We added the Balmar SG200 Battery Monitor to our boat a couple of years ago. We have three battery banks, one engine start battery, and two house banks of 300 amp/hour each (700 amp/hour total). It seems to be a very accurate system, giving lots of useful info on your Smartphone or iPad.
This is the version with no display, and a Bluetooth gateway: Balmar SG205 Smartgauge Battery Monitor with SmartShunt & Bluetooth® Gateway https://ca.binnacle.com/pdf/Balmar%20SG205%20Brochure.pdf More info here: https://balmar.net/application/marine/battery-monitors/ Panbo review here: https://panbo.com/balmar-sg200-a-good-battery-monitor-gets-better/ On Thu, 22 Feb 2024 at 16:40, CHARLES SCHEAFFER via CnC-List < cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > Just reporting back that I changed my two AGM group 31s yesterday with two > new AGM group 31s. I thought 31's were a little bit bigger than 27's. > Either size fits in my OEM battery boxes. I still have the original > battery switch, "off, one, both, two" so either battery can start or power > the house loads. It's not state of the art, but works. I can't justify > the cost to upgrade to lithium. The batteries are very close to AGMs now, > but the extra controllers needed to do a proper install push this upgrade > to $2500 to $3000. I'll probably sell my boat in a few years, so I won't > give in to the lithium temptation. > > I added a $120 Victron "smart shunt" which I recommend to others when > replacing batteries. This device reads the amps going through the negative > back to the battery, which wirelessly sends battery info to any smart > phone, no display needed. > > Just for fun, I recorded all the loads in my boat, so I can better plan. > It verified that my fridge only uses 48 watts when it runs and the LED > lights and Canframo fans are super efficient. I still need to change a > couple of flourescent light fixtures that draw the highest amps, to LEDs. > > Summary: If I lived on my boat, or planned to keep her for more than five > years, I'd upgrade to a Lithium system and add solar. Otherwise, I will > use my AGM batteries and might add a third AGM for more amphours when > cruising. The new batteries were 72# each, ugh. > > Chuck Scheaffer, Resolute 1989 C&C 34R, Annapolis > Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and > help me pay the associated bills. Make a contribution at: > https://www.paypal.me/stumurray > Thanks for your help. > Stu
Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and help me pay the associated bills. Make a contribution at: https://www.paypal.me/stumurray Thanks for your help. Stu
