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01-21-2017, 10:45 AM
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#1
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Guru
City: Windsor
Vessel Name: Keeper IV
Vessel Model: 44 Viking ACMY
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,350
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Balmar Smart Gauge Error Code
I've got a 3KW Victron /charger on board supplying a house bank of 4 Victron AGM telecom batteries. I installed the system summer of 15.
This winter the boat is being stored in a boat house so it is remaining on shore power. Twice now I've gone to check on it and found an E03 error on the Balmar Smart Gauge. The voltage showing on the gauge once the error is cleared is 13.6, which to my knowledge is with tolerance for AGM's.
This is a concern as it now can't be considered a fluke .
Does anybody have any feed back? I'd like to deal with this BEFORE I smoke my batteries if I have a problem.
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01-21-2017, 10:51 AM
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#2
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Guru
City: Victoria TX
Vessel Name: Bijou
Vessel Model: 2008 Island Packet PY/SP
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 5,290
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Balmar Smart Gauge Error Code
I get the same code when underway from time to time. Usually just at first when the regulator is doing its bulk charge. I have the Balmer MC614 regulator and also have it set to the AGM battery setting so not sure what's up.
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01-21-2017, 11:32 AM
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#3
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Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,149
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Double check that the Balmar is set for the correct battery type?
My manual discusses the different AGM batteries and to use different battery settings for the different types...
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01-21-2017, 11:39 AM
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#4
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Guru
City: Victoria TX
Vessel Name: Bijou
Vessel Model: 2008 Island Packet PY/SP
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 5,290
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Quote:
Originally Posted by psneeld
Double check that the Balmar is set for the correct battery type?
My manual discusses the different AGM batteries and to use different battery settings for the different types...
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Yeah I guess I better go back and check my work. It is kind of funky using the magnet to change the settings. I recently replaced the regulator so there's the possibility I set it up wrong. Think it's flashing "AgL" but I need to double check.
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01-21-2017, 11:40 AM
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#5
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Guru
City: Kitimat, North Coast BC
Vessel Name: Badger
Vessel Model: 30' Sundowner Tug
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 5,946
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We installed a larger alternator & cables, and that confused the Smartgauge. I tried to reset the Smartgauge back to factory presets (so it would "unlearn" everything it had learned) but for some reason I couldn't reset it. Now it flashes E03 for a couple minutes on startup of the engine, then settles back to normal.
__________________
"The most interesting path between two points is not a straight line" MurrayM
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01-21-2017, 12:32 PM
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#6
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Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,149
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I meant the Balmar smartguage has 2 settings for AGM batteries.
I have my smart guage hooked to my house bank....even with very high initial voltages after starting, I never get error codes. If hooked to the start battery, maybe change over? A second battery can be monitored, that is my start battery.
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01-21-2017, 12:41 PM
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#7
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Guru
City: Victoria TX
Vessel Name: Bijou
Vessel Model: 2008 Island Packet PY/SP
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 5,290
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Quote:
Originally Posted by psneeld
I meant the Balmar smartguage has 2 settings for AGM batteries.
I have my smart guage hooked to my house bank....even with very high initial voltages after starting, I never get error codes. If hooked to the start battery, maybe change over? A second battery can be monitored, that is my start battery.
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Oh? Wasn't aware of that. Will have to read up on it to see how to change settings.
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01-21-2017, 12:57 PM
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#8
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Guru
City: Windsor
Vessel Name: Keeper IV
Vessel Model: 44 Viking ACMY
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,350
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My alternater is not running. Boat is in storage, but I will pull out the installation kit created and confirm AGN settings.
I somehow doubt that as an issue though because if that was the case I'd see the error all the time?
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01-11-2018, 06:15 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
City: St. Pete
Vessel Name: Becca
Vessel Model: Gulfstar 44
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 258
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I have some west Marine points ready to expire and the Balmar Smartguage is on sale for $180. You folks like it? It’s a very good price.
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01-11-2018, 06:21 PM
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#10
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Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,149
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yes, seems pretty accurate based on very unscientific guessing.
hard to check for real accuracy, but based on random clamp meyer measurements and charger run times.... seems pretty accurate.
best write up is from CMS....sorry don't have his link handy...someone will post it.
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01-11-2018, 06:33 PM
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#11
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Guru
City: Vermont
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,092
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What does the E03 code mean?
__________________
MVTanglewood.com
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01-11-2018, 06:36 PM
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#12
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Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,149
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voltage higher than battery type likes for too long.
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01-11-2018, 06:43 PM
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#13
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TF Site Team
City: California Delta
Vessel Name: FlyWright
Vessel Model: 1977 Marshall Californian 34 LRC
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 13,728
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https://marinehowto.com/smart-gauge-...nitoring-unit/
In a nutshell:
"Pro’s & Cons
Pro’s:
Easiest to use of any battery monitoring device
Easiest to wire of any battery monitoring device
Lifetime accuracy with no reprogramming
Simple – SOC is really all you need to know
Accurate – More accurate than an Ah counter
Can track its own very small self consumption
Offers alarm or gen start relay ports in both normally open and normally closed
No human intervention beyond selecting the battery type
Very low self consumption
Truly a plug & play battery monitoring unit
Can track miniscule parasitic leaks / loads that shunt based devices can miss
Con’s
Non standard hole cut out / display size
Face Plate = 4 3/8" X 3"
Cut Out = 3 3/4" X 2 1/2"
Rear Clearance = 1" plus wires
No amperage display (some owners like this)
Not as pin point accurate during charging as it is when discharging
Price – More money than some Ah counters but less than many others
MarineHowTo.com Overall Rating = TWO THUMBS UP!!!
If I had three thumbs this product would get all three! The sheer simplicity and accuracy of this product are outstanding and I really did doubt it, I was proven wrong…
What matters most to your batteries is your depth of discharge or state of charge. The Balmar Smart Gauge does this accurately and simply! Hands down the Smart Gauge is the easiest SOC meter made."
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01-11-2018, 07:09 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
City: St. Pete
Vessel Name: Becca
Vessel Model: Gulfstar 44
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 258
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Thanks folks. It’s ordered. After rewards was $130. Can’t beat that price. Defender was over $300.
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01-11-2018, 07:24 PM
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#15
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Scraping Paint
City: CT
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 963
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Deano
Thanks folks. It’s ordered. After rewards was $130. Can’t beat that price. Defender was over $300.
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Where'd you find it for that? Great deal
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01-11-2018, 07:29 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
City: St. Pete
Vessel Name: Becca
Vessel Model: Gulfstar 44
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 258
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On sale at West Marine until the 15th under clearance electronics.
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01-11-2018, 07:36 PM
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#17
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Guru
City: San Diego
Vessel Name: Circuit Breaker
Vessel Model: 2021..22' Duffy Cuddy cabin
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,691
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CMS
What matters most to your batteries is your depth of discharge or state of charge. The Balmar Smart Gauge does this accurately and simply! Hands down the Smart Gauge is the easiest SOC meter made."
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I've had a Smart Gauge for years and never got an error message. It's the best!
EDIT: I edited the quote to show the proper source, CMS.
-FlyWright
__________________
Done with diesel power boats! Have fallen in love with all electric!
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01-12-2018, 08:37 AM
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#18
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Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,149
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Theres' a rumor that you can get it from England for something like $150 from the real naker of it. ....shipping and all.
Merlin Euipment, LTD in England.
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01-12-2018, 10:23 AM
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#20
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Guru
City: Gig Harbor
Vessel Name: Kinship
Vessel Model: North Pacific 43
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 9,046
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Another option would be to purchase it from CMS off of his website. A decent opportunity to support a TF member that has given of his time and expertise to TF on many an occasion.
https://shop.marinehowto.com/product...ar-smart-guage
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