Victron or Link Battery Monitor

Stu Jackson · Jan 19, 2012

No brainer. Buy the Victron. Less expensive, easier to install, better instructions.

When you get it, read this:

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4922.0.html

Chuckbear · Jan 19, 2012

John, I have installed and replaced lots of Link monitors. I have also installed lots of Victron monitors including on our own boat. The Victron is hands down the better choice. Good luck. Chuck

mitiempo · Jan 19, 2012

I would buy the Victron, but the BMV-600 rather than the 602. The BMV-600 is only $158 at Jamestown and the only difference is voltage on a start battery that has no real issues if it is only used for starting.

Maine Sail · Jan 19, 2012

That is just part of the cost of the Link-Pro. You then need the "connection kit" which costs another $130.00.

As Brian said there is no need for the BMV-602 as all the "2" part does is tell you the voltage of a second bank. I have a Link Pro and can't recall if I have ever used the "bank 2" voltage check.. The Link-Pro is a very nice piece of gear but I almost always install Victron BMV's because the price and installations costs the customer less money.

I also sell Victron monitors but I simply can't be as competitive as Jamestown. There making almost nothing on them. I suspect they are a loss leader for them to get customers in the door. You probably don't see many distributors because no one can afford to stay in business giving the product away.

galynd · Jan 19, 2012

Ditto. I have the victron BMV 600 and have not regretted it one minute. Works like a charm and as said already you don't need the 602. By the way Stu and Maine Sail made the recommendation to me a couple years ago. Glad I listened.

Blitz · Jan 19, 2012

jmseas said:
The Victron seems to have MUCH better installation instructions, but I'm curious why Jamestown Distributors seems to be the only US ..

besides maine sail they are available in a few other places that I've noticed:

http://www.jgordonco.com/electrical1

http://shop.pkys.com/victronenergybmv600precisionbatterymonitor.aspx

I'm in the process of some rewiring, including a victron charger and monitor.

Neal

mitiempo · Jan 19, 2012

$158.10 at Jamestown still seems to be the lowest price.
http://www.jamestowndistributors.co...43&familyName=Victron+BMV+600+Battery+Monitor

Rick I · Jan 20, 2012

replaced my Link 2000 with a Victron 600

That should say it all. Zantrex is crap.

Stu Jackson · Jan 20, 2012

I've had a Link 2000 installed for over ten years and I like it at lot. I read the instruction manaul, which most folks don't - believe me, I've had many a discussion with folks who have them and are clueless, hence my "Gotcha Algorithm" article, which I link to regularly.

Like all computerized instruments, including the Victron, you have to understand how the DEFAULTS work, or else they can radiply become useless and counterproductive to a healthy battery bank.

That said, if the Link ever dies, I'm goin' Victron.

Not a hard choice at all.

Chuckbear · Jan 20, 2012

Stu Jackson said:
I've had a Link 2000 installed for over ten years and I like it at lot. I read the instruction manaul, which most folks don't - believe me, I've had many a discussion with folks who have them and are clueless, hence my "Gotcha Algorithm" article, which I link to regularly.

We hear this over and over when these discussions come up about how certain products have been working for years without any problems. The reality is that the ten year old unit that Stu has is in no way the same quality that is coming out of the factory now, or what has been produced for the last few years. Recommendations based on old working units are not necessarily an indication that the current models will perform as well. Chuck

Stu Jackson · Jan 20, 2012

I agree Chuck, 'cept that Rick said "Link 2000" in his post, that's all I was referring to. And yes, the newer Links do not have half as much information in their instruction manual, which, BTW are simply installation manuals, nowhere explains how they work. For those interested,

that's one of things covered in my Gotcha Algorithm article.

If you want to find out how Link Lites and Link Pros work, you have to download and read the Link 2000 manuals from Xantrex/s discontinued products website.

Once Xantrex bought out Heart/Cruising Equipment, things went downhill, and Maine Sail has mentioned how the guts are being produced now many times. I forget the details...

Amy my Link 2000 is actually way older, 1998. It just took me a while to install it! :cry:

mitiempo · Jan 20, 2012

Rick I said:
That should say it all. Zantrex is crap.

Actually their Link products are good quality (they don't make them) but they are way overpriced in the US compared to Victron. In Canada the prices are closer - Linklite $239 vs Victron BMV-600 @ $199.

The Echo Charge is also a good product that hasn't changed since Xantrex bought the company that created it - Heart Interface.