Victron Energy BMV-700 Battery Monitor, 6.5-95V, 500A Shunt, VE.Direct

Overview

The Victron Energy BAM010700000R is a BMV-700 battery monitor for boat battery banks that need clear information on voltage, current draw, amp-hours used, state of charge, time to go, and power consumption. It works across 6.5 to 95 VDC systems and supports battery capacity settings from 1 to 9999 Ah, which makes it a practical fit for many 12V, 24V, and higher-voltage DC house banks.

This monitor is useful when a simple voltmeter is not enough. By measuring current through the included 500A/50mV shunt, it tracks energy moving in and out of the battery bank so the crew can see what loads are doing, how much capacity has been used, and whether charging is keeping up during time away from shore power.

The head unit is made for flush mounting in a protected panel, with a 63 mm front diameter and a 52 mm body diameter. Its IP55 protection rating means it belongs at a nav station, cabin electrical panel, protected helm, or similar location rather than an exposed deck area or a place that gets regular washdowns.

Key features

• Measures battery voltage, current, power, amp-hours consumed, state of charge, and remaining time at the current discharge rate.
• 6.5 to 95 VDC supply range suits common marine DC battery systems, including 12V and 24V installations.
• Included 500A/50mV shunt gives the monitor the current data needed for accurate battery tracking.
• VE.Direct communication port supports integration with compatible Victron monitoring equipment and optional VE.Direct accessories.
• Programmable visual and audible alarms help flag battery conditions before they become a problem underway or at anchor.
• Programmable 60V/1A relay can be used for control tasks such as switching non-critical loads or supporting generator control logic.
• Current resolution of 0.01A, voltage resolution of 0.01V, and state-of-charge resolution of 0.1% give a clear view of battery behavior.
• Stores historical data that can help evaluate discharge patterns, battery use, and long-term battery health.
• Low current draw of less than 4 mA with the backlight off keeps the monitor suitable for continuous battery monitoring.

Electrical and system integration

The BMV-700 is a good match for boats where battery confidence matters, such as cruising sailboats, fishing boats with electronics loads, and powerboats running refrigeration, lighting, pumps, or inverters from a house bank. It gives a more useful picture than voltage alone, especially when loads and charging sources change throughout the day.

The VE.Direct port allows the monitor to connect into compatible Victron systems. App-based monitoring can be added with a VE.Direct Bluetooth Smart dongle, which is not the same as built-in Bluetooth and should be planned as an additional accessory when phone or tablet setup is required.

Installation and mounting

The monitor uses a flush-mount head unit and places all main electrical connections at the quick-connect PCB on the shunt. The shunt is installed in the battery negative path, while the display connects to the shunt with the supplied RJ12 cable. This layout keeps the display wiring straightforward and puts the heavy-current measurement point close to the battery bank.

The head unit body measures 52 mm in diameter and 31 mm deep, with a 69 x 69 mm front bezel available for a square display appearance. Because the head unit is IP55 and not intended for outdoor use, the mounting location should be sheltered from direct spray, standing water, and aggressive cleaning.

Use on board

On a cruising boat or fishing boat, this monitor helps the skipper understand how long the house bank can support onboard loads before charging is needed. It is also useful after adding solar, a larger inverter, refrigeration, or new electronics, because it shows the real effect of those loads on battery capacity rather than leaving the crew to guess from voltage alone.

The stored history is helpful during maintenance checks. Deepest discharge, charge and discharge cycles, and usage patterns can point to battery stress, settings that need adjustment, or onboard loads that are using more power than expected.

What’s included

• BMV-700 battery monitor head unit
• 500A/50mV shunt
• 10 m 6-core UTP cable with RJ12 connectors
• Battery positive cable with 1A slow-blow fuse
• Separate front bezel for square or round display appearance
• Rear securing ring
• Front mounting screws