead. The battery connection will be different for different kinds of battery, so you will need one suitable for your battery. One thing to be careful of is that the connection bolts on the BMV are 10mm diameter, which is larger than the average battery terminal connection, they are usually 8mm or 6mm. So you may need to crimp a new connector onto the existing negative cable.

In theory you can just cut the negative wire and crimp on two 10mm connectors. However depending on where you want to mount the BMV, the wiring probably won't be long enough for that to be convenient.

Crimping a connector onto a wire is a 10-second job if the wire is stripped and ready, and you have a suitable connector. A local garage may be willing to do this if you don't want to buy a crimp tool and you don't know anyone who has one.

 

[irnbru]

Sorry but Im still not grasping what Ive used today. Please can someone tell me. I know its full at the moment.

 

[Bobby-gg]

Whatever you have used today, has been replaced by solar by the looks of it

 

[Raul]

Click on the solar history tab, and it will show you how much has put in. What you used today, you should of taken note at the start of charging to see how empty it was.

 

[Marauder]

4. If I was to order the 2 batteries, the MPPT and the smart shunt today is there any other materials I would need

If the MPPt is single output, it only charges HabBats. Need dual output MPPT if you want to charge CabBat also.

Other option is single output MPPT, with some device like Eddievanbits to siphon small charge from HabBat to CabBat

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[Marauder]

-
I just realised:

EHU chargers and solar controllers are both available in multiple output ( and more expensive ) versions, to feed Hab and Cab batts simultaneously.

But a Batt Master takes trickle from Hab to Cab batts, meaning the mega-bucks multi-output versions can be avoided.

using single outputs is much cheaper, and the CabBatt still gets charged.

( now tell me why I'm wrong again )
_

 

[Raul]

Single output is cheaper up to a point. And dual output is only big enough up to a point. A single 150/100 charger is 800 quid and a 250/100 almost a thousand quid. The dual controllers are around 300-400w max. Single output, as much as 5000w.

But, for your application if you got battery master makes sense single output.

 

[irnbru]

Now that I'm starting to want to take an interest in electronics can someone post up an amazon link to what I need to make my victron monitor work with wifi please. I know I need a raspberry pi but what else?

 

[funflair]

Now that I'm starting to want to take an interest in electronics can someone post up an amazon link to what I need to make my victron monitor work with wifi please. I know I need a raspberry pi but what else?

Do you mean so that you can monitor Victron while away from the van ?

 

[irnbru]

Do you mean so that you can monitor Victron while away from the van ?

Yes Martin thats what I want to do.

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[treblid]

Now that I'm starting to want to take an interest in electronics can someone post up an amazon link to what I need to make my victron monitor work with wifi please. I know I need a raspberry pi but what else?

Take a look here. Post in thread 'Raspberry PI and Venus OS' https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/raspberry-pi-and-venus-os.278657/post-6043294

There are other threads on here and plenty of YouTube videos on the subject.

 

[AdrianChen]

A guess a ve direct to USB cable to connect the BMV to the Pi and an internet connection/wifi - Do you have a load of other Victron kit to monitor?

Had to stop - called for house duty!

 

[irnbru]

A guess a ve direct to USB cable to connect the BMV to the Pi and an internet connection/wifi - Do you have a load of other Victron kit to monitor?

No, I just have the victron battery monitor. Currently I can only monitor it by bluetooth and now that im starting to want to learn basic electronics I thought this might be a good project to learn and do.

 

[Two on Tour]

No, I just have the victron battery monitor. Currently I can only monitor it by bluetooth and now that im starting to want to learn basic electronics I thought this might be a good project to learn and do.

Have a watch of this video Sandra as it will give you an idea of what you need and what to do.

Forget buying anything for the moment until you have a better idea of what you are likely to need, then myself and others can point you in the right direction to get what you want at better prices.

 

[AdrianChen]

No, I just have the victron battery monitor. Currently I can only monitor it by bluetooth and now that im starting to want to learn basic electronics I thought this might be a good project to learn and do.

OK thats a nice project, and you will I'm sure get lots of help on here from folk that have done it.

The Pi - VE direct to USB cable, or DIY equivalent is one part, and onboard Internet/Wifi is another, we already had the internet using a cheap MIFI, just needed to arrange for it to be on 24hrs to allow remote monitoring from home Our van is stored miles away but luckily there is good Cell Phone reception.

Have fun!

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[Guigsy]

OK thats a nice project, and you will I'm sure get lots of help on here from folk that have done it.

The Pi - VE direct to USB cable, or DIY equivalent is one part, and onboard Internet/Wifi is another, we already had the internet using a cheap MIFI, just needed to arrange for it to be on 24hrs to allow remote monitoring from home Our van is stored miles away but luckily there is good Cell Phone reception.

Have fun!

Having a Pi and MiFi on all year in a van isn't trivial in the UK. The relatively small current adds up to a few Ah per day. Which becomes pretty significant when there's pretty much no solar power for a couple of months.

 

[AdrianChen]

Having a Pi and MiFi on all year in a van isn't trivial in the UK. The relatively small current adds up to a few Ah per day. Which becomes pretty significant when there's pretty much no solar power for a couple of months.

Yes our system uses about 7w per hour, got down to 50% on the battery at one point....

 

[irnbru]

Have a watch of this video Sandra as it will give you an idea of what you need and what to do.

Forget buying anything for the moment until you have a better idea of what you are likely to need, then myself and others can point you in the right direction to get what you want at better prices.

Ok Ive watched it now. I have sd cards and a mifi so can you give me links for the cable and raspberry pi please.

 

[Two on Tour]

Ok Ive watched it now. I have sd cards and a mifi so can you give me links for the cable and raspberry pi please.

Just on our way back to our van Sandra, give me 1/2 hour and I'll come back to you.

 

[Two on Tour]

Ok Ive watched it now. I have sd cards and a mifi so can you give me links for the cable and raspberry pi please.

Your not going to need a lot of processing power so a Pi 3b plus will do the job.
I would go for a second hand one as they are cheaper than new and easy to pickup on eBay.

rasberry pi 3 model b plus for sale | eBay

Find great deals on eBay for rasberry pi 3 model b plus. Shop with confidence.

www.ebay.co.uk

I found in the past that a few of the Pi 3b's did not fire up the Victron Venus OS, but every one of the "plus" variants has.
Look for the ones that have the Raspberry logo on the component I have arrowed.

You will need a 5v USB power supply to the Pi, but your normal 1 or 2.1 amp outlets may not deliver enough power for it.
I use one of these variable stabilised voltage power supplies wired into my 12v hab system.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/31467513...pid=5339023013&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

For your VE.Direct cable from your battery monitor to your Pi, then make your own using a USB To RS232 TTL UART PL2303HX converter, and a 4 pin JST PH 2.0mm plug. Andy in the video shows you the orientation for wiring the USB To RS232 converter to the JST PH plug.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/25357439...pid=5339023013&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/29194452...pid=5339023013&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

Just shout if you need any clarification or help Sandra.

You will get a warm fuzzy feeling when you have finished your project and it all works.

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[Raul]

JST end to the Victron

 

[irnbru]

Thanks all, no doubt I will be back when I receive my parts and I get stuck.

 

[landranger]

Watching this with interest and considering raiding the piggy bank, question though for those in the know.....JST to USB, no problem, completely understood and will probably fit new ends and a JST moulding onto the end of the USB lead rather than introduce another joiner, but, what about when one has a Multiplus in the system, as I understand it they don't have a VRM port on them but a VE-Bus port, can we connect those ports to a Raspberry Pi? I don't have a Multiplus yet.......but I'd like one!

 

[Raul]

Watching this with interest and considering raiding the piggy bank, question though for those in the know.....JST to USB, no problem, completely understood and will probably fit new ends and a JST moulding onto the end of the USB lead rather than introduce another joiner, but, what about when one has a Multiplus in the system, as I understand it they don't have a VRM port on them but a VE-Bus port, can we connect those ports to a Raspberry Pi? I don't have a Multiplus yet.......but I'd like one!

My multiplus runs happy on RPI with VE bus to USB lead, costs about 45-50 quid. You can't make that, as its VE protocol to USB. Its the same lead with the interface you use for VE config tools. MK2 its cheaper and it works. The MK3 its slimmer, and fits better inside trunking.

 

[Raul]

Like this one, just plug a UTP cable in it, the the other end in the VE port of multiplus.

Victron Speciality USB MK3 Interface for Phoenix Multiplus Quattro ASS030140000 | eBay

Victron Energy. MultiPlus 500VA - 1600VA. MultiPlus 800VA - 5000VA. Batteries by Application. If you are sending unwanted goods back they must be in a resalable condition otherwise they will not be accepted as unused.

www.ebay.co.uk

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