Victron BMV-712 Smart w/ bluetooth installation/mounting question on 2020 320-S

Somewherelse

Where to mount monitor and shunt on 2020 T@B 320-S boondock?  The trailer is still at the dealer 5 hours away.  I called after reading this forum and asked for the Victron BMV-712 to be installed.  Seems like a necessary accessory from what I'm reading here.  Dealer said it's bluetooth so they could put the monitor in the propane storage unit in front since I'd see the readings on my phone anyway, that way they would not have to drill any holes. That doesn't sound ideal but I suppose it could work. Where do you typically mount the shunt and the monitor (there are various videos on this with different locations, not T@B specific)?  I'm not physically able to look at the trailer right now so wondering if anyone has done this and has any tips (or links to tips) where I can see the actual install? Just want to make sure it's done right.

jkjenn

Somewherelse said:

The trailer is still at the dealer 5 hours away.  I called after reading this forum and asked for the Victron 512 to be installed.  He said it's bluetooth so they could put it right on top of the battery.  That doesn't sound right. Don't I want the monitor inside?  Where do you typically mount this? I'm not physically able to look at the trailer so wondering if anyone has done this and has a suggestion?

I do not suggest an outdoor installation. I would mount the shunt nside and the monitor to the left of the sink, against the bathroom if I was starting from scratch.

Sharon_is_SAM

BrianZ installed the 712, but the shunt is in the front tub.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/7836/battery-monitor-victron-bmv-712-installed

We have a 2017 CS and had it installed by the factory.  We had a counter installed where the bench used to be in front, so we had them place the monitor on the outside of the shower wall by the SeeLevel monitor.  (See pic)  The factory actually installed the shunt inside the shower wall directly below the montor with access into the wall via the bottom of the cabinet. If you have an S model, Jenn Grover placed hers above the Alde monitor.    

Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Cleveland Heights, Ohio

pthomas745

My monitor is in a waterproof box inside the propane tub.  The bluetooth is all I need, and I wasn't willing to run wires and drill holes.  If the dealer is doing it, I would go for it.

Somewherelse

@pthomas745 I would love to see a photo of that inside the tub if you get a chance.  That would certainly save me a fortune in the dealer installation fees and I am NOT a DIY person....at all.  Where did you put the shunt? Did you mount it to the side of the propane tank? Also, if I change campers someday and the new one doesn't have this either, I'd like to be able to take this with me. 

pthomas745

@Somewherelse The shunt is inside tub, right next to the battery box.  The shunt is inside the waterproof box, and the monitor is inside the box, also.  The box is just a simple "hobby" box with a couple of holes and waterproof grommets for the wire entries and exits.  Here is a thread from a couple of months ago that shows what the shunt looks like and how it is wired to the battery.  I basically just had it inside the tub for a few months wrapped in a plastic bag and covered.  The shunt is very small, about 4 inches long.  The difficult part for me was getting the neutral battery wire inside my hobby box.  Also, I replaced that really long gray telephone cable with a two foot long cable. 

I won't have pictures of the box for a bit, though.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/9100/need-circuit-diagram-for-hooking-up-victron-battery-monitor

As you can see, I'm not much of a DIY person, either, but this was not hard.

The install of the shunt was super easy, also. 

Photomom

pthomas745 said:

@Somewherelse The shunt is inside tub, right next to the battery box.  The shunt is inside the waterproof box, and the monitor is inside the box, also.  The box is just a simple "hobby" box with a couple of holes and waterproof grommets for the wire entries and exits.  Here is a thread from a couple of months ago that shows what the shunt looks like and how it is wired to the battery.  I basically just had it inside the tub for a few months wrapped in a plastic bag and covered.  The shunt is very small, about 4 inches long.  The difficult part for me was getting the neutral battery wire inside my hobby box.  Also, I replaced that really long gray telephone cable with a two foot long cable. 

I won't have pictures of the box for a bit, though.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/9100/need-circuit-diagram-for-hooking-up-victron-battery-monitor

As you can see, I'm not much of a DIY person, either, but this was not hard.

The install of the shunt was super easy, also. 

I’d appreciate seeing pics of your BMV712 and shunt install when you get a chance. I want to install one inside the propane tub as well.

ChanW

I installed our shunt in a weather-proof (ish) box in the tub:

And the monitor is in a waterproof box in the tub, in top of the shunt box:

The whole shebang is a completely different tub arrangement, however. Completely home-made...