Best Battery Monitors for RVs & 12V - 48V Solar Batteries

I bought and tested 4 of the best battery monitors for RVs, boats, and 12V to 48V solar batteries!
BATTERY MONITORS in this video, in no particular order (affiliate links)
AiLi - amzn.to/3D4KNa0
Renogy - amzn.to/3XKRo2W
Victron SmartShunt - amzn.to/3CZSka5
Victron BMV-712 - amzn.to/3O39hqb
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OTHER THINGS i mentioned (affiliate links)
Knockoff SmartShunt - amzn.to/3pAZoa1
All About RV's video - • How to Monitor RV Batt...
Victron wall-mounted enclosure - amzn.to/46GUdGk
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro to the 4 battery monitors
0:30 How to set up a battery monitor - Quick overview
0:59 AiLi - Overview & discharging
2:04 Renogy - Overview & discharging
3:18 Victron SmartShunt - Overview & discharging
4:44 Victron BMV-712 - Overview & discharging
5:20 Charging & solar charging overview
5:55 AiLi - Ease of installation
6:30 Renogy - Ease of installation
6:55 Victron SmartShunt - Ease of installation
7:33 Victron BMV-712 - Ease of installation
8:14 Victron SmartShunt - Bluetooth range
8:55 Victron BMV-712 - Bluetooth range
9:25 Midpoint monitoring & extra features
10:32 My final thoughts & recommendations
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LINKS
My blog - footprinthero.com/
/ footprint.hero
/ footprinthero
Sign up for my DIY solar newsletter: exceptional-knitter-7089.ck.p...
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Some of the links in this description and in the comments below are affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one, at no extra cost to you I may earn a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@footprinthero]

Battery monitors in this video, in no particular order (affiliate links) AiLi - amzn.to/3D4KNa0 Renogy - amzn.to/3XKRo2W Victron SmartShunt - amzn.to/3CZSka5 Victron BMV-712 - amzn.to/3O39hqb ~ Other things I mentioned (affiliate links) Knockoff SmartShunt - amzn.to/3pAZoa1 All About RV's video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoDFeZWpiKmKm7M Victron wall-mounted enclosure - amzn.to/46GUdGk ~ I tried to cover pretty much everything I thought was important (and wasn’t already covered in lots of other KZbin videos), but inevitably there will be some things that I left out. In some ways, I feel like I barely scratched the surface! Feel free to ask any questions and I’ll answer them as best I can!

[@MaritimeUnprepared]

Are you a member of the Foot Clan?🐢

[@nickgood8166]

Learnt alot. Thanks! Greetings from Pretoria. A curmudgeonly 63 year old Englishman fitting out his Hilux. Going Victron 712. Together with Victron B to B, AC and Solar MPPT chargers. It's tough in Africa, but somebody has to do it...

[@tomskimcdouglegaming806]

Dunno why any sane person would choose to live there, especially a white person.

[@noodlefoo]

I have the $44 model similar to AiLi (most likely same manufacturer) to monitor my portable Lithium battery box. It works well and does all I need.

[@kimmer6]

The Renogy monitor is my favorite. You can see that the battery is charging from 30 feet away as the screen brightens and dims about once a second during charge mode. All parameters can be read without scrolling through the screen. This became very helpful in remote monitoring. For $55 outlay, I can read my monitor from any place in the world where I get a cell signal. I don't need no steenkeen Bluetooth. Dude!!!! That remaining time function recalculates the time even if you slam the inverter with full load, back it off, turn on the AC unit, etc. This does not require constant loads as you mentioned. It takes about 20 seconds to give a pretty accurate time remaining reading. PLUS.... when the solar panels on a day when clouds and clear spots vary the solar input, the time remaining function recalculates the time remaining to the full 100% full battery. It's fun to watch the changes in real time. Throw on the microwave over then watch it recalculate the new charge finish time. The thing is mesmerizing! I have several systems here and the 500 amp shunt Renogy meter is my go-to unit. I just put a 460ah Vatrer battery, renogy inverter, Renogy Rover MPPT controller in my friend's Class C motorhome. It got the Renogy panel monitor as well and he likes it.

[@kimmer6]

Here's an Amazon $55 Pet Cam monitoring a Renogy screen. The scan lines are from the really cheap LED desk lamp that stays on 24/7. The cell picture is sharper than shown. It pans, tilts and zooms from the cell phone and has 2 way speaker....and laser pointer! I can hear the inverter fan if its running from miles away at any time I choose. It also has a Victron Smart Shunt which is practically useless to me as the Bluetooth signal won't make it through the wall out of the shop. The Renogy volt meter reads 0.3 volts too low as noted and should be 27.2 volts. No big deal. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3XZZKmiaLyfd68

[@Awas79]

Absolutely the video I was looking for, love it

[@gr7485]

Excellent comparisons. Thank you for the work you put into making it. A few months ago, before I watched this video, I chose the VictronSmartShunt 500 for its bluetooth capability thus no need run wires or cut holes for a monitor. Works beautifully and communicates nicely with the other Victron BT aware hardware I use. No extra cost dongles required. 👍🏼

[@ronbridegroom8428]

It is very apparent you put a lot of effort into making this video and testing these units and providing excellent information. thanks

[@footprinthero]

I really appreciate hearing that, I'm glad the effort came across :)

[@TyScott85]

Great video. You covered everything I would need. I went with the Renogy

[@DL_Tech_]

Great video, I work support for a LiFePO4 company so have been sending this to customers to show how to install and the differences in monitors.

[@jasonbroom7147]

I watch way too many of these types of videos. I've installed two of the monitors you tested. You did an excellent job of explaining how each of these work and their relative merits. SUB'D!

[@LennyKaosium]

Outstanding presentation. I understand this type of product much better now. Thank you

[@beaudeanbest]

The review was so in depth and we'll edited and u learnt alot of stuff 10/10

[@Kittycat822]

Thanks for the info. I just picked up the Renogy for $53 cyber Monday so a good budget buy. I plan to get a lithium battery this spring so doing research and your video made me feel like I made a good decision. Thx again.

[@maxkandt]

great video! good length, not fuzz around, just straightfacs and impressions! great quality

[@footprinthero]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@trevorcampbell2771]

Nice one. Great video. Obviously a lot of work and thought went into this Thanks!

[@jamesfalvey77]

Bought 2 victron 500 amp smart shunts. Love them!

[@chimpmunkboy8850]

Great video, thanks! I bought the smart shunt with your link.

[@MRLOVERLOVER696]

Very good unbiased review. Thank you

[@chilibeanhere]

Enjoyed your presentation and info. thanks.

[@danbaxley]

Thank, a very informative presentation. Much appreciated

[@AwakeningProcedure]

You did a great job brother thanks

[@jetsebroos6131]

Good comparison, thank you.

[@sumyunguy777]

Thank you for the comparisons. This will help me out lot.

[@footprinthero]

You're welcome. Glad to hear that :)

[@mick2d2]

Great video, thanks for the indepth comparison.

[@tonydtom536]

Thanks for the video it is definitley helpful.

[@daninbenson]

Thanks for a great video! I appreciate your efforts and the info!

[@footprinthero]

You're welcome :)

[@thomasstieglitz5917]

Great video review! a lot of work thank you!

[@loveaviation]

I have 2 Renogy monitors, one in my car and the other home. I got to this video searching the attenuation feature that Renogy customer service told you to not bother setting. So I am also not going to mess with it. Thanks for the video!

[@footprinthero]

Lol yeah I couldn't find anything on it when I searched... glad you found that part helpful

[@user-ny2tr8vw3g]

Another cool video, thank you! I was feeling a bit guilty about purchasing the victron smartshunt, it's not very expensive but i was trying to keep the budget as small as possible. I even considering not buying the battery monitor at all, just using the voltage, but i really wanted the victron's history feature, to be able to see my usage trends. Anyway, after seeing the other battery monitors and their price, i think the victron smartshunt is totally worth it

[@mortalopus]

dude I love your videos!

[@footprinthero]

Thank you!!

[@electronics.unmessed]

Good review! Many thanks for the video.

[@footprinthero]

My pleasure!

[@april7_DDG]

Thank you for a good review! I have two shunts in series (Aili and Victron Smart Shunt) works fine. You may ask why, I just bought one few years ago and now upgraded with more Victron stuff. All Victrons could have dedicated monitor screen for information but they are quite pricy!

[@ScottDLR]

Very helpful vid. I'm leaning towards the Renogy because as you stated, it shows so much at a glance. It would be nice to have BT but in my case, I don't think I'll be watching it charge as much as I will be watching it discharge and I'll be close enough to the monitor to see it.

[@ronbridegroom8428]

Very good review. Thanks

[@footprinthero]

You're welcome!

[@metroman-guy]

Thank you for the video I have been looking for a good battery monitor.

[@footprinthero]

You're welcome, hopefully this helped with your search!

[@greavous93]

Good video! You covered a lot of subject matter which sounded well thought out. Your gen needs to look at a phone to function in life so I LOLed when you were disappointed in the units without BT. Im building a "portable" dual 100 Ah batteries with solar and grid charging and some bells and whistles. It all fits into a DeWalt Tough System 2.0 rolling tool box and im wanting some sort of monitor. Thanks for you opinions.

[@TheComputerman2004]

Thanks. I have a clone of your budget pick. I couldn't set the amp hour successfully following all the instructions. I tried again while watching your video and suddenly it worked. I do a lot of research into rebranding. Find fangpusun you might recognize the blue paint. Take care

[@JeepTJay6]

I had the Renogy monitor and LOVED how visible the stats were on that big green screen. Unfortunately it started giving faults readings and died on me after about a year. I also noticed something really peculiar about the startup screen. While bench testing it right before I declared its time of death so to speak. I noticed that when it first booted up it would flash 350A on the screen as apposed to 500A. Also, for some reason mine didn't have the screen brightness adjustment I saw in reviews before I bought it. I almost have to wonder if mine might have been a counterfeit or something. I did a video on it a while back. If you're interested it's up on my channel. I ended up with the Victron Smart on my starter battery and the BMV-712 on my battery bank. I'm the "overkill" type LOL. I do miss that Renogy screen though😢 Anyway, Great monitor comparison you've put together here. You've earned a sub and a like from me. ;-)

[@Lion2232]

Hey Alex! It's a great informative video. Helped me a lot to understand the best bang for buck option. Is there any way that you could look into 'Renogy One' interface and how that can be used in a basic 12V aux battery system? Thanks!

[@DexterGoneWild]

Should check out the Renogy ONE Core! Mine came as a bundle deal with the DC-DC charger and saved me about $250.

[@stevejohnson3557]

Thanks for a well done video! I am having some trouble with the batteries on my 5th wheel….. batteries loosing a cell on marine batteries! I am going to install a battery monitor! Possibly the Victron shunt! Your video was very informative! 👍🏼

[@MrSummitville]

A "marine" battery? Why aren't you using a true Deep-Cycle battery?

[@stevejohnson3557]

@@MrSummitville

[@Merlin-Power]

Really insightful video, great stuff! I wonder how our DataCell, the World's most accurate battery monitor, would compare to the 3 in this video? 👀

[@StevenLucasMarketing]

Juntek do a shunt with a screen or Bluetooth. A liitle pricier than the AlLi but a lot less than the Victron. It has a separate box that attaches to the shunt and an app to connect it.

[@rv10flyer84]

AiLi is very accurate for my 220+ kWh of LFP.

[@anthonyglaser929]

how well would these work if you have more than on battery, like a battery array? Would this still work or would you need one monitor for each battery? btw thanks for posting,

[@ras8678]

one thing that you could have added and tested for is idle power consumption. I can't speak for the ones tested but some of the budget/knockoff brand ones do have a higher idle power consumption.

[@its_me_JZ]

I'm looking at picking up the Renogy, but I'm wondering if you need to reset the capacity everytime you disconnect the battery? With zub zero temps I plan to disconnect the battery to store/charge in the house when not in use.

[@ChristiannTyler]

I’m new to trying to build my dual battery system but I’m trying to make it chargeable via solar panels when at camp is there a way to monitor input/output of what the alternator is supplying but also monitor what’s happening when on solar. I plan to put it all in a large pelican case so it’s portable.

[@ringonotts]

It would be really nice to understand how accurate each monitor is when drawing say 2A, 100A, 300A and 500A. Most systems use around 1-10A most of the time, yet when you do use that inverter and draw excesses of 200A you also need it to be accurate. You would hope the more expensive shunts are calibrated - but who knows!

[@ShaneS071]

the Victron Alarm will send you notifications, when you set the alarm levels under Alarm Rules in the VRM portion of the app, once you set the alarm parameters you select which users connected the said device which will be notified

[@bushysadventures1845]

Top, video wish i had of found it a week ago, as i couldnt work out the atten on the renogy shunt, after an hour of google and videos finally found it dont need to be set. 😅

[@footprinthero]

😅 yeah I really wish they'd put more instruction on when/how to use it or just get rid of the setting if they advice is NOT to use it lol

[@bushysadventures1845]

@@footprinthero indeed it really is pointless and has everyone who is trying to set it up scratching there heads.

[@danilovicioso3852]

Hola Alex. Thanks for posting the video. Is there a monitor on the market that uses Wifi so I can see remotely?

[@boondockduane]

The Victron smart shunt is best with Cerbo GX Get the Victron BMV-712 if not using a Victron Cerbo GX System

[@fredyow5395]

Can you use the victron monitor with the other shunts?

[@jimhanty8149]

The 712 is by far the Best Buy…it’s 70 bucks more but worth every cent in the real world…

[@DeFiDuke]

TBD - can you do a review?

[@alohahoward1]

I just bought the Victron Smart Shunt and I was disappointing that there is no way to down load the history. However, I don't believe any of the other shunt interfaces have that feature either.

[@tariqusman2250]

I have 2V battery cells stack of 24 nos. of batteries. Can I check the stack with one battery monitor ? Total Volts 48V and each battery is 400AH.

[@woodzyfox4735]

Thats a LifePo4 battery. your voltage range SHOULD BE 14.4 - 10.0V I suggest useing 14.0 - 11V Long life range (20 yrs) 13.2-12.8V Mid life range (12 years) 13.3 - 12V Short life range (9 yeas) 14.4 - 10V

[@stedyone1090]

Are those usage ranges to get more years usage??

[@oday3514]

Two that you should have included are the SmartGauge (Balmar) Battery Monitor (~$230) and the BM2 Bluetooth Battery Monitor (~$30). I have both on my boat, and prefer the BM2.

[@janeguo-yt9vy]

can u advise link of BM2？very interested in it.

[@KTMsteve]

47 page manual for a battery monitor is kind of ridiculous. Also, fail on the low SoC alarm! i went with the renogy. great tip on mounting the shunt to the negative pole side

[@M4ketech]

Interesting. Victron battery protect would be better over the Victron shunt. Victron battery protect has also Bluetooth, but it has also alarm + led when battery voltage drops to given value + its way cheaper.

[@stevehendsbee7094]

Is the Renogy screen waterproof?

[@TheFlyingPlectrum]

By far the best monitor is the Simarine Pico.

[@eddiebagonickels]

Great reviews! Question... If you disconnect the battery from the monitor, do you need to reprogram it the next time you reconnect the battery or are the settings maintained? I'm most curious about the AiLi, but interested in the behavior for all of them. Thanks

[@gr7485]

I can partially answer your question. I use the Victron SmartShunt and the memory is nonvolatile as the settings and data are stored in the Victron Connect app whether it be a phone or computer. Via Bluetooth it can also share data between other compatible Victron BT devices.

[@eddiebagonickels]

I ended up buying this and I can answer my own questions now. I am happy to report that the settings ARE in fact saved when the battery is disconnected and reconnected.

[@stevenchase2066]

How would you do this with 3 batteries to make a 36 volt system. Do you connect the power to the same battery as negative or the positive of the battery that makes it 36v

[@stedyone1090]

Let me know the answer Thanks 😊

[@WD40W1]

Hi , may I ask you a question? If I build a battery bank and want to accurate measure the level of discharging the individual battery, battery monitor should be add to every single battery or one monitor for whole battery bank? thanks. konrad

[@carolstraquadine3608]

I would like to know this also. Thanks for asking. Hopefully someone will answer.

[@lincolnbarlow4778]

Just one monitor for the whole battery bank will be sufficient. It's not necessary to monitor each battery, instead make sure to use a battery monitor with mid point monitoring if you're battery bank is a 24 or 48volt bank.

[@namzy410]

Would have been great if you compared accuracy

[@ignaughtglautz2608]

What about the TRIMETRIC TM2030 from BOGART INDUSTRIES, I have heard it is excellent.

[@jamesgibbons6292]

I'm running 2 100AH Lifepro4 batteries on my boat for my trolling motor. I need to be able to see how much capacity I have left while on the water. I currently have 2 12 volt gauges that run from the batteries. I'm confused about this whole state of charge or capacity thing. I have read about capacity being different from the voltage. I just want to see the power left without spending a bunch of money. Help would be appreciated.

[@stedyone1090]

I need same info for my boat. Let me know if you get any answers. Thanks 😊

[@markf1441]

Victron BMV-712 it has a relay output and you didn't say anything ! Maybe that's why it's more expensive, not just for the wider bluetooth coverage.

[@dragon90815]

Any battery monitors that aren't online

[@hanginwithbullfrog4657]

Great video...very informative...been dabbling in KZbin videos and there's a lot that goes into it...to a trained eye u can see the efforts...🫡 Appreciated

[@i_know_nothing7788]

Use a Hall Effect to measure current. Easier to install a nd cheaper.

[@bdosborn]

No comment on warranty and product support? I'm hesitant to embrace a review from someone who is flummoxed by the advanced settings for the Victron.

[@daviddinsmore20]

Both of the Victron products have a guaranteed accuracy of 0.4% while the Renogy and Ali Express are rated for 1%. That's a 2.5X difference and I bet the cheaper products don't even match the 1% number that is advertised. It would be very useful to actually measure the accuracy (especially the current measurement). I do understand that to do this you need a way to compare to a 0.1% (or better measurement) system. I feel the better accuracy of the Victron products justifies the additional price.

[@ryanalder9691]

That Victron accuracy is out the window on the bluetooth model. When you lose or disconnect/reconnect bluetooth, the SOC can report incorrectly. As in, if you are at 90% SOC then lose connection, it will read 100% when you connect again.

[@daviddinsmore20]

I was not talking about SOC accuracy I was just referring to the the basic voltage and current accuracy. The AHr number in particular is very closely tied to the current measurement. In fact the AHr is simply based on current and time. I am sure the time measurement in the BMV-712 is very accurate as very good microprocessor crystals have gotten very cheap, therefore the majority of error in the AHr reading is the current measurement. When I evaluate charging runs I record the starting and ending AHr number on the Victron, When I do a discharge run I do the same thing (recording the starting and ending AHr number from the Vitron) and also compare that to my electronic load (Mayuno M9713, 600W, 45A). The Maynuo is freshly calibrated (Jan 2023 by Tektronix) and has a current readout accuracy spec of (0.05% + 0.05%FS @ 12A, 0.1% + 0.08%FS @ 45A). The Victron current reads within about 0.2% of the Maynuo.

[@ryanalder9691]

@@daviddinsmore20 most people that buy these are not doing discharge runs or accuracy checks. They are installing them in their build and using them to try to figure out how much is left in their battery. Like I said, the problem with the Bluetooth only victron unit is that when Bluetooth disconnects and reconnects, either by the user doing it or Bluetooth just falling off, the number goes back to 100% if the voltage is the same. As we all know, lithium batteries have a very stable voltage until they are almost fully discharged. I am not talking about the unit with a display.

[@lincolnbarlow4778]

​@@ryanalder9691something is wrong with your smart shunt then because mine certainly doesn't behave like that.

[@davidniquot6423]

Too bad, one very important one is missing : The best Performance/price ratio is the KH140F

[@MadMax23]

On a RV you can't go cheap with electric system.... Fire is fire no joke about Victron all day long.... No matter what... Not even discuss about or Victron or Nothing.... Well I stand up with Votronic as well.... 23 for all of you!!! Keep on Rave life's one Dance it

[@SolarPowerMyRV]

First 2 are junk and slow. The smart shunt doesn’t have good Bluetooth. Get the bmv. Buy once cry once

[@jamielacourse7578]

I'm a recent victim of renoviction up here in Canada. What's available isn't affordable and vice versa so I'm heading to the bush to squat on crown land. (I figure they owe me) Could you save me hours of searching and suggest a solar usb charger ( to charge my tablet Samsung Galaxy) and some good power banks? I trust your judgement. Thanks...62 yr old homeless dude. Our governing bodies really suck, don't they?

[@footprinthero]

Dang sorry to hear about your situation. I haven't tested many solar chargers and power banks yet (though I plan on doing a review of solar chargers and solar power banks later this year). I've heard good things about the BigBlue solar charger, but haven't used it yet myself. I've used Anker power banks before and they've worked well, but don't know enough to say whether they're right for your situation. Best of luck with your search!