T&T: Battery monitor

[Chuck and Susan]

Steve, The amp rating is designed and should be sized based on the maximum
amperage that might go through the shut if everything were on and functioning.
For that you would need to calculate the potential amperage based on
everything connected to it. 500 amps is a lot, but don't confuse it with the
amp hours for your battery bank or amp hours used. This would not affect the
size of the shunt. Hope this helps a bit. Chuck

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--- On Sat, 3/28/09, StWillett at aol.com <StWillett at aol.com> wrote:




I am getting ready to order a Xantrex Linklite battery monitor, I'll  be
connecting it to the main bank which is 2 8D batteries serving house and main 
engine start functions. since it can monitor 2 banks I'll hook it up to the 
generator start battery also.
The unit comes with a 500 amp shunt, I see other shunt capacities are 
available. I am not sure how the 500 amp rating is determined or if the 500 
amp
size supplied will be ok for my application.   I am not on the  boat now so
don't
know the exact ratings of the 8D's.  The product   description mentions " a
new shunt selection is available to
 measure currents up  to 1000 amps
respectively"
When the 8 D's die I 'll probably go to golfcart batteries and add a 
separate main engine start battery (group 31 size) which I will then monitor 
instead
of the genset battery.
  The boat is equipped with 12V windlass and bow thruster, no  inverter.
So, my question is, will the standard 500 amp shunt suffice for  the above
application?
Thanks for your help and suggestions,
 Steve Willett