I have a question about a Victron accessory that I cannot find anything about online.
Attached image shows a product called: “IP65 SmartShunt: Cable wiht electrolytic capacitor for 48V”. Does anyone know what it is and if there’s a manual for it? I don’t understand how and why to install this.
A bit of background (if it interests anyone):
The past month I’ve been dealing with a dead SmartShunt IP65 500A.
The first time I connected it to 48V there were some sparks and it immediately lost power. Cerbo does not see any device.
I sent it for repair and it took over a month (!) and a lot of nagging to get it back. I think they sent me the exact same unit. No information on what was changed or broken.
When connecting to 48V again, the same happened as my initial startup. Sparks when connecting the M8 to 48V and smartshunt is dead again. Cerbo lost connection.
It somehow powers up (lightly) when connecting the VE.direct to one of my Multi RS units, but those cannot communicate via this port. It does allow to connect via bluetooth and read the values, but no Cerbo connection possible
After concluding I have a dead unit again, I noticed the dealer put this strange item in my package between the wrapping paper. Again; no context, no information by mail, nothing.
Since they have proven to be neither helpful nor responsive, I’m hoping someone in the community here can help.
Thanks in advance
I’ll search a bit.
I’m not sure what the picture exactly suggests though; should I cut the red Batt+ wire and connect it to the red cable from the capacitor or what is it saying?
Given that the units seem to die easily, I feel a bit hesitant to start cutting wires and void my warranty.
The SmartShunt line has been having issues on 48vNom systems recently; that part is from Victron to help address the problem and is just a smoothing capacitor to help the SmartShunt survive the connection to a 48vNom system. The manual as such for it is the paper that is in your photo, connect in accordance with the paper - the red wire connects in parallel to the power supply wire, and the black wire connects to the BAT -ve connection
If anyone from Victron is reading this; would appreciate your feedback if there’s a plan to solve the issue structurally.
With the information I just received I don’t feel comfortable anymore to install these 500A shunts at my customers. I normally use them as default on every install and luckily, my own shunt is the only one with issues so far.
Asking installers or customers to cut wires and fiddle a capacitor in between the + and - is not a sustainable solution. Customers can clearly see it’s a workaround and we’d have to explain that we’re installing a product with issues.
I just re-read the Tech Note that was sent out in March regarding this issue and it indicates that this should no longer be an issue as of SN range HQ2616+, which in theory should start becoming available around July of this year, though of course actual availability will vary depending on region and market, but at least there is (in theory) an actual hardware fix imminent.
