Installing a Victron Battery Monitor

Red_Rover · July 2023

I have a 2017 320. I am interested in monitoring the battery for state of charge and the time remaining on the charge. Has anyone installed a Victron battery monitor in the battery/propane compartment? It looks like the metal plate on the front of the camper would be a good spot. I am not sure.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/zi/ngwozr2zyfqz.png

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/2y/8naksub91rtt.jpg

Marceline · July 2023

There are two versions of the SmartShunt. The less expensive version (IP21: 500A) is absolutely not waterproof. If you install it on that wall, chances are it will get wet from either water running down the leading edge of the camper or water splashing up from below it. I installed mine inside the plastic box that encloses my battery.

The newest version (IP65: 500A) is "water resistant" which is still not technically waterproof.

Personally, I'd try to figure out a way to install it in a waterproof enclosure.

Victron website

VictoriaP · July 2023

When I installed my shunt, I opted for an electrical box off Amazon, two Blue Sea mini bus bars, and a bit of industrial velcro beneath that holds the electrical box to the top of the battery box. No water issues. A velcro strap holds it closed while giving me easy access to everything in case something fails. And the whole thing is easy to remove when the time comes to replace the battery.

(Yes, there’s currently red electrical tape on the trailer negative cable, was unable to find the black among my tools at that time. Need to fix that!)

Red_Rover · July 2023

Wow, that is pretty cool. I see that your container enclosure is made out of steel. You can see that I have the fiberglass standard enclosure. Who did you buy your enclosure from?

pthomas745 · July 2023

There are several threads that show various boxes that can protect the Shunt or other controllers, etc. For a long while, my shunt was wrapped in a plastic bag until I figured out what to do. (Doesn't rain much here!)

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/11099/lion-lithium-batteries-added-smartshunt-installation/p1

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/7836/battery-monitor-victron-bmv-712-installed/p1

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

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/13186/battery-monitor-and-solar-panel-wiring/p1

VictoriaP · July 2023

Red_Rover said:

Wow, that is pretty cool. I see that your container enclosure is made out of steel. You can see that I have the fiberglass standard enclosure. Who did you buy your enclosure from?

The aluminum diamond plate propane tub is standard on Boondock models; pictured is the pre-2021 version. Post 2021, the shape is a little different. You can buy them from any Tab dealer.

The black battery box & white electrical box are both plastic.

BrianZ · July 2023

@Red_Rover,
One of the links above shows my victron shunt box installation in the tub. I later added a second similar box for bus bars, to clean up all the wires going into the battery box..
https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/106983
Everything still works great, and as noted in my writeups, I also used a waterproof coating on the shunt electronics to help protect from water vapor condensation.

ChanW · July 2023

I followed @BrianZ's lead, with the handy junction box in the tub, for our shunt.
We have the older model battery monitor with the display, so I also put that display in a waterproof box, and left it in the tub (not much need for it with the Bluetooth phone app).

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/cp/88dp4hr8saqw.jpg

Denny16 · July 2023

Nice nice job Chan, looks like a very neat install.

webers3 · July 2023

Here it is in my 2017 320, installed on the AmperTime battery, works great

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