I have a Major Tech MTD75T. It is extremely plasticky, but since I’m not a sparky who drops the thing off a ladder every second day that is fine. They are between R1200 and R1500 depending on deals and where you buy.
But the Uni-T @Deon_in_ZA mentioned is IMHO a much better option. I just couldn’t find one at a good price at the time.
Toptronic (apologies not Major tech) imports and co-brands the Brymen meters. Absolutely second to none quality. Voltex, Hellermann Tytron and on Takelot! Worthwile to look at them.
Groetnis
I will be putting the battery through its first test this weekend.
The Bluetooth model is great (apart from it having Bluetooth) as it goes into a type of battery saving/sleep mode after a certain amount of non activity/load which I’m told the non BT model doesn’t do.
To wake it up, just press the power button on the battery which then also lights up the SOC led indicator.
Hello @Swartkat ,
so I read from the beginning and here we are 9 months later.
I would just like to know how did it go with Bluenova and CTEK 250S as I am in the same boat and don’t think that I would like to change to SE model if there is no need?
Did it work ok? Is it charging, etc?
Checking the pricing of the small 7Ah drop-in replacement batts I find Bluenova prices way above other offerings. I presume they think they are the market leader with the finest product. This I doubt since when one opens them they are using the same cells as the others. (And again there is a Chinese company cobbling these batteries together for who knows how many companies and printing that company’s name on the battery)
Hi Bobby,
Its been a looooong while since I’ve been on this forum, sorry. I will make it a regular occurance now!
As I told TTT the other day, since my Victron system became operational (after a few issues from my own stupidity had been sorted thanks to help from this forum), I’ve never had to come here again - everything just works!
The Blue Nova battery with my 250S has been performing flawlessly. No need to get the later model. I use a cheap R300 Pep Stores phone for the sole purpose to monitor cells, SOC, incoming charge etc. It is mounted permanently in the vehicle.
Very happy!
Hi @Swartkat,
Apologies for raising the topic again. Are you still happy with your CTEK 250S and the Blue Nova lithium?
I also have a 250S and I have just bought a Linergy LiFePo4 to replace my tired 9yr old Discover 115Ah AGM. Would rather stick with the 250S for now if there are no issues.
Couldn’t be happier. I works at least once every two months when we’re camping and it performs all the way.
Both the Ctek D250S and the Blue Nova are proper kit and they work well together.
Tip. Get yourself a cheap R300 special Pep Stores phone and mount this permanently in your vehicle on power as a monitoring device. Because this is the only gripe I have with the Nova - it allows only one BT connection.
Oh and make sure your battery box is easily accessible as the Nova goes into sleep mode if there is no current draw from it after about 2 weeks. I leave some LED lights on permanently to keep this from happening.
But if it happens, there is a wake/startup button on the battery which you need to press which could be a schlep if the battery is in a box and secured with straps etc.
Oh yes and the only other thing which I’ve noticed (although only once). When charging from the alternator, it did also only once go into sleep mode. I suspect maybe from “over charging” or something. Probably because the D250S does not have the exact algorithm/profile to keep a full battery happy.
So I start with a full battery when we go camping but I disconnect the charger when driving. Upon arrival at the campsite I deploy the solar panels and let them do the work. Then depending on how well they managed, I may connect the charger again when driving back, sometimes not.
Thanks Swartkat.
You want one of these.
Mmm, at close to R6k that might have to wait a few Christmases
The older models are a bit more affordable (around 68 EUR for the 12/12-9A). The Orion XS has VE.Direct comms, Bluetooth, a 50A rating, and is fully integrated with DVCC on your Cerbo. So probably more aimed at boat- and camper installations.
How are you finding this battery - price wise it looks great AND with Bluuetooth.
Can I ask what you paid and where you purchased?
Still early days, only took delivery last week. Got it from Livestainable for R5799
It seems identical to the Blue Nova, just different stickers. However, I do have a couple of concerns:
When I charged it for the first time on Friday it gave a cell overvoltage protection alarm a few times - the one cell voltage was a lot higher than the others
I’ve been running my National Luna fridge since Friday as a test and it has given a few discharge over-temperature alarms over the few days. Max draw is only about 4A.
Has a slight bulge on the bottom of the casing.
I am not sure if it may be an indication of a dud cell or night but it seems to be discharging OK and all cells are in balance. I’ll probably start a new thread here and ask the LiFePo4 fundi’s what they think. Will also log a call with Livestainable and see what their feedback is.
I was keen on this deal as well BUT will now wait a bit…
The joy’s of having Bluetooth access to the BMS… without it I would have been blissfully unaware and just carried on without a care 
.
This does use a JBD BMS (from your screenshots), so that would be a large difference to the Blue Nova. The JBD is a nice BMS from my experience. It has a feature where you can tell it to balance the cells even when it is not charging which you can use the get the battery balanced before using it. So charge it till full. Then disconnect the charger and also the load and activate that balance feature and leave it for about 1 or 2 days. Disable that setting when done.
I don’t know the iPhone app that well, but on the Android there are 2 toggles for the balancing. If both are on then you are in this mode. If one is on and the other off it would be the normal mode. I think bedescribed it before somewhere in this forum if you want more details and screenshots.
How is the Linergy going? … It is still in my plan but I’m now waiting a bit
