Upgrading batteries and adding battery monitor

[Dano1955]

Originally Posted by babock

Or go to the same place and spend $20 more and get 215AH with the same brand battery in 6V

https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sligc110

Yeah? Which truck is better, Chevy, dodge or ford?[emoji8]

[babock]

Originally Posted by Dano1955

Yeah? Which truck is better, Chevy, dodge or ford?[emoji8]

In this case we are comparing 2 Chevys!

[HONDAMAN174]

I'm going to melt some butter for my popcorn [emoji897]

[boondocking]

Originally Posted by Dano1955

Yeah? Which truck is better, Chevy, dodge or ford?[emoji8]

Everyone knows it is Ford.

[Dano1955]

[clintbonnie73]

Hook up the following solar panel and controller to your 6v batteries and you will have no problems... (set the panel on the ground and follow the sun thru the day)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JML23X0...d=BYFWLHEZIKSN

[Maxwell D Pratt]

I have a Rockwood tent Camper. Added onmore 24 AH 12V and set of HF solar panels on roof, keeps battery's up all year round without pluging into 120V house current . Have camped a few days without having to recharge . Haven't really tested it under camping conditions.

[Dpelaez]

I have a Victron BMV 702. Love it! After some research, its the best one out there i could find. You can opt for a 700 but the 702 also measures battery temperature which i wanted since i went with lithium batteries. The 700 will tell you everything you will want to monitor your batteries accurately. I recommend solar as well if you eant to boondock.

[quicky06]

Wow this thread blew up real quick.

I was leaning toward 2 6v batt. for a couple reasons: cost per amp hour, availability of serviceable batt. In my price range

I am not concerned with the "what if one battery fails" line. It would have the same outcome as if my current (single) battery failed, I would first see how it ran without a battery, then if there was an issue I would either go into town and buy a new battery/batteries, or I would take the battery out of my truck and keep camping.

I went to Costco today and they had a pallet full on golf cart batteries but only 4 were gc2 ( 6v) the rest wer gc8 (8v)

This will not be used for any long term boon docking with no power source, I am just trying to limit the amount of time my generator will need to run. I hunt in state conservation areas.

I am more interested in Can the factory converter due the job, and What can I use to simplify monitoring it.

I work as a technician at a car dealer and on average We have 150 cars a day go through our shop 6 days a week, the last time I saw a battery that truly had a bad cell was over 2 months ago, I'm not worried about "what if it fails" I'm more concerned with Doing everything I can to maintain and charge the batteries, all of which is an effort to make the batteries last as long as possible. If I'm camping and my batteries get to low I'm not going to be waiting until its convenient to charge them I will fire the geny up and charge them.


thank you for the responses I will look into the monitors mentioned

[quicky06]

Originally Posted by Dpelaez

I have a Victron BMV 702. Love it! After some research, its the best one out there i could find. You can opt for a 700 but the 702 also measures battery temperature which i wanted since i went with lithium batteries. The 700 will tell you everything you will want to monitor your batteries accurately. I recommend solar as well if you eant to boondock.

the 700 is exactly what I have been looking for, Its a little pricey but its what I want. Thank you

[banda]

Here are a couple others you might want to consider:

TriMetric Model Descriptions - Bogart Engineering

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01M5CWR...=3UC6XHUU8U8Q5

[Dpelaez]

You will be happy with the BMV 700 from Victron. They are a european company that makes high quality products for the marine industry for over 30 years. You are getting the same unit used to monitor batteries in a million dollar Sabor yaught! If you ever need an inverter, take a look at Victron. I have a 3000 watt Victron inverter charger , 200 ah of lithium batteries and 360 watts of solar on the roof and i run out of water but never power. Uf its cloudy and i do, the lithium batteries charge full in 1
1/2 hrs with my on board generator.

[Less is More]

Check pkys.com for the Victron. Its price is $20 below the Amazon vendor.

[Tom48]

Originally Posted by Less is More

Before all you experts get too wrapped around the axle, I would like to point out that Costco is no longer stocking the golf cart batteries. I have no opinion whether two 6 V or two 12 volt is a better choice.

Our Costco had Interstate 208 amp GC2 6volt batteries featured in the store for awhile for about $80, but they always have themy in the tire dept, year round.

[quicky06]

Originally Posted by Dpelaez

You will be happy with the BMV 700 from Victron. They are a european company that makes high quality products for the marine industry for over 30 years. You are getting the same unit used to monitor batteries in a million dollar Sabor yaught! If you ever need an inverter, take a look at Victron. I have a 3000 watt Victron inverter charger , 200 ah of lithium batteries and 360 watts of solar on the roof and i run out of water but never power. Uf its cloudy and i do, the lithium batteries charge full in 1
1/2 hrs with my on board generator.

I have considered solar but it would not be effective for my use. Where I would be boondocking is all under tree cover.

[Less is More]

All I can tell you is that I went to the Costco in Eagle, CO looking for 2 GC2 batteries and the woman looked on the computer and told me that Costco no longer carries the battery. So either the woman can't read the computer or they they no longer stock them. Possibly some stores may still have inventory.

[quicky06]

Originally Posted by Less is More

All I can tell you is that I went to the Costco in Eagle, CO looking for 2 GC2 batteries and the woman looked on the computer and told me that Costco no longer carries the battery. So either the woman can't read the computer or they they no longer stock them. Possibly some stores may still have inventory.

They are still listed on costco's interstate website.

[babock]

Originally Posted by Less is More

All I can tell you is that I went to the Costco in Eagle, CO looking for 2 GC2 batteries and the woman looked on the computer and told me that Costco no longer carries the battery. So either the woman can't read the computer or they they no longer stock them. Possibly some stores may still have inventory.

I had the same issue with them when looking for a battery for my mom's Buick...special battery that goes under rear seat. One Costco said they don't carry it, one said they didn't have any in stock and got 8 more in the next day and one had a couple in stock.

I bet it's the same with the 6V batteries.

[FFred]

"Anyway I am looking for some info on a simple battery monitor that will give me a percentage of battery capacity left. I'm not well versed on deep cylce batteries, charging, monitoring, and maintain them."

Buy the simple version ,

TriMetric Model Descriptions - Bogart Engineering


TriMetric Model Descriptions - Bogart Engineering


TM-2030-A and TM-2030-RV. The latest version of the TriMetric. The TriMetric gives a high degree of insight into your battery system. Although it will work with ...

"I have no opinion whether two 6 V or two 12 volt is a better choice."

What gives a battery its capacity is the weight of lead in the batt.

12v batts have to have room for 2x as many spacers and sepirators than 6V.

Only a few pounds difference , but pounds of lead is what makes the juice.

[RubyDually]

Originally Posted by quicky06

the 700 is exactly what I have been looking for, Its a little pricey but its what I want. Thank you

Another vote for either a 700 or 702 BMV here...

I just put in a 702 and so far it's the answer to quality battery monitoring.

I went for a 702 because I wanted to monitor the battery temp. Sensor was not included with the 702.