# BMV-712 Smart Shunt Starter Battery Monitor **URL:** \ **Category:** DIY\ **Tags:** smartshunt, orion\_xs, cerbo\_gx, lithium\_battery\ **Created:** [6 April 2025 21:57 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/bmv-712-smart-shunt-starter-battery-monitor/27980 "2025-04-06T21:57:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![economicpygmy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9de0a6/32.png) [@economicpygmy](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/economicpygmy)\ **Post date:** [6 April 2025 21:57 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/bmv-712-smart-shunt-starter-battery-monitor/27980/1 "2025-04-06T21:57:20Z")
712 can monitor the starter battery via aux input. Will I get the same functionality via Cerbo with Orion XS connected? I suppose the question really relates to montoring other batteries using the Cerbo… maybe not possible without something like the Victron Battery Sense. ---
**Author:** ![pwfarnell](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/victron/user_avatar/community.victronenergy.com/pwfarnell/32/2341_2.png) [@pwfarnell](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/pwfarnell)\ **Post date:** [6 April 2025 22:16 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/bmv-712-smart-shunt-starter-battery-monitor/27980/2 "2025-04-06T22:16:08Z")
Not quite sure what you are asking. If you connect an Orion XS between your starter and domestic battery then the Orion XS will provide starter battery voltage. If you have the Cerbo then do not use the battery sense, mixing the Bluetooth VE Smart Network with the wired VE Direct can give erratic results. The Battery Sense does not work with the Cerbo, the Cerbo Bluetooth is for set up not for networking with other devices. ---
**Author:** ![economicpygmy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9de0a6/32.png) [@economicpygmy](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/economicpygmy)\ **Post date:** [6 April 2025 22:40 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/bmv-712-smart-shunt-starter-battery-monitor/27980/3 "2025-04-06T22:40:51Z")
Hi, thanks for the info. Basically I have a 712 but have purchased a new leisure battery that provides battery information direct to a cerbo thus Im wondering if Ill miss anything by not using the 712. The one thing I thought of was the aux input being used to show the starter battery voltage. The Cerbo, Orion XS and battery are all new purchases so trying to make sure I understand what I can ans cant monitor without the smart shunt. ---
**Author:** ![pwfarnell](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/victron/user_avatar/community.victronenergy.com/pwfarnell/32/2341_2.png) [@pwfarnell](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/pwfarnell)\ **Post date:** [7 April 2025 07:45 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/bmv-712-smart-shunt-starter-battery-monitor/27980/4 "2025-04-07T07:45:29Z")
OK, if your new battery has direct comms then you may not need the BMV, but it does depend on your new battery, some cheap ones are less accurate than the BMV.