Question on Installing a BMV-700 in a T@B 400

[Deleted User]

Hi, I installed one of these battery monitors on my 320, but the battery configuration and inverter on the 400 look a bit more complicated than on the 320.  I'm a bit nervous.  BUT, my actual question (at this point) is if that phone type cable can be shortened and the clippy end thing reattached?  I guess shorter ones can be easily purchased.  I only need about 3-4 feet MAX length on that as I'm installing the display right beside my inverter outlet near the stove.  I hate to have the extra weight/and space of that big cord that I don't need.

Any other install tips are much appreciated specifically on the 400. I found a couple of related threads that I'm trying to follow, but I will be open to any other lessons learned. 

Thanks!

Sharon_is_SAM

The cord is rather long, but it can be coiled up and secured with a zip tie.  The PKYS website that sells these says it is a standard phone cord, so try a shorter one.  I do not think they sell a shorter cable.  

Do you have the single battery or the 6 v batteries?

[Deleted User]

I have the two 6 volt batteries under that black cover thing under the bed.  The battery cables are coming out the side of the cover. Now that you mention it, I might have a shorter phone cable somewhere from the "old days" haha

[Deleted User]

I actually found the exact same cord (4') when I got home from work in my drawer of cables, cords, and adapters I have been randomly stowing away for many years......i always look at that mess and think I want to throw this all out but what if I need something in here someday...hence the cord hoarding issue....well it finally paid off! I will continue to not throw things away! Haha

MuttonChops

TabbyShack said:

. . . if that phone type cable can be shortened and the clippy end thing reattached?  I guess shorter ones can be easily purchased.  I only need about 3-4 feet MAX length

I just installed a basic (China) AHr Meter that uses a 50A Shunt on my 320S.  Communication is wireless. Still need to see how well the unit works and if I like the present display location . . . all in all not bad for $30 . . .
Do know the display will be an issue at night, no display off mode, time for a cover addition.

USB cord is for DC power only

TabbyShack said:

. . . hate to have the extra weight/and space of that big cord that I don't need.

LOL  . . . . any extra cord will weigh far, far less then a single Beer in the Fridge

pthomas745

I tossed all my old phone cords a few months ago...and sure enough I wanted a shorter one too!  Bought these from Amazon and they work fine.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M0GCXA4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Deleted User]

I actually realized I didnt have the right cable afterall, so I will order this one from Amazon right now!! Thanks

jameskuzman

Any standard RJ-11 (telephone) cable will work if you have one or want to source out a shorter one. The weight savings will be in the fractions of an ounce, so there’s no reason to do it for that reason alone. You could coil the excess, taking care not to kink or bend the cable or make the coil too small, and use a Velcro wire wrap or whatever cable management solution works for your application to keep the excess from cluttering things up. 

[Deleted User]

Thanks James,

I was mostly wanting to avoid having to stow the extra cable, but Pthomas recommended a cable on Amazon and that is coming today.  I got the display installed just now, so next is the battery connections.  I wasnt feeling super confident about what goes where, so I'm going to study it more before I start phase two.  

I'm confused by the distribution box! I've been studying two photos I found here on the forum but still not sure since I have something extra that I dont see in the photos. I think it's a small breaker box.  If I can figure out how to downsize photos I will post a pic of my set up under there to see if anyone can give me some pointers. I'm also trying to figure out where to attach the ring end of the skinny red power cable.  I already got a 12" battery cable so I know I needed that. 

I installed this exact same monitor in my 320 but it didnt have nearly the stuff I see in the 400. I might have bit off more than I can chew!

Sharon_is_SAM

Ignore the charger wires on this diagram.  Attach the thin, red power cable to the positive terminal of the battery that leads to the cut off switch.  In this picture, it would attach to the same positive terminal as the red wire.  

[Deleted User]

The challenge for me though is I cant see the actual batteries. There is a 4 gauge red wire and a 4 gauge white wire coming out the side of the plastic black cover.  The wires go into a square distribution box. I will attach a link to the photo with the cover off the distro box.

https://s.amsu.ng/5jzx4zMc0DmN
https://s.amsu.ng/8vJQiGQUk2NN
https://s.amsu.ng/35bn8nzLssyN

I havent mounted the shunt yet, it's just sitting on the floor. I have a hard plastic protector box for it too.

Sharon_is_SAM

Check out this discussion of wiring the shunt in a 2019 400.  It may help.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/8438/shunt-location-2019-tab-400

[Deleted User]

Thanks!

[Deleted User]

So.....do only negative battery cables hook to the shunt?  (Not counting the thin red wire)

Sharon_is_SAM

Yes.  The tray cable from the negative battery terminal  to the shunt, then the negative lead from the shunt to the junction box.