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Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor display. Where did you put it?
Time to install new batteries and install a battery monitor at the same time.  Just ordered the Victron BMV-712 and ordered a wall mounted enclosure for the display.  Anyone have any photos of where they have the display installed in a T/K?  Or what worked and didn't work in your location.  Was thinking of putting it somewhere on the side wall of the fridge. 

The previous owner installed interstate batteries are ten years old. 

JohnF
2003 T/K
2003 TK
Re: Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor display. Where did you put it?
Reply #1 –
Curious, as mine is installed in the battery compartment, and it's used via bluetooth..?

On Thu, Apr 6, 2023 at 6:01 PM JohnF via LDO noreply@lazydazeowners.com> wrote:

Quote

Time to install new batteries and install a battery monitor at the same time . Just ordered the Victron BMV-712 and ordered a wall mounted enclosure for the display. Anyone have any photos of where they have the display installed in a T/K? Or what worked and didn't work in your location. Was thinking of putting it somewhere on the side wall of the fridge.

The previous owner installed interstate batteries are ten years old.

JohnF

2003 T/K

2003 TK
     
--

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'Wow-what a Ride!" Gini, Reign and Liddle
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gini Free and Junah, canine xtrodinaire
"CHERRYOTTE" our little red home on wheels
"Growing old is mandatory. Growing wise is optional."
Re: Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor display. Where did you put it?
Reply #2 –
I installed the Victron BMV 712 above the BlueSky controller on the end panel of our upper kitchen cabinets in our 2019 MidBath. I installed the meter there because I like to be able to glance at the meter rather than hunt up my mobile phone to access the Victron Connect App. Although, I do use Victron’s App to understand charging & discharging dynamics - the charting features are excellent.

Running the included cable was a bit time consuming but not too difficult, requiring removing stove and microwave). I followed existing wire runs inside cabinets and through wire chases. The biggest challenge was running the cable from behind the lower cabinets to the upper cabinets. I accomplished this by drilling a hole in the black tank vent pipe inside the lower cabinet as well as inside the upper cabinet (thanks for that idea Larry Wade).  I then fished the cable up the pipe with a stiff wire and sealed the holes with RTV.  Cutting a hole for the guage was accomplished with an exacto-knife (for vinyl & foam), and a hole saw (for plywood backing). 

One other consideration, installing in this way would be hard to reverse. And some have opted to use instrument boxes which can be fastened to whatever surface is suitable, to accommodate future changes of plan.

Here’s a photo.

Have fun!

Warren



Warren
2019 MB “Dream Catcher”
Jeep Wrangler JL
Re: Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor display. Where did you put it?
Reply #3 –
We have our power center in the lower cabinet at the door.  The Victron shunt is inside that same cabinet.  The previous (very limited info) battery monitor was on that cabinet - next to the generator button/panel on the side of that cabinet facing the cab.  We felt that was not as good of a location as we had to stand in the entryway and bend down to read things there.

We have our victron battery monitor display above that cabinet by the entryway but on the wall of the wardrobe facing the cab.  A much easier place to see it. We have it close to eye level and towards the center of RV, where it doesn’t get in the way opening the top cabinet in the entryway or when we are using items we store on top of that bottom cabinet.  It is fairly easy to fish the wire inside that wall so the install is clean looking.

We also use our phone to see the readings and like that better than the display but we have checked the display a few times when the device connected by Bluetooth was not charged.  And the alarms come from the physical monitor (we have not heard them in the Bluetooth device despite setting them there).

Jane
Jane & Scott
Currently have a 1989 TK  LD we did a lot of upgrades on.
Bigfoot 25RQ Twin on order with early summer 2024 ETA

Our smartphone autocorrects into very poor English.
 We disclaim the illusion of ignorance this creates as we have enough ignorance we rightly claim.
Re: Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor display. Where did you put it?
Reply #4 –
In our 94 Mid Bath, the battery's are just to the right of the entry door as you come into the coach. I put the shunt in  the battery box and then mounted the monitor above the door with a friction fit bracket I made. The cable is easy to conceal behind the door trim and then into the seat area for the dinette.

Jon
1994 MB
Re: Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor display. Where did you put it?
Reply #5 –
Quote
on the end panel of our upper kitchen cabinets in our 2019 MidBath

Same as Warren in our 09 MB. Ran the cable through the cabinets, through the frig wall and down into the compartment below the frig where I mounted the Victron's shunt.
jor

09 27' MB
10  Suby Forester
Re: Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor display. Where did you put it?
Reply #6 –
I got tired of finding places to mount displays.

I left the BMV-712 display under the bed (where, in my case, the batteries are). I read the system status on my iPhone, via Bluetooth. The VictronConnect app also tells me the status of my rig's solar controller. And with other phone apps, I keep an eye on indoor and outdoor temperatures, fridge and freezer temperatures, battery temperatures and BMS status, and propane tank levels. Everything in one place, always with me, and no holes to make or wires to run.

About the only thing I can't see on my phone is holding tank levels. Come on, Garnet Industries, get with it! We need a Bluetooth-enabled SeeLevel gauge system.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor display. Where did you put it?
Reply #7 –
Oh my. So many clever installations. I cheated and had AM Solar install our monitor below the rear dinette seat in our ‘15 RB.

I’m not much for drilling holes and mounting more hardware on my walls. My iPhone does well as a link to the solar/battery data.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor display. Where did you put it?
Reply #8 –
Quote from: Jane and Scott  - 
We have our power center in the lower cabinet at the door.  The Victron shunt is inside that same cabinet.
So the shunt is not in the same location as the batteries? Since the only connection to the battery negative should be to the 'top' of the shunt and vice versa, putting the shunt outside the battery box is pretty unusual...

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor display. Where did you put it?
Reply #9 –
We put our CerboGX monitor on the wall behind the passenger seat in our 2004 MB.  The batteries, inverter, solar controller, etc are in the forward dinette seat.
2004 MB Lazy Daze, Jeep Wrangler Sport 2 Door
Previous LD: 92 22RB, 98 30IB, 15 27RB
Previous TT: 2020 Lance 2185
Re: Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor display. Where did you put it?
Reply #10 –
When installing a BMV-712, I always mounted the shunt in the battery box.
With the 30m long modular cord, the readout can be mounted almost anywhere where there is space.
The readout gauge needs a 2-3/4" x 2-3/4" square clear space with a minimum of 2"of depth behind the panel. A 2-1/8" hole saw is required.
For many, the readout was mounted on the rearward-facing wall at the rear of the wardrobe, at the front of the passenger-side couch. It is a good spot for keeping an eye on power usage without having to use your phone.
With the modular wiring, the Victron is an easy project compared to the battery monitors of the past

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor display. Where did you put it?
Reply #11 –
Quote from: JohnF  - 
Time to install new batteries and install a battery monitor at the same time.  Just ordered the Victron BMV-712 and ordered a wall mounted enclosure for the display.  Anyone have any photos of where they have the display installed in a T/K?  Or what worked and didn't work in your location.  Was thinking of putting it somewhere on the side wall of the fridge. 

The previous owner installed interstate batteries are ten years old. 

JohnF
2003 T/K
John,
On my 2019TK, LD constructed a narrow hollow wall on the surface of the refrigerator wall (not sure if your 2003 is the same) in which the Blue Sky 3000i (not sure what you have) is mounted with the wiring behind.  As you can see from the pictures below this is my go to wall for mounting devices.  After the second installed device I decided to see if I could remove the panel which would allow me to keep the wiring neat.  I removed the two screws that were holding the curtain tie back on and and also removed the 3000i so that I could get my hand behind the panel.  I then started to apply pressure from the back on the top right corner of the panel working my way down and then back up until it was free (the panel edging stayed with the panel).  I then repeated this with the left side.  I was surprised that LD did not mount this panel with loads of staples and glue and so I was able to remove it with out any damage.  I mounted 2 magnets on the right edge of the enclosure with corresponding metal plates on the panel.  The left side of the panel is held on by the curtain tie back screws.
If you do mount your battery monitor on this panel make sure that you don't drill or drive any screws into existing wiring and cabling.  The rather big cabling from the 3000i is routed from the right side of the unit looping to the right side of the wall.  It is close to the front of the panel and so would be an easy target for a screw or drill bit.  Before I installed my first device I unbolted the 3000i  from the panel and was able to pull it away from the panel (plenty of cable slack) then use a flashlight to see how everything was routed.

Hope this helps!

Kendall

X    X    X    X
Kendall & Donna
2019 TK  "RIMRIDER"
2023 Jeep Wrangler
Re: Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor display. Where did you put it?
Reply #12 –
That's a sweet installation, Kendall. The magnets are an elegant solution.
jor
09 27' MB
10  Suby Forester
Re: Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor display. Where did you put it?
Reply #13 –
On our ‘06 TK, I opted for ease of installation and short wiring run over ease of viewing. Like Jane (above), I used the cabinet beside the entry steps that is situated right above the batteries’ box. The shunt got mounted inside the battery box, and it was very simple to drill a hole from that box up into the cabinet for the wires to run to the display. The display was mounted on the forward-facing cabinet wall right adjacent (but above as high as I could go) to the steps. Sure, you had to stoop over slightly to read the display, but heck, I only did so a couple of times a day.  Really no big deal. — Jon&Loni
(Former) ‘06 TK “Albatross.” And (former) Vespa 250.   Alas, no more; both are gone.😕 Great memories remain! 😄
Re: Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor display. Where did you put it?
Reply #14 –
Quote from: Steve  - 
So the shunt is not in the same location as the batteries? Since the only connection to the battery negative should be to the 'top' of the shunt and vice versa, putting the shunt outside the battery box is pretty unusual...

Steve
Our batteries are in the outside bin right where this cabinet is - in fact the battery cabinet is inside the cabinet.  So really the same place.  And tons of space in the cabinet base.
Jane & Scott
Currently have a 1989 TK  LD we did a lot of upgrades on.
Bigfoot 25RQ Twin on order with early summer 2024 ETA

Our smartphone autocorrects into very poor English.
 We disclaim the illusion of ignorance this creates as we have enough ignorance we rightly claim.
Re: Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor display. Where did you put it?
Reply #15 –
Quote from: Jane and Scott  - 
Our batteries are in the outside bin right where this cabinet is - in fact the battery cabinet is inside the cabinet.  So really the same place.  And tons of space in the cabinet base.
So to check - you disconnected all cables from the battery negative and ran them all inside the interior cabinet, then added a new negative cable to the now bare battery terminal and ran that inside the cabinet too? Seems like you would need a pretty large hole to run all that through! Typically a single short large-gauge cable runs to the shunt, and then all the ones removed from the battery will easily reach the other end of the shunt...

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor display. Where did you put it?
Reply #16 –
Wow, thanks for all the responses.  Some of those places I had not considered so thanks for the ideas.  Received the battery monitor from Amazon this evening.  Will try and plan to install it next weekend.  Not sure where I put the display yet. 

JohnF
2003 TK
Re: Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor display. Where did you put it?
Reply #17 –
Quote from: Andy Baird  - 
I got tired of finding places to mount displays.

About the only thing I can't see on my phone is holding tank levels. Come on, Garnet Industries, get with it! We need a Bluetooth-enabled SeeLevel gauge system.

Your wishes have been answered.  SeeLevel displays are now available with Bluetooth.
The display is available separately for upgrading.

709-BTP3 Display.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor display. Where did you put it?
Reply #18 –
Nice! Thanks, Larry.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor display. Where did you put it?
Reply #19 –
Quote
SeeLevel displays are now available with Bluetooth.

This might be a good excuse to replace mine which is on the fritz. The tank gauges read properly but the battery voltage went nuts just before our last trip. It reads between 19 and 21 volts. I've had three or four of these SeeLevels but this is the only one that went bad. I did some internet querying and it seems that this is a common problem with SeeLevel. Who knew!
jor
09 27' MB
10  Suby Forester
Re: Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor display. Where did you put it?
Reply #20 –
"Time to install new batteries and install a battery monitor at the same time.  Just ordered the Victron BMV-712 and ordered a wall mounted enclosure for the display.  Anyone have any photos of where they have the display installed in a T/K?  Or what worked and didn't work in your location.  Was thinking of putting it somewhere on the side wall of the fridge." 

Posting of the completed job (about a year ago). 
Thanks again for everyone’s suggestions.  Decided to install my readout location next to the thermostat for the heater by the couch in the back of the TK.  Hadn’t thought of that before these suggestions. 
It was great to have this monitor during my trip down to Morro Bay in March.  This location has worked well for me so far since install last spring.   

JohnF


2003 TK
Re: Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor display. Where did you put it?
Reply #21 –
Quote from: jor  - 
This might be a good excuse to replace mine which is on the fritz. The tank gauges read properly but the battery voltage went nuts just before our last trip. It reads between 19 and 21 volts. I've had three or four of these SeeLevels but this is the only one that went bad. I did some internet querying and it seems that this is a common problem with SeeLevel. Who knew!


Check the bus wiring, most problems I have found were cured by renewing the bus to sensor strip connections, as well as the ground.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor display. Where did you put it?
Reply #22 –
I placed my touch 70 over the drawers in my 97 tk.
(Sorry, but you are not allowed to access the gallery)

1997 TK
Re: Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor display. Where did you put it?
Reply #23 –
Hi Craig, that's a good location, it is very empty behind there.  Just the drain pipe from the bathroom sink on the other side of the wall.  I had a 'secret stash' for the radio faceplate up there that could be reached just by pulling out the top drawer a bit. Now that the radio is 26 years old, not so much a theft issue anymore. The Alpine was $1200 (!) and still works perfectly, but the world of cell phone power pushed many of it's features aside.
    I put my BalMar meter in the slide up indicator panel to replace the archaic temperature indicator. The hard to read analog temperature meter wasn't very useful anyway.     RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB