Existing reviews
For years we have been running the Redarc BMS 1215 Battery Management System without a problem. Now I have updated to the Manager30 and I have to say, the best just got better.
I have it coupled with a 300amp hour lithium battery and a Redarc Pure Sine Wave Inverter and a couple of roof mounted Solar panels plus a couple of portable solar panels (so I can park in the shade). I never run out of power, and I even run the air conditioner off the battery!!
The 30 amp Redarc BMS unit keeps the battery fully charged from whatever power source is available - 240 volt mains, 240 volt generator, 12 volt from the vehicle and solar (usually just the last two).
The cost is only a fraction of what it would cost to get a comparable system which involves several separate components from different manufacturers - a DC to DC charger, AC to DC charger, Solar Regulator, Battery Isolator and battery monitor. On component that does the work of several and with backup support and service unmatched.
It was not a hard choice. Obviously I like them. Happy to talk to anyone that wants more info, but the team at Redarc are the best to talk to.
Garry Davis 0413 211194
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Date:
8/06/2016 11:02 AM
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(35/2)
Recently purchased. Thanks for a truly excellent product, which sincerely changed our free parking lives.
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Date:
30/06/2016 4:50 PM
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(10/3)
I recently purchased a BMS 1230 unit, at the insistance of a friend who installs them for his customers.
Using his scrap paper, basic diagram & the Redarc instruction manual, I was able to install the unit myself.
This unit has to be the best Australian creation ever ! I hooked it up to 200W solar panels & was stunned with its performance.
Previous Setec ( standard Jayco fitting ) took forever to charge my 100AH Gel battery.
Not only did the REDARC BMS 1230 keep me informed of battery condition, it charged the battery from 50% to full, most mornings, within 4 hrs. The most amazing feature was that it even pumped a charge into the battery on a rainy day.
I have made many changes to my Heritage - none more important than the REDARC.
My advice - Do not go free parking without one of these REDARC Manager systems. I now no longer stress after a night of TV & showers, that the battery is getting closer to flat or dead - Battery power is now a forgotten source of stress
Thanks REDARC for a truly excellent product, which sincerely changed our free parking lives.
THIS IS NEITHER A PAID NOR SOLICITED COMMENT - Just happy to let all fellow Caravanners know of a truly valuable, worth the cost, product - AND - made in Australia.
Am more than happy to talk anybody into one of these units. Feel free to contact me Peter Soane 0401199739
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Date:
1/07/2016 5:04 PM
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(23/3)
My Life Depends on the Reliability of My Vehicle
I'm a photographer. I work to the ethos that the best place to be somewhere is when the conditions are at their worst. So I live in Western Australia and that usually means the height of summer when conditions are at their most brutal.
Up until last October I'd battled away for years. First without any battery management system at all. And then next I played with different isolators and dual battery systems without ever really solving the problems I was having.
Working in the Pilbara and Kimberley in the height of summer places enormous demands on electrical equipment. Fridges are running all the time give or take a few minutes here and there. Solar panel efficiency drops through the floor because of ambient temperatures generally over 40 degrees and sometimes nearly 50.
For many years I'd been chewing through batteries and no-one in the north seemed to truly understand auto-electrical systems of the nature that I needed.
In October last year I travelled to Adelaide to get the problem sorted once and for all. I installed a BMS1230. Two 120 Watt Redarc solar panels to go with another 160 watt panel I had already. Three AGM batteries and a new cranking battery. A Redarc solonoid SBI212. And, a 350 watt Redarc sine wave inverter to go with another 800 watt inverter that I installed.
The system has been brilliant. I can leave the vehicle for a long period of time (which happens with me because I travel frequently for long periods overseas) and then return and the vehicle will start straight away. Previously, no matter what I did, the battery would always be flat.
And I previously kept running into problems because I would find myself parked up out in the bush for three to five days at a time. Then I'd head into town to reprovision and come back to the same spot for another three to five days. This might go on for months at a time. And the car alternator didn't have long enough for me on the road to keep the batteries topped up. It was a nightmare.
Since the electrical fitout the system has been magic.
I'm now running my laptop and charging my camera batteries and running my 60 litre Engel and even my 88 key electronic piano which I play for three or four hours per day when I'm out bush. Batteries remain topped up and I can easily check the state of charge simply by looking at the display panel on the BMS1230.
I went with Redarc's products after considerable research because I need reliability and Redarc's reputation is unsurpassed here in Australia. I work in the toughest conditions that this country has to offer and anything that has the ability to bring my vehicle to a standstill in extremely remote areas has the potential to be fatal.
Hugh Brown
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Date:
13/03/2017 7:14 PM
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(13/3)
We have killed our fair share of batteries for a number reasons over the years, and with the pending purchase of a new camper, we wanted to get it right. The manufacturer already uses the Redarc BMS, but we were excited when we heard there was a new BMS out which was compatible with Lithium. Twelve months on and a big trip under our belt, we are really pleased with how it works. You’ve got SOC information at your fingertips, and we find the recharge capabilities from solar or alternator while out on the road are first class - we were receiving some amazing results off the grid.
My Aussie Travel Guide.
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Date:
14/03/2017 11:47 AM
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(8/1)
After looking at many units on the market i bought this unit. After connecting the unit up i had a trigger issue. Rang technical and they could not be more helpful. Thank you keep up the good customer service.
Buying another one for a camper trailer this time.
From:
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Date:
5/04/2017 9:32 AM
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(7/1)
Simply outstanding warranty and customer service from Redarc! I’ve had a BMS1230S2 installed for 2 years and 35,000 klm of flawless performance whilst travelling around Australia. Upon returning home, the 240v charge functionallity stopped working. After a brief diagnosis over the phone, it appeared the unit may have failed internally so Redarc dispatched a replacement unit to me -no questions asked!
Customer service doesn’t get better than that!
BTW, the BMS1230S2 is outstanding, in my case 3x105aH AGM batteries charged from the vehicle, solar or 240v. Never missed a beat and simple to use. Do yourself a favour, buy once, buy the best and forget about battery issues once and for all!
From:
Browndog
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Date:
6/03/2018 2:51 PM
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(8/1)
I have been running the Manager30 in my car for over 18 months now and not once has it skipped a beat. It is hooked up to 2 x 110 AMP lead crystal batteries and our 1000watt Redarc pure swine wave inverter. The ease of use and the control panel which gives you every bit of detail you need to know about what your drawing and charge rates. The fact that it has a simple 240volt charging outlet and that it also has the compatibility to hook your solar panel into to charge your batteries whilst not under way is just awesome! We run multiple lights, 2 fridges, and other accessories and with the Manager30 we are confident in not running out of power and no warm beers! Highly recommend this product.
From:
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Date:
18/07/2018 5:22 PM
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(5/0)
I’ve used various dual battery systems over the last 25 years, including redarc bcdc and nothing has made my life as a tour company owner easier in that time than installing the 1230s2. The simple display allows any layman to see instantly the state of batteries. And combining solar and ac charging into the unit has been a godsend! I’m about to add a large inverter, and sell my inverter generator because this system works so well. I have flat mounted 600w of solar knowing I’ll loose some for th ease of use and the bms know exactly how to get the best from them
From:
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Date:
15/08/2018 11:55 PM
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(5/1)
Where has this been all of these years!?
The dual battery setup is something i've always loved but its also worried me in the back of my mind. For me it's been a battery tucked away in a dark box in the rear of my car for years, one that is a pain to get to and check everything is in working order and theres plenty of charge.The thought of going to sleep and the battery going flat overnight with your fresh catch of fish in the fridge has always niggled at me.
Where has the Manager 30 been all these years! It has eliminated unneeded stress and on top of this, shown me exactly whats going on in that dark box and what the forecast of the battery also is.
Worth every penny, couldn't be happier!
From:
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Date:
4/09/2018 10:41 AM
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(3/0)
I recently installed the Manager 30 (BMS1230S2) into my converted bus. It's managing and charging 2 x 250Ah batteries through 4 x 200W solar panels, and it works perfectly. The super helpful team at REDARC even helped me improve my electrical layout to improve the Manager 30's algorithm accuracy. Although we haven't hit the road yet, it's been sitting in the sun in Storage mode keeping the batteries conditioned. I'd give 5 stars but I haven't tested thoroughly enough yet. Still, couldn't be happier.
From:
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Date:
14/12/2018 12:27 PM
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(3/0)