[C320-list] Blue Sea Vessel Systems Monitor (VSM 422)?

[David Swanson]

Another added opinion...

I looked into this unit a couple of years ago when I was investigating battery monitors.  This system looked interesting, but I found that the overall unit cost and especially, the water/holding tank sensors, seemed rather expensive.  The water tank sensors also required that the tank be breached to install the sending unit.  I am more interested in installing water and holding tank sensors that attach to the outside of the tank with foil so as not to breach the integrity of the tanks, especially the holding tank.

So, I elected to install a Xantrex Link Pro battery monitor.  It is the second one that I have used in the two keel boats that we have owned.  A great unit.  Lower overall cost than the Blue Sea VSM and provides a voltage check for a second battery just like the Blue Sea VSM.  I have been very happy with my choice.

I haven't yet installed a tank monitor for the holding and water tanks.  Not sure the convenience of monitoring the tank levels is worth the cost of these devices, especially the Blue Sea VSM device.

Dave

David Swanson
S/V Emily Ann
2007 C320 MK II, No. 1107
Mukilteo, WA 





On Nov 8, 2011, at 2:17 PM, Warren Updike wrote:

> First I've heard of it.  New retail price $360 plus cost of various senders.
> Not sure I'd like all the info centered on one display; but, I've have to
> see it in operation.  Otherwise, a neat idea.
> 
> On second thought, isn't the idea of a common buss (think NMEA 2000) to
> support a variety sensors making the information available to various
> displays the wave of the future?  Already some of Airmar's sensors are
> NMEA200 and NMEA183 enabled.  
> 
> Warren & Pattie Updike
> 1994 C320 #62 "Warr De Mar"
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jeff Hare [mailto:Catalina at thehares.com] 
> Sent: Monday, November 07, 2011 7:14 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: [C320-list] Blue Sea Vessel Systems Monitor (VSM 422)?
> 
> Has anyone seen or installed this device?  Blue Sea Vessel Systems Monitor
> (VSM 422)
> 
> http://bluesea.com/category/94/99/products/1800
> 
> * Monitors DC systems-voltage, amperage, battery state of charge - amp hours
> remaining, time remaining, % charge, battery temperature (alarms for all
> values)
> * Monitors AC systems-voltage, amperage, watts, frequency (alarms for
> voltage, amperage, and frequency)
> * Monitors tank levels-fuel, water, waste, (alarms for high level waste, low
> level fuel, and water)
> * Monitors bilge-active, cycle count, and duration (alarms for cycles and
> duration)
> 
> -Jeff
> 
> 
>