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eBook Item #5

Victron Battery Monitor (BMV-712)

Purpose:

  • Monitors power as it exits and enters the battery.
  • Displays battery’s state-of-charge (SOC) percentage.
  • Also displays battery voltage and time/energy remaining.
  • Connects via Bluetooth to your smartphone.

Why Use A Monitor?

What Is A Battery Monitor?

A battery monitor is a device that attaches to a battery and displays information about the battery’s status. The most important feature of a battery monitor is to display the battery’s state-of-charge (SOC), which helps users determine when the battery needs to be recharged.

Battery monitors are particularly useful to van conversion and RV owners because users can ensure that they have enough power to run their devices and appliances without running out of charge. Additionally, battery monitors display other important information such as the battery’s voltage, current, and temperature.

Why Victron Monitors:
Victron battery monitors aren’t cheap. But we recommend their BMV-712 because they are one of the few devices that come with Bluetooth connectivity so that you can view your battery’s charge information straight from your smartphone.

Alternative Battery Monitors

Victron battery monitors aren’t the cheapest, but we love their Bluetooth and App functionality, which we think makes the Victron brand worth it. But if keeping within a budget is critical for your van conversion, consider the below alternatives.

Frequently Bought Together

The Victron battery monitor is frequently paired with the below three components and tools.

  • 2/0 AWG Wires  – Connects the battery monitor to the batteries and the bus bars. Learn more about these wires.
  • Copper Lugs – Crimps onto the 2/0 AWG wires and connects to the battery monitor.
  • Bus Bars – Power collection & distribution center. Learn more about the usefulness of bus bars.
  • Hydraulic Lug Crimper – Use this tool to crimp the copper lugs onto the 2/0 wire.

Where To Install A Battery Monitor

The Victron battery monitor comes with two parts; the shunt and the display module. The shunt is typically installed between the negative battery terminal and the black bus bar. And the display module is connected to the shunt with a provided RJ12 cable. See the wiring diagram below to verify the installation location. You will need 2/0 AWG wire and 3/8″ copper lugs to complete the installation.

Connecting batteries to bus bars for a 12v system build

Battery Monitor

Displays battery state of charge

 

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2/0 AWG Wire

Connects batteries to bus bars


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Master Switch

Disconnects batteries during maintenance & storage


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Bus Bars

Distributes 12V power to and from batteries

 

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Leisure Batteries

Provides power to all electrical devices

 

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Fuse Holder

Holds 300A fuse


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300A Fuse

Protects 2/0 AWG wire from overheating

 

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3/8″ Copper Lugs

Crimps onto 2/0 AWG wire and attaches to corresponding device

 

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Connecting batteries to bus bars for a 12v system build

From the bus bars, you can install the solar charge controller, inverter, 12V panel, and DC-DC charger. And the battery monitor will incorporate all the power used and added from these devices in its battery statistic readings.

Need More Wiring Information? Download our Electrical Wiring eBook.

Technical Details

Display Dimensions

2.7" diameter (69mm)

Shunt Dimensions

2.0" x 1.2" (52 x 31mm)

Operating Voltage

6.5-70 VDC

Shunt Connection Bolt Size

3/8" (M10)

Bluetooth Enabled?

Yes (Victron Connect App)

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