WiFi Battery monitor

Boris7

Boris7

Full Member
Posts
4,960
Likes
15,471
It’s looking like I will be leaving the van in storage more and unable to visit it.

I can monitor the EcoFlow via WiFi (router in van) but not the leisure batteries. I can find plenty of Bluetooth monitors (batteries have such built in) but no means of monitoring via WiFi.

Any suggestions?
 
Link the BT to the Wifi of an old phone, and get it to message you, not sure of the how, ChatGPT told me how to do it, so ask that Kev.
 
Last edited:
I asked Google

It says in the description "WIFI Battery Monitor, 0-400A 10-100V Battery Capacity monitor Color Screen RVBattery, Remote Monitoring Bidirectional Detection Lead a cid lithium Tester For Car RV ATV SUV"


The link you provided is for a
WiFi Battery Monitor
product. The remote monitoring feature in a WiFi Battery Monitor allows you to check the status of your battery from a distance using a smartphone app or web browser.

How Remote Monitoring Works
The battery monitor system typically involves two main components: a shunt and the monitor unit with WiFi capability.
  • The Shunt: The shunt is a small, very low-resistance component installed in the main negative wire of your battery system. All electrical current flowing in (charging) and out (discharging) of the battery passes through this shunt.
  • The Monitor Unit: The monitor unit measures the voltage drop across the shunt, which allows it to precisely calculate the current flow (amperage). It continuously tracks this data over time to determine the battery's state of charge (SoC), voltage, current, and capacity remaining.
  • WiFi Connectivity: The monitor unit connects to a local WiFi network (like one in your RV or home). It then transmits all the collected battery data to a cloud-based service or directly to a dedicated smartphone app.
  • Remote Viewing & Alerts: As long as both your phone and the monitor unit have an internet connection, you can monitor the battery's status from anywhere. You can also set up the app to send you notifications for specific events, such as low voltage, high voltage, or temperature issues, allowing you to proactively manage your power system.
This allows for precise, real-time tracking of your battery's health and usage, which is especially useful for systems like those found in RVs, boats, or off-grid setups, where monitoring from a distance is valuable.
 
I also asked (coz I distrust sellers)

What do you need to make the wifi monitoring work?


To make the
WiFi remote monitoring work with your new battery monitor. You need a few components and conditions:

Required Components & Conditions
  • The Battery Monitor Kit: This includes the main display unit, the shunt, and connecting wires.
  • A Compatible Battery: The monitor supports various 10-100V batteries, including lead-acid, lithium-ion, and LiFePO4.
  • A Power Source: The monitor is powered by the battery itself, ensuring continuous data collection.
  • A Local WiFi Network with Internet Access: The monitoring unit connects to this network to send data to a cloud server. This can be your home Wi-Fi or a mobile hotspot in your RV/vehicle.
  • A Smartphone or Web Browser: You need a device to view the data and manage settings remotely.
  • A Dedicated Mobile App: The product uses a specific app (e.g., "Junce Home" or a similar app specified in the manual) to display real-time data, historical information, and send alerts.

Installation & Setup Steps
  1. Hardware Installation:
    • Install the shunt in the main negative wire of your battery system.
    • Connect the monitor's display unit to the shunt using the provided communication cable.
    • Connect the positive wire from the monitor to the positive terminal of the battery.
  2. Network Connection:
    • Connect the monitor to your local WiFi network following the instructions in the user manual.
    • Ensure the device has a stable internet connection for remote access.
  3. Software Setup & Calibration:
    • Download the manufacturer's smartphone app and connect it to the device.
    • Calibrate the monitor by fully charging the battery and entering its rated capacity into the app settings. This ensures accurate tracking of the "state of charge" (SoC).
    • Set up any desired alarms (e.g., for low voltage or capacity) in the app to receive notifications.
Once these steps are completed, you will be able to monitor your battery's voltage, current, capacity, and other parameters from anywhere in the world through the app.
 
After thinking about it it could be difficult to connect to them from outside the local network unless the app that it uses does it somehow. I'm using Victron and use a Raspberry Pi and Victron's VRM service and without knowing what equipment Boris is using it's difficult to advise :unsure:

Regards,
Del
 
If Dels isn't any good...

If you've got an old phone you can leave in the van running a vnc SERVER. Then, VNC to it from wherever and it will as if you are there. A bit clunky and fiddly to set up but cheap. Else, victron 👍
 
People seem to have missed the point that youalready have a wifi router in the van - therefore old phone + vnc is unnecessary.

If you are likely to change battery chemistries in the future (Eg. AGM to Lithium), then I'd go for something future-proof (which that one posted by Del appears to). Personally I installed a Victron Cerbo GX, which will pool the outputs from various monitors and upload them in real time to the VRM Portal - that way I can monitor not only battery levels (and battery temperature), but also habitation temperature & humidity using a bluetooth Ruuvi tag,

I've also got a GPS receiver plugged into it, and can set a GeoFence to alert me if it happens to move, plus it can save our travels as a KML track for upload into Google Maps or OsmAnd.
 

Attachments

  • VRM.JPG
    VRM.JPG
    100.9 KB · Views: 10
alwaysared said:
After thinking about it it could be difficult to connect to them from outside the local network unless the app that it uses does it somehow. I'm using Victron and use a Raspberry Pi and Victron's VRM service and without knowing what equipment Boris is using it's difficult to advise :unsure:

Regards,
Del
Click to expand...
They state: "...allowing you to check battery status anytime, anywhere using a mobile app." so it should work as required.
 
Kev (Boris7) stupid question time...
If you are storing the van and will not have access to it, why do you need to monitor the leisure batteries?
Or is there some sort of electrical witchcraft that allows you to alter settings remotely?
I know, two questions, someone would mention it:rolleyes:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who viewed this discussion (Total:64)

Back
Top