R_Sargeant_CH
Battery monitoring
I was looking for a way of monitoring both the engine and domestic batteries on our new Ocean, and found the "Battery Monitor BM2". This is available from several vendors on Amazon and co., but all seem to be the same device.
The BM2 is a small block of electronics that you simply connect directly to the main battery posts. It's internally fused but I added an inline fuse just to be sure! According to the documentation, this device draws just 1.0mA continuously.
The BM2 is a Bluetooth LE (low energy) device, and once paired, it stays paired. It continuously monitors batter voltages and stores them until the next time your phone is in range (max 2-3m), then synchronises the memorised data with the free iOS or Android app. As soon as I paired it, the app indicated that a software update was available, which took about one minute - flawless.
I bought two, and hooked them to the engine and domestic batteries. The app allows you to easily switch between readings for the engine and domestic batteries.
Below there's a sample of the display from the iOS app after an afternoon tinkering about fitting other new toys and listening to the Discovery Pro radio. What was scarily interesting to me was how fast the Radio discharged the engine battery! I moved the Cali out of the garage at 13:00 and the spike in charging can clearly be seen. Raised the roof, fiddled around. At around 14:00 I switched on the radio, and just before 17:00 the Cali complained that the starter battery was low! No wonder the Can Bus switches it off after 30 minutes! The power consumption is stored for many weeks, giving a very clear insight into charging and battery performance, even for a non-expert.
Next step, figure out how to move the radio to the domestic batteries. On the other hand I might just give up and use a small Bluetooth loudspeaker with my iPhone. No need for a louder radio, especially on a shared campsite.
So far, I have only checked the domestic batteries and haven't made a trip yet, but the knowledge that I can keep a close eye on both batteries is very reassuring, The BM2 is currently £25 per piece and I especially liked that I didn't have to drill any holes for extra displays!
As an electronics and computer engineer I am sadly only too used to buying Chinese electronics that have a "Gotcha" and fall short on promises. Theses things just work as advertised and even have a clear and readable English manual!
Recommended. Every motor home should have a pair of these!
BM2 on Amazon UK
I was looking for a way of monitoring both the engine and domestic batteries on our new Ocean, and found the "Battery Monitor BM2". This is available from several vendors on Amazon and co., but all seem to be the same device.
The BM2 is a small block of electronics that you simply connect directly to the main battery posts. It's internally fused but I added an inline fuse just to be sure! According to the documentation, this device draws just 1.0mA continuously.
The BM2 is a Bluetooth LE (low energy) device, and once paired, it stays paired. It continuously monitors batter voltages and stores them until the next time your phone is in range (max 2-3m), then synchronises the memorised data with the free iOS or Android app. As soon as I paired it, the app indicated that a software update was available, which took about one minute - flawless.
I bought two, and hooked them to the engine and domestic batteries. The app allows you to easily switch between readings for the engine and domestic batteries.
Below there's a sample of the display from the iOS app after an afternoon tinkering about fitting other new toys and listening to the Discovery Pro radio. What was scarily interesting to me was how fast the Radio discharged the engine battery! I moved the Cali out of the garage at 13:00 and the spike in charging can clearly be seen. Raised the roof, fiddled around. At around 14:00 I switched on the radio, and just before 17:00 the Cali complained that the starter battery was low! No wonder the Can Bus switches it off after 30 minutes! The power consumption is stored for many weeks, giving a very clear insight into charging and battery performance, even for a non-expert.
Next step, figure out how to move the radio to the domestic batteries. On the other hand I might just give up and use a small Bluetooth loudspeaker with my iPhone. No need for a louder radio, especially on a shared campsite.
So far, I have only checked the domestic batteries and haven't made a trip yet, but the knowledge that I can keep a close eye on both batteries is very reassuring, The BM2 is currently £25 per piece and I especially liked that I didn't have to drill any holes for extra displays!
As an electronics and computer engineer I am sadly only too used to buying Chinese electronics that have a "Gotcha" and fall short on promises. Theses things just work as advertised and even have a clear and readable English manual!
Recommended. Every motor home should have a pair of these!
BM2 on Amazon UK
