Best Battery Monitors & Management Systems in Australia

Do you ever think about your caravan battery?

You should because it’s effectively the beating heart of your camping vehicle. Every appliance inside the caravan relies on the battery. That’s why it’s important to regularly check the condition of your batteries in case they are deteriorating.

But how do you do this?

The easiest way is to invest in a caravan battery monitor. These systems are usually simple to follow. You can even configure them with your mobile phone! In this guide, we’ll try to find the best battery management system for your needs.

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Best Caravan Battery Monitors Australia

Victron Battery Monitor BMV-712 Smart

Have you ever wanted to feel like you’re in a spaceship?

Now you can with the Victron 12V battery management system. This battery monitor is a premium option with some of the most advanced features you’ll find.

Firstly, it’s easy to install and is very efficient. It’s Bluetooth-enabled which is an advantage if you have other Victron products. Meanwhile, you can download the app for clearer monitoring and customizing of settings.

This battery monitor is incredibly accurate.

It measures current and voltage to 0.3 and 0.4% respectively. The monitor has a supply voltage range of 6.5 to 70 VDC. Furthermore, the current consumption is very low at just 0.7Ah per month.

Victron operates visual and audio alarms when there are problems with your batteries. However, the Bi-stable alarm relay prevents an increased current draw to further protect them and limit the likelihood of problems in the first place.

Midpoint voltage monitoring reveals if a battery cell has failed. This can save the entire battery from further damage.

Another benefit is the ability to track historical data so you know if your battery is deteriorating. The app also automatically updates its software once there is an internet connection.

This product doesn’t have many cons, but there are a couple of potential issues.

The temperature range of -20°C to 50°C is decent. But some cheaper competitors offer even better than this.

Finally, the Victron caravan battery monitor is expensive at around $350. In saying that, it does come with an industry-leading five-year warranty. It’s brilliant but it won’t be suitable for everybody’s budget.

BMPRO BatteryCheck100 Wireless Bluetooth Battery Monitor

The BMPRO Battery Monitor is another high-end system with a lot of upsides.

It’s also Bluetooth-enabled with a downloadable app. This means you can check the status of your battery, wherever you are. The battery management system is easy to set up by yourself, with an input voltage of 8V to 16V.

BMPRO says that it’s capable of working with multiple batteries in parallel. Furthermore, they claim that it’s compatible with a range of gel and lithium 12-volt batteries. The system enables monitoring up to 100A maximum charge or discharge.

This system monitors a range of parameters.

These include the charge/discharge currents, the state of charge, state of health, as well as voltage and temperature. They also provide an estimate of the remaining discharge available.

It has a temperature measuring range of -20°C to +70°C. This is very impressive and higher than most competitors.

However, there are a couple of flaws.

BMPRO doesn’t specify the accuracy of its readings like its competitors. This may be concerning for some potential customers. Another issue is that they don’t outline their monthly current consumption.

Finally, this system is substantially cheaper than the Victron, although it only comes with a two-year warranty.

Hard Korr Remote Battery Monitor With High-Precision 100V/500A Shunt

The Hard Korr Remote Battery Monitor is much cheaper than the previous systems.

This battery meter is available for around $125. However, this doesn’t mean it’s a cheap knock-off. It comes with a two-year warranty and Hard Korr operates a 30-day money-back guarantee policy.

As you may expect, it’s not as in-depth as the BMPRO or Victron options.

Despite this, it’s perfectly suitable for most caravans with all of the essential details. It provides readings of the battery voltage, live current draw, and charge level.

There’s also a memory function so you’ll never lose track of your battery’s fluctuations.

It has an impressive operating temperature of -10°C to 65°C. This is greater than the expensive Victron battery management system.

Meanwhile, it’s surprisingly accurate at ±1% for all readings. The battery monitor is compatible with all mainstream 12-volt battery types, including gel and lithium. The standby current draw is just 0.5-0.6mA.

Sure, it’s not as detailed as a premium Victron battery meter and may not have Bluetooth connectivity. But it’s still a great product at an accessible price.

This is a great battery monitoring system for most people’s needs.

Century BM12V Battery Monitor

Finally, let’s look at the Century BM12V Battery Monitor.

This product is the cheapest in our guide at just $60 or so with a two-year warranty.

Despite the low price, it’s an effective product. This meter is compatible with almost every 12-volt battery. Furthermore, Century has a free app like the others and is Bluetooth accessible.

The BM12V provides data on daily voltage levels.

It will send warnings if the voltage drops too low. These take the form of visual app notifications. While this is useful, it would also be helpful if they had an audio alarm like the Victron.

This would ensure immediate notice.

Meanwhile, you can run vehicle crank tests and record the length of journeys. There are far fewer readings on this monitor than with other systems. It’s also less specific and has unknown levels of accuracy.

However, this is unsurprising given the low price.

If you’re looking for a cheap battery monitoring system, then this could be a good option. But be aware of its limitations.

Points To Consider When Purchasing A Caravan Battery Monitor

Now let’s look at some of the most important aspects to remember before you buy a caravan battery monitor.

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Caravan Battery Monitors - FAQs

How does a battery monitoring system work?

Caravan battery monitors are very easy to use. Check out the following steps!

1. Install the system across the battery terminals.
2. Download the supplier’s battery management system app.
3. Scan or type the product code to activate the system on your device.
4. Turn on your device’s Bluetooth.
5. Maintain a distance of 10m to 20m.

Consult the app regularly to ensure that your battery is running smoothly. The app will alert you if there are any discrepancies.

How do I know if my battery is healthy?

After configuring the app to your battery monitor, all of the relevant information is provided.

It will provide an on-screen monitor of the battery’s status. This may be colour-coded with green for positive and red for negative. There may even be a simple message on-screen such as ‘battery ok’.

Manufacturers design these apps for ease of use and maximum efficiency so don’t stress!

As an aside, if you want to maximise your battery's life, be sure to keep it in a battery box for protection from the elements and ease of use!

How accurate are battery monitors?

Typically, battery monitors are very accurate.

Usually, spending more guarantees higher accuracy as well as a wider range of readings. The Hard Korr monitor has an accuracy level of ±1%.

Meanwhile, the Victron is even more impressive at ±0.4% for most readings. There's a great post here about the accuracy of the Victron BMV-712 if you are interested.

Can I use the same monitor for multiple batteries?

Many battery monitors enable cross battery use.

BMPRO states that their system can be run with batteries in parallel. You can usually use more than one battery on the same app too.

Final Thoughts

A decent battery management system is a valuable asset to any caravan. This is especially so if you are going off-grid and plan on using solar panels and an inverter, or just a plain old caravan generator.

It will help you to understand your energy consumption and the strain that you place on your batteries. Meanwhile, it will prepare you as they begin to deteriorate.

Our top pick based on features and overall value was the Hard Korr battery monitor.

This is because it offers a lot of information at a lower price than a similar system. The Australian brand is reliable, trustworthy, and offers a great product.

However, you won’t be disappointed if you invest in the Victron battery system. The only reason why it isn’t our best option is because of the price. This setup offers an incredible amount of information.

If you have any questions about these products, please leave a comment below!