bigal.nz 59 Posted April 28, 2019 Share Posted April 28, 2019 Hi All, Part of my winter projects is to get my head around a few more of the electrical systems on the boat. I have two displays that I think are both battery monitors: https://photos.app.goo.gl/3YmuP8oZgV7AnAXp8 Why would I have two, or have I missed something, is the Balmar one providing some sort of information about the output from the alternator that the Xantrex isn't? Cheers Al Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wheels 543 Posted April 28, 2019 Share Posted April 28, 2019 Yes, the Balmar is controlling the ALT and the Xantrex the Charger. The Xantrex should be the one set up primary monitor of the Battery banks.The Link systems have long been considered the most sophisticated monitoring systems available (providing the have been programmed properly) and all other makes copied the features.The two separate monitors will be giving access to the parameters of the charging units, so you do need both. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bigal.nz 59 Posted April 28, 2019 Author Share Posted April 28, 2019 So the Balmar controls the Alternator output (through charging regulator?) and displays information about Battery health? The Xantrex controls ??? and displays information about battery health? (The same battery information as the Balmar display?) To complete the picture the boat used to also have shore power/inverter chager but this was 100v and has been removed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wheels 543 Posted April 28, 2019 Share Posted April 28, 2019 Arrr, righty, the link20 would have controlled the shorepower charger. Sorry, I didn't realise the charger was removed.You could remove the Link if you want, as it is doing mostly what the Balmar is as in reporting Battery state of charge.Or you could buy a Xantrex charger that accepts the Link as a control, or the Heart Interface charger that was thew original charger the Link was first designed for. But they are expensive and may not warrant your own personal needs of Boat use. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bigal.nz 59 Posted April 28, 2019 Author Share Posted April 28, 2019 Well I am going to install a Victron MultiPlus and BMV712 - so that will replace the Xantrex. I presume i should leave the Balmar display in since it controls the alternator output? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,226 Posted April 28, 2019 Share Posted April 28, 2019 Yes. Put the bluetooth module on the victron. Great history reports and easy to use. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bigal.nz 59 Posted April 28, 2019 Author Share Posted April 28, 2019 I doubt the balmar dc monitor controls the regulator. Check the manual on the Balmar regulator that you have; that vintage were usually set on the regulator. Pots, reed switches etc. I'm not familiar with it http://www.balmar.net/manuals-for-discontinued-products/ Lateral, I think you are right, there is a controller in the electronics bay. Thing in a blue metal case as you say with pots etc - that being the case the BMV712 could replace both the Xantrex and the Balmar monitor? (But the regulator obviously left in circuit). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bigal.nz 59 Posted April 28, 2019 Author Share Posted April 28, 2019 Yes. Put the bluetooth module on the victron. Great history reports and easy to use. Yeah they look like a great unit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beccara 25 Posted April 28, 2019 Share Posted April 28, 2019 I have Bluetooth module on our BMV712 and it's awesome, Range isn't that great but it's enough Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wheels 543 Posted April 29, 2019 Share Posted April 29, 2019 Both are discontinued years ago, 2008 for link 20. Pretty dumb compared with whats available today. Not quite. Xantrex went it's own way and Heart Interface remains as Heart Interface. The heart system is still pretty much mechanical/solid state. Relays clunk etc. Xantrex became all wizz bang techy solid state and have suffered for it. The new brands of controllers like the Link have many new features, but how much info do you actually need. The Link system is still a very acceptable tool. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bigal.nz 59 Posted April 29, 2019 Author Share Posted April 29, 2019 I think I will trace the wires on both. Make sure they only go to shunts and if so will replace with BMV712. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ballystick 72 Posted April 30, 2019 Share Posted April 30, 2019 What do you think would have caused this battery meltdown on the weekend Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,226 Posted April 30, 2019 Share Posted April 30, 2019 Great pic ballystick! Short circuit. Was it internal or external? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beccara 25 Posted April 30, 2019 Share Posted April 30, 2019 Is it me or do those look like lithium cells? I see something looking like a cell link strap and the CALB yellow. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ballystick 72 Posted April 30, 2019 Share Posted April 30, 2019 It was a local yachtie and I don't know the details but it was quite seriously worrying. Looks to have been a short somewhere so I was looking for suggestions. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,226 Posted April 30, 2019 Share Posted April 30, 2019 Internal shorts you cant do much. External shorts is why you should have battery fuses..... Oh, except making certain that your batts are properly secured. Crashing around can cause shorts. Non marine batts are not designed for the movement in a boat, and short more easily. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ballystick 72 Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 The battery was on a smart charger which was disconnected from the 240V supply and then the engine was started. A possible severe battery cell imbalance maybe? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,226 Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 Was it the start or house batt, and which one did the alt charge 1st? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wheels 543 Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 Yikes. I thought this was some kind of joke question. That is really scary. I know, I have had something like this happen myself. I can't work out the battery, but it looks like multiple cells coupled together and it looks like an external short. I really would like to know more about what happened.By the way, it takes a serious short to Earth for a considerable time to do something like this. Unless they are Lithium and one has shorted out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ballystick 72 Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 Not sure on details sorry, I will have to call him. I think it was the house battery though Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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