The basic battery monitor that comes with most RVs doesn’t provide much data. And when it does, occasionally, it gives false information.
Most standard models are equipped with four LED lights that all light up when your battery is fully charged. As you use your battery’s power, fewer and fewer lights light up. When it only shows one light, then you know it’s time to recharge.
In theory, that’s how it’s supposed to work. However, this monitor only measures voltage. While your battery is charging it measures higher voltage, and so it lights up all four lights. In this case, you’re getting a false reading because your battery isn’t charged all the way. It works the same in reverse. If you’re not using a lot of power, there’s low voltage, so it shows that you’re almost out of power, even though you’re not.
Why Do I Need to Upgrade My Camper Battery Monitor?
If you always have access to shore power, then a battery monitor isn’t a priority. But when you go boondocking or off-roading, you’ll need to upgrade your RV battery monitor–that is if you want more data beyond how much voltage is in play and how many amp hours you have to work with.
An upgrade is a must if you want to know:
- How much charge is left (a more exact measurement)
- How many amp-hours have you consumed
- How much time you have left before you have to recharge (at your current rate of power consumption)
- The voltage
- The watt usage
And it’s also nice if you could…
- Check your power usage through an app and Bluetooth connection.
- Program your monitor to engage the generator as needed or cut off certain devices when power gets low,
- Rely on alarms that let you know when there’s a high level of voltage coming in (which could harm your battery) or when you’re running extremely low on battery power.
And there are several, economical and fancy models that provide all that and more.
What’s the Difference between Shunted RV Batteries and Non-Shunted?
The difference between shunt-based battery monitors and simple monitors is that shunt monitors are wired directly to the battery, so they provide more precise energy readouts.
While simple monitors suffice for a cursory glance at your battery voltage, they fall short in providing practical insights like…
- How many amp-hours am I using?
- How much time do I have left if I keep using power at the current rate?
- What’s my history of power usage?
Environmental factors like temperature changes can also skew the readings of a simple voltage meter, leading to inaccurate assessments of your battery’s health.
Now, some systems use multiple sensors (instead of a shunt) to gather more data, but unfortunately, these models are still less accurate than their shunted counterparts.
How Does Battery Capacity Affect Which Monitor I Choose?
Monitors measure voltage and amps, but if too many volts run through the wrong gauge of wire, you risk a potential electrical hazard. That’s why you need a monitor that’s compatible with your battery bank’s capacity.
Some can measure up to 10,000 volts, smaller ones may only reach 1,000 volts. Take a look at the products on the shelves, and you’ll see that the amount of amps a monitor can handle is usually included in the name monitors.
Pro tip: Note that a manufacturer will often make the same model in different sizes. So if you like a model here, but you need greater or fewer amps to fit your battery system, then check to see if they make it in another size.
The 6 Best RV Battery Monitors on the Market
We’ve included the top RV battery monitors along with reviews from actual customers based on performance, ease of installation, and their ability to accurately report data.
Victron BMV-712 with Bluetooth
Starting at: $210
Here’s your Cadillac model. The BMV-712 Smart Battery Monitor from Victron delivers sophisticated power management. Supporting a wide voltage range and up to 500 amps of current, it’s a versatile contender fit for a variety of battery types.
What sets the BMV-712 apart is its in-depth analysis of battery health, giving you the practical data for power consumed, remaining capacity, and historical data that helps RVers who need to optimize their energy usage. And they make it easy to view your stats through a Bluetooth connection and an easy-to-use app.
What users say:
“I was replacing an older shunt and meter that did not have Bluetooth feature. Victron’s quality was nothing new to me as I’d used some of their products before. This shunt was easy to install on top of the battery…The Bluetooth feature paired quickly via the Victron App for my phone. Each time the APP is opened, the response time to view is just a couple of seconds.”
– Don A. via Amazon
Xantrex LinkPRO
Starting at: $297.72
The LinkPRO is a programmable battery monitor that allows you to set up alerts based on a specific trigger (e.g., certain indicators like power usage or surges). You can also program it to turn on your generator when your battery needs recharging–or turn off certain devices to conserve power.
The LED screen is easy to navigate and read. Plus, it can track the voltage for two different batteries with the option of adding another shunt for more accurate reporting. It also tracks patterns of power usage, which helps you learn your habits and prepare for your trips accordingly.
What users say:
“I bought it because I needed a battery monitor for my lithium batteries in my motorhome. I bought this one because it can trigger my Auto Generator Start when the battery’s SOC gets too low. It measures the current in and out to know the SOC.”
– Joe and Carolyn via Amazon
Victron SmartShunt with Bluetooth
Starting at: $145
The Victron Smart Shunt epitomizes cutting-edge simplicity in battery monitoring with…
- Direct data delivery to your phone or tablet via a Bluetooth connection and their app.
- Real-time insights that won’t clutter up your dashboard
- An ability to handle up to 500 amps
- A shunt-based design that ensures accuracy, measuring the current flowing to and from your batteries
- Temperature and second battery monitoring
Note: The VictronConnect app offers the same comprehensive view of your power consumption and battery status as the 712.
What users say:
“This device works very well. I use it in my traveling van to monitor my LiFePO4 battery bank, as well as the vehicle starter lead-acid battery. It connects quickly via Bluetooth but has a very short range…Anywhere inside the van is fine. I really like having an accurate readout of my battery percentage, voltage, and charge rates [in watts and amps]. I also like that it displays the time remaining… It has made me feel much more secure when boondocking, knowing that I won’t run out of power.”
– Handyman via Amazon
AiLi 350A Battery Monitor
Starting at: $42
Not every RVer jumps at the opportunity of Bluetooth connectivity, So if you’re the type that prefers to leave your phone behind when you go camping, then the AiLi Monitor is for you. It’s your barebones model that tracks…
- Voltage readings
- Percent charged
- Remaining capacity
- And whether it’s charging or discharging power (battery usage).
No, fancy bluetooth. No app. No complicated programming.
What users say:
“Worked perfectly right out of the box…Simple operation is refreshing in this overly gimmicky app-inundated world we live in. Some other manufacturers could take notes from this monitor!”
– Amazon Customer
Renogy 500A with Shunt
Starting at: $89.99
The Renogy is designed to withstand the demands of heavy-duty usage, supporting temporary power spikes – like when you start your engine – without damaging the battery. Its large, crisp display shows you the most important stats first, so it’s always easy to see how much time you have left.
Here’s what users say:
“I like that it goes to 500 amps and is easy to program. I set mine to 660 amp hours and once the batteries reach 14.6 volts, it resets to 100%… I also put 1000 amps through it when I start my engine, and the shunt seems to handle the momentary load just fine.”
–Laura R. Keil via Amazon
EcoWorthy 300 A Battery Monitor
If you can’t—or don’t want to–install a shunted monitor, there’s another decent option. The EcoWorthy monitor uses two hall sensors to track power usage. It comes in 100, 200, and 300A varieties and delivers essential data like…
- The percent charged
- Volts
- Amps
- Watts
- And hours remaining at current usage.
And it’s easier than wiring the shunted monitors.
“This is an excellent battery health/monitoring unit for my solar system in our fifth wheel RV…The unit comes with everything you need to install…The system works well and appears to be dead on accuracy. I give this battery monitor system 5 stars for quality and value.”
– Amanda and Dave via Amazon
Summary
Remember, with batteries, temperature can play a role in how long they last, so if you live in an area with extreme temperatures, make sure you store your RV properly during those extreme temps.
That means you can’t just store it in your driveway (without a cover). Otherwise, all of the hard-earned money that you’ve spent on your RV will go to waste. Find covered or enclosed RV storage in your area.
That’s where Neighbor can help.
Neighbor is a peer-to-peer RV storage marketplace that offers covered/enclosed RV storage up to 50% cheaper than traditional storage options.
Find listings (from pre-screened hosts) nearest you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need Professional Help to Install a Battery Monitor in My RV?
If you’re comfortable with DIY electrical work, you can install a battery monitor in your RV by following the manufacturer’s instructions. However, if you’re not confident in this, it’s advisable to seek professional assistance.
How Often Should I Calibrate My RV Battery Monitor?
You should calibrate your RV battery monitor according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, typically at the initial setup and then periodically or whenever you notice discrepancies in the readings. Making sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines will help maintain accurate readings of your RV battery’s status.
What Should I Do if My Battery Monitor Is Giving Inaccurate Readings?
Try recalibrating the monitor, checking the connections, and updating the software. If the problem persists, seek help from the manufacturer or a professional technician.
