[C320-list] Fridge Usage

[Jon Vez]

Joe,

I installed the BMV-600. I've never seen any value in monitoring my starting
battery...what's great about this unit is that the cable is included. I
believe I had to purchase the cable for my Link....

Regards,

Jon

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Joseph
Aberdale
Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2011 1:13 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fridge Usage

Which model did you install Jon?
Thanks.

Joe Aberdale
#908

On Dec 6, 2011, at 11:42 AM, Jon Vez wrote:

> Stephen,
>
> Battery monitor is very easy to do, and well worth it. I had a link  
> on my
> 320 and it's a great unit, however you may want to consider a  
> Victron. They
> are cheaper, easier to install and have a great reputation. I put  
> one on my
> new boat and am very happy with it. The connection is a simple RJ  
> connector
> instead of a dozen tiny wires.
> If interested, google 'Mainsail at Compass Marine', he has a great  
> set of
> pictures on installing one of these. Good luck!
>
> Regards,
>
> Jon Vez
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of  
> Stephen Cox
> Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2011 1:54 AM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fridge Usage
>
>
>> Is a battery monitor something that can be done by a non-
>> professional or should I mortgage the house and get a marine
>> electrician to do it?
>> *************************
>
> Its not rocket science to install a battery monitor.  There is a  
> shunt which
> is a little bit like a large fuse block.  You insert this in the  
> negative
> return line just before your battery so you need to get a suitably  
> large
> capacity (same or bigger than currently fitted) battery lead to  
> connect the
> shunt to the battery bank.  You remove the negative connection from  
> the
> battery and put in on the other end of the shunt.  There are then  
> two wires,
> small capacity as they just carry a reading of the voltage drop  
> across the
> shunt, that go back to the monitor.
>
> See http://webserver.flak.no/vbilder/10128.pdf  for the  
> instructions on
> installing the BEP 600-DCM that I use.  It can monitor up to three  
> battery
> banks for voltage and one of those for usage and capacity.   
> Alternately one
> of the bank readings can be repurposed to monitor your bilge pump  
> and it
> will tell you how often and for how long it has run since last  
> reset - very
> useful.
>
> Clipper and Xantrex amongst others also make battery monitors that  
> may well
> be cheaper or suit you more.
>
> Stephen Cox
> Tegwen #1141
> Canberra AUSTRALIA
>