We are looking to do more free-camping in future trips. We've got a 100w Lithium battery and a Kings 200w solar blanket. We would like to be able to see what power is coming into our system and what power is being consumed at any given time. Keen to hear solutions used by others. Last time out we free-camped for up to 3 days at a a time. Never ran out of power, but had little to no knowledge of what was going in or how fast we were consuming what we had.
Cheers fellow travellers,
BillandMarjie
Whenarewethere said
07:03 PM May 15, 2023
I assume you mean 100AH battery.
I have 4 x 26AH batteries, 120 watts solar & Victron MPPT 100/20 Bluetooth controller (a bit overkill but allows future expansion if I ever feel the need) & it's located near the batteries where it should be, not on the solar panel which is the wrong place.
The controller gives you all the input output data on your phone. But after a few weeks I didn't bother looking at it & one has a surprising good gut feel for what is happening. But it is handy for technical reference.
Also got some simply meters from Jaycar which from day to day casual glance, they are great & surprisingly accurate.
TimTim said
09:42 PM May 15, 2023
It sounds like you have very little power usage. Unfortunately you cannot use battery voltage to estimate how much battery capacity you have remaining.
Costly I know but accurate if wired correctly and good information for you. if you do add to your system at a later stage then gat a Victron solar controller too.
You can attach one of these as well to give you an indication of what your solar panels are generating.
I have tested a few battery monitors over the last 15 or so years. Votronic, BM-1, Victron, BEP, Juntek, Junctek and a few other cheapies.
Currently I have both a Victron 500A SmartShunt and a Junctek KH140F.
I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending the Junctek over them all despite being a Victron fan. Available via Ebay, AliExpress etc. Mine purchased from this store: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005293126063.html
Out of interest i did a little searching and you might like this comment.
For seeing watts in and out, and relative remaining capacity, it's just an outstanding value. I don't use any of the switching capability, and not sure if I would want to rely on it for highly sensitive high value systems, but for the RV it's just dandy.
BTW, it's pronounced 'joontek', not junk-tech. But I get it.
For anyone considering a less expensive shunt you may wish to read this link or go to the site and do a search.
We are looking to do more free-camping in future trips. We've got a 100w Lithium battery and a Kings 200w solar blanket. We would like to be able to see what power is coming into our system and what power is being consumed at any given time. Keen to hear solutions used by others. Last time out we free-camped for up to 3 days at a a time. Never ran out of power, but had little to no knowledge of what was going in or how fast we were consuming what we had.
Cheers fellow travellers,
BillandMarjie
I assume you mean 100AH battery.
I have 4 x 26AH batteries, 120 watts solar & Victron MPPT 100/20 Bluetooth controller (a bit overkill but allows future expansion if I ever feel the need) & it's located near the batteries where it should be, not on the solar panel which is the wrong place.
The controller gives you all the input output data on your phone. But after a few weeks I didn't bother looking at it & one has a surprising good gut feel for what is happening. But it is handy for technical reference.
Also got some simply meters from Jaycar which from day to day casual glance, they are great & surprisingly accurate.
It sounds like you have very little power usage. Unfortunately you cannot use battery voltage to estimate how much battery capacity you have remaining.
This is what you require. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/274344012928? And you connect to your phone to look at all the information.
Costly I know but accurate if wired correctly and good information for you. if you do add to your system at a later stage then gat a Victron solar controller too.
You can attach one of these as well to give you an indication of what your solar panels are generating.
https://bestbuys.coles.com.au/products/200-amp-digital-volt-watt-meter-caravan-4x4-camping-solar-12v-ammeter-voltmeter?
Do not buy the ones with a blue background as they are hard to see in sunlight.
Good luck
Tim
-- Edited by TimTim on Monday 15th of May 2023 10:56:25 PM
I have tested a few battery monitors over the last 15 or so years.
Votronic, BM-1, Victron, BEP, Juntek, Junctek and a few other cheapies.
Currently I have both a Victron 500A SmartShunt and a Junctek KH140F.
I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending the Junctek over them all despite being a Victron fan.
Available via Ebay, AliExpress etc.
Mine purchased from this store: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005293126063.html
Very nice. Always good to have an alternative.
Out of interest i did a little searching and you might like this comment.
For seeing watts in and out, and relative remaining capacity, it's just an outstanding value.
I don't use any of the switching capability, and not sure if I would want to rely on it for highly sensitive high value systems, but for the RV it's just dandy.
BTW, it's pronounced 'joontek', not junk-tech. But I get it.
For anyone considering a less expensive shunt you may wish to read this link or go to the site and do a search.
https://diysolarforum.com/threads/junctek-battery-monitor-vs-victron-smartshunt.34326/page-2
Good luck
Tim
I made a post on page 7 of the same thread Tim.
Its a great forum with so much knowledge by many contributors.
Thank you Scubadoo
All the info I need to monitor my batteries.
PZEM015 Digital DC 0-200V Voltage Current with 200A Shunt Car Battery Tester Vol 4711992518294 | eBay