For folks out there that use one of these
Are they still the cats meow?
Considering a purchase for christmas
Thks
Are they still the cats meow?
Considering a purchase for christmas
Thks
Balmar Smart Gauge
- Thread starter CYQK
- Start date
I don't know if they are the "cat's meow" but I've had one for a couple of seasons now. FWIW, Practical Sailor is currently testing them and will publish a review in a forthcoming issue.
The advantage to a Smart Guage is that it compensates for the declining capacity of the battery bank as it ages, or so the marketing info says. Other SOC gauges, like the Victron, require an accurate amp/hour capacity measurement be programmed into the gauge to accurately measure the SOC. Periodically the batteries will need to be tested to determine their actual capacity.
One drawback to the Smart Gauge is that it only displays SOC of the house bank and the voltage of the house and start bank. It does not display current flow. I added a Victron Battery Monitor to have an accurate reading of the current going in and coming out of the battery. It also serves as a back up SOC gauge although I question its accuracy because I haven't reprogrammed the battery capacity.
Maine Sail has a good evaluation of the Smart Gauge on his site. His work with Practical Sailor on these concerns is noted in the current issue of PS.
In the end, if I could only pick one gauge to monitor battery health, I would pick the Smart Gauge, however, I think the better combination is a Smart Gauge coupled with a good digital ampmeter, like the Victron.
The advantage to a Smart Guage is that it compensates for the declining capacity of the battery bank as it ages, or so the marketing info says. Other SOC gauges, like the Victron, require an accurate amp/hour capacity measurement be programmed into the gauge to accurately measure the SOC. Periodically the batteries will need to be tested to determine their actual capacity.
One drawback to the Smart Gauge is that it only displays SOC of the house bank and the voltage of the house and start bank. It does not display current flow. I added a Victron Battery Monitor to have an accurate reading of the current going in and coming out of the battery. It also serves as a back up SOC gauge although I question its accuracy because I haven't reprogrammed the battery capacity.
Maine Sail has a good evaluation of the Smart Gauge on his site. His work with Practical Sailor on these concerns is noted in the current issue of PS.
In the end, if I could only pick one gauge to monitor battery health, I would pick the Smart Gauge, however, I think the better combination is a Smart Gauge coupled with a good digital ampmeter, like the Victron.
