How to Install & Use a Battery Monitor

A battery monitor lets you see exactly how much power your 12V-48V solar or RV battery has left. Let's install one and see it in action.
🎥 MY REVIEW VIDEO of the best battery monitors
• Best Battery Monitors ...
🔋 BATTERY MONITORS in this video (affiliate links)
Victron SmartShunt - amzn.to/3UA7Vqk
AiLi 350A - amzn.to/4diaQLu
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
0:21 What Is & Isn't a Battery Monitor
1:02 The Best Battery Monitors
1:27 How to Install & Set up a Battery Monitor
8:58 Let's See a Battery Monitor in Action!
10:47 Alternatives to Battery Monitors
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Every time I post a video using my iPad to show my 12V LiFePO4 battery's percentage, I get questions asking how I did it.
The answer: I use a battery monitor.
Battery monitors are a worthwhile upgrade to any DIY solar panel system -- or RV electrical system. They let you see exactly how much battery you have left. And they let you monitor the amount of power flowing in and out of your battery.
In this video, I talk about what a battery monitor is and isn't. Then I go step by step through how to install and set up a battery monitor in your system.
Then I show you the basics of what a battery monitor looks like when you're charging and discharging your battery. And I finish out with a quick discussion of some alternatives to battery monitors, if you don't think a battery monitor is the right solution for you.
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DISCLAIMERS
Some of the links in this video description and in the comments below are affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one, I may earn a commission which will help fund more videos like this one. Thank you! 🙏
For general informational purposes only. Nothing in this video is intended to be professional solar or electrical advice. Please consult with a licensed professional in their field of expertise in your jurisdiction.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@footprinthero]

Here's my review video of the best battery monitors - czcams.com/video/IO1ztGEo8_Q/video.html

[@MrTommy001]

I'm trying to decide on the 'monitor' to use for my Bioenno 30ah Lithium Iron Phosphate battery for my ham radio. I found your video while using Powerwerx BSM-500 as a search phrase.

[@joeyskullz3331]

Yes! Finally a video that show exactly how to hook up the shunt. Thank you very much.

[@footprinthero]

You're welcome!

[@rodysk8]

How can I connect 2 lithium batteries?

[@user-rp1vu1gk5u]

wow happy i just found this video. i was about to connect the exact same victron shunt to two power queen batteries in parallel without knowing they needed to be fully charged.
i think i missed a step. the systems positive cable goes to inverter? not sure where that cable came from.

good video thank you

[@footprinthero]

No problem!

[@user-qo3uv7hw5k]

unless your hands are wet, and you're doing something stupid, you will not be shocked by a low voltage DC battery.... also, how sad is it to see, a single incandescent globe along with the inefficiency of a big inverter rendering your big expensive 100Ah lithium battery/inverter system useless in about 24 hours!!!

[@footprinthero]

Yes, incandescent bulbs are horribly inefficient. I just used one in this video to drain the battery quicker since it would've taken a while with an LED bulb.

[@jampam-jf8mt]

It was for demonstration purposes

[@Sam-yv8ze]

Bad product! Open your eyes!

[@electro_solar]

What is bad?