Battery monitor shunt?

[Shurik]

Hey guys,

I am looking to install battery monitor (Aili). My battery installed in the front of the TT (outside) and electricity panel at the back of the trailer. Occasionally I connect solar panel to the battery.

What will be the good place to install the shunt so it will be easily accessible to connect the solar panel?
Initially I thought to install the shunt in battery compartment, but I agree it is not so good idea.

Thanks

[DavidEM]

If you want the battery monitor to cover ALL DC in or out of your battery, the best place to hook up the shunt is on the negative wire to the battery. This doesn't necessarily have to be in the battery compartment. Often there is a negative/ground terminal near the battery that the battery negative ties to. The shunt could be put near that terminal.

But if the battery compartment has room, near the negative terminal would be the best place to put the shunt.

Why the negative terminal? Usually there are several wires coming off of the positive terminal and you want to capture all current. The negative terminal usually only has one wire so it is the better place to wire the shunt.

David

[TacomaJoe]

I had mine sitting on top of my FLA battery on the tongue and extended the cable to put the display inside. The trick is to get it into the negative before any other connections so it won't miss any current. I've since upgraded to Lithium in an aluminum box on the tongue. Shunt is on top of the battery.

[Shurik]

Yeah, that’s what I was looking to do, but there are a number of small vent holes in battery box, so some moisture is coming in. Not sure how good it is…

I would like to see what are the alternatives where I can install the shunt, with easy solar panel connection.

[DavidEM]

Originally Posted by Shurik

Yeah, that’s what I was looking to do, but there are a number of small vent holes in battery box, so some moisture is coming in. Not sure how good it is…

I would like to see what are the alternatives where I can install the shunt, with easy solar panel connection.

I don't understand why "easy solar panel connection" is an issue with a battery monitor shunt. You should connect it to the negative battery lead to pick up all loads/charging sources in and out of the battery.

Generally shunts are not affected by moisture.

David

[ttavasc]

A small water-resistant plastic electrical box attached to the side of the battery box by the negative connection is a simple way to mitigate the issue. This is how I have the shunt for my VE BMV-712 installed. Simple to do and allows for a single short cable run between the negative connection and the shunt so that you aren't missing any loads.

[Shurik]

Originally Posted by DavidEM

I don't understand why "easy solar panel connection" is an issue with a battery monitor shunt. You should connect it to the negative battery lead to pick up all loads/charging sources in and out of the battery.

Generally shunts are not affected by moisture.

David

It’s not an issue with the shunt. I would like the shunt be easy accessible for the solar panel.
For example if I am going to install the shunt in the electrical panel, I will need some extension cable for the solar panel, right?

[Shurik]

I just went to check the cables around the battery, I see there are positive and negative cables that come from 7 pin connector (two cables on the right, picture below).

The negative/white cable connected to the TT frame, and the second negative cable (on the left) connected to the battery.

In this case, where should I connect the negative cable that comes from the truck, to P- on the shunt? Or it doesn’t matter?

[sahively]

Shurik, I'm a bit confused by what you're describing. The shunt and the solar panel have nothing functionally to do with each other. You can place the shunt wherever you like but every single wire that's currently running to the negative of your battery back has to instead run to the shunt...and then one wire runs from the shunt to the battery bank's negative.

When you stated "I would like the shunt be easy accessible for the solar panel" that doesn't really make sense.

[DavidEM]

Originally Posted by sahively

Shurik, I'm a bit confused by what you're describing. The shunt and the solar panel have nothing functionally to do with each other. You can place the shunt wherever you like but every single wire that's currently running to the negative of your battery back has to instead run to the shunt...and then one wire runs from the shunt to the battery bank's negative.

When you stated "I would like the shunt be easy accessible for the solar panel" that doesn't really make sense.

This has been a difficult thread. The OP doesn’t seem to be in sync with the responders.

David

[Shurik]

Originally Posted by sahively

Shurik, I'm a bit confused by what you're describing. The shunt and the solar panel have nothing functionally to do with each other. You can place the shunt wherever you like but every single wire that's currently running to the negative of your battery back has to instead run to the shunt...and then one wire runs from the shunt to the battery bank's negative.

When you stated "I would like the shunt be easy accessible for the solar panel" that doesn't really make sense.

Right, I think I’ve decided about the solar panel connection.

The only question I have now if I need to run the negative wire from the truck (7 pin connector) to the shunt as well or not?

[sahively]

No. What makes you suspect that you would need to do so? Just curious.

Edit: To clarify, the negative from the truck would tie in with all the other negative connections on the non-battery side of the shunt. Not sure if that's what you mean. I'm still feeling a little out of sync with your questions.

[Shurik]

Originally Posted by sahively

No. What makes you suspect that you would need to do so? Just curious.

Edit: To clarify, the negative from the truck would tie in with all the other negative connections on the non-battery side of the shunt. Not sure if that's what you mean. I'm still feeling a little out of sync with your questions.

Yes, that’s what I meant.
In other words, all wires that connected now to negative side of the battery, will move to non battery side of the shunt.

Thanks for the clarification!

[Marine359]

Originally Posted by Shurik

Hey guys,

I am looking to install battery monitor (Aili). My battery installed in the front of the TT (outside) and electricity panel at the back of the trailer. Occasionally I connect solar panel to the battery.

What will be the good place to install the shunt so it will be easily accessible to connect the solar panel?
Initially I thought to install the shunt in battery compartment, but I agree it is not so good idea.

Thanks

This is being made more complicated than it needs to be. A shunt must be installed between the negative battery terminal and all negative loads. It has nothing to do with the truck, and nothing to do with positive inputs to the battery, like solar.

Step 1: Find the battery (this can be the most challenging part if you drink like me).

Step 2: Remove all cables from the negative battery terminal
Step 3: using a short black battery cable, connect the “battery” side of the shunt (it will be labeled) to the negative battery terminal.
Step 4: connect all negative loads (all the cables that were previously connected to the battery) including the solar negative cable to the “load” side of the shunt (which will also be labeled.
Step 5: connect the small gauge red wire from the shunt to the battery positive terminal.
Step 6: download the shunt app, program for battery type, and initialize the shunt.
Step 7: pop open a beer and sit in the shade. You’re done.
Total elapsed time: 20 minutes.