I have two isolated batteries on board. Is there any reason I can't wire the BMV-600 with an A/B switch to allow monitoring of each battery with one device? Will I need to do something to reset/recalibrate the device when I switch between batteries?
Victron BMV-600 Battery Monitor
- Thread starter knitchie
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Correct. A two house bank system is also kinda old school. Why?
You get longer life out of the same batteries by having the largest house bank you can.
You get longer life out of the same batteries by having the largest house bank you can.
This won't work because the shunt needs to read just one bank and when wired properly all other batteries are wired to the load side of the shunt.. The other major PITA, even if you could get the shunt wired to work the way you need, it is in calibration.
If one bank is for house wire the battery monitor to that battery/bank. If the other is for starting there is little need for a battery monitor at all. If you alternate banks for house loads stop doing that and wire them together as one large house bank (only if you have a third battery for starting or reserve purposes).
We need to know a little more about the system to help...
Yes the way batteries charge and discharge changes with age and use. Adding a new battery to an old battery will see the new battery doing most of the work as it takes and gives current easier. The batteries will not work as well together as two batteries of the same age and use will when appropriately wired will.
There is nothing stopping you from doing such but every battery manufacturer out there strongly advises against it. Take the battery and move it to reserve duty and buy a new bank.
I just last week replaced a bank of 4D batteries. One had been used as "starting" and the other as house. The owner bought a new third 4D and relegated one of the old ones to starting duty. When the old 4D and new one were put in parallel both batteries were dead within a season and a half. One battery was 4 years old and the other 1.5 years old. When tested the "new" battery had 465 CCA and the older one had 170CCA. Both of these batteries should have exceeded 1000CCA.
Okay, looks like the A/B idea is a non starter.
My config may be old school, but it works for me. I have 2 deep cycle batteries isolated that I use alternately for starting and house requirements. I always want a separate battery in case we draw one down with house usage and need a way to start the aux. I have little need for a dedicated starter battery since my A4 aux needs so few amps to get started.
My config may be old school, but it works for me. I have 2 deep cycle batteries isolated that I use alternately for starting and house requirements. I always want a separate battery in case we draw one down with house usage and need a way to start the aux. I have little need for a dedicated starter battery since my A4 aux needs so few amps to get started.
I believe that you can purchase the BMV-602 to monitor 2 battery banks. But I am with Stu. I would take the two batteries and make them a single bank. If you want a reserve, just add a starting battery.
The '602 only monitors voltage on the second bank, not Amp hours, state of charge, etc.
Not according to Jamestown/Victron
"The Victron BMV 602 offers the same high precision battery monitoring as the BMV 600, but with the added capability of monitoring two battery banks.
Monitor accurately calculates ampere-hours consumed and battery charge state of house battery and starting battery. Ampere-hours consumed are calculated by integrating the current flowing in or out of the battery. Accurate battery monitoring empowers boat owners to extend battery life.
The Product Info tab displays the RS232 Communication Kit (ASS030071000) VIC-ASS03007100 - COMMUNICATION KIT does not include Monitor."
I believe you are mistaken Steve, I studied the manual for both - its the same manual - before I bought it.
The only display and alarm options for the second battery, referred to as the starter battery in the manual, is for the starter battery voltage.
Manual is here:
http://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/Manual%20-%20BMV%20-%20600S%20600HS%20602S%20-%20rev%2014%20-%20EN%20NL%20FR%20DE%20ES%20IT%20PT%20SE.pdf
Also, with the BMV-602S there is still only one shunt, and the connections to the starter battery are low current. Here's the installation sheet:
http://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/Quick%20install%20guide%20-%20BMV602%20-%20rev%2000%20website%20-%20EN.pdf
jv
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