new converter/charger and shunt

We would like to upgrade our battery charging system and are looking for suggestions. We boondock a lot and our power needs are moderate to low.  We are able to keep our batteries charged when traveling, but are looking to protect them and fully charge/equalize them when stored at home.

 

We currently have a 2015  model 179 RPod and have the stock WFCO 9855PEC charger.  We added 2 Trojan T-105 6volt golf cart batteries.  We use a Renogy 100 watt solar suitcase system with a Renogy pwm charge controller and also a Honda EU2200 generator. 

 

We are thinking about a Progressive Dynamics converter/charger and a Victron shunt and have just started researching both.  I know there are several options for both devices.

 

One question is which Victron unit to use-either the Smart Shunt or the Victron BV-712.  It seems that the difference is the Smart Shunt has a Bluetooth remote display for your phone whereas the BV-712 has the display adjacent to the battery or can be moved distant but has to be connected by wiring.  The Bluetooth is more expensive, but is it worth the extra cost?  Any suggestions, observations or other makes/models  to choose from would be appreciated.

 

When I open the Wafco converter, I don’t see the actual converter/charging unit, so I assume it is behind the fuse/breaker panel and located on the floor. How much trouble is it to change out the unit?? I recall several forum members doing this and would love to hear their ideas.  I assume that Progressive Dynamics makes a unit that is “plug and play” and a direct replacement. Is that correct? Any specifics I need to look out for?

Another question is whether the Charge Wizard is helpful or needed. From what I can tell from the website, it seems that the Charge Wizard basically tells you what charging cycle is occurring.  Are there other uses or benefits to this additional device?

 

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

Travel safe and often.

 

Vann

When I looked on Amazon it appears than the Victron smart shunt is about $130 and uses only Bluetooth to a phone app. The BMV712 is around $200 and has both an LCD display and bluetooth, so it seems like the Bluetooth only version without a display is cheaper. There's also a BMV700 for $140 with a display but no BT.

Here's a video link.

Victron battery monitors

This is the one I used along with an extension cable so I could put the display where I wanted to:

The smart shunt has an IP21 rating which translates to protection from finger touch and from condensation but not rain or splash protection.So you can put it in your battery box as long as the battery doesn't touch it and the box cover protects it from rain and road splash.

If you're really concerned I guess you could get a little NEMA4x or IP66 rated box and put the shunt in that, but then you'd have to route the battery negative cable through the new box, which in turn is likely to compromise that enclosure's water ingress rating.    

There's nothing worse than a watertight electrical box that leaks around the cable glands and ends up filled up with rainwater or condensation. Happens all the time. Personally, after opening up all kinds of "watertight" boxes over the years while troubleshooting failed solar power systems, and having water run out, I prefer rain shielded self draining NEMA 3R type enclosures, which is pretty much what a plastic battery box is if you drill some weep holes in the bottom.

I'd just put the battery shunt in the battery box, be sure to have some weep holes and the cover on tight, and leave it at that.

Ditto on StephenH and OG. I mounted the shunt for the Renogy 500 in the lid of the battery box and added an additional splash guard I made from an sturdy old food storage container. Also, weep holes in a tongue mounted battery box are a must.