Jump to content


Photo

Victron Smart Battery Sense


  • Please log in to reply
2 replies to this topic

#1 camelracer

camelracer

    Senior Member

  • Members
  • 960 posts
  • LocationGoleta, Ca

Posted 13 January 2021 - 04:03 AM

Anyone have any trouble getting this to pair with your Victron controller?

 

A couple of years ago I switched to a lithium battery and added a Victron Smart Battery Sense as a low temperature protection. At that time the physical installation was easy but the programming and bluetooth pairing was confusing and frustrating. The Battery Sense and the controller would pair and then disconnect at random times. It seemed like this system needed the stars and moon to be aligned to get it to work.

 

My controller is the 100/20 Smart Solar and the Battery Sense is the black one which had an advertised bluetooth range of 3 meters. My battery is located under the truck about 1 meter below the controller which is well within the advertised bluetooth range but has the sheetmetal truck bed and camper floor pack to penetrate. What was confusing was that my I-phone sitting next to the controller would pair with the Smart Sense while the controller didn't see it.

 

My recent research on this problem revealed that the black Smart Battery Sense got bad reviews because of its poor bluetooth range so Victron has come out with a new long range model with a 10 meter range. This new long range model still gets a few bad reviews so I'm wondering if anyone in this group has any experience.

 

 

.

 

 


  • 0
2002 Fiat 2500 CTD 4x4, FWC Grandby 1951 Willys CJ3A

#2 Jack

Jack

    Senior Member

  • Members
  • 403 posts
  • LocationPortland OR

Posted 15 January 2021 - 07:29 PM

I have the more recent Smart Battery Sense and it has worked without a problem. However, it is less than 2 m away and no metal between it and the battery. The metal bed is most likely the problem - metal blocks Bluetooth (RF) signals. It does not take much of a hole to pass the 2.45 GHz signal, but you probably don't want to put a hole in your truck bed. I would buy the newer model on Amazon for $40 and try it. If it does not solve your problem, you can return it. But since the older model almost woks, I think there is a good chance that the newer model will solve your problem.


  • 0

2015 Fleet on 2019 Ranger


#3 camelracer

camelracer

    Senior Member

  • Members
  • 960 posts
  • LocationGoleta, Ca

Posted 18 January 2021 - 07:54 PM

I took Jack's advice and went ahead and bought the new long range battery sense and it seems to be working so far.


  • 0
2002 Fiat 2500 CTD 4x4, FWC Grandby 1951 Willys CJ3A




0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users