Use Epoch V2 460ah internal bms or set up system for Victron management (cerbo, lynx, multiplus)?

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I am replacing Battleborn batteries (don’t ask) with Epoch V2 460ah x2 in my Victron system. System includes Lynx, Cerbo Gx, Multiplus 3000,DC-DC charger. Is it best for battery management to use Epoch internal bms direct connect or rely on Victron battery management? Seems to be some split of opinion.

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This is a heated battery so you should use the battery’s BMS to monitor state of charge unless you turn the heating function off (if that’s possible). The Victron battery monitor won’t be able to tell the difference between charging current flowing into the battery for the purpose of running the heaters vs charging the battery cells.

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Ed has a point, however, what he says is only valid if you have to use the heating a lot. the Victron shunt is definitely more accurate then the internal shunts of whatever which BMS/Batteries. Second; how many times will the heating being used? If often, then the Victron shunt can be inaccurate because of that reason. If almost never, then I’d stick to the Victron monitoring. Last; heating does not consume a lot of power and probably (don’t know where you are located) if needed it’s only needed for a few moments. Then it’s not a lot of Ah……

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Thanks much. Very helpful. Is it possible to do both? Use the Epoch BMS for setting all the charge and monitoring parameters but also the viltron shunt to get more precise measurements on remaining capacity, etc? I will not be using the heating much if at all. We won’t be in cold environments and the heating is for the rare situation where we encounter temperatures requiring heat.

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Put simply, if you regularly charge to 100% SoC then it’s not a big deal.

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Yes, it’s possible. You can use the Epoch as the controlling BMS and use the SmartShunt as the battery monitor. The shunt resistor in the Epoch BMS’s don’t accurately measure currents below 0.4A so if you have small parasitic loads and don’t regularly recharge to 100% then maybe the SmartShunt would work better. If you can charge to 100% once a week then just use the Epoch as the battery monitor.

This discussion is more critical in full-time off-grid living such as cabins and homes when you can’t recharge to 100% for months at a time. That’s where it’s important to use batteries with high-quality BMS’s.

You can always install the SmartShunt if you’re paranoid but don’t enable it as the system battery monitor. Then if you don’t trust the Epoch SoC you can switch over to the SmartShunt. This is what we recommend to customers who buy “value” battery brands.

Good luck!

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Thanks. I already have a lynx smart shunt so no extra installation required. I’m not exactly paranoid; I just would like to have accurate information and have heard that the this might be the best route to achieve a higher level of information on SOC. While not the most expensive, this is the first time that I have heard Epoch described a as value battery brand. In any event, this is not for full time off the grid living in a house so I will address accordingly.

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Epoch is great at social media marketing and have I tested them thoroughly. The V1 elite was terrible. The V2 elite was even worse at first release. After a year on the market they have resolved most of the non-hardware issues in firmware. I think they are fine for the majority of the RV (non full-timers) and marine (inland and coastal) crowd.

I’m sorry for my confusion, but I had in my head that you had a smart shunt. I want to change my advice. I wouldn’t recommend the Lynx Shunt to anyone so in your case I think you would be much better off with the Epoch as your battery monitor. The Lynx Shunt is far and away less accurate.

I think if you are up to date on the EMS and BMS firmware in the Epoch batteries you will be fine.

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Thanks again. I appreciate the time you have taken. I am aware of the software/firmware issues and was under the impression that these had been resolved. Also, credible reviews I have found praise the hardware and construction quality of Epoch. Again, I am looking for off grid reliability and accuracy of information. Long term, credible reviews have rated the epoch as a premium choice. If not Epoch then what?