Callum asked: > Does anyone here have one of these fitted to their battery banks? I'm in > need of something to measure the current draw, time left etc.
I have the BMV501 and find it a very useful tool. The discharge current figure is completely accurate (it's using a shunt so it bloomin' well should be!) predicted battery life remaining is also accurate but the percentage charged figure, as noted elsewhere, is meaningless unless you have fully charged the batteries to start with. (Whatever fully charged means in the real world!) When I was out last summer and on the move for a couple of months it was incredibly accurate at predicting when I needed to run the engine if I stopped anywhere (did test this once by letting the batteries drop to when the inverter cut out) but out of season when I moved less the percentage remaining figure became progressively less accurate over a couple of months until I effectively reset it by an overnight hook up to a shore line and given the batteries a good charge via the Victron inverter/charger. as far as I can tell, whenever you stop charging it takes that as the 100% point unless you do a really short charge. The 501 has loads of functionality I've not used yet, not least a PC interface which I do hope to try one day and whilst it's not perfect I wouldn't be without it. I have noticed there is a love-in on the SmartGauge range on this list at the moment (I REALLY hope someone is on commission ;D ) but given it monitors less information I fail to see how it can be more accurate in its guesses than the Victron, as has been suggested. Personally I'd rather have as much real information as possible and do my own guessing. Steve NB Bream
