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Topic: Adding flat panel TV, and what new battery monitor now (Read 12 times) previous topic - next topic
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Re: ... what new battery monitor now
Reply #25 –
Yahoo Message Number: 127406
"when i put the old Linksys in, folks had already gone over to those models."
 I'm getting confused. Linksys makes networking gear--Wi-Fi routers and such. Are we talking about that... or about the Xantrex Link-10/LinkLite/Linkpro series of battery monitors?

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: ... what new battery monitor now- Battery Bug
Reply #26 –
Yahoo Message Number: 127410
West Marine has been selling another battery monitor for a while. I have not tried one but it looks interesting.  Check the links below for the Battery Bug.

BB-DCM12-AGM for AGM batteries, 4D, 8D, AGM/Wet parallel packs
http://www.argusanalyzers.com/fileadmin/user_upload/support/monitors/Literature/BatteryBug_brochure.pdf>
http://winsorpop.com/argus/HiRes_PDF_art/BB_DCM12_Package_Art/english_NorthAmerica/BBDCM12-ALL_ENNA_Manual_v03.pdf>
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=11151&partNumber=10934362&langId=-1#showReviews>
 The Battery Bug works differently than the Link.... monitors. Below is from the owner's manual.
"The Battery Bug Capacity & Lifecycle Monitor becomes active one minute after installation. Once active, the Battery Bug measures the internal resistance of the battery every 60 seconds and calculates all important battery  parameters. Power capability, charge level, battery voltage, battery life, and critical alarms are indicated on the LCD display."
 I like how it measures capacity and indicates its drop off as the battery ages. It informs you when the battery is at the end of its life and needs replacing.
As far as I can tell, the Link.... series monitors do not have this ability.
 A major problem is the short 20" terminal leads that do not allow the meter to be mounted inside the RV unless there is a spot right next to the battery box.  The Factory instructions tell not to extend the wires due to the change in resistance.
The plus side is the $80-100 cost and ease of installation. It might be a good addition for the starting battery.

Has anyone tried one or want to try one?

Larry
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: ... what new battery monitor now
Reply #27 –
Yahoo Message Number: 127411
sorry, wrong semantics...it's the Link 10...whatever. When i got it from AM Solar, they said they were being discontinued--that specific model anyway.

And yes, checked fuses, power to the unit..it's just plain dead..nothing shows or works, but there is power to it. Had it checked at Premier Coachworks RV in AZ...where CHERRYOTTE is getting her new coat of paint.

I forgot the Xantrex part I guess...?
Gini Free and Junah, canine xtrodinaire "CHERRYOTTE" our litte red home on wheels "Growing old is mandatory. Growing wise is optional."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gini Free and Junah, canine xtrodinaire
"CHERRYOTTE" our little red home on wheels
"Growing old is mandatory. Growing wise is optional."
Re: Battery Bug
Reply #28 –
Yahoo Message Number: 127413
Unfortunately, their "heavy duty" deep cycle mode BB-DCM12-200 is rated "for 12V batteries up to 200Ah in storage capability." Since all but the oldest Lazy Dazes have at least 225 Ah of capacity, it looks as if these wouldn't work for most of us.
 I did, however, order one of their BB-SBM12 Starting Battery monitors just out of curiosity, and will report on how it works.

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Battery Bug
Reply #29 –
Yahoo Message Number: 127415
"Unfortunately, their "heavy duty" deep cycle mode BB-DCM12-200 is rated "for 12V batteries up to 200Ah in storage capability." Since all but the oldest Lazy Dazes have at least 225 Ah of capacity, it looks as if these wouldn't work for most of us."

Andy

It's confusing as to what the actual amp/hour rating is.
The user's manual states; "BB-DCM12-AGM for AGM batteries, 4D, 8D, AGM/Wet parallel packs" A Concord Lifeline 8D AGM is rated at 255amp/hours so a stock 220 amp/hour battery pack should be within its capacity.
Repeated email questions to Argus to clarify has resulted in no responses.

Larry
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: Battery Bug
Reply #31 –
Yahoo Message Number: 127421
"Hmmm... not a good sign."

Andy
 Since the Battery Bug is found on West Marine's site, I wouldn't worry too much. I have used them as a major supplier of parts for decades and have found what they sell to be of excellent quality, along with good customer service.
 A Battery Bug would be a good addition to a tow vehicle since the toad's battery is usually used to run a actuator and/or or brake lights.
I'm getting one for our Jeep, a vehicle that definitely needs needs a battery in good shape.
For $35-40,  it seems like a good investment and a inexpensive experiment.
http://www.amazon.com/Argus-BB-SBM12-Battery-Starting-Monitor/dp/B000NV7OBE>
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=11151&partNumber=10934347&langId=-1>

Larry
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: Battery Bug
Reply #32 –
Yahoo Message Number: 127430
Quote
A Battery Bug would be a good addition to a tow vehicle since the toad's battery is usually used to run a actuator and/or or brake lights.
I'm getting one for our Jeep, a vehicle that definitely needs needs a battery in good shape.
For $35-40,  it seems like a good investment and a inexpensive experiment.
C'mon, fess up, Larry.

It's Christmas.

It's a gadget

That's all the excuse you need.  :)

--Jon
(Former) ‘06 TK “Albatross.” And (former) Vespa 250.   Alas, no more; both are gone.😕 Great memories remain! 😄
Re: Battery Bug
Reply #34 –
Yahoo Message Number: 127438
"Unfortunately, their "heavy duty" deep cycle mode BB-DCM12-200 is rated "for 12V batteries up to 200Ah in storage capability." Since all but the oldest Lazy Dazes have at least 225 Ah of capacity, it looks as if these wouldn't work for most of us."

Model: BB-DCM12-300 is rated for up to 300 amps.
http://www.argusanalyzers.com/battery-monitors/products/bb-dcm12-300-battery-bug-battery-monitor-argus-analyzers.html> Problem is it doesn't seem to be available online yet.
Which is fine. This is a relatively new product so it efficiency and durability have yet to be proven. Best to test the cheaper starting battery models first.

Larry
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: Battery Bug
Reply #35 –
Yahoo Message Number: 127857
Yesterday morning the wife tells me there is an alarm going off somewhere in the garage. It was the Battery Bug on the Jeep's battery.
I had accidentally left the interior lights on the night before and the alarm was indicating low battery voltage. The battery still had enough remaining capacity to start the engine.
The Bug helped prevent the battery from being totally discharged.

Larry
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: Battery Bug
Reply #36 –
Yahoo Message Number: 127858
I like this little gadget--it monitors how much life remains in a starting battery, and as Larry's story shows, has a few other useful tricks up its sleeve. For thirty-five bucks it seems like a good way to ensure my engine battery's health. After putting one BB-SBM12 Battery Bug on my Honda Fit, I liked it enough  that I just ordered a second one for my Lazy Daze:

http://tinyurl.com/7dfhpxn

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Battery Bug
Reply #37 –
Yahoo Message Number: 127886
Thank you Andy.  My 93 chevy tkld does not have a warning buzzer for lights.  And soooooo after accidentally leaving them on at a lake area parked on a mesa overlooking the dam it was a no brainer that the engine would not start.  Fortunately for me a county mounty happened by that had a wonderfully helpful attitude and jump started my old girl.

Would have been a pa
Re: Battery Bug
Reply #38 –
Yahoo Message Number: 127892
Quote
Unfortunately, their "heavy duty" deep cycle mode BB-DCM12-200 is rated "for 12V batteries up to 200Ah in storage capability." Since all but the oldest Lazy Dazes have at least 225 Ah of capacity, it looks as if these wouldn't work for most of us.
Andy and Larry, After searching the Argus Analyzer site I found a model that is rated up to 300ah.  Argus states that the BB-DCM12-300 is for both AGM and Flooded cell batteries.
http://tinyurl.com/898frhw
 It appears that West Marine has the this model for $116 including tax and shipping.

Malcolm
2002 Mid Bath
 
Re: Battery Bug
Reply #39 –
Yahoo Message Number: 127893
"After searching the Argus Analyzer site I found a model that is rated up to 300ah. Argus states that the BB-DCM12-300 is for both AGM and Flooded cell batteries."

Malcoln
 Either I missed that model or it was not there when I looked a couple of months ago.
In message #127415, I reported while looking at their website, I found a model rated for larger batteries.
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/lifewithalazydazerv/message/127415> Good chance it is the same as the one you found, just a new model number.
 As niffy as these little devices are, there is nothing magical about them My low battery story was nice but if my wife had not heard the beeping, the battery would have died. I got lucky.
A starting Battery Bug's main advantage, IMO, is reporting on the condition/ potential capacity of the battery not its actual state of charge. It allows you to monitor the battery's aging process and should to alert you a pending failure...all this if you regularly monitor it. I look when checking the fluids.
Be aware that Andy and I are using the small Battery Bugs made for starting batteries. The Bugs, made for large, deep-cycle batteries, operate differently than the small, starting-battery type and cost a lot more I wouldn't consider it a direct replacement for a battery capacity gauge such as the LinkLite/Pro.
Even if the readout is accurate enough, it still needs to be mounted on top of the battery, not real convenient for checking every few hours. The wires cannot be extended.
From Argus's FAQ, "The BB-DCM must be installed directly to the battery terminals, and failure to do so will cause the BB-DCM to operate incorrectly. "
 If you already have a battery capacity gauge, then go for it, and let us know how it works. If not, I would suggest adding the $116 to your LinkLite improvement fund instead.

Larry
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)