How to Monitor RV Batteries On A Budget.

Monitoring your RV Batteries is a must if you use your RV off grid, but battery monitors can be very expensive. We have a small list of budget Rv Battery monitors that will fit whatever size system you have or are planning and will be a big upgrade to a voltage based monitor. Having a monitor that will calculate amp hour or watt hours is a huge improvement to an RV. It is an RV modification worth doing. Here is the list of Battery monitors we talked about.
Option#1 with 100 amp shunt amzn.to/2yyRqQn
Drok Hall Sensor 200 Amp . amzn.to/2T02Zti
Aili with 350 amp shunt . amzn.to/2ZFc7WI
DPDT Switch for Monitor #1 amzn.to/2KfxUzh
My favorite BMV-712 . amzn.to/2yzh08b
Here is our Amazon page for our favorite gear. We will be adding more products as we find more products we use and love. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
www.amazon.com/shop/jaredgillis
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Passport America WE USE THIS ALL THE TIME. passportamerica.com?rfsn=2638351
Harvest Host Link harvesthosts.refr.cc/jaredgillis
Membership link
/ @allaboutrvs

[@AllAboutRVs]

If you are looking for my favorite battery monitor here it is. amzn.to/3n4PJqk. It gives so much info and is easy to set up and the quality is amazing!

[@user-tj5nk7lb8l]

You dont consider how these cheap option dont have a convenient way to mount the shunt (unlike the Victron). Do you just leave the shunt hanging in mid air?

[@jacktyler7599]

An Excellent Combo: Great explanation plus illustration of why a Battery Monitor is essential, followed by the best summary of truly affordable monitors that I've seen on KZbin. This is a gem.

[@rolfschubert1853]

Thanks for giving a clear, no nonsense explanation of the monitors. It's refreshing to watch someone who can produce a video without resorting to drama. You've earned another subscriber, just wish I'd have seen this particular video one day sooner. I would have ordered a different monitor.

[@karenovershiner5119]

Super grateful for the beginner basics. I am brand new RVer, with an older class C. Lots to learn, and so glad I found you and your channel. God bless!

[@RMalsawmtluanga]

Not into RVs but the quality of information on this video is a pure gem.

[@johnsholian4318]

I’ve learned a lot watching your channel and will be exploring one of these options. Just in the process of wiring up a small portable solar setup on our new trailer so it seems like the perfect time to add a monitor to the shopping list. Thanks Jared!

[@camrodger5381]

This video is a perfect example of why your channel is so informational and educational. Thank you so very much!

[@AllAboutRVs]

Thank you!

[@dougbas3980]

I have watched several of your RV battery posts and I am an electrical engineer with an RV. You provide excellent info. I do the AGM for my occasional boon-docking. Well done!

[@303nitzubishi4]

Great video. Energy monitoring and management are difficult concepts to explain, this demo will answer alot of basic questions for ppl. I have all three of the meter types you showed here, they all work great and serve their purpose. My next project is to install one on my engine alternator output and set up the field current wire to a relay so I can disable the alternator when my solar is putting out enough to run the chassis while on the road (old GM CS series alternator). Handy little devices

[@MrRodgomez]

You are the consummate RV authority. I understand why you have the following that you do. It’s so apparent that you know exactly what you are talking about. Bravo!!!

[@JamesDean-ow7qo]

Thanks. This is the best of DIY; actually showing people how to do it themselves without mistakes.

[@ZonaJim]

As a retired electrical engineer - Kudos to you!

[@eagle1532]

I bought 2 of them from Amazon, they work pretty good, just a shake off of being 100% accurate

[@jackcoleman5618]

Once you started talking about the switch...I Lost Ya !!

[@GunnerBoomer]

Great info, thanks! Nice to know there are lower cost items that can meet our needs. The tutorial and switch wiring animation are great too - excellent work.

[@martydouglas1802]

This is good! I bought this monitor for my electric boat and didn't know that all I needed was a switch to check charge/discarge. Thank you!!

[@SojourningHope]

Your videos have been saving our family's life. We got evicted and are moving into an unfinished skoolie in 2 weeks. Thank you for these, may God bless you and your family.

[@twochordthom2172]

Best RV channel I have seen. You are a great teacher, very good at this. Excellent explanation of things. You should get paid for this.

[@tswitz65]

Nice job Jerod. Not only with the information but the time in presenting the information in the mockup and the diagrams you have appear on the screen. Always enjoy your videos. Thank you!

[@AllAboutRVs]

Thank you!

[@sparkmiester]

Your videos are always helpful and timely. Many thanks

[@Scoopy4444]

Hi ! I'm looking to buy an RV but first I watch your vids and it helps me alot to be aware what I need to know and do on how to / what to look for before making the rights decisions. Thank you very much for your infos. Montreal, Quebec, Canada ✌

[@rickw4022]

As usual, a very well done explanation of things of which I have little expertise. Outfitting our 5th Wheel with a second battery for the occasional overnight boondock. Your information is very helpful in my planning and power usage strategy. I am going to try out the Aili with 350 amp shunt. Thanks so much!!

[@peterraymond3653]

Awesome, thank you. Explained everything I needed to know for our RV

[@cribbage1686]

Always appreciate your videos.

[@leighsheppard8614]

Great information. I always love your highly informative videos.

[@douglasrk44]

Really enjoy your clear presentation. All the info we need with no extra words 👍

[@robertkaplan6600]

Awesome as usual...I am in the process of trying to figure this stuff out. Thanks

[@danielmclendon8346]

Gatdangit, Jared Gillis! Once again, another one of your videos came in clutch! Super appreciative! Clever trick with the double polled/double throw switch. Maybe one day we'll see you on the road. Jared Gillis, THE RV GOD WITH ALL OF THE ANSWERS!

[@gaetansimard1594]

This is the best video I ever saw about battery monitors. I bought a 30$ one, I could not convince myself to pay over 250$ for a fancy one. All we need is a volt-meter and an energy meter or counter. Even if it drift a bit what we need is not necessary something very accurate but give us an idea of where we are and what is the actual consumption. With The solar controller and a clamp amp meter we have all the information that we need to figure were we are. Thanks for your time doing this very useful video.

[@fishhuntadventure]

It was a good video. But the apostrophe in “RVs” just bothers and annoys me The $250 one? Never! The $30 one, then you have enough left over to buy that meter he has :) But actually my solar charge controller gives my charge input and I just reset that datapoint every day. However, it doesn’t have the ability to monitor the cumulative draw of the inverter. Which could prove useful.

[@Hiroak]

Just watched your battier video was was think the $250 option was a bit much for my 03 Rialta, then you posted a video of the exact three cheaper battery monitors I was looking at, it's like your the Alexa of RVing you always know what I need. Thanks.

[@RoadDogMedia]

Timing could not have been better for me! Just bought the first cheap battery monitor in the video and played around with installing it with some success but now I'll be wiring in the DPDT switch for my application! Thank you so much! My significant other balked at spending $300 Canadian for the Victron at this point so this will appease my inner mad scientist.

[@AllAboutRVs]

That’s great!

[@daveyusa1884]

great demonstration and explanation, thanks. i have 4 of the "small ones". one for battery in, one for battery out, one for solar in, and one for inverter out. BUT, what you brought to my attention is the shunt limit of 100A! my inverter output exceeds that, and while i have not had a problem with it, i may switch that monitor to the mid grade one you demonstrated. I also put an on / off switch (same one you show) to turn the monitors off, for 2 reasons: 1) to stop the small draw when not in use, and 2) to stop the monitor glow when i am sleeping at night as 4 of them does light up a dark room. much thanks again.

[@Robert-yq3os]

Excellent ! I am fitting out a small van and there is so much information to take in for the beginner I am. Thanks to your video, I understand a lot better how this little device I bought works, and that I will install asap. Thanks again.

[@spinningedge8790]

Love your videos looking into buying a used RV.

[@powertool4uau]

This could possibly be the best most informative clearest well explained video ever produced and put on the net AAA+++

[@AllAboutRVs]

Thank you

[@timstevens9992]

By far the best video I've seen on the subject. Thank you.

[@TQMouse]

I have learned soo much from you and mark!!!!

[@vincentrvlife2393]

Thank you so much for this video. I learned a lot as I decide what monitor to choose for my system.

[@rogerespinoza9367]

Great info yet again Jared Thank you for sharing all your knowledge.

[@BobBohner4851]

Best explanation in utube. Thanks for getting me to the right unit with the right capabilities!!!!!

[@b4804514]

Hey Jered Your videos are excellent please keep educating us.

[@crystalherrin7858]

Great video as always! Great information! Thank you! I always look forward to your videos!

[@AllAboutRVs]

Thanks!

[@nannermakuk]

Your videos are so clear and informative. Thank you so much!

[@DirtyPlumbus]

Thanks for this. I've been gathering a supply of portable power stations and putting them to use but I'm ready to start building a more permanent system and moving into building a battery bank. This will certainly make it easier to get going.

[@Alpha-ms9nj]

Just the info and instructions I was looking for. I didn't realize this type of monitor was a one way only, but the switch idea is great and I will be using it like per your instructions to monitor my battery on my small 200 watt solar setup that I am building for the first time. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience, it is very much appreciated for noobs like me.

[@heatherk8931]

Do you see what the brand is? He forgot to put the links in description. Th thank you, best wishes

[@adlcm67]

Last part was Great..!!

[@natez_868]

Awesome video!!!! What I discovered with the cheap meter is if you put the negative wire from the charging source, in my case the charge controller, on the opposite end of the shunt, leaving everything else exactly as the wiring diagram on the meter, the meter no longer goes to zero when the battery is charging. It shows the total draw from the battery. This works better for me because it tells me exactly how many kWh is drawn from the battery regardless of it being charged and my solar system tells me the kWh produced. From there I can compare the difference between both so I know my energy consumption vs energy produced by my solar system.

[@barnabycauwood3983]

you explain everything so clearly. Really informative.... thank you

[@AllAboutRVs]

Thank you

[@BillMcDaniel74]

Good Job Jared, always a question people have about Rving

[@benjaminmagee9427]

You sir, have created an excellent video and I applaud your help!

[@AllAboutRVs]

Thanks!

[@benkanobe7500]

Thank you. We just invested in Twelve, 1200Ah AGM batteries to begin creating our house system. My wife and I are just playing with it (Panels, Charge Controller, Inverter, .....) using just one of the batteries just in case we screw up and kill the one. We started by charging the one battery with our panels through our configured CC and then disconnecting the battery and bringing it into our house. We then connected the inverter (2000W Modified Sine Wave) to the battery. So just the inverter and battery and a calibrated Fluke Multimeter monitoring Battery Voltage at the battery terminals where the inverter was connected. We then plugged our Entertainment System (Giant Flat Screen, .....DVD, Channel Box, ..... Surround Sound Amp, .....) directly to the inverter AC out. We continually watched about 3.75 hours of Movies and such and monitored our battery voltage very carefully starting from 13.2 resting Voltage. Within the 3.75 hours, the underload voltage of our battery dropped to 12.46 Volts and we freaked and disconnected it. After 30 minutes of resting, the battery voltage at the terminals with inverter disconnected was 12.84 Volts. By the battery manual, this indicates a fully charged battery.(??) We were confused until we watched some other KZbins, but it all came together watching yours and have now ordered 2 of the inexpensive shunt monitors through your link and will play with those until we purchase the BMV you recommend. We think with the shunt monitor we will be able to correctly (safely) use much more of our battery capacity than we did cutting off at 3.46 loaded volts by monitoring Watt-Hours used as a percentage of fully charged Watt-Hours. **** Is monitoring the "before and during" Watt-Hours with the above monitor a safe and reliable method of monitoring the capacity (usage) of our batteries? We want to get the maximum cycle life from our batteries and so only want to discharge them about 20% per discharge cycle.**** Thank You!!!

[@grantspapa9537]

Very good how-to in this video and easy to understand instructions for installing a monitor.

[@user-iz4pk2uq4x]

Very clear and organized.

[@matthewmurafa5629]

Another great informative video!

[@alanmcrae8594]

Excellent presentation that is very clear and easy to understand. No distracting music in the background. Devices clearly shown, demonstrated and Amazon links posted in the video notes. Other KZbin presenters take note - this is how to do it if you want 100K views and a grateful audience. Teach the world!

[@AllAboutRVs]

Thank you that is very kind.

[@ScottyP5947]

You make terrific videos. Thanks for your contribution!

[@AllAboutRVs]

Thank you!

[@youngseanconnery8577]

love your channel, thanks for the vids!

[@Lex10999]

Your videos are Awesome Thanks so much.

[@aubreyj.tennant1123]

Excellent review! Simple and clear! 😊

[@crashwrench]

Hi , Might Want to add a couple of " In Line Fuses " To the Wiring At The Source Prevent a Short / Fire . Also a Weather / Marine Type Water Proof High Ampere Circuit Breaker At The Batteries . For Mounting The " Shunts" Find Something Other Than Directly To A Piece Of Wood . These Shunts Can Get Very Hot Under A Load .

[@paparentman]

I just stumbled on your video. It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for. I have solar on my trailer with a trimetric monitor and solar panel controller. But I also keep a solar panel on the cab of my truck to run a battery I use to run my Engle refrigerator. I’ve wanted to be able to monitor it for a while with more than voltage. This is the solution I am looking for. I’ve considered it but I have never taken the time to put together where to find what I needed. So thank you for your video. I assume you have others that are going to be just as informative and I have subscribed.

[@cynthiaincolorado3373]

Great video as usual, thank you!

[@reostertag]

Thanks so much for the education!! Great video!!

[@ryancousins]

I purchased two of the cheap monitors a couple years ago and have one coming in from the solar panels and another heading out from my battery. It’s not the most elegant solution but it works well. I can see how much is going in and goi g out at the same time without switching back between screens so that is pretty nice.

[@TeachandTugTravels]

Thanks Jared. I’ve been wanting a battery monitor and you helped me decide what to get at a reasonable price. Now I can move on to solar panels. Thanks again for another awesome video

[@Lucas-pv2wn]

Well done, and super helpful!!👏

[@JerryEricsson]

Great video, that said, I believe I would fuse the positive side between the monitor and the battery, near the battery to protect in case of a short. Just a thought, I guess it comes to mind since when we travel in our Class A (we used to snow bird but had to take a couple of years off due to illness in the family) we usually spend nights while en-route at truck stops, parked between semi's. My daughter, who lives with us, is on the Ambulance Squad as an EMT. She had to respond at 5:00 AM to a truck fire at the local grocery store/fuel stop at the junction of the two highways that transect our little village. A trucker had been asleep in his sleeper when his heater apparently shorted out, caught the truck on fire, and they had to remove his chard body from the remains of his tractor. Not a pretty sight, but you take the job and you deal with what comes, much as I did when I too worked as an EMT while on the Police Force for 24 years. Fuses can, and do save lives, especially in a rig where you intend to spend time sleeping.

[@alanpetersen4615]

Good story!

[@thomasdipaolo2349]

Great info. Thanks

[@chevy6794]

Very informative info. Most of it I already know but I really like the way you take the time to explain it in the simplest way possible for the less informed. For that I will subscribe to give you more exposure. The switch idea is excellent and I will use as I have the same battery monitor. Thanks.

[@normferguson2769]

I bought the monitor (off Amazon) that you recommended for my 5th wheel. We have 30 amp service at our seasonal campground and on hot days panic to not burn out or trip appliances. It was difficult to run the wire out of the breaker box and up inside the 2” thick wall. I mounted the readout in the main room. Took me several hours. It is on 24 hours per day and our only issue is that it becomes a very bright blue nightlight for people sleeping on the pop-out bed below it. It gave us a real readout on what appliances really draw. More stuff can be used when we run the A/C than we thought before.

[@tommydoyle7582]

Great info.Thank you.

[@neubert500]

Excellent video with great explanation. Thank you Sir

[@AllAboutRVs]

Thank you!

[@marshallhall6449]

Great video I continue to share your useful information thank you

[@AllAboutRVs]

Thank you!

[@leerunion2623]

Thank you for the information.

[@crazybull299]

Love the video. I highly recommend windscreen toll tags to save messing about with tickets and payment cards at the toll booths.

[@jimbobxcityguy5338]

Thanks. Your a Wizz kid. Being 71 yrs old I had to watch the end for the switch setup to get it. Ha. Probably have to watch is a few times more to get this monitor in.

[@taylorreed3243]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated.

[@davidstephens1092]

I couldn't agree with you more. On my camper trailer I have 4 X 190watt 24 volt panels in a series / parallel configuration ( 48volt 380watt ) feeding a 50/100 victron MPPT controller with a victron remote monitor and a victron 100 amp load controller set at 11 volts cutout . This feeds 6 X 240 AH 2 volt Narada Lead Carbon Batteries in series ( 12 volts ). The controller gave me the ability to set the charge voltage at 13.8 , the float at 13.5 and limit the input to 40amps as per manufacturers specs. The panels lose sun at 3pm and sunup on the panels is around 7am at which time the battery bank is usually around 12.5 volts no load. I put a basic shunt and display unit in ( Identical to the one you showed ) on the load side and have found it so easy to glance at as I go past that I am also going to put one on the input side. While the Victron display is excellent it requires stopping and scrolling through to check. While although it is currently parked it is running a 150 ltr ( 6.5 cubic feet) 240 volt ac freezer and a 50 ltr 12 volt dc fridge, even though we are in late winter the controller switches over to float at around 8am. The panels were purchased second hand from a dealer at 1/3 new price , are less than 2 years old and come with a 10 year guarantee. For any one wondering about the lead carbon batteries, they treat the negative plates with carbon to reduce the sulfation that occurs when in Partial State Of Charge ( POSC ) as is normal with a solar powered system . Set up as I have them they have a life expectancy of 25 years.

[@jennaparicio3738]

Thank you! You did an awesome job with explaining what the numbers one the monitors mean and how to calculate them. I learned so much and I only had to watch it once to understand it! lol

[@AllAboutRVs]

Glad it helped

[@salembaabbad8783]

You actually answered my questions with out asking you 😃, thanks 🙏 sur

[@cleaverp]

Very useful video. Thanks.

[@fellixx11]

Thanks for doing this. Good info.

[@AllAboutRVs]

You’re welcome!

[@rollingrandy9041]

Thank you for making this intelligent video! I’m going to do just what you’ve demonstrated. 👍🏼

[@papajack6537]

Just found your channel.. outstanding!

[@hoodoodino2335]

Papa Jack Price ...Dad said a long time ago : "Son, you should be outstanding in your field"... So I went out and stood in the field...& lunchtime passed with Mom probably wundrin' bout me... Then dinner time came but I could not wait any longer & hunger won out. (I did grow up becoming outstanding in my field too)

[@BarryDuttonSellsHomes]

Always top notich 101-content and teachings! I should just start pasting that into my replies, would save me time on your channel LOL. Thanks again man!

[@AllAboutRVs]

Thank you! That’s very kind of you!

[@TahoeRealm]

Awesome video thanks very much!

[@benidosoto4462]

Great video , very informative

[@alanpetersen4615]

Not Sponsored? You must not be sponsored, because this is an incredible video instructing the common layman how to hook up sophisticated monitoring for very small amount of $$$. I loved this video, and commend you for giving us people on a tight budget, a chance to hook up great power and voltage monitoring at affordable prices. This is an example of helping our common man, or neighbor, on how to wire things up, like the big boys do, but on a very tight budget. Hooking up a switch to allow the viewer to see both power out versus power in is a lot of help.

[@todd.parker]

Great video, super clear.

[@AllAboutRVs]

Thank you!

[@Thick_Cut_Bacon]

Thank you...very helpful

[@CGAZ66]

Great information :)

[@soilliam]

Great explanation skills thanks for the info

[@hhamilton6391]

great video, thanks!

[@markgosser9578]

Bought the cheapest monitor for my camper batteries, thanks for video!

[@SplashF15E]

Bro. So good. Thanks man.

[@richardward7221]

Thanks! We love your tips!

[@AllAboutRVs]

Thank you!

[@rickrangel]

WOW!!! I don't know why your video came up, maybe because I'm an RV owner. That's KZbin for you. But DANG!!! I really like the way you explain things. You are absolutely a genius when it comes to this stuff. I want to thank you. I should get a battery monitor battery, as I don't have one. Come to think of it, I will get one. I have two, both batteries are like 8 years old. I'm almost sure I will need to replace them very soon. This will be a good time to get a battery monitor on a new set of batteries. Once again, thanks and you just got a new prescriber to your channel.

[@gregn1860]

Good information

[@DougFenrich]

COOL! THANKS

[@donwatterson8343]

Keep the videos coming, lots of good information. I am exploring expanding my 100watt factory installed solar arrangement and want to add 300more watt solar panels and two 12v 100amp lithium batteries to my 2022 Winnebago 2108FBS trailer