Tiffin Motorhomes Victron BMV-712 Owner's Manual
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Tiffin Motorhomes Victron BMV-712 Owner's Manual

Tiffin Motorhomes Victron BMV-712 Owner's Manual

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Victron Battery Monitor Owner's Manual
Introduction
The battery monitor
The BMV-712 Smart is a battery monitor. It measures battery voltage and current. Based on these measurements, it
calculates the battery's state of charge and the time to go. It also keeps track of historical data, such as deepest
discharge, average discharge and the number of charge and discharge cycles.
All monitored battery parameters can be read out, and settings can be changed via the display and the four buttons.
A connection with the VictronConnect app is possible via Bluetooth or USB. The VictronConnect app can be used to
read out all monitored battery parameters or to change settings. To connect via USB, an optional VE.Direct to USB
interface is needed.
If the battery monitor is connected to a GX device, such as the Cerbo GX or the ColorControl GX, the battery can be
monitored locally with the GX device or remotely via the VRM portal. The auxiliary input can be used to monitor the
voltage of a second battery or the midpoint of a battery bank.
The auxiliary input can also be used for battery temperature monitoring, together with the optional Temperature sensor
for BMV.
When connected to other Victron products via VE.Smart networking, the battery monitor can provide real-time battery
data such as battery temperature, voltage and current via Bluetooth for use by Victron solar chargers and select AC
chargers.
Why should I monitor my battery?
Batteries are used in a wide variety of applications, mostly to store energy for later use. But how much energy is stored
in the battery? No one can tell by just looking at it. The service life of batteries depends on many factors. Battery life may
be shortened by under-charging, over-charging, excessively deep discharges, excessive charge or discharge currents,
and by high ambient temperature. Monitoring the battery with a battery monitor will give important feedback to the user
so that remedial measures can be taken when necessary. Doing this will extend battery life and the battery monitor will
quickly pay for itself.
Sizing
https://tiffin-motor-homes-prod.mindtouch.us/Owner's_Hub/Wayfarer/Wayfarer_Component_Manuals/2024_Wayfarer_Compo...
Updated: Thu, 05 Jun 2025 19:27:55 GMT
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  • Page 1 Victron Battery Monitor Owner's Manual Introduction The battery monitor The BMV-712 Smart is a battery monitor. It measures battery voltage and current. Based on these measurements, it calculates the battery's state of charge and the time to go. It also keeps track of historical data, such as deepest discharge, average discharge and the number of charge and discharge cycles.
  • Page 2 The battery monitor is available in one size; it has a 500A shunt. However, it is possible to use the battery monitor with larger shunts all the way up to 9999A. The VictronConnect app The VictronConnect app can be used to monitor and configure the battery monitor. Note that configuring the battery monitor using the VictronConnect app is easier than configuring using the battery monitor head unit.

  • Page 3: Installation

    Installation BMV-712 Smart head unit together with attachment sleeve. 500A shunt. Two 1.5m (59") red cables with a 1A fuse. 10m (33ft) RJ12 UTP cable. Square face plate together with an attachment flange. https://tiffin-motor-homes-prod.mindtouch.us/Owner's_Hub/Wayfarer/Wayfarer_Component_Manuals/2024_Wayfarer_Compo… Updated: Thu, 05 Jun 2025 19:27:55 GMT Powered by...
  • Page 4 Bag with 4 small screws. Quick installation guide. Spare serial number sticker. Mounting the Shunt The shunt has an IP21 rating; this means that the shunt is not waterproof and has to be mounted in a dry location. The shunt has two 5.5 mm holes for mounting purposes; these are located in the base of the shunt. The holes can be used to screw or bolt the shunt onto a hard surface (note that these screws are not included).

  • Page 5: Connections Overview

    Connections Overview Name Terminal Type Display Setup button Down button Up button https://tiffin-motor-homes-prod.mindtouch.us/Owner's_Hub/Wayfarer/Wayfarer_Component_Manuals/2024_Wayfarer_Compo… Updated: Thu, 05 Jun 2025 19:27:55 GMT Powered by...
  • Page 6 Select button RJ12 connector RJ2 terminal Buzzer Programmable relay connector Push connector VE.Direct connector VE.Direct terminal Negative battery connection M10 bolt Positive battery connection M10 ring terminal Auxilary connection Push connector Negative load connection M10 bolt Basic electrical connections Connection procedure: 1.
  • Page 7 Auxiliary electrical connections In addition to the comprehensive monitoring of the main battery bank, a second parameter can be monitored. This can be one of the following: • The voltage of a second battery, like a starter battery. • The midpoint deviation of the battery bank. •...
  • Page 8 Auxiliary connection midpoint battery bank monitoring: For use with a battery bank that consists of multiple batteries that are wired in series or series/parallel to create a 24V or 48V battery bank. • Connection procedure: 1. Connect the ferrule pin of the second red cable with fuse to the shunt by pushing the pin into to the +B2 terminal.

  • Page 9: Programmable Relay

    • Connection procedure: ◦ Connect the ferrule pin of the black temperature sensor wire by pushing the ferule pin into the +B2 terminal. ◦ Connect the ferrule pin of the red wire cable by pushing the ferule pin into to the +B1 terminal. ◦...

  • Page 10: Use Of Alternative Shunts

    Use of alternative shunts The battery monitor is supplied with a 500A, 50mV shunt. This shunt is suitable for most applications. However, a larger shunt will be required if system currents above 500A are expected. The battery monitor can be configured to work with a wide range of different shunts. Shunts of up to 9999A and up to 75mV can be used.
  • Page 11 Wiring for use as DC meter When using the battery monitor as a DC meter, wire it to the device or circuit that needs to be monitored. It is also possible to have a main battery monitor in the system together with a separate battery monitor that has been set up as a DC meter to monitor a specific device or circuit.

  • Page 12: Setup Wizard

    This can be done with the buttons on the battery monitor head unit or even easier via the VictronConnect app. This chapter describes how to configure the battery monitor by making the basic settings. See the All features and settings chapter for all settings and features. Setup wizard The battery monitor will automatically start the setup wizard on the first power-up or after a factory reset.

  • Page 13: How To Change Settings

    information. Measured voltage Assumed nominal voltage < 18V 18 - 36V > 36V How to change settings: Settings via the head unit Use the display buttons to enter and navigate through the settings menu. Each setting has a number and a name. For example: "01 - Battery capacity".
  • Page 14 The first setting item 01-Battery capacity will be shown. Use the + and – buttons to go to the desired setting item. Press SELECT to access the setting item. Use SELECT and the + and – buttons to customize the setting.

  • Page 15: Update Firmware

    Ways to connect to the battery monitor: • Locally via built-in Bluetooth. • Locally via USB using the VE.Direct to USB interface connected to the VE.Direct port. • Remotely via a GX device, using VictronConnect "Remote" feature. For more information, see the VictronConnect-Remote chapter in the VictronConnect app manual.
  • Page 16 • To update the firmware, press the "UPDATE" button. Make essential settings The default settings of the battery monitor are tailored for lead acid batteries, like AGM, GEL, OPzV or OPzS batteries. Most settings can stay at their factory default. But there are a few settings that need to be changed. These are: •...
  • Page 17 • For VictronConnect only: The initial state of charge value can also be manually set, by default, this is 100%, and can be set to a different value if so desired. See: Settings > Battery > State-of-charge. Set the auxiliary input function •...

  • Page 18: Operation

    • In VictronConnect see: Setting > Battery > Discharge floor • Via the head unit, see: Setup menu > Setting 16 - SoC relay. • This setting is used in “the time to go” calculation and is set at 50% by default for lead-acid batteries. However, lithium batteries usually can be discharged significantly deeper than 50%.

  • Page 19: Readout Overview

    For example, a discharge current of 10A for 2 hours will take 10 x 2 = 20Ah from the battery. To complicate matters, the effective capacity of a battery depends on the rate of discharge, the Peukert efficiency, and, to a lesser extent, the temperature. And to make things even more complicated: when charging a battery more energy (Ah) has to be ‘pumped’...
  • Page 20 The battery monitor keeps track of the Amp-hours removed from the battery compensated for the efficiency. Example: If a current of 12A is drawn from a fully charged battery for a period of 3 hours, the readout will show -36.0Ah (-12 x 3 = -36).
  • Page 21 when setup mode Press SETUP time return scrolling text, press again return normal mode. When Press and hold for two seconds to switch to setup mode. The pressing SETUP display will scroll the number and description of the selected SETUP parameter.
  • Page 22 after entering setup mode with SETUP button. • After editing last digit, press editing. value stored automatically. short beep indicates confirmation. • If required, press again restart editing. Press and hold both SETUP and SELECT buttons simultaneously SETUP and SELECT for three seconds to restore factory settings (disabled when setting simultaneously 64, lock setup, is on, see Lock setup).
  • Page 23 previous parameter. When editing, this button will increment value selected digit. When editing, press move down next Move downwards. parameter. Press and hold for three seconds (until the confirmation beep) to When start or stop automatic cycling through status items. editing, this button...
  • Page 24 digit. Press and hold both buttons simultaneously for three seconds to + and - simultaneously manually synchronise the BMV. Trends The VictronConnect app provides battery monitor data logging. Providing that the firmware battery monitor is up to date, the battery monitor will store up to 45 days of past data and two of the following parameters can be viewed alongside: •...
  • Page 25 History The battery monitor stores historic events. These can be used at a later date to evaluate usage patterns and battery health. The history data is stored in a non-volatile memory and will not be lost when the power supply to the battery monitor has been interrupted or when the battery monitor has been reset to its defaults.
  • Page 26 Accessing historical data via the head unit To view the battery monitor history menu press SELECT when in normal mode: • Press + or – to browse the various parameters. • Press + or – to browse the various values. •...
  • Page 27 Average discharge Cycles Discharges Cumulative Ah Lowest voltage Highest voltage Days since last full charge Synchronisations Low voltage alarms High voltage alarms Lowest AUX voltage Highest AUX voltage https://tiffin-motor-homes-prod.mindtouch.us/Owner's_Hub/Wayfarer/Wayfarer_Component_Manuals/2024_Wayfarer_Compo… Updated: Thu, 05 Jun 2025 19:27:55 GMT Powered by...
  • Page 28 Discharged energy Charged energy History data Discharge information in Ah • Deepest discharge: The battery monitor remembers the deepest discharge and each time the battery is discharged deeper the old value will be overwritten. • Last discharge: The battery monitor keeps track of the discharge during the current cycle and displays the largest value recorded for Ah consumed since the last synchronisation.
  • Page 29 Alarms The battery monitor can raise an alarm in the following situations: • Low battery state of charge (SOC). • Low battery voltage. • High battery voltage. • Low and high starter battery voltage (if the AUX input has been set to "Starter battery"). •...
  • Page 30 look at a few parameters to ascertain that the battery has been fully charged. It will consider the battery to be fully charged when the voltage has reached a certain value and the current has dropped below a certain value for a certain amount of time.
  • Page 31 Interfacing The battery monitor can be connected to other equipment, this chapter describes how this can be done. VictronConnect app via USB The VictronConnect app can not only connect via Bluetooth but it can also connect via USB. A USB connection is essential when connecting to the Windows version of the VictronConnect app and is optional when the MacOS or Android version is used.
  • Page 32 Connecting to a GX device and the VRM portal A GX device, such as the Cerbo GX, is a Victron Energy device that provides control and monitoring for all Victron equipment that is connected to it. Control and monitoring of the GX device and it's connected equipment can be done locally or remotely via our free Victron Remote Monitoring portal, the VRM portal.
  • Page 33 A usage example is a system with VE.Smart networking that contains a battery monitor with a temperature sensor and a solar charger. The solar charger receives the battery voltage and temperature information from the battery monitor and uses this information to optimise its charge parameters. This will improve charging efficiency and will prolong battery life. To make the battery monitor part of VE.Smart networking, you will have to either create a network or join an existing network.

  • Page 34: Battery Settings

    How to change settings Settings can be changed by using the battery monitor's head unit or by using the VictronConnect app. Accessing settings via the head unit To access and change setting parameters use the buttons on the head unit in the following way: •...
  • Page 35 This setting should already have been done during the initial installation. The setting is the battery capacity in Amp- hours (Ah). For more information on the battery capacity and the related Peukert exponent see the Battery capacity and Peukert exponent chapter. Setting Default Range...
  • Page 36 monitor is accessed via the head unit, see the Low State of Charge (SoC) relay setting instead. Default Setting Range Step size setting Discharge 0 - 99% floor Tail current The battery is considered as fully charged once the charge current has dropped to less than this “Tail current” parameter.
  • Page 37 The “Charge Efficiency Factor” compensates for the capacity (Ah) losses during charging. A setting of 100% means that there are no losses. A charge efficiency of 95% means that 10Ah must be transferred to the battery to get 9.5Ah actually stored in the battery.
  • Page 38 This setting determines the behaviour of the state of charge (SOC) value following a battery monitor reset. A reset occurs when the battery monitor is powered down and subsequently powered up again. This occurs during initial installation or disconnection, such as on a boat when the DC system is disconnected via the main DC breaker. The "Battery SOC on reset"...

  • Page 39: Relay Settings

    there is no load and the battery is not being charged. • A zero current calibration is (almost) never needed. Only perform this procedure in case the battery monitor shows a current while you are absolutely sure that there is no actual current flowing. The only way to be sure is to physically disconnect all wires and cables connected to the LOAD AND CHARGER side of the shunt.
  • Page 40 Invert relay This function enables selection between a normally de-energised (contact open) or a normally energised (contact closed) relay. When inverted, the open and closed conditions as described in all the relay settings are inverted (with the exception of the Relay state). Note that the "normally energised" setting will slightly increase the power consumption of the battery monitor.
  • Page 41 Low State of Charge (SoC) relay When the state of charge percentage has fallen below the "set relay" value, the relay will close. When the state of charge percentage has risen above the "clear relay" value, the relay will open (after a delay, depending on the Relay minimum closed time and/or the Relay off delay settings).
  • Page 42 Clear relay value (setting 21) 0 - 95V 0.1V High starter voltage relay This setting is available if the aux input has been set to "Starter battery", see the Aux input setting. When the auxiliary (e.g. starter battery) voltage rises above the "set relay" value for more than 10 seconds, the relay will be closed. When the auxiliary voltage falls below the "clear relay"...

  • Page 43: Alarm Settings

    Clear relay value (setting 31) 0 - 99% Alarm settings The BMV battery monitor is equipped with an alarm relay and a buzzer. Alarms are also visible on the VictronConnect app while connected to the battery monitor or are used to send an alarm signal to a GX device. Alarms are disabled by default.
  • Page 44 Low voltage alarm When enabled, the alarm will activate when the battery voltage falls below the set value for more than 10 seconds. The alarm will deactivate when the battery voltage rises above the clear value. Setting Default Range Steps Set alarm value (setting 35) 1.1V 0 - 95.0V...
  • Page 45 Setting Default Range Steps Set alarm value (setting 39) 1.1V 0 - 95.0V 0.1V Clear alarm value (setting 40) 1.0V 0 - 95.0V 0.1V High starter voltage alarm This setting is only available if the Aux input has been set to “Starter battery”, see chapter Aux input. When enabled, the alarm will activate when the starter battery voltage rises above the set value for more than 10 seconds and the alarm will deactivate when the starter battery voltage drops below the clear value.

  • Page 46: Display Settings

    0°F -40 - +210°F 1°F 0°C -40 - +99°C 1°C Clear relay value (setting 46) 0°F -40 - +210°F 1°F Midpoint deviation alarm This setting is only available if the Aux input has been set to “Midpoint”; see chapter Aux input. When enabled, the alarm will activate when the midpoint voltage deviation rises above the set value for more than 10 seconds.
  • Page 47 Scroll speed (setting 51) 1 - 5 Main voltage display Must be set to ON to display the voltage of the main battery in the monitoring menu. Setting Default Modes Main voltage display (setting 52) Current display Must be set to ON to display the current in the monitoring menu. Setting Default Modes...
  • Page 48 Must be set to ON to display the battery state of charge in the monitoring menu. Setting Default Range Step size State of charge display (setting 56) Time-to-go display Must be set to ON to display the state of charge in the monitoring menu. Setting Default Modes...

  • Page 49: Miscellaneous Settings

    Miscellaneous settings Software version Setting 61: This is a read-only setting. it displays the firmware version of the battery monitor. The software version as displayed on the head unit is the same as the firmware version as displayed in the VictronConnect app product settings. In addition to this, the VictronConnect app also allows updating of the firmware.
  • Page 50 Lock setup When on, all settings (except this one) are locked (read-only) and cannot be altered via the head unit. Note that they still can be altered via the VictronConnect app. Setting Default Modes Lock setup (setting 64) ON/OFF Shunt current When a shunt other than the one supplied with the battery monitor is used, use this setting to set the rated current of the shunt.
  • Page 51 0.0%cap/°C 0 - 2.0%cap/°C 0.1%cap/°C Temperature coefficient (setting 68) 0.0%cap/°F 0 - 3.6%cap/°F 0.1%cap/°F Aux input This setting sets the function of the auxiliary input. Select between: None, Starter battery, Midpoint or Temperature. Setting Default Modes NONE Disables the auxiliary input. START Auxiliary voltage, e.g.

  • Page 52: Additional Settings

    When the GX device is also configured as type “has DC System”, the GX does more than just recording and visualisation: 1. The power shown in the DC system box is the sum of power reported by all battery monitors configured as such. Having multiple meters can be useful, for example, in a catamaran, so that the DC systems in the port hull and in the starboard hull are being measured.
  • Page 53 Disabling and re-enabling Bluetooth Bluetooth is enabled by default in the battery monitor. If Bluetooth is not wanted it can be disabled. This is done by sliding the Bluetooth switch in the product settings. A reason to disable Bluetooth could be for security reasons, or to eliminate unwanted transmission from the Battery monitor.
  • Page 54 called by its product name. But a more applicable name might be needed, especially if you are using multiple battery monitors in close proximity of each other it might become confusing with which battery monitor you are communicating. You can, for example, add identification numbers to their name, like: Battery Monitor A, Battery Monitor B and so on. Firmware Both the battery monitor and its Bluetooth interface run on firmware.
  • Page 55 affected by this than lithium batteries are. The battery monitor takes this phenomenon into account with Peukert exponent. There are two ways of expressing the C rating of a battery. Either with a number before the C or with a number after the C.
  • Page 56 The C20 rating is 100Ah. The t2 rating is 20h and I2 is calculated: The Peukert exponent is: A Peukert calculator is available at http://www.victronenergy.com/ support-and-downloads/software#peukert-calculator. Please note that the Peukert exponent is no more than a rough approximation of reality. In case of very high currents, the battery will give even less capacity than predicted by a fixed exponent.

  • Page 57: Midpoint Voltage Monitoring

    Midpoint voltage monitoring One bad cell or one bad battery can destroy a large, expensive battery bank. A short circuit or high internal leakage current in one cell for example will result in undercharge of that cell and overcharge of the other cells. Similarly, one bad battery in a 24V or 48V bank of several series/parallel connected 12V batteries can destroy the whole bank.
  • Page 58 Always use busbars when applying midpoint voltage monitoring. The cables to the busbars must all have the same length. The midpoints can only be connected if corrective action is taken in case of an alarm. Connecting and monitoring midpoint in a 48V battery bank Due to the voltage drop over the positive and the negative cables the midpoint voltage is not identical.

  • Page 59: Setting The Alarm Level

    Setting the alarm level In case of VRLA (gel or AGM) batteries, gassing due to overcharging will dry out the electrolyte, increasing internal resistance and ultimately resulting in irreversible damage. Flat plate VRLA batteries start to lose water when the charge voltage approaches 15V (12V battery).

  • Page 60: What To Do In Case Of An Alarm During Discharging

    If the problem persists after several charge-discharge cycles do the following: • In case of series/parallel connection disconnect the midpoint, parallel connection wiring and measure the individual midpoint voltages during absorption charging to isolate batteries or cells which need additional charging. •...

  • Page 61: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting Functionality issues Unit is dead On first connection the display of the head unit should be active. If this is not the case check the fuse in the +B1 cable and also check the cable itself and its terminals. In case the temperature sensor is used: •...

  • Page 62: Connection Issues

    Connection issues Cannot connect via Bluetooth It is highly unlikely that the Bluetooth interface is faulty. Some pointers to try before seeking support: • Is the battery monitor powered up? The display on the head unit should be active. If not see the Unit is dead chapter.
  • Page 63 The negatives of all the loads and the charge sources in the system must be connected to the system minus side of the shunt. If the negative of a load or a charge source is connected directly to the negative battery terminal or the “battery minus”...
  • Page 64 start to drift and will eventually not represent the actual state of charge of the battery. The following parameter(s) will have an effect on automatic synchronisation if they have been set incorrectly: ◦ Charged voltage. ◦ Tail current. ◦ Charged detection time. ◦...
  • Page 65 bank, not in the middle of the battery bank. Incorrect auxillary battery voltage reading If the auxillary (starter) battery voltage is too low: • Perhaps there is an issue with the +B2 cable, perhaps the fuse, the cable itself or one of the terminals is faulty, or there is a loose connection.

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