Victron Energy SmartShunt Battery Monitor (Bluetooth) - Victron Smart Shunt - 6.5V-70V, 500 amp

Although this shunt will work as a standalone monitor this is NOT its intended purpose. Victron system devices are meant to work together. When I bought this I was intending to use this as standalone using Bluetooth for monitoring. Like others have said, the Bluetooth is not great. Not only is the range very short but if you stay connected too long there will be frequent Bluetooth connection "losses". This is quoted because it's not just disconnected but when you try to reconnect the shunt will act as if it's still connected which the only remedy is to pull the small power wire.After a bit of learning more about Victron products, which are the best of the best, I've learned the ve.direct port is where all the magic happens. I already have a Victron SmartSolar 150/60Tr and now this shunt. I like to watch it CONSTANTLY and couldn't keep having to pull power on both the SmartSolar and the Shunt just to get it to continue working after Bluetooth fails. Also to note, when you pull the SmartShunt power to power cycle it it will lose it current SOC reading. It will fix itself once you hit Absorb and Float but that's not always helpful if you're already sitting as a low DOD.The missing magic box for monitoring everything, not just locally but also when away, is the CerboGX. This will allow you to connect the SmartSolar and SmartShunt via ve.direct then you can connect the CerboGX to either WIFI, for away monitoring, or connect to it via Bluetooth, for local monitoring, which seems to have a much more stable connection. Fortunately for me I have a Alcatel 4G router with ethernet port, which the CerboGX also has an ethernet port. Now I have the 4G router running off the LiFePO system and connected to the CerboGX so there's never downtime.The next step was setting up an account in the VRM portal which was insanely easy and now have SO much more details and trend graphs to monitor not only real time but MUCH more such as battery curve on discharge, solar voltage, solar amp, total amps used, battery charge cycles....the list is massive and has everything you could possibly want.Yes the CerboGX is a little costly, which caused much hesitation when initially choosing it, but after getting it and fully setting it up it has been WELL worth every single penny.If you're going to make the investment into the amazing Victron ecosystem it's best to do it the right way. You will not be disappointed and will only want to see just how much more amazing it can get....and Victron devices can expand further than your wildest imagination. I can't express enough just how much I initially wanted to go cheap but let me tell you....you will need to buy more components to any system and Victron makes this near dummy proof. Just read the manuals for each device carefully and don't go over any limits they set.That's all I have for you, happy solar harvesting!!My System:-10x Renogy 100w compact with their tilt brackets (5S2P)-Victron SmartSolar 150/60Tr (yes over-paneled to get to peak charge sooner)-Victron SmartShunt 500a-Victron CerboGX-2x Chins 12v300a (2P for 12v system/ gives me options to go 2S for 24v)-12v1200w Giandel (2400w surge for a few seconds)Considering 24v3000w Giandel and all I'd need to upgrade to a 24v systemthen many fuses and circuit breakers throughoutI know my pictures have a wiring mess but this is only due to not knowing what more I was going to add/change in the system. Once I decide if I'm staying 12v or move to 24v, and get the 24v inverter(they're MUCH bigger but all I need for this change) then I will be changing fuses/breakers and bundling all wires to fit my usually OCD/Perfectionist tendencies. And yes that is a raspberry pi screen I'm using for direct monitor from the CerboGX hahaI also included the VRM (Victron Remote Management) views from PC, 2 darker views, and the one from the mobile device app. Thought that might be helpful in understanding the value of the CerboGX and VRM (which a VRM account is free)

This device works very well. I use it in my traveling van to monitor my LiFePO4 battery bank, as well as the vehicle starter lead-acid battery. It connects quickly via bluetooth, but has a very short range. If I'm standing outside the van, getting a signal is unlikely, unless doors are open. Anywhere inside the van is fine. I had to rewire my system to accommodate the shunt, but it was well worth the effort for me, and if you are starting a build from the beginning, it would be easy to incorporate. I really like having an accurate readout of my battery percentage, voltage and charge rates [in watts and amps]. I also like that it displays the time remaining assuming current usage continues. It has made me feel much more secure when boondocking, knowing that I won'r run out of power. Bottom line: it seems pricey, but it sure works well.

It’s victron what else is there to say. It works great the quality is great it’s easy to use and set up ether Bluetooth or to the cerbo gx

My camper has a Renogy solar charger, a Xantrex inverter/charger, and 300AH of lithium batteries that don't have bluetooth monitoring, so getting a *real* read on battery status or load has been nearly impossible.This device, however, works flawlessly, giving me an independent overall picture, and based on a recent boondocking weekend, is pretty darned accurate.A few *tiny* complaints:- The posts are M10, while everything else I have (batteries, switches, fuses, etc.) are M8. Ended up having to do some rewiring, and with 2/0 wire, that has to be added to the cost of installation.- Could not find the mounting screws, had to supply my own. It's *possible* I just lost them between the time I opened the package and when I installed it that weekend.- Could not find instructions (see above), just a tiny QR code printed on the device.- It came with two wires with battery rings. The instructions seemed to suggest one of those cables should've been a temperature sensor. So I'm not able to use that feature.- iPhone app takes a few seconds to connect to Bluetooth each time.- Like everything else Bluetooth these days, there's no public API so I can connect it to Home Assistant or my own code. Annoying.- Like everything else Bluetooth these days, the device's reach is *far* less than common Bluetooth headphones. I can't monitor the battery from within the cab of my tow vehicle, or more than 10 feet from the camper.- Battery settings in the app were a bit confusing, and didn't match the terms used in the Renogy, Xantrex, or battery manuals.