12v Battery monitor.

[DaveGoddard]

Hi, I've just bought a nearly new LBX, love it, slowly getting my head round all the tech. With all the posts on 12v Battery issues, I'm thinking of fitting a Battery monitor to keep an eye on things.

Has anyone fitted one, if so which one or type?

Dave

[ColinBarber]

These work well if you want to peridocially and manually keep an eye on the voltage but you would only get an alert if you are stay within Bluetooth range so isn't a good solution if you aren't taking the time to check and just expect a automatic notification that its time to charge the Battery.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Battery-Monitor-Campervans-Compatible-bluetooth/dp/B08VHMJYXY

 

[DaveGoddard]

Hi Colin, thanks for that, it's good to know they work well. I'd only want to check it occasionally, so something like that would be fine, also thinking about the Ctek monitor, only red, amber & green leds, but would probably suffice, also easy to connect Ctek charger, unless someone knows different. 

Cheers Dave 

[EEH]

Hi Dave

Congrats and glad you liking your car as I am I 🙂 

As you may have seen from my posts, I too even have the solar wiring harness direct to the Battery (which my dealer fitted), but for added safety I have a digital version I plug into the 12v cigarette lighter. Granted it's a bit out of sight, and only functional when the car is on, but gives me peace of mind on start up what the charge of my Battery is like. I do agree with Colin though his solution is probably a better offering.

[DaveGoddard]

Thanks EEH,

I thought of a 12v cigarette plug in version, as it would be the simplest, but as you say the car has to be on (ready) for it to be powered, so you only get the charging voltage from the traction Battery. Nice to have a bit more information, but ideally I want to see the voltage with no charging voltage applied. I thought about rewiring the cigarette lighter socket to a permanent feed, but as it's a new car, I'd rather not mess about with it.

I have just found Ctek monitor for less than £9, so I'll give that a try first.

Thanks for the help guys.

[DaveGoddard]

If anyone's interested, I did get the Ctec Battery monitor, connected it directly to the 12v Battery & placed it in the little box set into the Battery cover under the rear seat, it fitted very well. To check the Battery voltage, just pop the small cover off & check the led's, this also gives a convenient plug to charge the Battery from a Ctek smart charger. 

However, it seems the 12v Battery is hardly ever fully charged & the monitor is usually showing red, so no real help. 

I have had the LBX for 2 months now, being retired, we don't use the car a lot & had no problem from the 12v Battery & I've stopped worrying about it.

I have, however bought a small Battery booster, just in case.

[NemesisUK]

20 minutes ago, DaveGoddard said:

However, it seems the 12v battery is hardly ever fully charged & the monitor is usually showing red, so no real help. 

 

I had this on my AMG and just opening the doors would result in the indicator going red!

[Lexusjim]

On 9/3/2024 at 12:37 PM, DaveGoddard said:

Hi, I've just bought a nearly new LBX, love it, slowly getting my head round all the tech. With all the posts on 12v battery issues, I'm thinking of fitting a battery monitor to keep an eye on things.

Has anyone fitted one, if so which one or type?

Dave

https://www.ancel.com/products/ancel-bm200

 

Bluetooth connection to an app on your phone. Works from about 10 feet away....

[Lbeex]

I have just bough Ancel BM200 today, and first of all I measured its current consumption. It was around 2mA, and up to 4mA when connecting via Bluetooth with just started application in my smartphone. So it is asits  specification says: more or less 2.5 mA. My dealer's service agreed to install it. BTW: They replaced my defective 12V Battery yesterday. Its showed 11.9 V when 100% charged, instead of =f 12.7V

Anyway, I think that- despite of the monitor model -  most interesting would be to get a feedbaack from LBX users at what voltage the problem with starting accurs.

So far I know that 11.8V is still ok - cold morning reading.