Battery Monitor Installation Question

[cpaharley2008]

Did you ask Escape? They may be able to run the wires while in production for ease of install later?

[padlin]

It may have changed, but 2 years ago I had to send eti the cables to run, they did not provide them.

[fudge_brownie]

Like Bob, the folks at Escape would not install my Trimetric. However, they will run the wiring harness during their build process. I purchased the harness from WeGo on Vancouver Island and had it shipped to Escape. I never paid for the harness as it was on on my invoice from Escape. I just looked it up and I purchased the entire kit from WeGo, the harness, meter and 500 mA shunt.. After delivery I installed the Trimetric in less than 30 minutes and then spent the better part of three days figuring out how to program the thing.

[cpaharley2008]

Yes, I had installed 2 Trimetric meters on prior units, never really took advantage of all the features, all the settings would change after unplugging and storage. I can see it's value on a boat or a motor home that is in constant use, but I'm not missing it.

[stephen99]

Originally Posted by DonF

After reading that the shunt should be installed as close to the battery as possible, I chose to mount it on the battery case with 3M tape. I figured there was plenty of ventilation since the batteries are not in an enclosed box and corrosion won't be a problem; time will tell. I replaced the ETI cable between the battery posts with 4 gauge cable, the same size as cable from the inverter as well as using 4 gauge to connect from the shunt to the battery post. My local NAPA store cut the cables to the length I asked for as well as crimping on the end connectors to the cables.
Attachment 5924

I tried my local NAPA store and they don't make cables to length so I guess I need to order online. I am leaning toward the Victron battery monitor which has a bluetooth device so you can check numbers from your cell phone. I believe I need a 3/8" ring lug on the shunt end and 4 gauge wire but what about the battery end of the cable? Would that also be a 3/8" ring lug?

[fudge_brownie]

Yes, I tried my local auto supply stores for custom length cables and could not find one who did them. We have a chain called Batteries Plus, they might be a choice. I ended up purchasing from Amazon.

[Vermilye]

A good source for custom cables (as well as other electrical supplies) is GenuineDealZ. They will provide what ever length & ends you want, well crimped & covered with heat shrink.

As to cable size, it depends on the the size of your inverter. I have a 1000 watt inverter & the specifications for the Xantrex ProWatt SW 1000 call for #0 wire. Oversized for the maximum current draw of the inverter (around 100 amps at full load) but the larger cable helps prevent the inverter from alarming or shutting down from low voltage due to drop over the wiring.

[stephen99]

Originally Posted by Vermilye

A good source for custom cables (as well as other electrical supplies) is GenuineDealZ. They will provide what ever length & ends you want, well crimped & covered with heat shrink.

As to cable size, it depends on the the size of your inverter. I have a 1000 watt inverter & the specifications for the Xantrex ProWatt SW 1000 call for #0 wire. Oversized for the maximum current draw of the inverter (around 100 amps at full load) but the larger cable helps prevent the inverter from alarming or shutting down from low voltage due to drop over the wiring.

Thanks, Jon. I will be getting the 1500 watt inverter that ETI offers as an option. No idea of the make or model.