Victron Energy SmartShunt Battery Monitor, IP65, Bluetooth, VE.Direct

Overview

The Victron Energy SmartShunt IP65 is a battery monitor with an IP65 potted enclosure for checking battery voltage, current, state of charge and time-to-go without adding a separate display at the helm or electrical panel. Readout and setup are handled through the VictronConnect app over Bluetooth, with VE.Direct available for connection into a GX-based Victron system.

The range covers 300A, 500A, 1000A and 2000A shunt sizes and works across a 6.5-70 Vdc supply range, which suits common 12V, 24V, 36V and 48V DC battery systems on board. It also supports battery banks from 1-9999 Ah, so the monitor can be configured to match anything from a smaller house bank to a large inverter bank.

The IP65 construction makes this version a better fit for damp marine electrical spaces such as lockers, lazarettes and protected equipment areas where condensation or spray may be present. It should still be mounted clear of standing water, with terminals kept protected from loose conductive debris and accidental contact.

Key features

• IP65 potted enclosure helps protect the electronics in damp boat spaces where spray, washdown moisture or condensation may be part of normal use.
• Measures battery voltage and current, then calculates state of charge, time-to-go and historical data such as charge cycles and deepest discharge.
• Bluetooth connection to the VictronConnect app lets a phone or tablet act as the display, keeping the installation free from an extra panel cutout.
• VE.Direct communication port allows connection to a GX device for local system viewing and VRM remote monitoring when the required cable or interface is added.
• Auxiliary input can monitor a second battery voltage, a battery bank midpoint or battery temperature when used with the optional temperature sensor.
• 6.5-70 Vdc supply range supports typical 12V, 24V, 36V and 48V DC electrical systems.
• Current measurement accuracy of ±0.4% and voltage measurement accuracy of ±0.3% help give dependable battery information for charging and load decisions.
• Available in 300A, 500A, 1000A and 2000A versions so the shunt rating can be matched to the battery bank, inverter size and expected DC current.

Variants

The SmartShunt IP65 is offered in four current ratings. Each version uses the same app-based monitoring platform, IP65 potted protection, VE.Direct communication port, 6.5-70 Vdc supply range and auxiliary input functions.

The current rating, body size and shunt connection hardware change by variant. The 300A model uses M8 shunt bolts, while the 500A, 1000A and 2000A models use M10 shunt connection bolts.

• SHU065130050 - 300A current rating. This is the smallest option in the IP65 range, with M8 shunt bolts and a 44 x 120 x 38 mm body for lower-current battery banks and DC systems with limited mounting space.
• SHU065150050 - 500A current rating. This version uses M10 shunt connections while staying at 46 x 120 x 54 mm, a practical size for many house battery installations.
• SHU065210050 - 1000A current rating. This option is for higher-current DC systems where larger inverter loads or charge sources require more shunt capacity, with a 68 x 168 x 75 mm body.
• SHU065220050 - 2000A current rating. This is the highest-current version in the IP65 range, using a 68 x 168 x 100 mm body for very large DC current paths.

Installation and setup

The shunt mounts to a hard surface using the holes in its base. In a typical battery monitor installation, the battery negative connects to the battery side of the shunt, while all DC loads, chargers, inverters, solar chargers and other charge sources connect on the load side. Any negative connection that bypasses the shunt will not be counted, which can make the state-of-charge reading inaccurate.

After wiring, the monitor is configured in VictronConnect. Key setup items include battery capacity, charged voltage, state-of-charge synchronization and the function of the auxiliary input when it is used. Lead-acid and lithium banks can both be monitored, but lithium installations should have the charge efficiency, Peukert exponent, tail current and discharge floor settings reviewed during commissioning.

Electrical and system integration

The SmartShunt IP65 can work as a standalone battery monitor through Bluetooth, or as part of a larger Victron system through VE.Direct and a GX device such as a Cerbo GX. With GX integration, battery information can be shown locally on the system display and made available remotely through VRM when the rest of the system is configured for it.

The auxiliary input is useful on boats with a separate start battery, a series battery bank where midpoint monitoring matters, or an installation where battery temperature should be added with the optional sensor. The monitor can also be configured as a DC energy meter for a specific circuit or device, such as an alternator, wind generator, hydro generator or high-current load.

Use on board

This monitor makes sense on cruising boats, fishing boats and onboard power systems where battery state matters for refrigeration, navigation electronics, pumps, inverters and charging sources. It is especially useful when the owner wants clear battery data without installing a dedicated display in a visible panel location.