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12-04-2018, 07:22 PM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: West Melbourne
Posts: 314
M.O.C. #18980
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Battery Monitor
I am planning my first real boondock trip for a few nights off and on when we head out west May-July next year. I want to test the drain on the batteries before I go to know where I stand in various lighting scenarios and monitor the total amp-hours used. While searching for a battery monitor to check my consumption I came across this on Amazon for less than $20. What do you regular boondockers use?
https://smile.amazon.com/bayite-6-5-...DCRHQ6X1XAXGHB
__________________
Butch and Kathy
2016 3160RL Legacy, Sailun S637, Centramatic Balancers, 2-T105s, Amish Refrigeration, ARPrv, SoftStartRV, FlexArmor roof
2016 F350 6.7L SRW
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12-05-2018, 06:09 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Grand Rapids
Posts: 1,898
M.O.C. #9561
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sure, why not, get a monitor but you really don't have to monitor your batteries alot, but, assuming a lot here, when on battery use common sense.
you can get way without 110volt for a couple of days. longer if you use a generator or solar.
you'll use gas for the refrg and water heater so you are all set. your furance will kill your battery if you use it a lot.
have 2 batteries, not one. and if you will be doing a lot of dry camping get a generator or solar.
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12-05-2018, 08:08 AM
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#3
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Established Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: St. George
Posts: 40
M.O.C. #23083
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I pulled out the 12v and bought 4 blemish 6 Volt batteries from my interstate dealer. We camped out last weekend, temps were in the 30's at night and used the furnace both nights set at 65* and had enough power to pull slide in and leave after we were done. We didn't use the lights much and used up all the fresh water while we were out there.
I plan on 2 more 6 volts and some solar panels before the spring hits, and I have a Propane fueled generator we bought when we had our motor home for longer trips.
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12-05-2018, 09:25 AM
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#4
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Anaheim Hills, CA
Posts: 161
M.O.C. #17873
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Butchy
I am planning my first real boondock trip for a few nights off and on when we head out west May-July next year. I want to test the drain on the batteries before I go to know where I stand in various lighting scenarios and monitor the total amp-hours used. While searching for a battery monitor to check my consumption I came across this on Amazon for less than $20. What do you regular boondockers use?
https://smile.amazon.com/bayite-6-5-...DCRHQ6X1XAXGHB
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The one I installed was a $206 but it has bluetooth so you can monitor your batteries on your cell phone Victron BMV-712
https://www.amazon.com/Victron-Energ...ywords=bmv-712
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12-06-2018, 07:06 AM
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#5
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Sherman
Posts: 54
M.O.C. #18941
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__________________
2017 Alpine 3401RS,Titan Disc,Morryde SRE 4000, 2016 Ram 3500HD Laramie SRW,LWB,4X4, Aisin transmission
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12-06-2018, 07:50 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,328
M.O.C. #17894
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I installed one of the cheap lcd ? meters ($8 or so). If works fine and is accurate enough to let me know when the batteries are getting low on charge.
__________________
2018 Chevy 3500 LTZ Dually Diesel 4x4 CCLB
2011 Montana 3455 SA. 6 point level up. Disc brakes. Curt Q24 Hitch. 5 step glow steps
Progressive EMS. Valterra tank valves. Sailun G637 tires. ARP fridge control. All led lighting. Mor Ryde IS
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12-07-2018, 07:37 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hanover
Posts: 1,473
M.O.C. #13325
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I've a Triminic in the 5er, but that Amazon one looks interesting. We use a separate deep cycle battery for lighting and fans (also recharging phones!) at art & craft shows we vend at and something like that would be worth it to know how much juice is left. If I didn't already have the Triminic, I'd probably go with the Amazon one.
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12-07-2018, 08:04 AM
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#8
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Established Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Dade City
Posts: 44
M.O.C. #22670
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i have found nice panel mount meters at mpja.com that show ac as well as dc, you can get the amperage meters as well.
i havent put them in my monty yet, but it is on the list!
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12-08-2018, 12:46 PM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Fort Wayne
Posts: 477
M.O.C. #17609
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The Victron and Trimetric battery monitors are probably the two most popular ones used when people do solar installs as they provide the best overall capability/data.
__________________
2016 Montana 3160RL w/MOR/Ryde IS and Disc Brakes
855W Solar System, TriStar MPPT-60 Controller, Magnum 2800W Inverter, 6 Trojan T-105REs
2015 Chevy Duramax SRW SB Crew Cab
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12-12-2018, 09:24 PM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Chico
Posts: 269
M.O.C. #14041
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I cary a seperate battery in the bed of the truck and keep it always charged thruogh the fifth wheel connector IN the bed of the truck. When the fifth wheel is attached the battery is discunnected then re connected when the trailer is parked. If the trailer batteries get low I connect the trailer cord to the BUMPER connector and the third battery helps out. If I go fishing, hunting, hiking in the truck the battery gets recharged while driving. If I plan to be a long time between charges I plug the trailer in to the bumper plug every night. I also have a large solar panel on the roof of the trailer. Have never run out of charge.
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