RV FEATURE
CHOOSING A BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
If you ’ re in the process of buying a new caravan or motorhome , or you have an existing caravan , and you want to specify a battery management solution , here is a list of what to look for :
1 . Ask for a recognised brand name with local support either from a retailer or distributor . Companies such as Redarc , Enerdrive ( Simarine ), BMPRO , Victron , Renogy and Projecta are commonly used by Australian caravan manufacturers .
2 . Look for a system that uses a shunt as the basis for its state of charge calculations .
3 . Displays should be clear and easy to read , offering a state of charge , time remaining to discharge or recharge , and preferably watts in and out .
4 . The system should have basic safety features , such as low voltage cut-out , temperature monitoring and fuse protection between major components . 5 . Look for smart-device support either through Bluetooth , wi-fi or both .
6 . Do a search on Facebook for brand support groups , preferably with a focus on Australian users . The availability of high wattage portable solar panels has made it necessary for even 4WDers to have effective battery management installed in their vehicles .
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