Victron BMV-712 Dead, 2021 I5, 34DS

[Lvnthedream]

The screen is completely blank. I've had this happen before and it was the pos. wire that connects to the shunt that had become disconnected. I check that wire again and it was connected plus I checked that wire had voltage which it does (fuse is good). I disconnected the pos. wire from the shunt and reattached it. I checked to be sure there is connectivity through the shunt with my voltmeter. I removed the UTP cable from the shunt and reconnected it. I removed the UTP cable from the back of the BMV-712 monitor and reconnected it. I tried to log into the app and it couldn't find the Victron.

What am I missing or not testing? Any idea what is wrong?

The coach batteries shut down while stored and everything is off. I have 5 solar panels however, we've not had any sun for several days and today I went out there to discover the coach was dead. I have 3 lith. batteries. I'm bothered the batts shut down with nothing on.

[eric1514]

I'm confused. (not unusual). You say you have voltage at the positive wire at the shunt and then you say the batteries have shut down. How did you get a voltage reading with no battery power?

[Lvnthedream]

Originally Posted by eric1514

I'm confused. (not unusual). You say you have voltage at the positive wire at the shunt and then you say the batteries have shut down. How did you get a voltage reading with no battery power?

Power came after I started the engine and charged the batts some. I had to get everything up and running to see I didn't have a screen working on the Victron. Then I started testing everything. Sorry if that caused confusion.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Lvnthedream

Power came after I started the engine and charged the batts some. I had to get everything up and running to see I didn't have a screen working on the Victron. Then I started testing everything. Sorry if that caused confusion.

does the phone app by chance work?

if so perhaps display got shut off if that's possible.

[TrailWayz]

It sounds like the shunt may be the issue if the app doesn't work. The display is a 'nice to have' but not necessary.

[eric1514]

I'm not sure which part of the Victron system is responsible for the Bluetooth signal, the shunt or the monitor. If it's the shunt and you are unable to find the Victron on the app and you are sure you are getting 12v on the red wire, I can only think the little PC board on the shunt is dead.

The only other thing I think it could be is that the red wire is now connected to the wrong terminal (b2 vs b1) but that wouldn't explain the sudden blank screen. Dead batteries would, though.

[kcmusa]

Victron says to connect the negative to the shunt that’s how I have mine, have you been using the positive with it working?
https://www.victronenergy.com/upload...tion-guide.pdf

[eric1514]

Originally Posted by kcmusa

Victron says to connect the negative to the shunt that’s how I have mine, have you been using the positive with it working?
https://www.victronenergy.com/upload...tion-guide.pdf

There's a small red wire that feeds the shunt a positive from the batteries, also.

[Lvnthedream]

Originally Posted by kcmusa

Victron says to connect the negative to the shunt that’s how I have mine, have you been using the positive with it working?
https://www.victronenergy.com/upload...tion-guide.pdf

As Eric said, it's the small red wire that feeds the shunt. See the arrow.

I have verified the red wire is installed in B1.

For those who have asked if the app works, no it doesn't.

[Lvnthedream]

I might have found the issue. I had my son watch the monitor and I wiggled all the wires to see if it would attempt to come back on. The pos. red wire where it connects to the battery seems to make the monitor flash some. It looks just fine but I'm guessing where the wire is crimped into the round connector it is loose. I'll redo this connection and hope that solves the issue.

BTW, as you can see, the battery compartment is very dirty. The new 34DS has an open battery compartment to the grit and grime from the road. It's time for me to clean this area.

[eric1514]

I think you found it, also.

[Phreak480]

Originally Posted by Lvnthedream

I might have found the issue. I had my son watch the monitor and I wiggled all the wires to see if it would attempt to come back on. The pos. red wire where it connects to the battery seems to make the monitor flash some. It looks just fine but I'm guessing where the wire is crimped into the round connector it is loose. I'll redo this connection and hope that solves the issue.

BTW, as you can see, the battery compartment is very dirty. The new 34DS has an open battery compartment to the grit and grime from the road. It's time for me to clean this area.

I'd visit your local auto parts store and get some battery terminal cleaner and some battery terminal protector. Spray with cleaner and if necessary do some scrubbing. Once dry then spray with the protectant to help keep corrosion at bay.

[dalford]

Originally Posted by Lvnthedream

I might have found the issue. I had my son watch the monitor and I wiggled all the wires to see if it would attempt to come back on. The pos. red wire where it connects to the battery seems to make the monitor flash some. It looks just fine but I'm guessing where the wire is crimped into the round connector it is loose. I'll redo this connection and hope that solves the issue.

BTW, as you can see, the battery compartment is very dirty. The new 34DS has an open battery compartment to the grit and grime from the road. It's time for me to clean this area.

I’m betting it has nothing to do with the crimp but all to do with the rusted and dry terminal connections. As another poster recommended clean those terminal up with some battery terminal cleaner and apply some dialectic grease.

[backdoctor]

And if you figure out a good method to close up that electrical/battery area, I'd like to hear about it. I have the identical unit on order (with lithium) and as we live in the land of ice and snow (and salt) I can't imagine what this area will look like after a season of use, even with minor exposure to salt. We ski and use our rig all year round.

Modifying this zone will be the first project on my list after delivery.

[dalford]

Originally Posted by backdoctor

And if you figure out a good method to close up that electrical/battery area, I'd like to hear about it. I have the identical unit on order (with lithium) and as we live in the land of ice and snow (and salt) I can't imagine what this area will look like after a season of use, even with minor exposure to salt. We ski and use our rig all year round.

Modifying this zone will be the first project on my list after delivery.

Kind of hard to “seal” and allow for air flow. I think battery compartments need to be open to outside circulation to vent dangerous battery gasses…

[roblombardo]

Those are Relion Lithiums, so no gasses. I'm sure your issue is terminal hygiene. Once cleaned, a product called "Corrosion X" is great to prevent future degradation.

[backdoctor]

Yes. I have lithium ordered. I have chatted with BC on this issue. Because there are some with AGM batteries, and some others who might replace dead AGMs with standard batteries, they can't close the area from the factory.

But the area is almost directly behind the drivers side duallys. They kick up a ton of "junk" and I see no reason or desire (in my case) to leave this area open to the elements.

[RichXEE]

Originally Posted by backdoctor

Yes. I have lithium ordered. I have chatted with BC on this issue. Because there are some with AGM batteries, and some others who might replace dead AGMs with standard batteries, they can't close the area from the factory.

But the area is almost directly behind the drivers side duallys. They kick up a ton of "junk" and I see no reason or desire (in my case) to leave this area open to the elements.

Creatively, maybe glue up some window screen around the battery area, will keep out big materials, rocks, etc, but allow airflow.

For your ring terminals, on that smaller wire, get the kind that have heat shrink already built in.

Corrosion preventative sprays are nice, but not necessary, as they don't keep dirt off, and actually stick more of it. Recommend just a light washing with baking soda and water, rinse, blow it dry with an air hose, and call it good.

[Phreak480]

Originally Posted by RichXEE

Creatively, maybe glue up some window screen around the battery area, will keep out big materials, rocks, etc, but allow airflow.

For your ring terminals, on that smaller wire, get the kind that have heat shrink already built in.

Corrosion preventative sprays are nice, but not necessary, as they don't keep dirt off, and actually stick more of it. Recommend just a light washing with baking soda and water, rinse, blow it dry with an air hose, and call it good.

I was gonna suggest keeping some ventilation even though the lithium batts don't off-gas like lead acid does.

Maybe look for a large rubbermaid storage tub that's about the right size and trim it to fit the space and it would be easily mounted with screws or botls and large fender washers.

This is part of why I'm looking forward to going lithum on my 2017 I5, I'll enclose the old battery bay (driver side 2nd door) and maybe put my air compressor there as I'm gonna put lithium batts inside the coach under the bed.

[Lvnthedream]

Originally Posted by backdoctor

And if you figure out a good method to close up that electrical/battery area, I'd like to hear about it. I have the identical unit on order (with lithium) and as we live in the land of ice and snow (and salt) I can't imagine what this area will look like after a season of use, even with minor exposure to salt. We ski and use our rig all year round.

Modifying this zone will be the first project on my list after delivery.

Yes, I hate that this area is open. I'm looking at modifying it. With lithium batteries, it should not be a problem. I'm glad you talked to BC because I thought this was just a stupid design. Good to know they had a reason however, I think they could have enclosed it and added some vents.

Thanks for everyone else recommending cleaning it up and different products which I plan to do this weekend.