Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Shunt Instalation (Read 533 times) previous topic - next topic

Shunt Instalation

I want to add a shunt for a battery monitor.  When I look at my battery busbar it looks like there are 2 negative feeds going out of the bar - how would I set this up?  The selected media item is not currently available.
2009 Nimbus CE
2016 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
 ̷2̷0̷0̷6̷ ̷C̷o̷u̷n̷t̷r̷y̷ ̷C̷o̷a̷c̷h̷ ̷I̷n̷s̷p̷i̷r̷e̷

Re: Shunt Instalation

Reply #1 –
You will want to mount the shunt as close to the neg post takeff of your house bank as you can, per these instructions.  There should be no other leads going to this neg post on your battery, so that all current in and out of your house batteries are measured. Other cables will be attached thru your busbar or directly to the other end of the shunt. What shunt will you be using?  The two neg cables you describe, what do they go to?  A picture of your negative busbar and another of the neg cable attached to your house battery bank would help get you a more detailed answer.

https://youtu.be/tV055vmZgvY
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Shunt Instalation

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Jack Lewis –
You will want to mount the shunt as close to the neg post takeff of your house bank as you can, per these instructions.  There should be no other leads going to this neg post on your battery, so that all current in and out of your house batteries are measured. Other cables will be attached thru your busbar or directly to the other end of the shunt. What shunt will you be using?  The two neg cables you describe, what do they go to?  A picture of your negative busbar and another of the neg cable attached to your house battery bank would help get you a more detailed answer.

https://youtu.be/tV055vmZgvY
The shunt I'm trying to install is Victron Smart Shunt
The busbar is above the batteries and there is a shelf in front of it. There is that wall piece which the 4 negative come up from and two go down but the 2 that go down don't go the to battery area.  They go somewhere behind that panel.

2009 Nimbus CE
2016 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
 ̷2̷0̷0̷6̷ ̷C̷o̷u̷n̷t̷r̷y̷ ̷C̷o̷a̷c̷h̷ ̷I̷n̷s̷p̷i̷r̷e̷

Re: Shunt Instalation

Reply #3 –
I too am intending to install a battery monitor (Magnum) and have to install a shunt as well. As you can see I have a shunt in my system already , and am a little confused as to whether I can utilize the shunt already in service or if I have to install an additional shunt included with the magnum kit.
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Shunt Instalation

Reply #4 –
If you are adding a BMV battery.monitor you need to use the shunt that came with it.  The shunt provides the meter a way to measure power coming out of the batteries.  So to include all power being used the battery side of the shunt should get attached to a cable (maybe cables) coming directly from the negative post on the last battery and before all other negative cables are connected. The output (load) side of the shunt connects to all other negative cables.

You need to look carefully at how your coach is wired to determine the best way for you to do this.  Some coaches have a negavive cable connected to the batteries going to a common negative post behind a protective panel.  Others have that as well a negative cable from the batteries directly to the inverter. 

If there is a shunt there already put the BMV shunt between the battery and the existing shunt. 
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN
 

Re: Shunt Instalation

Reply #5 –
Jim, as Roger said, "If there is a shunt there already put the BMV shunt between the battery and the existing shunt."

If I was installing the Victron Smartshunt I would reread the instructions at least a couple times.  The instructions show one end of the shunt going to the neg inverter/charger and frame ground, with the other end of the shunt going to the neg connection to your house battery bank.  So what you need to do is determine how to place your shunt in that position.  I would use a volt meter to determine what your cables are that are connected to the neg bus bar.  Continuity setting, with audible signal should help let you determine this easily.  I am sending you a personal message should you want to discuss this further by phone.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan