Battery Monitor Setup

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Battery Monitor Setup

A properly installed battery monitor is the most important instrument in your system. Select your model below to get started.

SmartShunt 500A
BMV-712
1

Install the Shunt on the Negative Bus

The SmartShunt must be installed on the main negative cable between the battery bank and everything else. All negative loads and chargers must pass through the shunt — otherwise the monitor won’t see those currents and readings will be inaccurate.

One cable rule: The only wire allowed on the battery’s negative terminal (before the shunt) is the shunt’s own large cable. All other negatives connect to the load side of the shunt.
2

Connect the Sense Wire

The SmartShunt has a small positive sense wire (red, with inline fuse). Connect this to the battery positive terminal. This powers the shunt’s electronics and allows it to monitor battery voltage as well as current.

3

Configure via Victron Connect

Open the Victron Connect app and tap your SmartShunt from the Bluetooth device list. Set your battery capacity (Ah), charge efficiency factor (typically 99% for LiFePO4), and the charged voltage threshold for your battery type.

Synchronization: The shunt syncs (resets to 100%) when the battery voltage holds above the charged voltage threshold for a set time. Set this 0.1–0.2V below your charger’s float voltage.
4

Connect to Cerbo GX via VE.Direct

Connect the SmartShunt to your Cerbo GX using a VE.Direct cable. It will appear as the battery monitor in the Cerbo’s system overview and on VRM — showing state of charge, voltage, current, and time remaining.

1

Install the Shunt (Same as SmartShunt)

The BMV-712 uses the same 500A shunt on the main negative cable. All negative connections from loads and chargers must connect to the load side of the shunt — not directly to the battery negative terminal.

One cable rule: Only the shunt’s large negative cable connects directly to the battery negative terminal. Everything else goes to the other side of the shunt.
2

Wire the Display Unit

Connect the BMV-712 display unit to the shunt via the supplied RJ12 cable. Mount the display where you’ll naturally glance — at the helm, at the chart table, or near the main panel. The display powers on automatically once the sense wire is connected.

3

Configure Battery Capacity & Settings

In the BMV-712 menu (hold the right button to enter setup) or via the Victron Connect app over Bluetooth, set your battery bank capacity in Ah, the charged voltage threshold, and the charge efficiency factor (99% for LiFePO4).

4

Connect to Cerbo GX via VE.Direct

Use a VE.Direct cable from the BMV-712 shunt (not the display unit) to a VE.Direct port on your Cerbo GX. The BMV data will appear in the Cerbo’s system overview and on VRM.

Readings look off after install?

Shunt placement and synchronisation trips up a lot of people. We’re happy to help you dial it in.

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