Battery Monitor Victron BMV-712 Installed

CST_B320

BrianZ  Thanks for your writeup on installing the Victron BMZ-712.  It was very informative and easy to follow.  I am looking to install a 500A Victron Smartshunt in my 2018 T@B in the battery box.  I really like the black junction box you used in your install.  Can you tell me which one it is and where you bought it? 

Michael49

BrianZ said:

After reviewing other installations of this battery monitor, I wanted to share my method, which adds at least one new option.  

Hi Bryan, 

I apologize for this very basic question but in terms of the shunt one end is connected to the negative terminal of the battery and the other end goes to "all loads and charges in the system". What exactly am I connecting to this end of the shunt? FYI - I have a 2018 400.

Sharon_is_SAM

The wire that exits the shunt gets connected to the ground in the junction box under the front of the trailer.  It is the first terminal on the right.  

https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/1w/ehviu6tm0eiz.jpg

https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/2u/5nxe0b15ew2c.jpg

BrianZ

@CST_B320, it looks like the link in my first message now leads to a box with a cable, but there are several others on Amazon that appear to be the same.  Here's one..
https://www.amazon.com/ABN-Electrical-Connector-Junction-Automotive/dp/B01EO17JBS

I may have had to cut some plastic to remove the terminal bar in the center (I've used a similar type box for bus bars & can't recall which one had a couple screws holding the bar in; the other I had to cut).

BrianZ

@Michael49,
The other shunt terminal (not connected to battery negative) should have connected to it any cables that were previously connected to the battery negative terminal before you added the shunt.  This way, those "loads" (ie, negative cables from trailer, etc, that consume power) will run through the shunt before going to the battery negative, so the shunt can measure all of the currents consumed.  If one of those negative cables comes from a solar panel, then it would be a charging source rather than a load and supplying power. 
I'm not familiar with any wiring that might be unique to the 400, so would have to defer to others, but shunt arrangement is the same principle.

PS:
I should have mentioned that I later added a second box with "bus bars" to hold all the battery cables, which not only cleaned up the tangle of wires on the battery, but also allowed having just a single pair of cables going into the shunt box.  Most of the neg cables from the battery wouldn't even fit the huge lug terminals on the shunt.  See both boxes here..
https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/113817#Comment_113817
(Again, mine is not a 400 model T@B)

CST_B320

@BrianZ Thanks for your quick reply. That absolutely looks like it is the junction box you used.  I can cut out the middle to make it work.  Have a great day! 

BrianZ

You're welcome, @CST_B320.
I just tracked down my original order, which is now showing the same link..
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EO17JBS
Looks like the exact same box, as you said.  Here are the two boxes I used for wiring..

The box at top (online LED store) that I used for bus bars is slightly larger - 1/4" deeper and 1/2" wider.
PS:
I asked about whether they still sell this box I used for bus bars above without cable & they do - see here..
https://www.amazon.com/ask/questions/TxTIYYAUV8TZ03/?source=allQuestionsPage
It will be back soon.
...
Here it is:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EO17JBS

Denny16

If you you want to add a buss bar for the battery negative connections, including the no. 2 wires, consider this, which uses the same 5/16 or 3/8the lug connections as the battery uses:
https://www.amazon.com/Bay-Marine-Supply-Busbar-Complimentary/dp/B075XCLRZ4?th=1

Cheers