Blue seas vessel systems monitor, vsm 422

[marchem]

We just upgraded from our Catalina 27 to a Catalina 310. I got a lot of great advice from this forum when I redid the electrical system on the 27. Now I get to do it again with the 310 (actually it's something I really enjoy doing).

A dock mate showed me the Blue Seas VSM 422 that he just installed on his boat. It seems like a nice way to combine several monitoring systems (battery, tank, bilge pump) into one interface. I've Googled to see what others think of it, and I did find a post from Maine Sail on a cruiser's forum. I think you mentioned that you weren't impressed with it's battery monitoring. Given our usage (at dock with AC most of the time, short cruises) I don't think that's a big issue, but it would be interesting to hear more from you or others who have seen it.

Thanks, Rob

 

[Stu Jackson]

Rob, absent any answers so far, I took a look at that unit. My initial feeling is: "A lot of bells & whistles." My next thought was "What are your goals, i.e., your design criteria for a monitoring system." I notice it has a battery monitor but it's not clear if it comes with the shunt.

ITWMB, I'd make a list of what I want vs what I need, and go from there.

If you're looking for a battery monitor or SOC, I'd go Victron and then either/or with a Smart Gauge.

If you want tank level sensing, then I think there are other products out there that may have a better track record (Dennis Fierello comes to mind).

If you analyze the type of sailing you do first, that would be a good start. If you're day sailing or marina hopping, tank levels may not be necessary. In 17 years with our C34, I've never felt the need for tank level sensing, and we anchor out mostly, but that's weekly for a couple of nights, and one or two longer trips to the Delta or down to your area. In all cases we find water and pump outs.

You might want to "settle in" with your new boat first. I'd start with assuring the electrical system is up to snuf, ala Smitty and the other C310 stuff we've talked about offline. Then choose whether you want a coulomb counter or a Smart Gauge. If you're daysailing or marina hopping ONLY, then you really don't "need" these either.

Good luck.

 

[marchem]

Stu, good points. I agree that I don't need them, but my geek analytical nature really wants them!

The Blue Seas does come with a shunt, but it's not a smart shunt like the Victron, so the wiring back to the meter is more fussy. I installed a Victron and a Smart Mini monitor (holding tank) on our C27 and liked them both a lot.

I'm going to be upgrading some of the DC and AC systems, for sure. There are certainly a lot of other things I need to fix up (fuel gauge reads either 0 or 1/4; battery meter reads 16V, I measure 12.8V; need to hook up chart plotter). The good news is that the boat is in good enough shape that we can sail and have fun now.

I guess the main advantage of the VSM is it combines several monitors into a single panel for less money (maybe) and space than individual units. I'll do some thinking about what I really need/want and see if things become more clear.

 

[mitiempo]

I guess the main advantage of the VSM is it combines several monitors into a single panel for less money (maybe) and space than individual units.

I look at the combination as a disadvantage - lose one and you have lost them all.