I am installing a house battery bank on a boat using the newest Victron 24v NG LiFePO4 batteries, Lynx NG BMS, Cerbo GX, Lynx Distributors, a Multiplus Inverter/Charger and a Wakespeed WS500 Pro alternator regulator.
The WS500 claims excellent integration with the Victron systems. I have found several good integration guides and wiring diagrams but am receiving conflicting information about whether or not I need a shunt on the alternator lead. I already have a Victron Smart Shunt at the battery bank with a BMV-712.
Note that I will not be enabling DVCC since I need to sometimes parallel in an older Mastervolt charger in order to speed charging while running the generator at anchor - and the Mastervolt charger has no ‘smart’ communication features to integrate with the Victron components.
So…do I need the additional shunt at the alternator? And if not absolutely necessary does it provide some additional data or features I may find helpful?
With the Lynx NG BMS and batteries you strictly speaking do not need the SmartShunt / BMV on the batteries as the Lynx BMS has a shunt built in. The Cerbo will force DVCC on when connected to the Lynx, however, you can leave the WS500 DVCC off. In your case I would suggest taking your SmartShunt / BMV and setting it to a DC energy meter and swapping it to either measure your additional charger so the Cerbo knows about this or measure the DC system that the Cerbo does not know about.
The WS500 needs an alternator shunt for DVCC to work. Otherwise it only produces the power generated in the alternator which could be useful info. You only need the shunt body which is cheap, the WS500 has all the electronics in. I bought one of these for my WS500 install.