Batmon Replacement

[SBriggi]

Hey folks!

Purchased a 2001 Bruckmann Bluestar 29.9 in 2021 with twin yanmar 6LP-DTE. Since then I've been working on catching up on maintenance and basic systems. Currently I have my mind set on replacing the failed Ample Engineering Batmon Battery monitor.

The boat has 3 separate battey banks made of 4 type 31P batteries, 1 each for each engine and 2 for the house battery. The Batmon was wired to a 4 way rotary selector switch that was connected to each battery bank and off. I believe the Batmon monitored the capacity of the house batteries through a shunt, while allowing monitoring of the voltage levels of the starting batteries through a selector switch.

Ideally I would replace the Batmon if it were available, but unfortunately Ample Engineering is no longer offering these monitors.

As a result, I am looking for input on the next best battery monitoring solution. Is there a battery monitor that will monitor the capacity of the house batteries while at the same time allow me to see the voltage levels in the starter batteries? Is there a battery monitor that has 2 or 3 bank capacity? Even if it only has 2 bank capacity, could I put a switch in to allow the measurement of just the voltage on either the port or stbd starting batteries?

This seems like a common application for boats with twin inboards. What is commonly done?

Thanks for your thoughts!
Steve

Thanks for your

 

[boomerang]

Obviously , a Spidermon would be the easiest replacement for a Batmon.
Another possible replacement would be a Supermon. YVMV

 

[Bmarler]

Most of the current generation of battery monitors have this capacity.
I use a balmar smart gauge with a smart shunt. It does exactly what you want. It measures voltage across three banks, plus capacity on the house bank.
Capacity is measured in 0-100% instead of amp hours.

 

[SBriggi]

Most of the current generation of battery monitors have this capacity.
I use a balmar smart gauge with a smart shunt. It does exactly what you want. It measures voltage across three banks, plus capacity on the house bank.
Capacity is measured in 0-100% instead of amp hours.

This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you Bmarler! Their website was easy to navigate and the wiring diagram is right on!

As an aside, I wonder why Victron makes this so complicated? Do you know if Victron has a similar battery monitor?

Thank you for your guidance!
Steve

 

[Bmarler]

Victron has the bmv-700 series, but only monitors one extra battery. You can do an external toggle for the third bank, but I'd prefer not to. Unless you have lots of victron stuff already and want victron integration. Not sure if there's any gain though.
There are other choices, but i don't have direct experience with them.