Choosing a battery monitoring system can be confusing and overwhelming, but it's essential for a well-functioning campervan, especially if you plan to live off-grid. Victron's SmartShunt, Cerbo GX, and GX Touch give you control over energy usage, from basic tracking to complete system integration. In this guide, we explain each device and how to set up your ideal campervan electrics monitoring system.
Why Do You Need to Monitor Your Campervan Batteries?
Without a dependable monitoring system, it's easy to drain your batteries or miss critical insights that could impact your journey. Effective battery monitoring offers peace of mind, helping you stay powered up no matter where you roam.
Battery management basics
Managing your battery's health avoids over-discharge and maximises its lifespan. When batteries discharge too deeply, they degrade quickly. Monitoring lets you keep charge levels within safe limits, extending your battery's usable life.
Good management also helps you avoid wasted power and surprises. Tracking usage lets you better plan your power needs and know when to recharge. Your batteries will last longer, and you always know what to expect.
Benefits of monitoring campervan batteries
Monitoring tools show real-time power use, so you get accurate data on your energy consumption to help you optimise usage, conserve power, and prioritise critical devices when energy is low.
A good monitoring setup also provides alerts. If your battery levels drop too low or exceed safe limits, you'll know immediately, preventing potential damage and downtime. Accurate insights and early warnings ensure your battery performs better and lasts longer.
Common battery monitoring challenges
It's easy to miscalculate power needs without monitoring, leading to dead batteries and system failures. Over-using or undercharging are common mistakes that shorten battery life and disrupt power flow.
Inaccurate usage estimates can also leave you guessing about the remaining charge, especially with multiple devices running. Monitoring avoids these pitfalls by providing precise, real-time data on charge levels and power draw, keeping your power system efficient and reliable.
What is a Victron SmartShunt?
The SmartShunt is a simplified, all-in-one battery monitor. It tracks critical battery data without a display, relying on your smartphone for a streamlined interface. Through the VictronConnect app, the SmartShunt shows your battery's state of charge, time remaining, and historical data like discharge cycles and average consumption. It can also connect to a GX device like the Cerbo GX for expanded system monitoring.
Core Features:
- Measurement accuracy: Tracks battery voltage, current, and state of charge.
- Bluetooth connectivity: Built-in Bluetooth connects you to the VictronConnect app.
- Real-time metrics: Get real-time data on voltage, amperage, temperature, and battery status.
How does the Victron SmartShunt work?
The SmartShunt uses a shunt to measure power flow. This small device sits between the battery and the rest of the system, measuring the current flowing into and out of the battery. It calculates the remaining battery life, effectively serving as a "fuel gauge" for your power needs.
The VictronConnect app lets you view battery stats directly on your smartphone. This app provides:
- A dashboard of real-time data.
- Showing state of charge.
- Remaining battery time.
- Usage trends.
This integration lets you track battery health without extra wiring or displays.
How to install the Victron SmartShunt
- Mount the Smartshunt: Mount the Smartshunt on a fire-resistant board
- Connect battery minus: Attach the negative battery terminal to the "Battery Minus" terminal on the SmartShunt using an M10 bolt. Make sure there are no other connections here to ensure accurate monitoring.
- System minus connection: Attach the system's negative connection (all DC loads, inverters, and chargers) to the "System Minus" terminal on the SmartShunt.
- Connect power: Connect the positive (red) cable from the battery's positive terminal to the Vbatt+ input on the SmartShunt, which powers the device.
- Tighten Connections: Tighten all connections.
- Configure the app: Download the victronConnect app onto your phone.
- Set Battery Connections: Set the smartShunt to work with your specific battery type
Wiring considerations:
Tighten bolts to the recommended torque (21Nm) to ensure secure connections. Avoid placing other connections on the battery minus terminal, as this will disrupt accurate state-of-charge readings.
Configuration tips:
Once installed, open the VictronConnect app to set up the SmartShunt:
- Pairing: Enable Bluetooth on your device, select the SmartShunt in the app, and follow on-screen instructions to connect.
- Setting battery parameters: Enter battery capacity and charge thresholds to ensure accurate monitoring. We recommend configuring alerts and notifications for low states of charge or voltage so you receive real-time warnings when levels are low.
This Victron SmartShunt setup provides comprehensive battery insights, allowing you to control energy usage and help prevent unexpected power loss.
What is the Victron Cerbo GX?
The Victron Cerbo GX is a central hub for managing multiple Victron devices in a campervan electrical setup. It acts as the system's communication centre, linking devices like the SmartShunt, solar controllers, and inverters for enhanced monitoring and control.
Core features:
- Real-time data access: The Cerbo GX provides instant access to energy data, showing real-time voltage, current, and battery status.
- Device integration: Connects seamlessly with other Victron products, such as SmartShunt and solar controllers, to gather and centralise data.
- Support for multiple inputs: The device supports several battery and auxiliary inputs, like temperature and tank sensors, offering comprehensive monitoring beyond just batteries.
How the Victron Cerbo GX enhances battery monitoring
The Cerbo GX continuously monitors the system, alerting users if battery levels exceed preset thresholds. It serves as a "watchdog" for your energy system, notifying you of issues before they become critical to avoid deep discharges or overloads.
With the Victron Remote Management (VRM) portal, the Cerbo GX allows users to check system status from anywhere with internet access. This remote access helps you stay connected to your campervan's power status, even when you're away.
How to install the Victron Cerbo GX
The Cerbo GX requires the SmartShunt for accurate battery health monitoring. This connection allows it to collect precise data on battery status, essential for real-time insights.
- Mount the Cerbo GX: Position the device within the campervan, ensuring wiring accessibility.
- Connect to SmartShunt and other devices: Use the "VE.Direct" and "VE.Can" ports to wire the Cerbo GX to the SmartShunt and other Victron devices, like solar controllers.
After installation, connect your Cerbo GX to the VRM portal. From there, configure alerts and monitor data remotely to maintain optimal battery health from anywhere.
What is the Victron GX Touch?
The Victron GX Touch is a compact, high-resolution touchscreen designed as an intuitive display for the Cerbo GX. It is available in the 5-inch GX Touch 50 and the 7-inch GX Touch 70 and allows users to monitor and adjust settings on their power system with a simple touch interface. It connects directly to the Cerbo GX and offers real-time access to system data without requiring a separate app.
Primary benefits:
- Instant system overview: You can view essential stats like battery health, charge levels, and power consumption, making it easy to track energy usage in real-time.
- Intuitive interface: The touch interface caters to both new users and experienced RV owners, streamlining navigation through menus and data displays.
- Flexible installation options: For those who prefer an in-vehicle display, the GX Touch offers convenient options, including top-mount, wall-mount, and flush-mount installations.
How does the GX Touch work with the Cerbo GX and SmartShunt?
The Cerbo GX gathers and processes data from the SmartShunt and other connected devices, and the GX Touch visually displays this information.
The touchscreen offers an accessible, on-the-go way to interact with the system, ideal for adjustments during travel or in remote locations where you cannot access the VictronConnect app. Having data visually accessible onboard minimises guesswork and increases convenience.
How to install the Victron GX Touch
Both the SmartShunt and Cerbo GX are prerequisites for using the GX Touch. The screen connects to the Cerbo GX with a single cable.
Installing the display:
- Mounting: Position the GX Touch using one of the mounting options provided. Options include top-mount, wall-mount, or flush-mount configurations for a sleek, clean dashboard look.
- Connecting to the Cerbo GX: Plug the display's HDMI and USB connectors into the appropriate ports on the Cerbo GX. Ensure that you power off the Cerbo GX before connecting.
- Configuring display settings: The GX Touch will automatically display the Cerbo GX interface once connected and powered on. Use the settings menu to adjust brightness and set sleep timers as needed for optimal usability in various lighting conditions.
How to Choose the Right Monitoring System for Your Campervan
Selecting the right battery monitoring system depends on your power setup, usage habits, and future needs. Here's how to determine what will work best for your campervan.
Assessing your monitoring needs
The SmartShunt, Cerbo GX, and GX Touch each serve different needs. Start by considering how much data access and control you need:
- Basic monitoring: You can use the SmartShunt without the Cerbo GX and GX Touch for straightforward monitoring. It tracks essential data like battery voltage, current, and state of charge. If you only need this basic information and don't need remote or in-vehicle displays, the SmartShunt is sufficient.
- Advanced monitoring: If your setup includes multiple battery systems, solar, or an inverter, the Cerbo GX centralises monitoring, allowing you to access real-time data remotely through the Victron VRM portal. This option suits users who want to track and control multiple power sources.
- In-vehicle display: The GX Touch, paired with the Cerbo GX, is ideal for an at-a-glance display within the vehicle. It offers an intuitive, touch-based view of system data without needing a phone or app, making it a practical choice for quick checks on the road.
Budget considerations
The SmartShunt is the most affordable and essential of the three devices. Adding the Cerbo GX and GX Touch increases costs and may be overkill in many circumstances. If you only need basic monitoring, the SmartShunt will be all you need, but if your budget allows, the Cerbo GX provides a centralised hub, and the GX Touch enhances in-vehicle convenience.
Installation complexity
The SmartShunt is straightforward to install, while integrating the Cerbo GX and GX Touch adds wiring and setup complexity. Each additional device requires careful positioning and configuration, so consider installation effort when choosing between setups.
Number of appliances and devices
The more devices and appliances you run, the more power management you'll need. For complex setups with multiple high-draw devices (e.g., fridges, inverters, heating systems), consider the Cerbo GX for centralised monitoring.
Battery capacity and type
Advanced monitoring can prevent deep discharges and extend battery life in high-capacity battery banks. Lithium and AGM batteries have different monitoring needs, which the SmartShunt and Cerbo GX can support.
Solar panels
For solar-powered campervan setups, the Cerbo GX offers better integration with solar controllers, letting you track solar input in real-time. If you plan to expand your solar array, the Cerbo GX enables efficient management.
Inverter and charger setup
If you use an inverter or multiple chargers, the Cerbo GX provides a unified view of all power flows, making tracking energy usage and managing charging easier.
How to Future-Proof Your Battery Monitoring System
Starting with the SmartShunt provides a scalable foundation. When your energy needs grow, you can add the Cerbo GX for expanded monitoring or the GX Touch for a visual interface. This modular approach lets you build your system over time as your campervan's power demands increase.
Think about long-term energy goals. Will you add more solar, extra batteries, or an inverter? If so, investing in the Cerbo GX and GX Touch can future-proof your setup and make it easier to manage additional power sources.