Battery monitoring system

[StevieVW]

I have just recently purchased my first VW 5.1 converted camper and I am looking for some help.

To start off it has an AGM LP100 leisure battery. This is fed from a 175w solar panel on the roof through a MPPT 75 15 smart solar charge controller.

The 240v hookup is under the bonnet and leads to a PMS 3H power management system as follows..



This has fuses for lights/pump/aux/fridge and a rocker for Car/Van and the “charger supply” rocker which I’ve tested and appears to be for the 240v hookup.

The fridge is a dometic CRE50



There is also a Celo TV that isn’t hardwired and a Propex heatsource 2000 under the driver seat.

A few things if anyone would be so kind:

1)I’m trying to work out an “easy” way to monitor the battery health / % so I know when it’s time to cut off anything that needs turned off - like an LCD % display and how this would be installed.
2) I’ve read that this fridge will automatically cut off to save the battery, and uses around 1.5ah, but the label shows 5.2a? Is this at max settings?
3) does the fridge power from the car battery fed by the alternator while the engine is running if I have the power management system set to “car”? Or is this what battery is focused for charging? I’m not 100% sure on these two settings. I know the van settings selects the leisure battery, but for use or charging?
4) when hooked up to 240v, does it matter if it’s set to car/van or set to the middle on neither?

I do have a million other questions but the power ones are my main concerns right now as I don’t want to damage the battery! And in this heat I do want cold drinks in the fridge!

Thanks in advance.

Stevie

 

[Anakin]

A super easy way to monitor battery health is to fit a bluetooth monitor across the terminals of the LB, like this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/watera-Bluetooth-Battery-Analyzer-Diagnostic

The fridge max current will be when it’s warm inside, so the current will drop as the fridge gets down to the set temperature.

It reads like your rocker switch allows you to choose the power source, i.e. your fridge can run off the SB or LB. Be careful not to run your SB too low or you’ll be stranded.

When hooked up, you should be running off external power, so the rocker switch is irrelevant.

 

[Sackmycook]

Link doesn't work

 

[StevieVW]

So I’ve had a look at the Bluetooth ones - I’d rather not have to use an app on the phone. I’d really prefer just a cabinet mounted monitor. I presume

https://amzn.eu/d/7bZyDe3

Requires

https://amzn.eu/d/iBr9FFH

In order to be used?

New to all of this - thanks again.

 

[vRSG60]

Yes it does.
You can buy the kit for £119

https://amzn.eu/d/5kPYDVL

I’ve Renogy Monty, just found it it dot show the state of charging. It goes straight to 100% when shout flashes. Stops flashing at 100%
Pointless.
So I’m looking for a new shunt + monitor.

If anyone can recommend one that shows the change / increase in capacity percentage while it’s charging I’d be grateful

 

[Lubrown]

I know the van settings selects the leisure battery, but for use or charging?

I would presume for use. If it’s like my t5.1 it will have a relay between the SB & LB that charges both while you drive. My van has a Sargent control unit and I just leave it on LB when we are camping. The only time I press SB button is to get a visual of the battery status (it has five ‘traffic light’ coloured LEDs). I turn it off when we drive and it doesn’t affect charging, the relay sorts all that by itself.