Hi,
I recently replaced (2) Orion Dc-Dc 30a 12v Isolated chargers with (2) Orion Xs 50a chargers and am very happy with the output.
However, I have a Simarine 300a shunt between my combined chargers (3 solar mppts, 2 orions) and my bus bar.
Since the Orion XS is non-isolated (shares a ground) how do I shunt the output on the negative side?
Thanks,
I am not familiar with the Simarine shunt, but if this were a Victron shunt then the system should work like in the diagram below. I only have my tablet with finger drawing at the moment but it should suffice. The batteries obviously now have a common negative and this could be direct or via ground point, both cases are shown and the shunt goes in the common cable. The balance ground cable goes to the source battery side. The negative charging current flows between the 2 batteries via the shunt.
Hi,
I was finally able to double-check this install and it is done as per your diagram.
The Victron smart shunt is on the “Charged Battery” side and reads the Orion Xs charging correctly.
It’s the Simarine shunt that combines my MPPTS that DO register charging on the Simarine shunt but NOT either of the Orions.
Both banks share a common negative point and a common ground.
This baffles me now!
I’d also like to clear up that the Simarine shunt I am referring to combines the output of multiple charge sources that do register the MPPT current (but not the Orion XS current) from a small negative bus bar that combines negatives TO the Simarine shunt that measures combined input charge TO my main negative bus bar.
From the main negative bus bar I have a ground wire that connects my main negative bus bar to the engine source battery negative (ties them in, no?).
At the negative battery post, there is a connection that goes to my engine, thereby grounding the system.
Is this correct or have I just found a possible double ground connection? hmmmm…
Can tell from the description, a drawing goes a long way to sorting this out, but multiple hull / chassis / negative connections can make for bypass paths.
I’m now suspect it might have to do with the Alternator on my Mercury Verado outboard directly grounded to the engine block.
Still stumped though. Hoping somebody with a similar marine install chimes in.
The issue took me by surprise as soon as I swapped an older OrionTr Isolated DCDC Smart chargers (30amp) for the newer Orion XS (50 amp, non-isolated).
@pwfarnell 's first diagramm looks good, but I’m afraid you connected the other charge sources directly to the battery, not to the load side of the shunt ?
To add some more detail to this install and hopefully clear things up…
I have a Victron Smart Shunt at the negative to the LiFePO4 battery bank that registers the Orion XS current correctly.
I have another Simarine shunt for measuring the collective current of my chargers (3-MPPT, 2-Orion XS).
I can see the MPPT’s registering current but NOT the Orion XS.
I can see the Orion XS charging on the Victron app (via bluetooth) as well as on the battery smart shunt - but I can’t get it to read current through the Simarine shunt.
Please post an exakt drawing how the units are connected.
Sorry, not really exhausting as to what is connected where.
The Orion charging current in the negative lead passes through the link between the engine battery and house battery not through the negative Orion lead, this is only a balancing lead making up for the Orion losses or if the voltages are slightly different. The Simarine shunt would need to be in the connection between the batteries, note in ky diagram, the shunt is NOT on the balancing lead, but the connection between batteries.
This post made me realize the fact, thank you.
That explains why I see the Orion Charging current on the Victron Battery Shunt but NOT on the Simarine Solar+Alternator Shunt (my chargers, circled above in my diagram). The Orion XS are non-isolated and the negative terminal just serves to “balance” like you said.
As per your reasoning, I would have to add another shunt on each of the engine battery negatives. This is why when I had an isolated charger, I could see it correctly.
CASE CLOSED, Thank You.
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