Installing a Victron battery monitor

[sam]

I just completed installing a Victron 602 battery monitor. Very easy and straightforward. Everything except two screws needed to mount the shunt comes with the kit. I ordered it from Peter Kennedy (good price, in stock, and immediate shipment).
The negative lead from my house bank was sufficiently long that I just cut it and added two lugs and all worked fine.
I mounted it in the side wall to the right as you enter the aft cabin(two cabin model). This worked well as it places it at a convenient viewing height and there was a plate on the ceiling over the engine compartment (above the shelf in the stateroom) that gave access to route the cable down into and through the engine compartment).I placed the shunt on the aft wall of the battery compartment. I am now gaining insight to the various loads and amp hours consumed. Interestingly, the amp readout on the VDO panel is not that different from the Victron. Nice to have all the data to see what is going on, as this boat is rather heavy on electrical usage.
Pix later after I dowload them to the computer.

[Mike Brown]

Sam I just ordered the 600 single bank model. I'm thinking I'll install it somewhere near the battery switches. I'm interested in knowing the particulars when Im out on the hook on batteries alone. It will be good to compare notes with you.
Mike

[CAN DRAC]

We use a Xantrex 2 batttery monitor and the first thing that's obvious is that the digital volt meter that comes with the boat always gives lower readings than the battery monitor, which is installed next to the battery switches. The reason seems to be the size of cable (too small) that Beneteau uses for the digital panel. Oh well. We only trust the battery monitor now...

[Mike Brown]

Franc do you have any pics of where you installed the monitor? I'd like to place mine in the same area.

[CAN DRAC]

Here you go. Easiest installation (no wires running out of the battery compartment) but a bit uncomfortable to read, as I always have to bend down to press the button. Hey... gotta get some exercise at sea somehow! :-)

[Mike Brown]

Franc, thanks for the picture. Once the Victron arrives I'll check to see if I can place it in a similiar loacation.
Mike

[sam]

Pix of my recent Victron installation and Balmar external voltage regulator.

[sam]

one more picture

[Mike Brown]

Sam, thanks for the pictures. Between your's and Franc's it give me an idea where I can place mine. I just called Jamestown today for an ETA and it looks like I'll get it next week. They're back ordered from the manufacturer.
Mike

[Scott Fratcher]

Great update. Have you considered a second alternator so you can charge at over 200 amps?

http://www.yachtwork.com/alternator.html

They were desigend for the Beneteau series.

Regards
Scott

[Mike Brown]

Based on the kind of cruisng we do it's doubtful we'll need that kind of power generation. Once I monitor the batteries for a while I'll know for sure. In the mean time I'm sticking with the stock 80 amp alternator. Thanks for the link.