Battery Monitor / Shunt or Smart Shunt recommendations?
Posted by fourtwentyone69@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 16 comments
I bought this one off amazon but later read reviews about them getting super hot and starting fires. Any recommendations? Just need a simple one. I have a 30w solar panel, controller, this fuse box and a deep cycle battery. Only using power for a small bilge pump that will barely go off, and boating lights (maybe a small usb charger too).
Let me know if yall have any good Amazon battery monitor suggestions. Trying to be frugal about it but don’t want a cheap fire starter.
Thank in advance!
millijuna@reddit
Victron all the way.
But be forewarned. Their ecosystem is extremely good and addictive. We now have a fully integrated lithium electrical system aboard our 52 year old sailboat, and it all started because our old Xantrex Link20 died.
wkavinsky@reddit
Victron smartshunt.
Not running out of power (or killing your batteries) is worth far, far more than the extra 30 or 40 bucks it'll cost you.
fourtwentyone69@reddit (OP)
Seems like it’s an extra $80 ish but yes I see the concern
light24bulbs@reddit
Why do you need a shunt at all? Can't you just monitor the voltage and have that be enough? That's what I do. I don't need coulomb counting. Lead acid has a fairly obvious voltage curve
fourtwentyone69@reddit (OP)
I guess I don’t need a shunt. Just doing simple solar to a bilge pump and some lights. The engine is outboard and not connected to the system
Fit-Produce-3579@reddit
Victron Smartshunt with Bluetooth and the Victron app is by far the best and simplest - ABYC certified master tech approved.
fourtwentyone69@reddit (OP)
Looks nice but too nice for my setup
Fit-Produce-3579@reddit
If you want to give the one you've got a try, go for it. I find most boat fires are caused by poor maintenance and installation rather than the equipment itself. Make sure your crimps are good, wire size is correct, connections are tight and corrosion free, and your loads are appropriate. You will likely be fine.
Gone2SeaOnACat@reddit
I own a ton of victron gear, but for something like a shunt ona small boat, Victron is way over-priced. The one here are almost any other one is probably fine.
As above commenter said, make sure it is installed correctly. Then test it under typical loads in case it's dodgy. If the unit is dodgy it will most likely showup in your testing. Otherwise, you're good to go. If you start pulling higher loads, such as running an inverter, check the unit under the new load. Common sense stuff, really, you should be fine.
HotMountain9383@reddit
Listen to this guy.
Powerful_Bluebird347@reddit
I have it and very happy with!
Double-Masterpiece72@reddit
This
FarAwaySailor@reddit
Victron Victron Victron
HotMountain9383@reddit
Victron with bluetooth by FAR the best.... seems like I am not the only one saying this.
We LOVE our Victron stuff.
Victron all day long.
whyrumalwaysgone@reddit
Marine electrician here: if you don't want to buy into the Victron ecosystem try a Link monitor.
https://xantrex.com/products/accessories/linklite/
Cheaper than victron, does what you need, they've been making them since the 90s so it's tried and true gear.
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