Victron energy BMV-600S User manual

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Precision
Battery Monitor
BMV-600S
BMV-600HS
BMV-602S

Copyrights 2010 Victron Energy B.V.
All Rights Reserved
This publication or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, by any method, for any
purpose.
For conditions of use and permission to use this manual for publication in other than the
English language, contact Victron Energy B.V.
VICTRON ENERGY B.V. MAKES NO WARRANTY, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, REGARDING
THESE VICTRON ENERGY PRODUCTS AND MAKES SUCH VICTRON ENERGY
PRODUCTS AVAILABLE SOLELY ON AN “AS IS” BASIS.
IN NO EVENT SHALL VICTRON ENERGY B.V. BE LIABLE TO ANYONE FOR SPECIAL,
COLLATERAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH
OR ARISING OUT OF PURCHASE OR USE OF THESE VICTRON ENERGY PRODUCTS.
THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE LIABILITY TO VICTRON ENERGY B.V., REGARDLESS OF
THE FORM OF ACTION, SHALL NOT EXCEED THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE
VICTRON ENERGY PRODUCTS DESCRIBED HERE IN.
Victron Energy B.V. reserves the right to revise and improve its products as it sees fit. This
publication describes the state of this product at the time of its publication and may not
reflect the product at all times in the future

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EN NL FR DE ES SE IT PT
1 INTRODUCTION
Victron Energy has established an international reputation as a
leading designer and manufacturer of energy systems. Our R&D
department is the driving force behind this reputation. It is continually
seeking new ways of incorporating the latest technology in our
products. Each step forward results in value-added technical and
economical features.
1.1 Victron Energy battery monitor basics
The Precision Battery Monitor is a device that monitors your battery
status. It constantly measures the battery voltage and battery current.
It uses this information to calculate the actual state of charge of your
battery.
The BMV is also equipped with a potential free contact. This can be
used to automatically start and stop a generator, or signal alarm
conditions.
1.2 Why should I monitor my battery?
Batteries are used in a wide variety of applications, mostly to store
energy for later use. But how do you know how much energy is stored
in your battery? No one can tell by just looking at it.
Battery technology is often oversimplified, but some basic battery
knowledge and good monitoring is essential if you want to enjoy
maximum life from your expensive batteries. The lifetime of batteries
depends on many factors. Battery life gets reduced by under-charging,
over-charging, excessively deep discharges, discharges which go too
fast, and a too high ambient temperature. By monitoring your battery
with an advanced battery monitor like the BMV, important feedback is
given to the user so that remedial measures can be taken when
necessary. This way, by extending the battery life, the BMV will quickly
pay for itself.

2
1.3 How does the BMV work?
The capacity of a battery is rated in Amp hours (Ah). For example, a
battery that can deliver a current of 5 Amps for a period of 20 hours is
rated at 100 Ah (5 * 20 = 100). The BMV continuously measures the
net current flow into or out of the battery. This way it can calculate the
amount of energy removed from or added to the battery. But since
battery age, discharge current and temperature all influence the
battery’s capacity; you cannot rely simply on an Amp hours reading.
When the same 100Ah battery is discharged completely in two hours, it
may only give you 56Ah (because of the higher rate of discharge).
As you can see the battery’s capacity is almost halved. This
phenomenon is called Peukert efficiency (see chapter 2.3.2). Also,
when the temperature of the battery is low, its capacity is decreased
even more. This is why simple Amp hour counters or Voltmeters give
you far from an accurate state-of-charge indication.
The BMV can display both the Amp hours removed (not compensated)
and the actual state-of-charge (compensated by Peukert efficiency and
charge efficiency). Reading the state-of-charge is the best way to read
your battery. This parameter is given in percentages, where 100.0 %
represents a fully charged battery and 0.0 % a completely flat battery.
You can compare this with a fuel-gauge in a car.
The BMV also makes an estimation of how long the battery can
support the present load (time-to-go readout). This is actually the time
left until the battery needs to be charged again. If the battery load is
fluctuating heavily it is best not to rely on this reading too much since it
is a momentary readout and must be used as a guideline only. We
always encourage the use of the state-of-charge readout for accurate
battery monitoring.
Besides the main function of the BMV, displaying the actual battery
status, this monitor offers many other features. The readout of actual
battery voltage and current, and the ability to store historic data are just
a few of many features of the BMV. These features are more
specifically explained in the corresponding chapters of this manual.

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EN NL FR DE ES SE IT PT
1.4 Features of the BMV
The BMV is available in 3 models, each of which addresses a different
set of requirements. The supported features of each model are
outlined in the following table.
BMV-600S BMV-
600HS BMV- 602S
Comprehensive
monitoring of a single
battery
• • •
Basic monitoring of a
second (starter) battery
•
Use of alternate shunts
• • •
Automatic detection of
nominal system voltage.
• • •
Suitable for high voltage
systems.
•
Serial communications
interface (PC-Link).
• • •
1.4.1 Starter battery monitoring
In addition to the comprehensive monitoring of the main battery
system, the BMV-602S also provides basic monitoring of a second
voltage input. This is useful for systems such as those with a separate
starter battery. Unless otherwise indicated, all values and settings
described in this manual refer to the main battery system.
1.4.2 Use of alternative shunts
The BMV is supplied with a 500 A/50 mV shunt. For most applications,
this should be suitable; however the BMV can be configured to work
with a wide range of different shunts. Shunts of up to 9999 A, and/or
100 mV can be used.

4
1.4.3 Automatic detection of nominal system voltage
Although the BMV factory settings are chosen for a 12 V battery
system (144 V for the BMV-600HS), the BMV is able to automatically
determine the nominal voltage. The BMV is also able to adjust the
charged voltage parameter without user intervention.
During charging, the BMV measures the battery voltage, and uses this
to estimate the nominal voltage. The following table shows how the
nominal voltage is determined, and how the charged voltage
parameter is adjusted as a result.
Measured voltage (V)
Assumed nominal voltage (V)
Adjusted charged voltage (V)
< 15 12 13.2
15 - 30 24 26.4
30 - 45 36 39.6
45 - 60 48 52.8
60 - 90 72 79.2
90 – 180 144 158.4
≥180 288 316.8
Notes:
•The nominal voltage will only increase.
•After one hour of charging the BMV will stop estimating and
use the current nominal voltage.
•If the voltage charged parameter is altered by the user, the
BMV will stop estimating.
1.4.4 PC-Link
The BMV-600HS and BMV-602S feature a serial communications
interface for connecting to a PC or other suitable equipment, to provide
remote monitoring and logging capabilities. For information on how to
use the communications interface, contact your Victron dealer, or email
[e-mail].

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EN NL FR DE ES SE IT PT
2 SETTING UP THE BMV
2.1 Safety Precautions!
•Working in the vicinity of a lead acid battery is dangerous.
Batteries can generate explosive gases during operation.
Never smoke or allow a spark or flame in the vicinity of a
battery. Provide sufficient ventilation around the battery.
•Wear eye and clothing protection. Avoid touching eyes while
working near batteries. Wash your hands when done.
•If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, wash them
immediately with soap and water. If acid enters an eye,
immediately flood the eye with running cold water for at least
15 minutes and get medical attention immediately.
•Be careful when using metal tools in the vicinity of batteries.
Dropping a metal tool onto a battery might cause a short
circuit and possibly an explosion.
•Remove personal metal items such as rings, bracelets,
necklaces, and watches when working with a battery. A
battery can produce a short circuit current high enough to melt
objects such as rings, causing severe burns.
2.2 Installation
Before proceeding with this chapter, please make sure your BMV is
fully installed in accordance with the enclosed installation guide.
If using a shunt other than the one supplied with the BMV, the following
additional steps are required:
1. Unscrew the PCB from the supplied shunt.
2. Mount the PCB on the new shunt, ensuring that there is good
electrical contact between the PCB and the shunt.
3. Set the correct values for the SA, and SV parameters (see
chapter 2.5).

6
4. Connect the shunt to both the positive and negative of the
battery as described in the installation guide, but do not connect
anything to the load side of the shunt.
5. Issue the zero command (see chapter 2.5).
6. Disconnect the negative battery connection from the shunt.
7. Connect the load to the shunt.
8. Reconnect the battery negative to the shunt.
2.3 Background information
When your BMV is installed it is time to adjust the battery monitor to
your battery system. But before discussing the functions in the setup
menu, four important items must be explained first. It is important that
as a user of the BMV you have some insight into these four items. The
actual setup menu functions are explained in chapter 2.5 - Function
overview.
2.3.1 Charge Efficiency Factor (CEF)
The amount of Ah extracted from the battery during discharge does not
equal the amount of Ah needed to recharge it to the same level. Part of
the Ah is not stored chemically but lost by for example gassing. The
ratio between these two is called the Charge-Efficiency-Factor (CEF).
A charge efficiency of 90 % means that 10 Ah must be transferred to
the battery to get 9 Ah actually stored in the battery. The charge
efficiency of a battery depends on the battery type, age and usage.
2.3.2 Peukert’s exponent
As mentioned in chapter 1.3, the Peukert efficiency describes how,
when you discharge a battery faster than the 20 h rating, its Ah
capacity decreases. The amount of battery capacity reduction is called
the ‘Peukert exponent’ and can be adjusted from 1.00 to 1.50. The
higher the Peukert exponent the faster the battery size shrinks with
increasing discharge rate. An ideal (theoretical) battery has a Peukert
Exponent of 1.00 and has a fixed capacity; regardless of the size of the
discharge current. Of course such batteries do not exist, and a setting
of 1.00 in the BMV is only implemented to bypass Peukert
compensation. The default setting for the Peukert exponent is 1.25,
and is an acceptable average value for most lead acid type of
batteries. However for precise battery monitoring, entering the right
Peukert exponent is essential.

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EN NL FR DE ES SE IT PT
If the Peukert exponent is not provided with your battery, you can
calculate it by using other specifications which should be provided with
your battery.
The Peukert equation is stated below:
t
n
ICp ⋅=
where the Peukert exponent, n =
The battery specifications needed for calculation of the Peukert
exponent, are the rated battery capacity (usually the 20 h discharge
rate
1
) and for example a 5 h discharge rate
2
. See below for an
example of how to define the Peukert exponent using these two
specifications.
5 h rating 20 h rating,
When no ratings are given at all, you can measure your battery using
a ‘constant load bank’. In this way a second rating can be obtained,
together with the 20 h rating which represents the rated battery
capacity in most cases. This second rating can be determined by
discharging a fully charged battery with a constant current; until the
battery reaches 1.75 V per cell (which is 10.5 V for a 12 V battery or
21 V for a 24 V battery).
1Please note that the rated battery capacity can also be defined as the 10h or even 5h discharge rate.
2The 5h discharge rate in this example is just arbitrary. Make sure that besides the C20 rating (low discharge current) you choose a second rating
with a substantially higher discharge current.
A
h
Ah
I
ht
AhC h
15
5
75
5
75
1
1
5
==
=
=
A
h
Ah
I
h
AhC h
5
20
100
20t
capacity)(rated100
2
2
20
==
=
=
1.26
1.261.26
1.26 =
−
−
=
5log15log
5log20log
exponent,Peukert n
21
12
loglog
loglog
II
tt
−
−

8
A calculation example is shown below:
A 200 Ah battery is discharged with a constant current of 20 A and
after 8.5 hours 1.75 V/cell is reached.
So,
20h rating,
1.23
1.231.23
1.23 =
−
−
=
10log20log
5.8log20log
exponent,Peukert n
A Peukert calculator is available at http://www.victronenergy.com.
2.3.3 Charged-parameters
Based on increasing charge voltage and decreasing charge current, a
decision can be made whether the battery is fully charged or not.
When the battery voltage is above a certain level during a predefined
period while the charge current is below a certain level for the same
period, the battery can be considered fully charged. These voltage and
current levels, as well as the predefined period are called ‘charged-
parameters’. In general for a 12 V lead acid battery, the voltage-
charged-parameter is 13.2 V and the current-charged-parameter is
4.0 % of the total battery capacity (e.g. 8 A with a 200 Ah battery). A
charged-parameter-time of 4 minutes is sufficient for most battery
systems. Please note that these parameters are very important for
correct operation of your BMV, and must be set appropriately in the
corresponding menu items.
AI
ht
20
5.8
1
1
=
=
A
h
Ah
I
ht
AhC
hr
10
20
200
20
200
2
2
20
==
=
=

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EN NL FR DE ES SE IT PT
2.3.4 Synchronising the BMV
For a reliable readout of the state of charge of your battery, the battery
monitor has to be synchronised regularly with the battery and charger.
This is accomplished by fully charging the battery. When the charger
is operating in the ‘float’ stage, the charger considers the battery full.
At this moment the BMV must also determine that the battery is full.
Now the Amp hour count can be reset to zero and the state-of-charge
reading can be set to 100.0 %. By precisely adjusting the charged-
parameters in the BMV, the battery monitor can automatically
synchronise with the charger when the ‘float’ stage is reached. The
range of the charged parameters is wide enough to adjust the BMV to
most battery charging methods.
The BMV can also be synchronised manually if required. This can be
achieved in normal mode by holding the + and – buttons
simultaneously for 3 seconds, or in setup mode by using the SYNC
option.
Ensure that the battery is fully charged before manually
synchronising the BMV.
If the BMV does not synchronise automatically, check that the
values for the charged voltage, tail current, and charged time have
been configured correctly. See paragraph 2.3.3
When the voltage supply to the BMV has been interrupted, the
battery monitor must be resynchronised before it can operate
correctly.
Please note that regularly (at least once per month) fully charging your
battery not only keeps it in sync with the BMV, but also prevents
substantial capacity loss of your battery which limits its lifetime.

10
2.4 Using the menus
There are four buttons that control the BMV. The functions of the
buttons vary depending on which mode the BMV is in. When power is
applied, the BMV starts in normal mode.
Button
Function
Normal mode
Setup mode
Setup Hold for 3 seconds to switch to
setup mode
-When not editing, hold this button for 2 seconds to switch to normal
mode.
-When editing, press this button to confirm the change. When a
parameter is out of range the nearest valid value will be saved
instead. The display blinks 5 times and the nearest valid value is
displayed.
Select Switch between the monitoring
and historical menus.
-When not editing, press this button to begin editing the current
parameter.
-When editing, this button will advance the cursor to the next
editable digit.
+ Move up one item. -When not editing, this button moves up to the previous menu item. -When editing, this button will increment the value of the selected
digit.
- Move down one item. -When not editing, this button moves down to the next menu item. -When editing, this button will decrement the value of the selected
digit.
+/-
Hold both buttons simultaneously
for 3 seconds to manually
synchronise the BMV (refer to
chapter 2.3.4 for more
information).
2.5 Function overview
The BMV factory settings are suitable for an average lead acid battery
system of 200 Ah. The BMV can automatically detect the nominal
voltage of the battery system (see chapter 1.4.3), so in most cases the
only setting which will need to be changed is the battery capacity (Cb).
When using other battery types ensure that all the relevant
specifications are known before changing the BMV parameters.
2.5.1 Setup parameter overview
Cb: Battery capacity Ah. The battery capacity for a 20 h discharge
rate at 20°C.
Vc: Charged voltage. The battery voltage must be above this voltage
level to consider the battery as fully charged. Make sure the
voltage-charged-parameter is always slightly below the voltage at
which the charger finishes charging the battery (usually 0.1 V or 0.2
V below the ‘float’ stage voltage of the charger).

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EN NL FR DE ES SE IT PT
It: Tail current. When the charge current value is below this
percentage of the battery capacity (Cb), the battery can be
considered as fully charged. Make sure this is always greater
than the minimum current at which the charger maintains the
battery, or stops charging.
Tcd: Charged detection time. This is the time the charged-
parameters (It and Vc) must be met, in order for the battery to be
considered fully charged.
CEF: Charge Efficiency Factor. The Charge Efficiency Factor
compensates for the losses during charging. 100 % means no
loss.
PC: Peukert exponent (see chapter 2.3.2). When unknown it is
recommended to keep this value at 1.25. A value of 1.00 disables
the Peukert compensation. Contact your battery manufacturer for
the correct Peukert exponent for your battery.
Ith: Current threshold. When the current measured falls below this
value it will be considered as zero Amps. With this function it is
possible to cancel out very small currents that can negatively
affect long term state-of-charge readout in noisy environments.
For example if an actual long term current is +0.05 A and due to
injected noise or small offsets the battery monitor measures –
0.05 A, in the long term the BMV can incorrectly indicate that the
battery needs recharging. When in this case Ith is set to 0.1, the
BMV calculates with 0.0 A so that errors are eliminated. A value
of 0.0 disables this function.
Tdt: Average time-to-go. Specifies the time window (in minutes) that
the moving averaging filter works with. Selecting the right time
depends on your installation. A value of 0 disables the filter and
gives you instantaneous (real-time) readout; however the
displayed values may fluctuate heavily. Selecting the highest time
(12 minutes) ensures that long term load fluctuations are included
in the time-to-go calculations.
DF: Discharge floor. When the state-of-charge percentage has fallen
below this value, the alarm relay will be activated. The time-to-go
calculation is also linked to this value. It is recommended to keep
this value at around 50.0 %.
ClS: Clear SOC relay. When the state-of-charge percentage has risen
above this value, the alarm relay will be de-activated. This value
needs to be greater than DF. When the value is equal to DF the
relay will not be activated depending on the state-of-charge
percentage.

12
RME:Relay minimum enable time. Specifies the minimum amount of
time the relay should be enabled.
RDD: Relay disable delay. Specifies the amount of time the relay
disable condition must be present before acting upon it.
Al: Alarm low voltage. When the battery voltage falls below this value
for more than 10 seconds the low voltage alarm is turned on.
Alc: Clear low voltage alarm. When the battery voltage rises above
this value, the alarm is turned off. This value needs to be greater
than or equal to Al.
Ah: Alarm high voltage. When the battery voltage rises above this
value for more than 10 seconds the high voltage alarm is turned
on.
Ahc: Clear high voltage alarm. When the battery voltage falls below
this value, the alarm is turned off. This value needs to be less than
or equal to Ah.
AS: Alarm low SOC. When the state-of-charge falls below this value
for more than 10 seconds the low SOC alarm is turned on.
ASc: Clear low SOC alarm. When the state-of-charge rises above this
value, the alarm is turned off. This value needs to be greater than
or equal to AS.
A BUZ:
When set, the buzzer will sound on an alarm. After a button is
pressed the buzzer will stop sounding. When not enable the buzzer
will not sound on an alarm condition.
Rl: Relay low voltage. When the battery voltage falls below this value
for more than 10 seconds the alarm relay will be activated.
Rlc: Clear relay low voltage. When the battery voltage rises above this
value, the relay will be de-activated. This value needs to be greater
than or equal to Rl.
Rh: Relay high voltage. When the battery voltage rises above this
value for more than 10 seconds the relay will be activated.
Rhc: Clear relay high voltage. When the battery voltage falls below this
value, the relay will be de-activated. This value needs to be less
than or equal to Rh.
SA: Maximum rated shunt current. If using a shunt other than the one
supplied with the BMV, set this to the rated current of the shunt.
SV: The shunt output voltage at the maximum rated current. If
using a shunt other than the one supplied with the BMV, set this to
the rated voltage of the shunt.
BL I: Intensity backlight. The intensity of the backlight, ranging from 0
(always off) to 9 (maximum intensity).

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EN NL FR DE ES SE IT PT
BL ON: Backlight always on. When set the backlight will not
automatically turn off after 20 seconds of inactivity.
D V: Battery voltage display. Determines if the battery voltage is
available in the monitoring menu.
D I: Current display. Determines if the current is available in the
monitoring menu.
D CE: Consumed energy display. Determines if the consumed
energy is available in the monitoring menu.
D SOC:State-of-charge display. Determines if the state-of-charge is
available in the monitoring menu.
D TTG: Time-to-go display. Determines if the time-to-go is available in
the monitoring menu.
ZERO: Zero current calibration. If the BMV reads a non-zero current
even when there is no load and the battery is not charging, this
option can be used to calibrate the zero reading. Ensure that
there really is no current flowing into or out of the battery, then
hold the select button for 3 seconds.
SYNC: Manual synchronization. This option can be used to manually
synchronise the BMV. Refer to chapter 2.3.4 for more
information.
R DEF: Reset to factory defaults. Reset all settings to the factory
defaults by holding the select button for 3 seconds.
Cl HIS: Clear historic data. Clear all historical data by holding the
select button for 5 seconds.
Lock:Setup lock. When on, all settings (except this one) are locked
and cannot be altered.
SW: Firmware version (cannot be altered).
BMV-602S ONLY
AlS: Alarm low starter battery voltage. When the starter battery
voltage falls below this value for more than 10 seconds the low
starter battery voltage alarm is turned on.
AlSc: Clear low starter battery voltage alarm. When the starter battery
voltage rises above this value, the alarm is turned off. This value
needs to be greater than or equal to AlS.
AhS: Alarm high starter battery voltage. When the starter battery
voltage rises above this value for more than 10 seconds the high
starter battery voltage alarm is turned on.

14
AhSc: Clear high starter battery voltage alarm. When the starter
battery voltage falls below this value, the alarm is turned off. This
value needs to be less than or equal to AhS.
RlS: Relay low starter battery voltage. When the starter battery
voltage falls below this value for more than 10 seconds the relay
will be activated.
RlSc: Clear relay low starter battery voltage. When the starter battery
voltage rises above this value, the relay will be de-activated. This
value needs to be greater than or equal to RlS.
RhS: Relay high starter battery voltage. When the starter battery
voltage rises above this value for more than 10 seconds the relay
will be activated.
RhSc: Clear relay high starter battery voltage. When the starter
battery voltage falls below this value, the relay will be de-activated.
This value needs to be less than or equal to RhS.
D VS: Starter battery voltage display. Determines if the starter battery
voltage is available in the monitoring menu.

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EN NL FR DE ES SE IT PT
2.5.2 Setup parameter detail
Name
BMV
-
600 / BMV
-
602S
BMV
-
600HS
Step
size
Unit
Range
Default
Range
Default
Cb 20 – 9999 200 20 – 9999 200 1 Ah
Vc 0 – 90 13.2 0 – 384 158.4 0.1 V
It 0.5 – 10 4 0.5 – 10 4 0.1 %
Tcd 1 – 50 3 1 – 50 3 1 min.
CEF 50 – 100 95* 50 – 100 95* 1 %
PC 1 – 1.5 1.25 1 – 1.5 1.25 0.01
Ith 0 – 2 0.1** 0 – 2 0.1** 0.01 A
Tdt 0 – 12 3 0 – 12 3 1 min.
DF 0 – 99 50 0 – 99 50 0.1 %
ClS 0 – 99 90 0 – 99 90 0.1 %
RME 0 – 500 0 0 – 500 0 1 min.
RDD 0 – 500 0 0 – 500 0 1 min.
Al 0 – 95 0 0 – 384 0 0.1 V
Alc 0 – 95 0 0 – 384 0 0.1 V
Ah 0 – 95 0 0 – 384 0 0.1 V
Ahc 0 – 95 0 0 – 384 0 0.1 V
AS 0 – 99 0 0 – 99 0 0.1 %
ASc 0 – 99 0 0 – 99 0 0.1 %
A BUZ Yes
Rl 0 – 95 0 0 – 384 0 0.1 V
Rlc 0 – 95 0 0 – 384 0 0.1 V
Rh 0 – 95 0 0 – 384 0 0.1 V
Rhc 0 – 95 0 0 – 384 0 0.1 V
SA 1 – 9999 500 1 – 9999 500 1 A
SV 0.001 – 0.1 0.05 0.001 – 0.1 0.05 0.001 V
BL I 0 – 9 5 0 – 9 5 1
BL ON No
D V Yes Yes
D I Yes Yes
D CE Yes Yes
D SOC Yes Yes
D TTG Yes Yes
Lock No No
* 90% for version 2.08 and lower
** 0.01 for version 2.06 and lower
BMV-602S ONLY
Name
Range
Default
Step size
Unit
AlS 0 - 95 0 0.1 V
AlSc 0 - 95 0 0.1 V
AhS 0 - 95 0 0.1 V
AhSc 0 - 95 0 0.1 V
RlS 0 - 95 0 0.1 V
RlSc 0 - 95 0 0.1 V
RhS 0 - 95 0 0.1 V
RhSc 0 – 95 0 0.1 V
D VS YES

16
3 GENERAL OPERATION
3.1 Monitoring menu
In normal operating mode the BMV can display the values of selected
important parameters of your DC system. Use the + and - selection
keys to select the desired parameter.
* BMV-602S Only
Label
Description
Units
V
Battery voltage:
this readout is useful to make a rough estimation of the battery’s state
-
of
-
charge.
A 12 V battery is considered empty when it cannot maintain a voltage of 10.5 V under load
conditions. Excessive voltage drops for a charged battery when under heavy load can also indicate
that the battery capacity is insufficient.
V
VS*
Starter battery voltage:
this readout is usef
ul to make a rough estimation of the starter battery’s
state-of-charge.
V
I
Current:
this represents the actual current flowing in to or out of the battery. A discharge current is
indicated as a negative value (current flowing out of the battery). If for example a DC to AC inverter
draws 5 A from the battery, it will be displayed as –5.0 A.
A
CE
Consumed Energy:
this displays the amount of Ah consumed from the battery. A fully charged
battery sets this readout to 0.0 Ah (synchronised system). If a current of 12 A is drawn from the
battery for a period of 3hours, this readout will show –36.0 Ah.
Ah
SOC
State
-
of
-
charge:
this is the best way to monitor the actual state of the battery. This readout
represents the current amount of energy left in the battery. A fully charged battery will be indicated
by a value of 100.0%. A fully discharged battery will be indicated by a value of 0.0%.
%
TTG
Time
-
to
-
go:
this is an estimation of how long the battery can support the present load; until it
needs recharging. h