Category Archives: 4X4

Cheap Battery Monitors

12 volt, 4X4, battery management system, battery mangement sytem, battery monitor, bluetooth, guide

Introduction

A summary of cheap battery monitors owners can use on their cars or battery boxes.

The original comparison is here (BM2 BLE, Kickass (who now re-badge an AncelBM200) and CTEK).

BM2 BLE (2 models)

The BM2 BLE Battery Monitor works with AGM, Flooded, Gel and Lead-Acid batteries.

A second model works with Lithium batteries (LiFePO4), but it looks the same as the base unit. Only the package labelling tells you which is which. Once out of the packaging both units look identical.

The BLE is widely sold under other names.

Software

The BM2 BLE comes with free software which can monitor 1 battery at once. You can buy third party software which will monitor up to 4 BM2 BLE monitors at once using the Multi-Batt Mon app (iOS only).

Other features

When installed on a car battery, the BLE can also perform a cranking test, an alternator charging test and keep a summary of trips taken.

Data storage

The device stores 30 days of data.

ANCEL BM200 (2 models)

The Ancel BM200 for Lithium Lead-Acid Batteries, including Flooded, AGM, GEL, EFB and LiFePO4.

One BM200 model works with the Ancel BM200 app.

The other model has an almost identical sensor paired with a head unit. However, the sensor has 5 “State of Health” LEDs across the sensor. Ranking the battery’s State of Health from REPLACE to GOOD, mirroring what you see on the head unit screen.

The app BM200 model does NOT work with the monitor with the paired head unit.

Software

The free app model can monitor up to 4 batteries at once.

The second BM200 model only works with the supplied head unit.

Other features

When installed on a car battery, the Ancel BM200 can also perform a cranking test, an alternator charging test and keep a summary of trips taken.

Data storage

The device stores 30 days of data.

ANCEL BM300 and BM300 PRO

There are two models, the Ancel BM300 works with flooded, AGM, Gel and EFB battery types, but NOT lithium.

The Ancel BM300 Pro works with flooded, AGM, Gel, EFB battery types and Lithium batteries. The BM300 Pro supports 6V / 12V / 24V systems.

The BM300 unit is psychically larger than both the Ancel BM200 and BM2 BLE battery monitors.

Ancel claims the BM300 Pro delivers over 99.6% accuracy. The Doc has one under going testing now on a battery box.

Software

The free software can monitor up to 4 batteries at once.

Other features

When installed on a car battery, the Ancel BM300 Pro graphs voltage, state of charge and battery temperature over time. It also has a find your car function and a cranking test.

Data storage

The device stores 72 days of data. The longest time of the models listed here.

SUMMARY

Any of these units do a decent job, acknowledging they are not precise but give a reasonable approximation of the state of charge and overall health of the battery.

The most useful feature, in The Doc’s opinion, is the app’s graphing function which reveals a great deal about the battery and the devices drawing power from it.

Starlink Mini installed

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Starlink bracket
The Doc needs Starlink for The Kimberley trip – many bookings can only be made online and with poor mobile coverage, Starlink will be my only option. How things have changed since my last trip there.

The Doc bought the Smart Touring Systems Starlink MIni Mount bracket (key lockable) here. It was an easy install, less than 5 minutes. It was mounted onto the Rhino Pioneer Platform using M8 bolts with Nord-Lock washers, torqued to 16Nm.

Starlink Mini dish now installed
The Starlink Mini dish is now installed on the Grenadier.

The Mini is secured in a Smart Touring Systems lockable bracket (SMS) on the Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform. The Doc has a SMS voltage booster inside the bracket assembly plugged into the Mini. The power cable feeds into EXT3 on the passenger’s side of the roof (RHD). The cable goes from a Deutsch DT plug on the Mini end to a Deutsch DTP on the rooftop outlet (EXT3).

The SMS bracket allows the Mini to be installed or removed very quickly, in around 1 or 2 minutes. The Doc is making up a cable to plug the Mini into his Lithium powered battery box inside the car when parked overnight, if he needs it.

The Starlink Mini can be used while driving or parked. When parked you need the EXT3 switch turned on as well as the PWR button.

The Doc renamed the Starlink Network name to get rid of “STARLINK”. He Doc usually uses Latin network names to make it obscure, here The Doc used Viva Cristo Rey (which is Spanish rather than Latin).

The hardest part was trying to work out how to put security on the Starlink Mini Wi-Fi connection. Wow what a task that was, for such a simple matter. NOTE: the Starlink Mini must be on, the Starlink app connected so you can get to Settings>Router to set up a password.

Battery box lid gas strut installed

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It was done some time ago, but The Doc forgot to post details to the blog.

A gas strut has been installed on the metal battery box lid in the Grenadier. It is now easy to open and close the heavy metal lid. Real easy, almost weightless.

Only one strut was needed – gassed at 50kg. The Doc decided against a second strut and he wanted the strut mounted on the outside of the box, to keep it away from the aux battery and wiring.

The Doc never knew there was a support to keep the lid up, until the installer showed him. When The Doc picked up the car the dealer had put a plastic tie on the cargo barrier and he used that. Both can be seen in the image below.

Now The Doc can mount small Molle bags on the spare areas of the battery box’s side, not taken by the gas strut.

Towing with the Bilstein B6 shocks & steering damperer

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Equipment

  1. INEOS Grenadier, AU Spec diesel 2 seater utility with drawers, winch and roofrack. Even empty it is on the heavier side.
  2. Vista RV Crossover XLE. Probably around 1,650 kgs, max is 1980kgs.
  3. Allin tow bar with DO35 hitch.
  4. Eibach springs, lift of 35mm.
  5. Polyair Suspension airbags on Grenadier set to 20PSI when not towing, increased to 50PSI when towing. PSI was varied but The Doc settled on 50 PSI. Vista airbags set at 80PSI when towing.
  6. Bilstein B6 struts front and back.
  7. Bilstein steering damperer.
  8. Side fuel tanks on Grenadier filled. Three fuel Jerry cans on the Vista filled.

Observations from recent Melbourne trip (around 3,000km)

The package towed well; on bitumen and some limited dirt driving with minor corrugations. The condition of the bitumen did vary quite a bit in regional areas.

The package was stable, easy to steer and brake. The setting on the throttle controller was set at FACTORY which worked in most cases, but you run out of grunt around 100kph. The car and van compliment each other and tow well together. The van and car share an almost identical profile, so the wind resistance penalty from the van is minimal. OEM side mirrors work well. Fuel consumption varied between 13.7 to 14.9 litres per 100km. The main factor influencing fuel usage was cruising speed. Ad Blue usage was low. You need to drive faster to get the car to shift into  gears 7 and 8, compared to when you are not towing.

The only challenges were:

  1. where the road was made up of patches of bitumen and I needed to slow down, as there was too much feedback through the dampener and suspension;
  2. hitting the expansion joints on bridges, larger potholes and large indentions on the road gave quite a bit of feedback through the steering wheel. More than the OEM damper. Never any suggestion of death wobbles. Issues disappeared once you when over the expansion joint, etc;
  3. no issues with modest corrugated roads. Heavy corrugations still to be tested; and
  4. the only change will be lowing the hitch so the van is level, the hitch sits too high, even though the van handled well on the trip.

Grenadier gets a new skin

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The Grenadier has its new protective skin on the front and sides. Images courtesy of the House of Tint and Paint Protection Film.

The Doc had to quickly drive back to Sydney via Wagga and Dubbo. It was suppose to be a week trip but the fuel crisis prevented that, however a few days in the van has allowed the Doc to do a partial shake down of the van setup.

The average price of diesel is now hitting AUD3 a litre, with petrol not that far behind.

The Kimberley trip is now in doubt. So The Doc is looking at shorter trips instead.

Trav and Trish at House of Tint did and excellent job on both the car and van. The Doc caught up with Rohan from GrenX who also inspected the Grenadier and was impressed with the new film.

Video of the work done on the van and car:

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/14WcMAZyXDY

House of Tint

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The IG and the Vista Crossover RV van have been dropped off at House on Tint in Melbourne for PPF film protection.

The van was picked up from storage in Dubbo, then driven to a mate’s farm in Wagga Wagga for a few days. The Doc was sleeping in the van and setting it up, at least partially setting it up.

Then on to Melbourne to House of Tint. He could not find a place to park the van so had to use a road side stop on the Hume Highway. Not exactly a quite location.

The Grenadier is being worked on now and should be finished Friday. Then they will start on the van.

The Doc is also trying different tracking software and made this lousy video of the trip.

Grenadier build – Starlink bracket

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The Doc needs Starlink for The Kimberley trip in 2026 – many bookings can only be made online and with poor mobile coverage, so Starlink will be his only option. How things have changed since his last trip there.

The Doc bought the Smart Touring Systems Starlink MIni Mount bracket (key lockable) here. It was an easy install, less than 5 minutes. It was mounted onto the Rhino Pioneer Platform using four M8 bolts with Nord-Lock washers, torqued to 16Nm.

The Doc is waiting for some narrow split tubing so he can protect the Starlink cable and it will be plugged into a rooftop outlet (front passenger side outlet).

The Doc will also have the option to run a power cable from my 125Ah Lithium Battery Box if the power drain is too much when camping. He can also plug it into the Vista RV van. Viva Cristo Rey:\.


Grenadier build – iCheck TPMS for car and van

12 volt, 4X4, Australia, ,

The Doc installed the iCheckTPMS sensors to test (car only). He is testing it before upcoming trips. It allows him to monitor the car’s spare tyre and also the tyres on the Vista RV Crossover van, including the van’s spare. It monitors tyre pressure and tyre temperatures.

It worked straight away. No hassles.

The Doc may also add in the van hub temp sensors. You just need to buy the hub sensors.

The Doc will be using the system when he goes on The Kimberley later in 2026. Anytime The Doc changes the tyres up and down, the benchmark pressure on the sensor resets and allows 25% PSI increase before the alarm sounds, or 15% down. The Doc wishes the IG TPMS system worked the same way!

The Doc will ignore the IG tyre sensors when he needs to often change pressures on the trip across bitumen, gravel, sand and corrugations.

This video show you how easy it is to set up and use, plus its features. It is an all wireless setup. The Doc bought an 8 sensor kit. Viva Cristo Rey:

Quick trip to Dubbo

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The Doc will head off to Melbourne in early March for work on the car and van. He had a quick trip to Dubbo over the last couple of days to help prep the van.

Some exploring was done on the way back visiting places like Kandos and Rylstone near Wollemi National Park. Plus using the back roads from Ilford down to the Great Western Highway east of Bathurst, dropping into places like Ilford, Wattle Flats, Sofala and Yarras.

There is still work to do to get the van ready, as the Melbourne trip is vital prep for the Kimberley trip – hopefully later this year.

GrenX Accessory Rail

12 volt, 4X4, Aussie made, Australia, guide, ,

In preparation for the Kimberley trip (hopefully) later this year.

Working from the right side of the GrenX Rail, The Doc a GME UHF Mic holder on the angle side. He can move the UHF hand-piece across from the passenger side holder, when offroad.

The Doc dissembled the GME Mic Holder (Model MB207), drilled a hole in the back plate, inserted a stainless steel 1/4 inch 20 UNC bolt through the hole, reassembled the Mic holder. He put double sided tape on the back and then screwed the ¼ inch 20UNC bolt into the GrenX Rail. The allen key was inserted through the opening in the GME Mic Holder. The idea was from Rohan at @GrenX. The Doc did buy 1/2 20UNC bolts but they did not fit into the Mic Mount. The 1/4 bolts fitted perfectly.

Next is the Garmin GPS Tracker.

Far left is the holder for the caravan reversing camera screen, not currently mounted. This reversing camera and the Garmin use RAM Mounts.

Pictures below show the Mic piece moved from the passenger side holder to driver’s side holder.