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09-30-2020, 06:48 PM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
Minnetrista
, MN
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 105
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Amps going out not coming in???
I just installed a Victron voltage meter and it seems to be working well but something isn't adding up. It readily indicates the amps I am using (typically about -1.0 if I'm not using any electrical appliances) When I plug my trailer into shore power the voltage increases and the amps go from negative to positive as the batteries charge. This makes sense to me. But when I attach a battery charger or a solar panel directly to the batteries, the voltage increase (about 14V) but the amps stay negative and don't change (still -1.0). Its as if the battery isn't charging. Can anyone explain this?
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09-30-2020, 07:31 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2012 Avenue Coach
Corpus Christi
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,719
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Did you install the small gauge wire from the shunt to your battery positive terminal?
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09-30-2020, 07:59 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2002 30' Classic S/O
Fleming Island
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,667
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That is normal. The amps are sensed by the shunt. When you connect direct to the batteries, you bypass the shunt. If you want to monitor the current from an external charger it must go through the shunt. Shunts can be connected in the positive or negative battery line. You will have to figure out how to connect your charger (positive or negative cable depending on where the shunt is) to the other (non-battery) side of the shunt.
__________________
“You cannot reason someone out of a position they have not been reasoned into"
Al, K5TAN and Missy, N4RGO WBCCI 1322
2002 Classic 30 Slideout -S/OS #004
2013 Dodge 2500 Laramie 4x4 Megacab Cummins
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09-30-2020, 08:08 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2022 25' Flying Cloud
NCR
, Ontario
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,077
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Al is correct, the shunt measures the current.
As its on the battery, the current is not related to ac current, but it measures the battery dc current
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10-01-2020, 11:44 AM
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#5
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3 Rivet Member
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
Minnetrista
, MN
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 105
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Thank you. If I am charging the batteries directly (by battery charger or a solar collector) is there any way that the Victron will recognize the improved status of the battery?
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10-01-2020, 01:09 PM
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#6
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2 Rivet Member
2017 23' Flying Cloud
Beavercreek
, Ohio
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 69
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Victron battery monitor will only sense the charging current if you connect the charger to the input to the BMS. Otherwise it will not know charging current is coming in. Eventually the batteries will reach a fully charged condition and reset the BMS. All negative inputs to the battery should go through the shunt.
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10-01-2020, 02:09 PM
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#7
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3 Rivet Member
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
Minnetrista
, MN
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 105
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figured it out
I attached the negative alligator clip from the external charge controller to one of the shunts terminals and it all seems to work fine.
thanks again.
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10-01-2020, 03:22 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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It’s probably the ‘load’ side of the shunt. That’s the one that goes to the negative DC buss bar and the body ground of the trailer. That’s the right place!
Hooking it up to that terminal makes the battery charger current pass through the shunt and lets your monitor know something is driving current into the battery.
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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