Is a phone thermal camera good enough for checking a Victron system?

DIY
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1

I’m looking at getting a small thermal camera for checking my DC side and inverter setup. Mainly for things like battery terminals, fuses, busbars and cable connections when the system is under load.
I’m currently looking at the Thermal Master P3. It connects to a phone, so it’s much smaller than a dedicated handheld camera.
I’d mainly use it around the BMS, DC connections and MPPT to check for unusual hot spots. For anyone here who uses thermal cameras for this kind of work, is a phone-connected one good enough, or is it worth going for a proper handheld camera?
I’m mostly interested in finding loose or high-resistance connections before they become a bigger problem, especially when the system is running at a higher SOC.

2

Seems like a decent choice. I haven’t used one personally. But have used a few different phone ones.

Good testing procedure is important. For example under full load and I do know that if you don’t know about surface emissivity etc the numbers can be confusing to DIY users.

So having the tool and knowing how to use it and what the images and readings mean is also as important as the tool choice itself.

In all honesty I have diagnosed more through a good visual check for the basics such as clamping on insulation and good lug checking.
It’s no good owning the thermal camera if you didn’t spring for a decent lug crimper…

3

Thanks! I’ve been using a TEMCo lug crimper and it’s been pretty good so far. I’m thinking about getting a thermal camera because I’ve seen some thermal images here that were really clear.

4

I have a FLIR pro (iphone edition). Is perfect for the job.

5

An IR camera is a very useful tool and reveals things and problems that you probably wouldn’t otherwise find.

When I built my system about four years ago, I bought a Guide MobIR Air, and I’m still very pleased with it.

It is perfectly sufficient to detect a difference of 10°K between two terminals to have an indication that something is wrong.

6

I have the Thermal Master P1 and I have found it good enough for DIY installation checking, Lithium Install on a boat with Victron NG batteries, Lynx BMS, Lynx distributor, Class T fuses etc.