NMEA 2000 Battery Monitoring

I have three 24v starting banks that I would like to monitor with n2k. I could always go the Maretron DCM100 route, but that's a lot of $. Is there anything else out there that might be more economical?

Yacht Devices announced a $140 solution[/URL], but it's not out until January (which I assume means June).
https://www.yachtd.com/news/battery_monitor.html


Veratron said they would have a $199 24v out in Fall 2020, but not yet.
https://panbo.com/veratron-debuts-nmea-2000-intelligent-battery-monitor/

Any other devices I should consider?

mikehar said:

I have three 24v starting banks that I would like to monitor with n2k. I could always go the Maretron DCM100 route, but that's a lot of $. Is there anything else out there that might be more economical?

Yacht Devices announced a $140 solution[/URL], but it's not out until January (which I assume means June).
https://www.yachtd.com/news/battery_monitor.html


Veratron said they would have a $199 24v out in Fall 2020, but not yet.
https://panbo.com/veratron-debuts-nmea-2000-intelligent-battery-monitor/

Any other devices I should consider?

Click to expand...

I'm looking for something similar - actually just a multi channel voltage meter. That might be simpler than what you are looking for, but I'm happy to just monitor voltage on my start bank and 12V coms bank. I have a lead on a possible device, and will report back if it pans out.

Not likely cheaper, unless you already have a Victron system, but you could use BMV series battery monitors connected to a GX series display/device that has NMEA 2000.

Most of the BMV series has two battery sources, so you'd need 2x of them. You'd also need the N2K side on the GX product. There are also the SmartShunts from them which would monitor voltage and amperage, and are cheaper and can be connected to the GX line too.

Benefit would be having more controls built into the BMV to alarm on various conditions, remote app monitoring, etc. which would require lots of other pieces on the Maretron side.

Saw this article on the yacht devices website that was interesting: https://www.yachtd.com/news/orion_bms2.html

But that battery monitor that you posted in the link doesn't seem to be available. Interestingly the product announcement was from November of 2019 and said it would be available in January of (presumably) 2020. Still not out yet though.

twistedtree said:

I'm looking for something similar - actually just a multi channel voltage meter. That might be simpler than what you are looking for, but I'm happy to just monitor voltage on my start bank and 12V coms bank. I have a lead on a possible device, and will report back if it pans out.

Click to expand...

Thanks, that would be great. I also really only care about voltage on these batteries.

Take a look at the dual readout V meter from Seadog.
https://sea-dog.com/groups/3992-dual-round-voltmeter
It's small and round so easily installed.


Also Amazon offers many units, some of them dual. Catch is they tend to be rectangular although small.


If you don't have to have them right in front of you or on a MFD display then they would be possibilities. Just fuse them all.

Take a look at Balmar. I have the earlier (First) version of theirs and am pleased with it.
CM is a commercial member here on TF and I have purchased from him to "compensate" him for his great reviews & articles.
https://marinehowto.com/balmar-sg200-self-learning-battery-monitor/

C lectric said:

Take a look at the dual readout V meter from Seadog.
https://sea-dog.com/groups/3992-dual-round-voltmeter
It's small and round so easily installed.


Also Amazon offers many units, some of them dual. Catch is they tend to be rectangular although small.


If you don't have to have them right in front of you or on a MFD display then they would be possibilities. Just fuse them all.

Click to expand...

Suitable for a stand along meter, but I think we are both looking for something that is N2K.

mikehar said:

Yacht Devices announced a $140 solution[/URL], but it's not out until January (which I assume means June).
https://www.yachtd.com/news/battery_monitor.html

Click to expand...

I messaged Yacht Devices about their yet-to-be-released battery monitor and this was their reply:

We plan to release our Battery Monitor in Q1 2021, We will announce it in our news. Please, check our news regularly, or better subscribe to our news feed to get information when the new product will be available. http://www.yachtd.com/newsletter.html

Click to expand...

I'm wondering if the shunt based monitors are the right solution for you. I have a Victron Smartshunt monitoring current, SOC and voltage on my house bank and voltage only on the start bank. Slick piece of kit at $140. But the shunt isn't designed to take the high currents in a starting system.

Maybe three of these guys connected to a GX to get N2K? They're about $50/ea, and the GX box is about $400.

https://www.victronenergy.com/accessories/smart-battery-sense