Victron Energy BMV Battery Monitor (BMV-700, 702, 712 Smart, 700H & 710H Smart)

The Victron BMV-7 series is the precision fuel gauge your battery bank has been missing. Drop in a 500A shunt on the negative terminal, run the included RJ12 cable to a 2-inch dash-mount display, and you get continuous, lab-accurate readings of voltage, current, power, ampere-hours consumed, true state of charge, and time-to-go remaining at the current load.

Seven models share the same hardware platform and accuracy. You choose based on four questions: what is your battery bank voltage (anything up to 60V uses the standard BMVs; 60V to 385V uses the H variants), do you want Bluetooth built in, do you need a second auxiliary input (for a starter battery, temperature sensor, or midpoint voltage), and do you want the housing in standard grey or all black?

Who the BMV is for

• Cruising boats, sailboats, and yachts - know exactly how much house bank you have left before you start the genset or head back to shore.
• RVs, vans, and overlanders - replace the useless three-LED "battery meter" on your panel with a real coulomb-counted state of charge.
• Off-grid cabins, tiny homes, and solar systems - feed accurate SOC data to a Cerbo GX, Ekrano GX, or VRM Portal for full-system visibility.
• Lithium upgrades - the BMV protects an expensive LiFePO4 bank from over-discharge with programmable visual, audible, and relay alarms.
• Electric propulsion and high-voltage DC systems - the BMV-700H and BMV-710H Smart cover 60-385 VDC traction banks for electric boats, EV conversions, and industrial DC systems.
• Installers and electricians - VE.Direct port plugs straight into Victron GX devices, and the shunt scales from 500 A up to 10,000 A.

Why a real shunt-based monitor matters

A voltmeter alone cannot tell you the state of charge of a battery under load. Voltage sags under discharge, recovers when the load drops, and drifts with temperature and age. The BMV solves this by measuring current through a precision 500A/50mV shunt and counting coulombs in and out, then layering Peukert correction and a charge efficiency factor on top.

The result is a state-of-charge readout you can actually trust, plus a time-to-go estimate that updates in real time as your load changes.

What each model gives you

BMV-700 - the workhorse

Single-bank monitor. 6.5 to 95 VDC input range. Display, shunt, cables, and fuse all in the box. Bluetooth is optional via the VE.Direct to Bluetooth Smart dongle (sold separately). Best fit when you have one battery bank and a tight budget.

BMV-702 and BMV-702 BLACK - adds an auxiliary input

Everything in the BMV-700 plus a second input that can be programmed to read one of three things:

• Starter battery voltage - watch your house bank and your starter battery on the same display.
• Battery temperature (optional sensor) - critical for lithium banks and for temperature-compensated lead-acid charging.
• Midpoint voltage - on series-connected banks, midpoint deviation is the earliest warning of a failing cell or a charge imbalance, often weeks before it kills the bank.

The BLACK variant is identical electrically, just finished in matte black instead of grey for darker dash panels.

BMV-712 Smart and BMV-712 BLACK Smart - Bluetooth built in

Everything in the BMV-702 plus integrated Bluetooth. Pair directly to the free VictronConnect app on iOS or Android to read live data, configure every setting, view 46 days of stored trend history, and push firmware updates - no dongle needed. The 712 also draws less than 1 mA with the backlight off (vs. under 4 mA on the 700/702), so it is gentler on a bank that sits idle for long periods.

Available in grey or matte black housing.

BMV-700H - high-voltage workhorse

The 700H is the same precision monitor as the BMV-700, re-ranged for high-voltage DC systems from 60 to 385 VDC. Built for electric propulsion banks, EV conversions, large 96V/144V/240V off-grid arrays, forklift packs, and industrial DC systems where the standard BMVs run out of headroom. No auxiliary input, no built-in Bluetooth (add the VE.Direct to Bluetooth Smart dongle if you want app control).

Important: the high-voltage variants are not galvanically isolated from the shunt, so they are only suitable for systems with a grounded negative.

BMV-710H Smart - high-voltage with Bluetooth

The high-voltage equivalent of the BMV-712 Smart, but without the auxiliary input. Supply range 70 to 350 VDC, integrated Bluetooth for direct VictronConnect app access from your phone or tablet. Same precision shunt, same VE.Direct port for GX integration. Best fit for high-voltage marine electric drives and modern EV/off-grid builds where you want app control without dongles.

Available variants - which one should you pick?

Quick rule of thumb: if your house bank is 48V or smaller and you want everything in one box, go BMV-712 Smart. If you have a 60V bank or want to save money and you already have a Cerbo GX in the system, the BMV-700 or 702 is the value play. For 96V, 144V, 240V, or higher DC systems - electric propulsion, EV conversions, big off-grid arrays - choose the BMV-700H (no Bluetooth) or BMV-710H Smart (Bluetooth built in). Need help deciding? Get a custom quote or call (800) 628-6306.

What you get in the box

• BMV display head (your selected model)
• 500 A / 50 mV current shunt with quick-connect PCB
• 10 meter (33 ft) 6-core UTP cable with RJ12 connectors
• Battery power cable with 1 A slow-blow fuse for the positive connection
• Square front bezel (snap-on, for a square gauge look)
• Rear-mount securing ring and front-mount screws
• Quick start and full installation manuals

You can mount the display in a panel cutout with a 52 mm (2 in) aperture, or in one of Victron's wall enclosures. The square bezel ships in the box so you can match an existing 2-inch instrument panel layout without a separate purchase.

Full technical specifications

Power and inputs

• Supply voltage range: 6.5 - 95 VDC (BMV-700, 702, 702 BLACK), 6.5 - 70 VDC (BMV-712 Smart, 712 BLACK Smart), 60 - 385 VDC (BMV-700H), or 70 - 350 VDC (BMV-710H Smart)
• Current draw, backlight off: < 4 mA (700, 702, 700H, 710H) or < 1 mA (712 Smart)
• Auxiliary input voltage range (702 and 712 only): same as supply range
• High-voltage variants (700H, 710H): not galvanically isolated from shunt - suitable only for systems with grounded negative
• Battery capacity programmable: 1 - 9999 Ah
• Shunt selection: 500 A standard, supports 1000 A, 2000 A, 6000 A, up to 10,000 A
• Operating temperature: -40 to +50 C (-40 to +120 F)
• Optional temperature sensor (P/N ASS000100000) for 702/712 aux input

Measurement resolution and accuracy (with 500 A shunt)

• Current: +/- 0.01 A, accuracy +/- 0.4%
• Voltage: +/- 0.01 V, accuracy +/- 0.3%
• Amp hours: +/- 0.1 Ah
• State of charge: +/- 0.1% (0 to 100%)
• Time to go: +/- 1 minute
• Temperature (702/712 with optional sensor): +/- 1 C / 1 F

Communication and alarms

• VE.Direct communication port (all models)
• Built-in Bluetooth (BMV-712 Smart and 712 BLACK Smart)
• VE.Smart Networking compatible
• Bistable programmable relay: 60V / 1A normally open, function invertible
• Programmable visual and audible alarms
• Common alarms: low SOC, low voltage, high voltage, high temperature, midpoint deviation
• Stored trend data (712 Smart): 46 days of voltage, current, SOC, and aux input

Installation and dimensions

• Installation: flush mount
• Front diameter: 63 mm (2.5 in)
• Square bezel: 69 x 69 mm (2.7 x 2.7 in)
• Body diameter and depth: 52 mm (2.0 in) and 31 mm (1.2 in)
• Cutout: 52 mm (2.0 in) aperture
• Shunt connection bolts: M10 (0.394 in)
• Protection category: IP55 (not for outdoor use)

Standards

• Safety: EN 60335-1
• EMC: EN 55014-1, EN 55014-2
• Automotive: ECE R10-4, EN 50498

Pairing the BMV with the rest of your system

• VE.Direct to Bluetooth Smart dongle - adds VictronConnect Bluetooth to the BMV-700, 702, or 702 BLACK. Note: this occupies the VE.Direct port, so you cannot also wire to a GX device at the same time.
• Cerbo GX or Ekrano GX - centralize BMV data with your inverter/charger, MPPTs, and VRM Portal for full remote monitoring. Up to four BMVs connect directly; more can be added via USB hub.
• 1000 A, 2000 A, or 6000 A shunt - for high-current systems above what the standard 500 A shunt can handle. The quick-connect PCB transfers across.
• Battery Balancer (Victron P/N BMS012201000) - for series-connected lead-acid banks, equalizes state of charge across cells and extends bank life. Use with the BMV-702/712 midpoint voltage alarm.
• Temperature sensor (Victron P/N ASS000100000) - plugs into the aux input on the 702/712 for temperature-compensated charging and lithium safety monitoring.
• Lithium battery banks from Victron, Epoch, and MG Energy Systems pair cleanly with the BMV for accurate SOC.

Installation help

The BMV is one of the easier Victron installs - the shunt goes on the negative side of the battery, all loads and chargers connect to the load side of the shunt, and the RJ12 cable runs to the display. Two free references worth bookmarking before you start:

• Victron Wiring Unlimited - the canonical reference, with a dedicated chapter on battery monitor installation.
• Our AWG to Metric Conversion chart.

If you want a second opinion on shunt placement or VE.Direct routing, our certified technicians do system consultations and full custom quotes. Email support@bluemarine.com or call (800) 628-6306.

Frequently asked questions

Which BMV should I buy for a lithium battery setup?

The BMV-712 Smart is the easiest answer for most lithium installs. Built-in Bluetooth lets you set the correct Peukert exponent (1.05 for LiFePO4), charge efficiency (typically 99%), and tail current right from your phone. The auxiliary input can host a temperature sensor for safer charging. The BMV-702 is the same monitor electrically minus Bluetooth - cheaper if you already have a Cerbo GX in the system.

What is the difference between the BMV-712 Smart and the SmartShunt?

The BMV-712 Smart comes with a dash-mountable display. The SmartShunt is the same internals minus the display - you read everything from VictronConnect over Bluetooth. Choose the BMV if you want a glanceable readout at the helm or dash. Choose the SmartShunt if you only ever check it on your phone or you are reading data through a Cerbo GX.

Can I add Bluetooth to a BMV-700 or BMV-702 later?

Yes. Plug a VE.Direct to Bluetooth Smart dongle into the VE.Direct port and the BMV becomes app-controllable from your phone. Note that the dongle uses the VE.Direct port, so you cannot also wire the BMV to a Cerbo GX through that same port at the same time. If you need both Bluetooth and GX integration, get a BMV-712 Smart.

Do I need the 1000 A, 2000 A, or 6000 A shunt?

Only if your worst-case continuous load (inverter at full power, big DC motors, anchor windlass) exceeds the 500 A rating of the included shunt. For most cruising boats, RVs, and off-grid cabins, the 500 A shunt is plenty. If you are running a 10 kVA inverter on a 12V bank, or a large bow thruster, size up.

What does "midpoint voltage monitoring" do on the BMV-702/712?

On battery banks with two or more batteries connected in series, the BMV measures the voltage at the midpoint of the string and compares it to half of the total. Even a small drift is an early warning that one battery or cell is degrading, and acting on the alarm can save an expensive bank.

Will the BMV work with my 24V, 48V, or higher-voltage system?

Yes. The BMV-700, 702, and 702 BLACK accept 6.5 to 95 VDC, covering 12V, 24V, 36V, 48V, and 60V banks. The BMV-712 Smart and 712 BLACK Smart accept 6.5 to 70 VDC, which is fine for 12V, 24V, and 48V systems. For high-voltage DC systems (96V and up), step up to the BMV-700H (60-385 VDC) or BMV-710H Smart (70-350 VDC).

What is the difference between the BMV-700H and BMV-710H Smart?

Both are high-voltage variants for 60V+ DC systems. The BMV-700H covers 60-385 VDC with no built-in Bluetooth (add the VE.Direct to Bluetooth Smart dongle if you want app control). The BMV-710H Smart covers 70-350 VDC with Bluetooth built in. Neither model has the auxiliary input found on the 702 or 712. Both are not galvanically isolated from the shunt, so they are only suitable for systems with a grounded negative - confirm your system architecture before installing.

What systems are the BMV-700H and BMV-710H Smart designed for?

Anywhere you have a DC battery bank between 60 and 385 volts. Common use cases include marine electric propulsion (high-voltage drive packs), EV conversions, large 96V/144V/240V/300V off-grid solar arrays, industrial backup batteries, forklift packs, and telecom power systems. If you are running a 48V or smaller house bank, you do not need an H variant - stick with the BMV-700, 702, or 712 Smart.

Will the BMV work with my Cerbo GX or Ekrano GX?

Yes. Connect the BMV to the GX via the VE.Direct port using a VE.Direct cable, and the GX will display the BMV data in real time and push it to the free VRM Portal. Up to four BMVs can connect directly; more can be added via a powered USB hub with VE.Direct-to-USB interfaces.

What warranty does the BMV come with?

A 5-year limited warranty from Victron Energy, upgradable to 10 years for an additional 10% of the purchase price. Blue Marine handles the warranty claim process for you. Email support@bluemarine.com.