I don't plan on building a van up. However, I did just buy a Unimog with 10-12 years old habitat. I am sure it will ne a "refresh" ( overhaul) as its coming from UK to USA. However, even before purchase I have been watching you and I get smarter all the time. I read you name and I swear I grow new brain cells!
Can I use just a smart shunt in existing system with flooded batteries and no Other Victron Equipment or must I get the Cerbo GX also to get smart phone info?
Hey there, yes you can definitely use the SmartShunt as a standalone item with no other Victron equipment, and it will work for flooded batteries. To be clear you do not need the Cerbo and can read it with your smartphone using the VictronConnect app. Hope that helps, thanks for tuning in!
Why is the bluetooth so crappy in the non screen shunts? I have to stop my car, and walk to the back if I want to connect to it. Might as well not have BT in.
If you add the temperature sensor onto the smart shunt, will it allow for the charging sources to enable temperature compensated charging? Is LiPo4 as sensitive to temperature variation as wet lead is??
Great video. How can I use the smart shunt with a 36v battery bank (3@12v Lithium 56ah) for use with a trolling motor setup? I plan on using one smart shunt for cranking/house battery. Would I need a 2nd shunt for trolling motor bank? Thanks
It has an aux connection so you can the voltage only for a second battery bank. It was designed to give you complete data on the house bank and the general voltage for your starting battery. Nothing beats Victron just definitely get the waterproof version for marine use, the salt air alone will ruin the original version over time.
My battery box is under the stairs of the motor home. Basically, a steel box with only a hole or two for the power cables. Would the blue tooth signal be able to escape from the box and reach my phone, and if so, to what distance? Thanks for the video information.
The signal is extremely weak. I have mine in the plastic battery box on the tongue of my trailer, and I have to be sitting in on the master bed, (within about 5 feet of the shunt), in order to connect to it from inside. Bluetooth is already not the best for getting a signal through barriers or over moderate distances, but Victron's implementation of it is particularly poor IMHO. I'd look at just finding another brand that just has its own standalone wired display, if I had it to do over. For how much they charge for their products, I haven't been too impressed with Victron. Unless you're a youtube "influencer" and getting all of their gear sponsored for you for free, Victron products just don't justify the cost.
Thanks for the good tutotiral. What do you mean by Starter Battery? I'm building a home backup Solar Generator with 12V LiFePo batteries in parallel (qty 4).
I'm referring to the engine starter battery for vehicle-based power systems. In this case you won't have that so you could monitor something else or just turn the auxiliary input setting to "none." Hope that helps, thanks for tuning in.
Hi John, more amps means more power. Multiply the amp capacity of the shunt, by your battery voltage, and you get the watts. So the larger models will allow more watts of power to flow through them. The 500A model x 12V = 6000 watts. At 24V it's 12,000 watts, 48V is 24,000 watts. Way more power than need in my van systems. I would use the 1000 or 2000 amp models for systems in buildings. Hope that helps, thanks for your comments-
There are different amperages available, but choosing a larger size would be based on your loads, not the batteries. You would be looking at how many amps your loads need to operate.
Setting the Battery SOC on reset to "keep SOC" is okay but if the line fuse blows, the SOC won't change and you'll get false readings. If set to "Zero", the display will show dashes until power is resumed.
I hope they used an upgraded Bluetooth module with the new shunt, the range with the original is terrible. If you buy the $50 dongle (more money), it greatly improves the bluetooth range.
Man, I am so happy to hear someone else say this. I couldn't get my shut to speak with the charge controller unless they were super close to each other over bluetooth. They're both now kind of tucked into the same cabinet in our camper trailer but it's pretty hard to get a signal from the shut. Might have to look into that dongle. I've heard the shunt + BMV has better bluetooth too. I'd probably go that version in future.
I can't get it to connect sitting in my truck driver seat without the dongle, with the dongle, I can connect sitting in my house on the lazy boy 20 yards away. @@andrewford80
@andrewford80 Mine wouldn't connect sitting in my truck hooked to the RV. Put the dongle in, now I can connect from my house living room over 20 yards away. Victron cheeped out on the shunt Bluetooth module to sell you the dongle.
I second this, someone please test and compare the Bluetooth range on both, hopefully the new version isn't even worse now that it's more sealed up! Please brother test the range, it's the #1 most common complaint on the VE Smart Shunt. A well known issue.
Hi, i have an inverter that is powered by a 48v lithium battery but the inverter is unable to read the SOC of the battery due to communication failure. Can a smart shunt help the inverter read SOC of the battery?
Hi Serge, thanks for tuning in. The SmartShunt would be able to track SOC and report it to the end user, but if the inverter is not Victron, then it will not be able to send SOC data to the inverter. Hope that helps, thanks-
A DC current clamp on the output stud is how diagnostics is done. This isn't a permanent install and I'm curious if there is a reliable way to permanently mount a sensor there.
Yes you could set it up as a "DC Power Meter" and put it under the hood. I don't know if it would store the data in that mode, but it would give you a real-time readout.
Hi Victor, thanks for tuning in, great question. I think if it has a state-of-charge readout via Bluetooth as most of them do, I think that is okay. Sometimes it's nice to have one of these meters to give you one state-of-charge number across all batteries if you have 3-4 batteries. A monitor like the SmartShunt will essentially show them as one giant battery. It will also send it's data to an overall system monitor like a Cerbo GX (using a VE. Direct data cable), which the Bluetooth battery signals won't do. I would say the Bluetooth & battery apps are a good baseline, but there are things you can do beyond that if you want more enhanced monitoring. Hope that helps, thanks again for tuning in!
@@jarrodwareham4565I have this problem as well. I have 2 100ah batteries wired in parallel and even though I charge my batteries with solar, the shunt hasn’t ever gone up in SOC percentage.
I don't plan on building a van up. However, I did just buy a Unimog with 10-12 years old habitat. I am sure it will ne a "refresh" ( overhaul) as its coming from UK to USA. However, even before purchase I have been watching you and I get smarter all the time. I read you name and I swear I grow new brain cells!
Hi Luke,
I am a subscriber to your Van Power Method. Thanks for this video, it was helpful. In this video, what Victron MultiPlus II are you using?
Finally a good explanation of the settings. Thank you
Glad that was helpful, thanks for tuning in!
Does the Alarm alert on the auxiliary input as well such as low SOC of the starter battery?
Can you please test the Bluetooth range and post the result in the description?
Can I use just a smart shunt in existing system with flooded batteries and no Other Victron Equipment or must I get the Cerbo GX also to get smart phone info?
Hey there, yes you can definitely use the SmartShunt as a standalone item with no other Victron equipment, and it will work for flooded batteries. To be clear you do not need the Cerbo and can read it with your smartphone using the VictronConnect app. Hope that helps, thanks for tuning in!
Smart shunt is the perfect 1st item to get. I'm switching over everything to VE slowly and the smart shunt is the perfect piece to start with.
Another great explanation video!
Thanks for tuning in Sam! Glad you got something out of it!
Why is the bluetooth so crappy in the non screen shunts? I have to stop my car, and walk to the back if I want to connect to it. Might as well not have BT in.
If you add the temperature sensor onto the smart shunt, will it allow for the charging sources to enable temperature compensated charging? Is LiPo4 as sensitive to temperature variation as wet lead is??
It is HUGELY sensitive to charging at temps at 32 degrees or below, basically you can't do it unless you have a battery with built in heater pad.
Great video. How can I use the smart shunt with a 36v battery bank (3@12v Lithium 56ah) for use with a trolling motor setup? I plan on using one smart shunt for cranking/house battery. Would I need a 2nd shunt for trolling motor bank? Thanks
It has an aux connection so you can the voltage only for a second battery bank. It was designed to give you complete data on the house bank and the general voltage for your starting battery. Nothing beats Victron just definitely get the waterproof version for marine use, the salt air alone will ruin the original version over time.
Does the shunt pass the SOC to a Victron mppt or do you have to pull up the shunt to view it?
My battery box is under the stairs of the motor home. Basically, a steel box with only a hole or two for the power cables. Would the blue tooth signal be able to escape from the box and reach my phone, and if so, to what distance? Thanks for the video information.
The signal is extremely weak. I have mine in the plastic battery box on the tongue of my trailer, and I have to be sitting in on the master bed, (within about 5 feet of the shunt), in order to connect to it from inside.
Bluetooth is already not the best for getting a signal through barriers or over moderate distances, but Victron's implementation of it is particularly poor IMHO.
I'd look at just finding another brand that just has its own standalone wired display, if I had it to do over. For how much they charge for their products, I haven't been too impressed with Victron. Unless you're a youtube "influencer" and getting all of their gear sponsored for you for free, Victron products just don't justify the cost.
Thanks for the good tutotiral. What do you mean by Starter Battery? I'm building a home backup Solar Generator with 12V LiFePo batteries in parallel (qty 4).
I'm referring to the engine starter battery for vehicle-based power systems. In this case you won't have that so you could monitor something else or just turn the auxiliary input setting to "none." Hope that helps, thanks for tuning in.
They have 500A , 1000A & 2000A models, what is the difference between them. Thanks. Great vid as usual.
Hi John, more amps means more power. Multiply the amp capacity of the shunt, by your battery voltage, and you get the watts. So the larger models will allow more watts of power to flow through them. The 500A model x 12V = 6000 watts. At 24V it's 12,000 watts, 48V is 24,000 watts. Way more power than need in my van systems. I would use the 1000 or 2000 amp models for systems in buildings. Hope that helps, thanks for your comments-
Thanks for a great explanatory video. New sub earned.
Thanks for tuning in, glad you got something out of it!
Are there different sizes for different size battery banks?
There are different amperages available, but choosing a larger size would be based on your loads, not the batteries. You would be looking at how many amps your loads need to operate.
Thanks very usefull❤
Setting the Battery SOC on reset to "keep SOC" is okay but if the line fuse blows, the SOC won't change and you'll get false readings. If set to "Zero", the display will show dashes until power is resumed.
Ssturk91 is the building
I hope they used an upgraded Bluetooth module with the new shunt, the range with the original is terrible. If you buy the $50 dongle (more money), it greatly improves the bluetooth range.
Man, I am so happy to hear someone else say this. I couldn't get my shut to speak with the charge controller unless they were super close to each other over bluetooth. They're both now kind of tucked into the same cabinet in our camper trailer but it's pretty hard to get a signal from the shut. Might have to look into that dongle. I've heard the shunt + BMV has better bluetooth too. I'd probably go that version in future.
I can't get it to connect sitting in my truck driver seat without the dongle, with the dongle, I can connect sitting in my house on the lazy boy 20 yards away. @@andrewford80
@andrewford80 Mine wouldn't connect sitting in my truck hooked to the RV. Put the dongle in, now I can connect from my house living room over 20 yards away. Victron cheeped out on the shunt Bluetooth module to sell you the dongle.
I second this, someone please test and compare the Bluetooth range on both, hopefully the new version isn't even worse now that it's more sealed up! Please brother test the range, it's the #1 most common complaint on the VE Smart Shunt. A well known issue.
Orion XS has crazy range too
Good video as always!!
Thank you!
Hi, i have an inverter that is powered by a 48v lithium battery but the inverter is unable to read the SOC of the battery due to communication failure. Can a smart shunt help the inverter read SOC of the battery?
Hi Serge, thanks for tuning in. The SmartShunt would be able to track SOC and report it to the end user, but if the inverter is not Victron, then it will not be able to send SOC data to the inverter. Hope that helps, thanks-
@@rosslukeman i see, thanks a lot for your reply very helpful
Would this be a good choice for a alternator amp meter?
A DC current clamp on the output stud is how diagnostics is done. This isn't a permanent install and I'm curious if there is a reliable way to permanently mount a sensor there.
Yes you could set it up as a "DC Power Meter" and put it under the hood. I don't know if it would store the data in that mode, but it would give you a real-time readout.
If you use a Victron BMS do you still need this device?
Hey John, yes you would need both. They do different things.
what about batteries with bluetooth capable?
Hi Victor, thanks for tuning in, great question. I think if it has a state-of-charge readout via Bluetooth as most of them do, I think that is okay. Sometimes it's nice to have one of these meters to give you one state-of-charge number across all batteries if you have 3-4 batteries. A monitor like the SmartShunt will essentially show them as one giant battery. It will also send it's data to an overall system monitor like a Cerbo GX (using a VE. Direct data cable), which the Bluetooth battery signals won't do. I would say the Bluetooth & battery apps are a good baseline, but there are things you can do beyond that if you want more enhanced monitoring. Hope that helps, thanks again for tuning in!
thanks!
Thanks for watching!
Thanks
Thanks for checking it out David!
Is the IP65 Lithium compatible
Hey there, yes it's easily set up for lithium.
@@rosslukeman how I need to tell my mechanic how to set it up any advice would be great
@@BeachBuoy I would say getting him to read this manual would be the best bet: www.victronenergy.com/media/pg/SmartShunt_IP65/en/index-en.html
@@rosslukemanhow do u connect it to 2 batteries in parallel 1both 120ah lithium bcoz it doesn't seem to be reading properly
@@jarrodwareham4565I have this problem as well. I have 2 100ah batteries wired in parallel and even though I charge my batteries with solar, the shunt hasn’t ever gone up in SOC percentage.
11:30 batteries strung together in parralel
Nope read the manual