I have a two Victron's on my boat and they are amazing. The peace of mind they afford is priceless. Your site is the Top of the Class Jeff. Thanks for sharing this with us.
I enjoyed your clear and concise explanation. I already bought a Victron SmartShunt (not yet installed) and was sill unclear how I could view the battery status. Your video cleared those unknowns nicely. Thanks again for making this video. Kind regards.
Great video! When upgrading to Victron one thing to consider is location of the display. Our CERBO GX display is not visible from the helm, so we installed a battery monitor instead of a smart shunt. That way we had a display at the helm. Cabling the battery monitor to the CERBO was a single VE direct cable.
.... Hi, very informative video. One thing, I think you meant to say: Victron 'BMV 712' and not 'BMV 71 TWELVE' people with poor sight might be asking for the wrong thing.
Questions: I want to use a victron BMV-712 to monitor my starter battery. But the starter battery is capable of 1000amps or more way about the capacity of the chunt that comes with the BMV-712. So my questions are, will that hinder the torque output of my starter motor? Will that burn out the shunt? I really want a BMV-712 with a 2000amp shunt don't i? What I want is that victron dial (the black one) on my dash ANd have full throughput for my starter motor. FYI I also have a 400amp alternator so I'm interested in how mast it charges my starter and the current is uses to do it with. This is why i am wanting such a seemingly absurd setup on my starter battery. Great video Thanks!
You mentioned the difficulty of running a wire, the benefit of using the smart shunt/wireless monitoring and then immediately talked about the Touchscreen. Does this mean the Cerbo and touchscreen will receive the smartshunt data wirelessly?
Good info. My survey guy told me about your site. I’m using a victron blue tooth for charging. And monitoring works good. But I wish I could get a complete monitor system that can give me a text say if batteries are low so my bilge system not in jeopardy. I don’t have a shore power system. I’m strictly solar.
I went with the 1000A Smartshunt over the "traditional" BMS, as i didn't feel like i would need a dedicated display. I was disappointed with the Bluetooth range compared to my other VE products, but that could have been related to my particular installation in a poor environment for RF. Once the Cerbo GX was installed and Smartshunt hardwired in its been great. For the price of $150, I tell everyone that doesn't have one to get one.
Like many boats I have a start bank, house bank, solar and wind gen-each of which is a “source” across a shunt. Can these smart shunts etc discriminate between each source to show states of charge or generation?
You'll need dedicated shunts for each battery bank, and in turn each shunt will provide you the net amps (sum of all loads and charging) going across the shunt.
If one has already installed Victron products with BT built-in but no display (Solar-DC chargers, AC-DC shore power charger & DC-DC B2B charger) and is used to using a smartphone to keep track of those devices - one might as well keep it simple and opt for the Smart Shunt and keep accessing all data on the smartphone...
I went for the smart shunt Jeff, because i saw that i have four 6v deep cycle batts, and also two 12v starter batts with the shunt i can monitor both banks with the same shunt on my phone priceless.
Jeff, I'm looking charge my two batteries from solar, starting battery is charged by an alternator on the engine, I would like this kept toped off with a combiner. Is there one diagram on your site that I should follow. Thank you Mike
Hi Jeff, great video, as always. I'm about to install a new Lithium house bank, dual Quattro inverter-chargers, CerboGx and Touch70, and solar panels with two mppt's, all victron except the batteries. I want to ask about the smart shunt versus bmv712 in a slightly different way. If I choose the smart shunt (with cerbo and Touch70) instead of the bmv712, do I lose any monitoring capability versus the bmv712? Is exactly all of the same data from bmv712 (with its shunt) configuration available with the smartshunt+cerbo+Touch70? If the answer is that the monitoring data is identical, then I realize that what I will lose is the bluetooth broadcasting from the bmv712 display (up in the salon) versus from the cerbo (likely down in the engine room), so maybe I may not get the signal from the flybridge. I'm hoping to not have to mount the bmv712, and also hoping that I can get the data on my Raymarine Axiom. Thanks!
Keith great question, unfortunately never thoroughly compared all the data between each other, therefore don't know. You can definitely integrate the BMV-712 to your Cerbo and also share over NMEA2000 to STNG to your Axiom.
I'm not sure you can get anything from the battery monitor itself. just max / min numbers. If it's connected to a cerbo gx it can record many months onto an SD card, or onto the victron VRM if you have internet.
I fell like the lack of actual "monitoring" of these Victron options is possibly pretty terrible. I've been looking for a monitor, I almost bought the 712 BT a while ago but now that I'm getting ready to buy I'm finding out that the monitoring is only while you have the app open, and it resets when you turn the app off. That makes it impossible to see the history of how your bank is actually operating and the SOC or "fuel gauge like" action of this setup is totally out the window. The smart shunt is the same way, at least that's what I've been seeing on a lot of reviews. If this is really the case lots of people, at least the ones that are paying attention, are going to be pretty upset with the Victron setup. Can you confirm, Jeff? Am I missing something?
This is definitely not true. the SOC will only reset if you disconnect power from the shunt. So it should be wired direct to the battery so it never shuts off from the battery switches. the max / min values in history have to be manually reset. If you are looking for historic graphing, The cerbo with an SD card or online VRM will do that.
If I have a house bank made up of 2, 560 AHr LiFePO battery groupings, each going through a 120 A BMS and these are wired in parallel to give me a total capacity of 1120 AHr. Should I size the shunt for the total battery capacity (1120) or for the allowable draw (240)? Or am I getting something else wrong?
Size the battery monitor shunt for the maximum amperage you'll ever put in or pull out of the battery bank. Make sure the DC wiring also can handle this amperage.
hi Jeff, can I install an SMH connector as a quick service disconnect on my house battery bank? as long as the SMH connector is rated for the load and fused, would this break any ABYC standards?
@@PacificYachtSystems Thanks for the reply Jeff, hope you get time to circle back to this. SMH connectors are heavy duty automotive electrical connectors that manually connect and disconnect without screws or latches. SMH connectors use spring tension (pinching friction) similar to the way a wall outlet pinches the flat plug leads on a household cord, but much heavier duty. Ex. detachable jumper cables on a tow truck (so you don't have to pop your own hood to give someone a jump) or for device switching, my jeep has a fused SMH connector that powers an inverter but I can disconnect the inverter and plug in my winch if / when I need it. Images will come up if you google SMH connector. Curious if there is anything risky or dangerous about using SMH connectors in a marine environment as a quick safety / service disconnect. Essentially it would create a plug point between the boat and battery that would allow you to plug and unplug from DC battery power the same way you plug and unplug from AC shore power. My intention is to minimize the number of times I connect and disconnect my threaded battery terminal connections due to their tendency to strip.
Can the gauge on something like the BMV 712 be mounted where the current voltage meter on my 2005 Bayliner 195 is mounted? I.E. would the Victron gauge be duplicative with the factory volt meter and thus render it unnecessary? (I am also moving from a one to two battery system, so it seems like the factory voltage meter is going to be less useful to me after that conversion is made.) Thank you!
1) Not sure about the fit of the BMV-712, you'll have to check. 2) The BMV-712 provides amps, amp-hour counter, and voltage and should provide way more info then your existing voltmeter.
yes but you need a product like the victron cerbo as well which will connect to the battery monitor, and to the internet on the boat. the victron vrm monitoring is free if you buy their products.
I have a two Victron's on my boat and they are amazing. The peace of mind they afford is priceless. Your site is the Top of the Class Jeff. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Totally agree. Thanks for the comment and for watching. Cheers.
10/10 for clear/articulate presentation, thank you Sir.
Incorporated a Multi plus inverter charger, a Cerbo , a Smart Shunt and. touch 50 for electrical power monitoring. Very satisfied so far.
Thanks for sharing Hank.
The "no display" is a great option. Thanks for discussing the differences.
Glad to help!
I enjoyed your clear and concise explanation. I already bought a Victron SmartShunt (not yet installed) and was sill unclear how I could view the battery status. Your video cleared those unknowns nicely. Thanks again for making this video. Kind regards.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks Jeff. You are looking very trim and fit. Maybe do a video on how you do it! I bet it is hard work. Good job. Keep up the good work.
Much appreciated. Honestly, just focused on staying active, eating better and employing the use of willpower helps. Cheers!
Great video! When upgrading to Victron one thing to consider is location of the display. Our CERBO GX display is not visible from the helm, so we installed a battery monitor instead of a smart shunt. That way we had a display at the helm. Cabling the battery monitor to the CERBO was a single VE direct cable.
Good point.
.... Hi, very informative video. One thing, I think you meant to say: Victron 'BMV 712' and not 'BMV 71 TWELVE' people with poor sight might be asking for the wrong thing.
Questions: I want to use a victron BMV-712 to monitor my starter battery. But the starter battery is capable of 1000amps or more way about the capacity of the chunt that comes with the BMV-712. So my questions are, will that hinder the torque output of my starter motor? Will that burn out the shunt? I really want a BMV-712 with a 2000amp shunt don't i? What I want is that victron dial (the black one) on my dash ANd have full throughput for my starter motor. FYI I also have a 400amp alternator so I'm interested in how mast it charges my starter and the current is uses to do it with. This is why i am wanting such a seemingly absurd setup on my starter battery. Great video Thanks!
Nice information thank you Jeff , Victron have nice components for Any off grid system Boat, RV, House….
Tks.
You mentioned the difficulty of running a wire, the benefit of using the smart shunt/wireless monitoring and then immediately talked about the Touchscreen. Does this mean the Cerbo and touchscreen will receive the smartshunt data wirelessly?
Good info. My survey guy told me about your site. I’m using a victron blue tooth for charging. And monitoring works good. But I wish I could get a complete monitor system that can give me a text say if batteries are low so my bilge system not in jeopardy. I don’t have a shore power system. I’m strictly solar.
Good point, monitoring really helps take the worry away.
What options are there to monitor the battery status remotely via wifi so it can be monitored at another city/location?
I went with the 1000A Smartshunt over the "traditional" BMS, as i didn't feel like i would need a dedicated display. I was disappointed with the Bluetooth range compared to my other VE products, but that could have been related to my particular installation in a poor environment for RF. Once the Cerbo GX was installed and Smartshunt hardwired in its been great. For the price of $150, I tell everyone that doesn't have one to get one.
Thanks for sharing Eric.
So.....
How do you size the shunt (500a, 1000a).
What is the range and dependability of the Bluetooth connection?
Hi George, the shunt should be sized to the maximum load of the battery, typically this the starter circuit, or inverter, or windlass on a boat.
Snappy haircut Jeff, looking sharp ;)
Tks!
Like the new intro. 👍
Glad you like it! Appreciate you watching. Cheers!
Can this be used for a battery that’s 124v?
Like many boats I have a start bank, house bank, solar and wind gen-each of which is a “source” across a shunt. Can these smart shunts etc discriminate between each source to show states of charge or generation?
You'll need dedicated shunts for each battery bank, and in turn each shunt will provide you the net amps (sum of all loads and charging) going across the shunt.
If one has already installed Victron products with BT built-in but no display (Solar-DC chargers, AC-DC shore power charger & DC-DC B2B charger) and is used to using a smartphone to keep track of those devices - one might as well keep it simple and opt for the Smart Shunt and keep accessing all data on the smartphone...
I went for the smart shunt Jeff, because i saw that i have four 6v deep cycle batts, and also two 12v starter batts with the shunt i can monitor both banks with the same shunt on my phone priceless.
Thanks for sharing.
This was so helpful !!!! Thank you !!!!
Glad to help Michael.
Jeff, I'm looking charge my two batteries from solar, starting battery is charged by an alternator on the engine, I would like this kept toped off with a combiner. Is there one diagram on your site that I should follow.
Thank you Mike
Sorry redwood1957, at the moment we don't have such a diagram.
Ok thank you. I'll piece together from your drawings thanks
Hi Jeff, great video, as always. I'm about to install a new Lithium house bank, dual Quattro inverter-chargers, CerboGx and Touch70, and solar panels with two mppt's, all victron except the batteries. I want to ask about the smart shunt versus bmv712 in a slightly different way. If I choose the smart shunt (with cerbo and Touch70) instead of the bmv712, do I lose any monitoring capability versus the bmv712? Is exactly all of the same data from bmv712 (with its shunt) configuration available with the smartshunt+cerbo+Touch70? If the answer is that the monitoring data is identical, then I realize that what I will lose is the bluetooth broadcasting from the bmv712 display (up in the salon) versus from the cerbo (likely down in the engine room), so maybe I may not get the signal from the flybridge. I'm hoping to not have to mount the bmv712, and also hoping that I can get the data on my Raymarine Axiom. Thanks!
Keith great question, unfortunately never thoroughly compared all the data between each other, therefore don't know. You can definitely integrate the BMV-712 to your Cerbo and also share over NMEA2000 to STNG to your Axiom.
how many days of history and can you export the data history to an cvs/excel sheet
I'm not sure you can get anything from the battery monitor itself. just max / min numbers. If it's connected to a cerbo gx it can record many months onto an SD card, or onto the victron VRM if you have internet.
I fell like the lack of actual "monitoring" of these Victron options is possibly pretty terrible. I've been looking for a monitor, I almost bought the 712 BT a while ago but now that I'm getting ready to buy I'm finding out that the monitoring is only while you have the app open, and it resets when you turn the app off. That makes it impossible to see the history of how your bank is actually operating and the SOC or "fuel gauge like" action of this setup is totally out the window. The smart shunt is the same way, at least that's what I've been seeing on a lot of reviews. If this is really the case lots of people, at least the ones that are paying attention, are going to be pretty upset with the Victron setup. Can you confirm, Jeff? Am I missing something?
This is definitely not true. the SOC will only reset if you disconnect power from the shunt. So it should be wired direct to the battery so it never shuts off from the battery switches. the max / min values in history have to be manually reset.
If you are looking for historic graphing, The cerbo with an SD card or online VRM will do that.
If I have a house bank made up of 2, 560 AHr LiFePO battery groupings, each going through a 120 A BMS and these are wired in parallel to give me a total capacity of 1120 AHr. Should I size the shunt for the total battery capacity (1120) or for the allowable draw (240)? Or am I getting something else wrong?
Size the battery monitor shunt for the maximum amperage you'll ever put in or pull out of the battery bank. Make sure the DC wiring also can handle this amperage.
hi Jeff, can I install an SMH connector as a quick service disconnect on my house battery bank? as long as the SMH connector is rated for the load and fused, would this break any ABYC standards?
Pardon my ignorance, what is an SMH connector?
@@PacificYachtSystems Thanks for the reply Jeff, hope you get time to circle back to this. SMH connectors are heavy duty automotive electrical connectors that manually connect and disconnect without screws or latches. SMH connectors use spring tension (pinching friction) similar to the way a wall outlet pinches the flat plug leads on a household cord, but much heavier duty. Ex. detachable jumper cables on a tow truck (so you don't have to pop your own hood to give someone a jump) or for device switching, my jeep has a fused SMH connector that powers an inverter but I can disconnect the inverter and plug in my winch if / when I need it. Images will come up if you google SMH connector. Curious if there is anything risky or dangerous about using SMH connectors in a marine environment as a quick safety / service disconnect. Essentially it would create a plug point between the boat and battery that would allow you to plug and unplug from DC battery power the same way you plug and unplug from AC shore power. My intention is to minimize the number of times I connect and disconnect my threaded battery terminal connections due to their tendency to strip.
Can the gauge on something like the BMV 712 be mounted where the current voltage meter on my 2005 Bayliner 195 is mounted? I.E. would the Victron gauge be duplicative with the factory volt meter and thus render it unnecessary? (I am also moving from a one to two battery system, so it seems like the factory voltage meter is going to be less useful to me after that conversion is made.) Thank you!
1) Not sure about the fit of the BMV-712, you'll have to check.
2) The BMV-712 provides amps, amp-hour counter, and voltage and should provide way more info then your existing voltmeter.
@@PacificYachtSystems Thank you!
Is there a way to monitor them from home using wifi?
yes but you need a product like the victron cerbo as well which will connect to the battery monitor, and to the internet on the boat. the victron vrm monitoring is free if you buy their products.
Victron rocks.
Yep, they are good.
Bmv has much better bluetooth range. Smartshunt loose range quite fast. I have both.
Thanks for sharing, didn't know.
Nice last name.
Ha! I could say the same about you. Thanks for tuning in. Cheers!
Loosing weight? :-)
Definitely been making efforts to prioritize my health. Happy to see that it's been showing. Thanks for the comment.
It is a 7-1-2 NOT a 7-1-12
I have no idea what this guy is saying