Victron Energy SmartShunt IP21 Battery Monitor, Bluetooth, VE.Direct, 6.5-70VDC

Overview

The Victron Energy SmartShunt IP21 Battery Monitor is a Bluetooth battery monitor that tracks battery state of charge, current, voltage, consumed amp hours, time remaining, and stored history without adding a separate display at the helm or panel. It works from 6.5 to 70 VDC, covers battery capacity settings from 1 to 9999 Ah, and is offered with 300A, 500A, 1000A, and 2000A shunt ratings for different DC system sizes.

On board, this is useful when the battery bank is tucked away in a dry locker, under a berth, or near the DC distribution area and the crew wants clear battery data on a phone or tablet through VictronConnect. The IP21 enclosure belongs in a protected dry location, not a wet bilge, cockpit locker that floods, or any area exposed to washdown spray.

A VE.Direct port lets the SmartShunt feed data to a Victron GX device when a wired path to a larger monitoring system is needed. The auxiliary connection can be configured for second battery voltage, midpoint monitoring, or temperature measurement when the optional temperature sensor is installed.

Key features

• Bluetooth monitoring through VictronConnect, so battery data can be read on a phone or tablet without a separate display head.
• 6.5 to 70 VDC operating range suits common 12V, 24V, and 48V DC battery systems when the installation is wired within the shunt rating.
• Tracks state of charge, voltage, current, consumed amp hours, time to go, and history for day-to-day battery management on board.
• VE.Direct port can connect the monitor to a Victron GX device for system-level monitoring.
• Auxiliary input supports second battery voltage, battery bank midpoint, or temperature monitoring with the optional sensor.
• IP21 protection category requires a dry mounting location, which matters in marine spaces exposed to salt mist, washdown water, or bilge moisture.
• Current measurement accuracy is ±0.4 percent, with voltage measurement accuracy of ±0.3 percent.
• Stores 46 days of trend data for battery voltage, current, state of charge, and the configured auxiliary input.

Variants

This product range is offered in four current ratings. The correct rating depends on the maximum current expected through the main negative battery path, including charging sources, inverter loads, and DC distribution.

Across these IP21 variants, the monitoring functions, supply voltage range, Bluetooth connection, VE.Direct port, IP21 protection category, and auxiliary input remain the same. The current rating, body size, and shunt connection bolt size change by model.

• SHU050130050: Current Rating 300A. This version has a 44 x 120 x 44 mm body with M8 shunt connection bolts, which keeps the footprint small for lower-current DC banks.
• SHU050150050: Current Rating 500A. This version has a 46 x 120 x 54 mm body with M10 shunt connection bolts for installations with higher current cabling.
• SHU050210050: Current Rating 1000A. This version has a 68 x 168 x 75 mm body with M10 shunt connection bolts for larger DC systems and inverter-heavy battery banks.
• SHU050220050: Current Rating 2000A. This version has a 68 x 168 x 100 mm body with M10 shunt connection bolts for very high-current battery installations.

Installation and setup

Mount the SmartShunt on a hard surface in a dry area close to the battery bank, with all loads and charging sources routed through the load side of the shunt. Keeping it close to the battery helps reduce cable length and keeps the measurement point consistent with the main negative battery path.

In saltwater installations, protect the unit from drips, condensation, and spray, and plan the location with Bluetooth range in mind. Metal structures and seawater around the hull can reduce Bluetooth range, so a VE.Direct connection to a GX device or a separate VE.Direct Bluetooth dongle may be useful in difficult mounting locations.

Compatibility and system integration

The monitor works with a wide range of battery chemistries configured in VictronConnect, including Lithium, AGM, and Flooded batteries. It is a strong match for cruising boats, fishing boats, and sailboats that already use Victron charging or monitoring equipment, or for standalone DC systems where amp-hour tracking is needed.

For a full Victron system, the VE.Direct port lets the shunt report data to a GX device and onward to remote monitoring when that system is installed. For simpler boats, Bluetooth app monitoring may be the only display path needed.

Temperature monitoring requires the optional BMV temperature sensor. When that sensor is not installed, the auxiliary input can still be used for second battery voltage or midpoint monitoring, depending on the setup.

What's included

• SmartShunt IP21 battery monitor
• Two 1.5 m red cables with 1 A fuse for positive connection and starter battery or midpoint connection

Maintenance and care

Check the shunt terminals periodically as part of routine DC system inspection, especially on boats with vibration or battery compartments that see salt air. Keep the housing dry and clean, and inspect the fused positive lead during battery service.