Last Updated on July 25, 2022 by Ted Mosby
Finding the best power and electrical supplies for your recreational vehicle is not easy.
Manufacturers have been producing these products in mass numbers, making it more tiresome to find the appropriate products like an RV battery monitor.
Thanks to RV battery technology’s advancement, it is now possible to take your recreational vehicle off the grid for extended periods.
Almost all the latest-deep cycle batteries, along with a solar system or a charging generator, allow you to stretch your outdoor time away from shore power longer than ever before.
However, the major downfall to this is that you must maintain and monitor the batteries to maintain their peak state.
An RV battery monitor provides you with all the necessary tools to do that, along with several other features you will love.
If you’re looking for the Best RV Battery Monitors, this comprehensive review guide will help you to find the appropriate one for your needs.
So, let’s get started!
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Premium Pick  | Victron Energy BMV-712 Smart RV Battery Monitor |
| Check Price on Amazon |
Best Value  | Renogy 500A Battery Monitor |
| Check Price on Amazon |
Budget Pick  | AiLi Battery Indicator |
| Check Price on Amazon |
 | BUNKER INDUST 12V Battery Monitor |
| Check Price on Amazon |
 | INNOVA 3721 Battery and Charging System Monitor |
| Check Price on Amazon |
What are the Best RV Battery Monitor?
1. Victron Energy BMV-712 Smart RV Battery Monitor
Victron Energy BMV-712 is probably the best RV battery monitor system available on the market.
The heavy-duty battery monitor is known for its incredible functionality. If you have a 40 feet motorhome, which needs an enormous power supply from the battery bank to operate LED lights, refrigerators, water pumps, etc., you would love to have a device displaying the accurate state of your RV battery.
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SHOP NOWYou might probably have heard so many good things about Victron from fellow RVers, and this is what induced me to give it a chance. After a few months of use, I’m impressed with its performance.
It provides far better performance than a stock battery monitor in my vehicle.
One of its remarkable features that appealed to me the most is its in-built Bluetooth, which enables users to monitor battery state anytime from their smartphone.
Moreover, the technology is also compatible with tablets, so your family member can also use it when you are not around.
In addition to the free Victron Energy Connect application convenience, you can also specifically check what’s going on with your battery system.
For instance, the numbers display the number of used amps and the charging speed.
Moreover, the battery monitor also shows amp-hours, which is incredibly useful when you are traveling off the grid, and your vehicle is not connected to any utility.
Furthermore, the setup also includes a substantial battery shunt, which collaborates with the battery monitor display. Due to this, it is clear to see how much current is going in or out of your battery bank.
Key Features
- Precise reading.
- Bluetooth connectivity.
- Easy installation.
- Substantial battery shunt.
- Programmable alarms.
- Setup menus.
- It is a heavy-duty RV battery monitor and offers extreme functionality.
- It is a reliable option for RV owners with an enormous vehicle with significant power needs to maintain the accurate state of the battery.
- The Bluetooth connectivity allows you to monitor the battery status directly from your phone.
- It also displays amp-hours, which is excellent when traveling off the grid with no power source.
- The installation process is straightforward.
- The only downfall of this RV battery monitor is its high price.
2. Renogy 500A Battery Monitor
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SHOP NOWRenogy 500A is another great RV battery monitor that surely deserves a closer look for its outstanding features and innovative technology.
The RV monitor is an advanced and affordable system for both small and medium-sized RV battery banks. The system combines a remarkable design and terrific features to monitor the status of your batteries over time.
It utilizes a backlit LCD along with an intuitive button setup that is easy to use and program. Having the battery monitor with you, you will stay up to date all the time by monitoring current, voltage, power consumption, and battery charging levels with just a simple button press.
Moreover, the RV battery monitoring system is incredibly easy to install but doesn’t include battery cables, temperature sensors, and other handy accessories.
That is because of its absolute low price. However, overall, I really loved the Renogy 500A battery monitor.
It is reasonable, is not tricky to install, and offers tons of useful features.
Key Features
- LCD screen.
- Affordable.
- Voltage detail.
- Current and power consumption info.
- Easy to install and use.
- Extreme performance.
- The RV battery monitoring system is reasonably priced.
- It offers tons of handy features to make sure to keep your battery bank in its peak state.
- You can quickly check the voltage, current, consumed power status, etc.
- The battery monitor is incredibly easy to install.
- It is a good and affordable pick for people who have small or medium battery banks.
- The battery monitoring system doesn’t include a temperature sensor, battery cables, and some other useful accessories.
3. AiLi Battery Indicator
Are you planning an upgrade on your motorhome batteries as you install solar into it? If yes, then you cannot afford to miss having the AiLi battery indicator with you to keep your RV’s battery bank in its optimum state.
The monitoring system is quality and affordable for such an application. Similar to its other pricey and fancier counterparts, this RV battery monitor provides tremendous performance without a steep price tag.
I like that the unit is pre-programmed and incredibly functional. More so, conserving your battery bank health is relatively easy since it displays essential battery information, such as amp-hours, current, voltages, and battery life percentage.
I’m amazed by the monitoring system’s ability to show how many amps are running in and out of the battery bank. It means having this unit with you, it will be easier for you to track down the culprit drawing excessive power.
Moreover, the RV battery monitor is also armed with a charging status indicator and displays the percentage, which is familiar with what we see on our smartphones when charging.
For a better and improved user experience, the setup is equipped with a round display unit with three buttons arrangement, a great quality shunt with up to a hundred amps, and useful instructions about installation.
Believe me, the unit is straightforward to install and use. It is also a great deal because you don’t have to buy meters separately to make it work as an ammeter, a current meter, or a voltmeter.
What more, the AiLi battery indicator is also a flexible option for automobiles and other applications. You can easily use the unit for your boat, caravans, cars, or portable instruments or equipment.
Key Features
- Versatile.
- Excellent display.
- Green backlight.
- Convenient memory function.
- Hassle-free installation process.
- Outstanding design.
- AiLi RV battery monitor is an affordable and reliable unit available on the market.
- It offers amazing convenience and ease of use.
- The unit is reliable when it comes to delivering heavy-duty performance.
- It is armed with three buttons to quickly set up a high-quality shunt with up to a hundred amps.
- It comes with detailed instructions to make the installation process fairly simple.
- The unit is also a versatile option as you can use it for a number of applications, such as cars, motorhomes, e-bikes, etc.
- The customer support provided by the brand is subpar.
4. BUNKER INDUST 12V Battery Monitor
Another worthy purchase on my list when it comes to the best RV battery monitors is Bunker Indust’s battery monitor. It is an excellent and reliable unit that helps extend your RV battery lives while also ensuring top-quality performance delivery.
The battery monitoring system is a part of my RV essentials for quite some time now.
It was an arduous task to determine the battery’s remaining capacity, but nowadays, taking a look at my battery’s state is incredibly simple. It takes a minute or two to install the unit that too, without digging holes or running wires in your recreational vehicle.
Moreover, it is also worth mentioning that I can easily monitor my RV battery’s health, voltage, and current directly from my phone.
In this regard, you are required to scan the QR code located on the black box to install the unit. It works impressively to help you avoid the risk of overcharging and resonant charging, specifically in sub-zero weather.
Furthermore, the unit will automatically alert users in case of any battery failure within the Bluetooth range.
Another striking feature is its historical function. It allows you to figure out how many times the heater cycled in the night, the refrigerator in electric mode, and store everything that draws and wastes the battery power.
It is handy to troubleshoot and see the monthly data.
Most users also love its safety features against short-circuits and reverse polarity connections. Besides that, I’m also thrilled to know that the materials this model is made from are incredibly temperature-resistant and fireproof.
Key Features
- Precise voltage, current, and cranking power readings.
- Hassle-free installation.
- In-built Bluetooth feature.
- Fireproof.
- Reverse polarity protection.
- History feature.
- Short-circuit protection.
- It comes with a ton of features to make the RV owner’s life easier.
- The unit is capable of monitoring four 12V batteries at once.
- It also comes with a free app for iOS and Android devices, so you can stay up to date by following your battery bank status on your phones and tablets.
- The unit displays accurate information regarding the battery, including voltage, current, cranking power, etc.
- The ultra-low power consumption of the unit is also pretty impressive.
- A minor downfall of the RV battery monitoring system is that the battery life indicator shows battery life in percentage.
5. INNOVA 3721 Battery and Charging System Monitor
If you’re searching for an easy-to-use RV battery monitor, then Innova 3721 surely deserves a closer look.
The unit doesn’t need much setup and can be directly plugged into your recreational vehicle’s 12V outlet to track the battery bank status.
It will provide you with data about the battery bank’s charge status, voltage, and crank power on its LCD. The displayed information is easy to read with color-coded LED lights and a bar.
The unit’s pivoting ability is also pretty impressive. It makes sure that you find the right angle to take a look at each piece of data. You will never find yourself struggling to read the information with its pivoting capabilities.
The low price of the RV battery monitoring system is also an excellent selling point. It becomes a cost-efficient way to make sure your batteries last as long as possible.
The RV monitor saves you some bucks in both the short and long-term, so you don’t have to replace the batteries for years.
Moreover, buyers are also amazed by the product’s using process. It cannot get easier than this monitor when it comes to this aspect.
It also comes with a manual that is easy to read and understand. I’m also impressed with the compact design of the unit, making it easier to maneuver.
Unlike some other units that feel a bit bulky, this option features a slim design, making the unit a straightforward one to use.
Key Features
- LED lights.
- Accurate battery info.
- LCD.
- Ease of use.
- Simple and compact design.
- The RV battery monitor doesn’t need much setup. You can directly plug it into your vehicle to check the battery status.
- You will get all the essential information regarding your RV battery bank to maintain its peak state.
- The LCD is easy to read. It includes a bar and color-coded LED lights.
- The pivoting ability of the product is also pretty impressive.
- It comes with an easy-to-read manual, which makes the installation process easy.
- The LED lights of the product are excessively bright, which makes driving at night a bit annoying.
What is an RV Battery Monitor?
An RV battery monitor is responsible for displaying accurate information about the charge and load of the battery. Simultaneously, it also shows the number of cycles and the battery history.
Using a shunt, a battery monitor can calculate the volume of power going in and out of the battery. It helps RV owners keep updated about how much energy is remaining in the battery, so they can take the steps essential to avoid any inconvenient situation.
So, how important is it to have an RV battery monitor?
Importance of Having an RV Battery Monitor
Suppose you are considering camping in a place where no hookup connection is available and relies on solar power or batteries.
In that case, you cannot afford to miss an RV battery monitor. An RV battery is an essential tool to know all the necessary information and measurements regarding your battery, such as battery voltage, amperage flow, and remaining battery percentage.
However, if you are following a strict budget and cannot afford to buy a good-quality RV monitor, you can go for a cheap one. But keep in mind that it will show net amperage and voltages only.
That type of RV battery monitor provides an idea about the energy amount generated by solar panels. It also shows information about the cloud’s impact on power and how quickly the power is getting in.
Moreover, a user can also know the amount of energy an appliance is drawing. It makes it easy for you to find out the culprit slowing down your battery.
If a battery is draining up to 80% of its charge, it will cause severe damage. It is true even for the best deep-cycle batteries. On the flip side, if a battery’s charge level never goes below 50%, it will have a longer lifespan.
That is why having an RV battery monitor is essential to track a battery charge.
Factor’s to Keep In Mind Before Buying an RV Battery Monitor System
An RV battery monitor can measure the energy flow going in and coming out of your RV battery.
These products are useful and offer tons of handy features. However, you can only enjoy these features if you have a functional BMS. When investing in an RV battery monitor, there are plenty of factors to consider.
Here are the chief parameters that are a must consider,
1. Product Price
As with any application, the price of the product is a significant factor to consider. It would be best to create a budget according to your needs to help you buy a suitable product at an affordable cost.
It will also narrow down your options to make things a bit easier for you.
2. Mounting
Mounting is another significant parameter to consider when buying an RV battery monitor to determine what type of mounting monitor you want. In most cases, these monitors come with buttons that you can use to program the monitor.
Some manufacturers offer flush mounting, while others provide surface mounting.
There are also RV battery monitors that can program the system from its display. It depends on what is appropriate for you and what fits your liking. Also, keep in mind that even the low-tier units enable you to adjust system voltage and maximum capacity.
3. Convenience
You want an RV battery monitoring system that is easy to use and install. Make sure to research the model you want to buy before you invest in it, or you will end up cursing it out.
It will also make sure that you do not buy a product that cannot be used effectively.
In this regard, reading buyer reviews is an excellent idea. A unit with a complicated using process will have nothing but complaints.
A smart shopper would utilize the buyer’s bad experience to their benefit. It is also an effective way to choose an appropriate option according to your needs.
4. Accessories
Some RV battery monitors come with essential accessories, such as cables and fuses. These are required to connect the shunt and battery voltage inputs to the unit’s display monitor.
Some units come with a temperature sensor as well. It is great to keep such necessities in mind when buying a product to make sure you get a model that fits your needs. Or else, you will have to buy these pieces separately.
5. Battery Shunt
As stated above, a battery monitor is responsible for measuring the power coming from and into your RV battery.
It will report its measurements in real-time to make sure to give you the best possible results. In this regard, the display unit is responsible for displaying voltages, and the base unit calculates the current running in and out.
It will then add or subtract the battery’s capacity to display what percentage is left over.
However, an essential part of making this whole process happen is the battery shunt. The shunt is connected to the negative terminal and located near your battery.
I would recommend finding out whether the unit you are buying will come with a shunt or not before you make a purchase. If it doesn’t include a battery shunt, you will have to buy one separately.
Wrapping Up
There you go – top 5 best RV battery monitors.
These tools are useful for measuring your battery current, cranking power, voltage, and other essential details.
It helps you to avoid the risk of overcharging to extend your battery life.
Above, I have bucketed the top 5 units that you should consider when buying one.
FAQ
There is plenty of good RV battery monitor available on the market. However, the most popular ones include Renogy 500A, Bunker Indust 12V, and AiLi battery indicator.What is the best RV battery monitor?
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