If you're building or upgrading a campervan electrical system, one of the smartest investments you can make is a battery monitor.
Knowing exactly how much power you have left helps you avoid flat batteries, manage your energy usage more efficiently, and get the most from your lithium battery system.
Victron Energy offers several monitoring options, from the simple SmartShunt through to complete system displays like the GX Touch and Ekrano GX. But with so many choices available, it can be difficult to know which is right for your setup.
In this guide we'll explain the differences between each product, who they're designed for, and how to choose the best monitoring solution for your campervan.
Why Do You Need a Battery Monitor?
Many people assume their battery voltage tells them how much power is left.
Unfortunately, it doesn't.
Lithium batteries maintain a fairly constant voltage for most of their discharge cycle, meaning a battery sitting at 13V could be almost full—or nearly empty.
A proper battery monitor measures every amp going in and out of your battery through a precision shunt. This allows it to accurately calculate:
- State of Charge (SOC)
- Time remaining
- Current draw
- Charging current
- Battery voltage
- Historical usage
- Power consumption
This information helps you make informed decisions before your battery becomes dangerously low.
Victron SmartShunt
The SmartShunt is Victron's simplest battery monitor.
Instead of having a display inside your van, everything is viewed through the free VictronConnect app using Bluetooth.
It installs directly onto your battery negative cable and quietly records every amp entering and leaving the battery.
For many campervan owners, it's all they'll ever need.
Best for
- Weekend campers
- DIY conversions
- Smaller electrical systems
- People who prefer using their phone
Key Features
- Bluetooth monitoring
- Accurate battery State of Charge
- Historical battery data
- Simple installation
- No display required
- Compatible with lithium batteries
Victron BMV-712 Smart
The BMV-712 performs almost exactly the same monitoring as the SmartShunt but includes a dedicated display inside your campervan.
This means you can instantly check your battery level without reaching for your phone.
The display is especially useful if multiple people use the van or if you simply prefer having permanent information visible.
The BMV-712 also includes Bluetooth, so you still get full access through the VictronConnect app.
Best for
- Full-time van life
- Larger campervans
- Users wanting an always-visible display
Key Features
- Built-in display
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Battery alarms
- Historical data
- Time remaining calculations
- Battery voltage monitoring
SmartShunt vs BMV-712
Both products monitor your battery in exactly the same way.
The biggest difference is simply how you view the information.
| Feature | SmartShunt | BMV-712 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth App | ✔ | ✔ |
| Physical Display | ✘ | ✔ |
| Battery Monitoring | ✔ | ✔ |
| Installation | Easy | Easy |
| Best For | Phone users | Permanent display |
If you're happy checking your phone, the SmartShunt is excellent value.
If you want battery information visible all the time, the BMV-712 is worth the extra investment.
What Is the GX Touch?
Many people think the GX Touch is another battery monitor.
It isn't.
The GX Touch is simply a touchscreen display.
It needs to be connected to a GX device such as a Cerbo GX.
Think of it like a computer monitor.
Without the computer behind it, it doesn't do anything.
Once connected to a Cerbo GX, it provides a clear touchscreen interface showing all the information from your electrical system.
What Can a GX Touch Display?
When paired with a Cerbo GX, the GX Touch can display:
- Battery State of Charge
- Solar production
- Inverter status
- Shore power
- DC loads
- Tank levels
- Temperature sensors
- Generator control
- Battery charging history
It effectively becomes the dashboard for your entire electrical system.
Ekrano GX
The Ekrano GX combines a GX device and touchscreen display into one unit.
Rather than purchasing a Cerbo GX and a separate GX Touch, the Ekrano integrates everything together.
It becomes the central hub of your Victron electrical system.
Every compatible Victron device communicates with the Ekrano, giving you one place to monitor and control everything.
This is the premium monitoring solution for serious campervan builds.
Ideal for
- Full off-grid campervans
- Larger electrical systems
- High-power inverter installations
- Solar-heavy setups
- Customers wanting complete system control
Features
- Built-in touchscreen
- Complete system monitoring
- Remote monitoring via VRM
- Inverter control
- Solar monitoring
- Tank monitoring
- Temperature monitoring
- Generator integration
- Firmware updates
- Advanced diagnostics
SmartShunt vs BMV-712 vs Ekrano GX
| Feature | SmartShunt | BMV-712 | Ekrano GX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Monitoring | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Physical Display | Phone | Round Gauge | Built-in Touchscreen |
| Solar Monitoring | Limited | Limited | ✔ |
| Inverter Control | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
| Tank Monitoring | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
| Remote Monitoring | Limited | Limited | ✔ |
| Best For | Simple systems | Medium systems | Complete electrical systems |
Which Victron Battery Monitor Should You Choose?
Choose the SmartShunt if...
- You mainly monitor your battery from your phone.
- You want excellent value for money.
- Your electrical system is relatively simple.
- You don't need a permanent display.
Choose the BMV-712 if...
- You want battery information visible at all times.
- More than one person uses the van.
- You prefer a traditional dashboard display.
- You still want Bluetooth monitoring.
Choose an Ekrano GX if...
- You have multiple Victron devices.
- You want complete control of your electrical system.
- You run solar, an inverter, battery charger and DC-DC charger.
- You want remote monitoring through Victron VRM.
- You want one screen showing everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the SmartShunt as accurate as the BMV-712?
Yes. Both use the same shunt technology and provide the same battery measurements. The only real difference is that the BMV-712 includes a physical display.
Does the GX Touch monitor my battery?
No. The GX Touch is only a touchscreen display. It needs a compatible GX device, such as a Cerbo GX, to display battery and system information.
Is the Ekrano GX worth it?
If you have a larger campervan electrical system with solar, an inverter, battery charger and multiple Victron devices, the Ekrano GX offers the most complete monitoring solution available.
Can I add a SmartShunt later?
Yes. Many campervan owners start with a SmartShunt and later upgrade to a GX-based system as their electrical setup grows.
Shop Genuine Victron Monitoring Solutions at Nomadic Leisure
Whether you're fitting your first leisure battery or building a fully off-grid electrical system, choosing the right monitoring equipment makes managing your power far easier.
At Nomadic Leisure, we stock genuine Victron Energy monitoring products, including the SmartShunt, BMV-712 Smart, GX Touch displays and Ekrano GX, all backed by knowledgeable UK-based support to help you choose the right solution for your campervan.
