BMV600S question

rikhall · #1 (**permalink**) 05-28-2011

I have the Battery Monitor all installed and have something I don't understand. When looking at the "I" display (current) I get a reading of 0.00 with nothing connected. With the batteries connected by the switch, and one 12v light on, the reading is 0.17. When I turn on the 120v charger, the reading goes to 0.26. There never is a "minus" sign to indicate current going out.

Thoughts??

Thanks, Rik

FarCry · #2 (**permalink**) 05-28-2011

Are you positive that you have everything connected correctly? All grounds are going thru the shunt? The negative side of the battery charger is on the proper side of the shunt and not directly on the battery? In other words, when you are done, you should have nothing on the ground terminal of the battery except for the cable that runs to the shunt.

Please review these great examples that Mainsail has provided. http://www.sailnet.com/forums/electr...y-monitor.html

If everything is correct above I would suggest calling Victron customer support.

rikhall · #3 (**permalink**) 05-28-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by FarCry

The negative side of the battery charger is on the proper side of the shunt and not directly on the battery? In other words, when you are done, you should have nothing on the ground terminal of the battery except for the cable that runs to the shunt.

So - all negatives (echo charger, 120 battery charger, alternator, solar panel) all go to the bus bar AFTER the shunt and not to the battery's neg terminals. That is probably my problem. OK - I can fix that tomorrow.

Thanks - I know it should work - I just have to see what I've done wrong.

Rik

mitiempo · #4 (**permalink**) 05-29-2011

Here's the diagram from the installation manual. All negative connections go after the shunt - to the right in the diagram. Ideally on a bus bar.

rikhall · #5 (**permalink**) 05-29-2011

Yes!!! what a difference two little tiny black battery charger wires make! And, that is exactly what my diagram and the instructions told me to do.

Thanks.

Rik

rikhall · #6 (**permalink**) 05-29-2011

OK - now I have to figure out where that 0.12 amps is going when the batteries are on and all circuits are off.

Any trouble shooting suggestions?

Rik

mitiempo · #7 (**permalink**) 05-29-2011

Is your bilge pump wired direct to the batteries? If so there could be a small leak in the positive wire. The monitor measures the negative and it would depend which side of the shunt the bilge pump's negative was on. Or anything else wired direct to the batteries.

Hartley18 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-29-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by mitiempo

Is your bilge pump wired direct to the batteries? If so there could be a small leak in the positive wire. The monitor measures the negative and it would depend which side of the shunt the bilge pump's negative was on. Or anything else wired direct to the batteries.

FWIW, our bilge pump is connected direct to the batteries, and 0.12 amps on the BMV is about right to power the LED 'auto' indication..

rikhall · #9 (**permalink**) 05-29-2011

Both are excellent likelihoods - but, the bilge pump is not wired direct. It will be, but is not at this point.

Rik

Hartley18 · #10 (**permalink**) 05-29-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by rikhall

Both are excellent likelihoods - but, the bilge pump is not wired direct. It will be, but is not at this point.

Rik

Rik, with 0.12 amps showing you will likely be looking for an LED indicator on someplace. Are you sure you have everything off? There is nothing else connected at the shunt?

If you're absolutely certain (by disconnecting the boat's negative at the shunt and it still shows 0.12amps), there is a procedure in the Manual where you can zero the scale.