Just FYI, there’s both an app & firmware update out for the BM2. This allows you to set your battery type:- lead acid/AGM/custom
BM2 update
- Thread starter Salty Spuds
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- battery monitor
Well, I have Firmware V8 and app V3.2.3 and i cant find how to choose from those battery types. BTW which should we select?
Just had another look.
My Ablemail AMT 12-2 does not seem to be charging the starter
My Ablemail AMT 12-2 does not seem to be charging the starter
Go to the cog symbol top right, select “Bluetooth device” and your battery should be displayed on that screen. You can edit the battery & select type.
That’s more or less what mine shows. I assumed that by setting the AMT12 to “smart alternator” it didn’t fully charge the starter battery.Just had another look.
View attachment 154323
My Ablemail AMT 12-2 does not seem to be charging the starter
This is mine just now
AMT12-2
kicks in when starter under 12.4v and LB is above 14.2v (profile #3)
3sec ON - 15sec OFF charge bursts 3A - Profile#3
+++++++++++++++++
if you try to top up the starter too much, the DC-DC charger will kick in.
you just want to keep the starter at its normal rest voltage of 12.2v ish.
and counter act the long term discharge.
kicks in when starter under 12.4v and LB is above 14.2v (profile #3)
3sec ON - 15sec OFF charge bursts 3A - Profile#3
+++++++++++++++++
if you try to top up the starter too much, the DC-DC charger will kick in.
you just want to keep the starter at its normal rest voltage of 12.2v ish.
and counter act the long term discharge.
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There’re actually 8 modes now. Each of the 4 documented modes shown above has a “heavy duty” mode.
So there’s modes 5-8. These are the same as 1-4 but give a 9second on instead of the 3 seconds.
Mine is set to mode 7, which is the same as mode 3, but gives a 9 second burst rather than the 3 second on-time of mode 3.
The new BM2 firmware also allows for a custom battery profile, which I need to play with. This will allow us to create a profile for a stop/start battery that shows 12.2V as “normal”
I've updated the Battery Monitoring thread with this upodate . . .
www.t6forum.com
Battery Monitoring -- How I Done It --
Quick question - what sort of physical range over Bluetooth do people get with their BM2 monitors ? I am thinking about a non van project, and a BM2 could be the solution, if the Bluetooth range is good enough. I realise this will be governed by where the BM2 is mounted and what phone it...
I’ve never been too sure of the effectiveness of my Ablemail AMT 12-2 either. It has been back for repair once as it was not charging. The BM2 does occasionally show a 0.03v charging blip but it does not keep my starter at a constant voltage when I’m not using the van and allows the stater to drop close to 12v at which point I intervene with a charger. I’ve studied the instructions and checked with a voltmeter but it never seems to operate as described. Ablemail have been good responding to emails etc so I know it’s connected properly. I get more red flashes than green and it’s all a bit random. I might try one of new profiles.
Hmmm. I might call in to Ablemail and have a chat with them, as I only live a couple of miles away. I could get him to check my install and setup and then I could give some feedback on here. Why didn't I think of that when I was not working last week.
Excellent info. I will change mine to mode 7, as I believe this will work better with a good size leisure bat and a reasonable solar input.
Is it just me or did you find changing mode to be a bit hit and miss? I got there eventually, but it didn't go as smoothly as the info sheet stated!
I fitted a Votronic trickle charger, which hasn’t missed a beat Votronic 12V StandBy Charger (DC-DC Trickle Charger)
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My Amt12-2 is set to mode #8.
As above mode 4-8 is heavy duty version of 1-4.
Mode 3 needs the leisure battery to be above 14.2v to start the trickle charge....
Because I don't have solar connected all the time my lithium never sits at above 14.0v unless the engine is running.
So.
I use mode#4 or #8..
Which needs a leisure battery voltage of 13.0v or above.
This way my starter is trickle charged all the time from the lithium....as it rests above 13.0v and not just when connected to a charger or solar like mode #3.
People who use mode #3 or #7 need to realise that the charge profile won't start until the leisure battery is above 14.2v..
That means active solar charging or EHU charging..
Mode 3 won't charge if the van is just sitting doing nothing with no solar.
The only thing to note is that the leisure battery will top up the starter every vdrive cycle... As it will always be running.(in mode 4 or 8 with a lithium battery)
That's fine for me as I have s large lithium lb and a good DC-DC charger to replenish the charge very fast every new drive cycle.
Mode 3 is designed to kick in when a charger is connected.
I’ve now changed mine to mode 8 as I don’t yet have a lithium leisure battery. This will be ideal when we are on a site with hookup for more than a few days. I wish it was possible to alter the voltage triggers though as I would like the option to top up the starter when my leisure battery is below 13v without using the SW2 function.
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