Brilliant mamil that certainly makes a bit of sense thanks for that and i dont think its rambling !! i call it helping ...
The bms setup knows its a lead crystal battery etc and amps all done in initial set up ... and displayed on screen . ... but i noticed the invertor doesnt go through the shunt .. just had a look .. only connected to battery terminals .
The plot thickens !!!!!
-- Edited by goldenyears on Sunday 9th of January 2022 03:14:49 PM
Then your next step s are to:-
1. Switch the negative going to the inverter from the battery negative terminal to the 'GND' terminal of the shunt
2. Charge your battery up to 100% via mains to re-calibrate the SOC
3. Re-try your Microwave
Can't guarantee you won't still get the volt drop problem of a large inverter drawing from a small-ish battery others have talked about, but at least you'll know the correct SOC of your battery and you'll see the correct amps going out to the inverter on the Redarc display, and you can decide if battery capacity is the problem.
By the way, scroll thru the Manager display menus to the "Charging status" menu while your inverter is running and it will tell you the voltage and temperature at the battery (the Manager has a voltage and temp sensor attached directly to the positive battery terminal) which you can compare to the voltage on the Projecta display to give a rough idea of voltage drop between the battery and inverter and whether it's a problem.
goldenyears said
03:47 PM Jan 9, 2022
Thanks for taking the time mamil to help out and a bit of a learning curve for me also ...
Mamil said
03:56 PM Jan 9, 2022
goldenyears wrote:
Thanks for taking the time mamil to help out and a bit of a learning curve for me also ...
No problem. I've installed five Redarc Managers now and learn a bit more each time.
They are a great bit of kit, albeit rather expensive, and I've found Redarc's technical support to be excellent.
goldenyears said
04:15 PM Jan 9, 2022
bms shows battery currently at %100 checked with volt meter 12.6 so seems to be ok with current read out.
kgarnett said
04:20 PM Jan 9, 2022
Also make sure you have approriately sized cable between the battery -ve and the shunt as it will have to carry the full inverter current of 100A or more. The cable as can be seen in your earlier photo of the shunt is hard to see but may be undersized.
Mamil said
04:43 PM Jan 9, 2022
kgarnett wrote:
Also make sure you have approriately sized cable between the battery -ve and the shunt as it will have to carry the full inverter current of 100A or more. The cable as can be seen in your earlier photo of the shunt is hard to see but may be undersized.
Very good point, and I'd add that if you're not familiar with how to choose the correct size cable for any particular application, and the correct size and location of circuit protection (fuses), then I'd suggest you get an Auto sparky to sort it out for you - it's not worth saving the money one costs if it results in your motor home going up in flames!
goldenyears said
05:00 PM Jan 9, 2022
motorhome was a sunliner 2017 build so assumed it was done properly !!!! you pay enough for these vehicles eh !!
Whenarewethere said
06:10 PM Jan 9, 2022
I doubt it. They probably have calculated 15% loss at maximum load, as it won't happen often.
But that is the time you need every last nth% you can get your hands on.
Jaahn said
06:18 PM Jan 9, 2022
Mamil wrote:
Jaahn,
The Redarc Manager 30 comes with a shunt rated at 500 Amps so is capable of reading the draw of quite a large inverter. All that is required is that the inverter negative goes via the shunt (as with every other load) rather than being wired direct to the battery negative as I suspect it is with Goldenyears system, and then it will be accurately including the inverter draw in it's measurements.
Thanks Mamil
I see the light now. For some reason Redarc chooses to call the shunt a 'battery sensor' not a 'current sensor' and indeed does not seem to list it separately or any specs for it either ?? But here is the diagram for wiring it in for full operation in the discussion topics.
Hmm having made my own shunts in times past for larger currents than needed here, I fail to see the reason for hiding this information or I am a bit thick possibly.
Jaahn
-- Edited by Jaahn on Sunday 9th of January 2022 06:20:54 PM
Mamil said
12:12 AM Jan 10, 2022
Jaahn wrote:
Mamil wrote:
Jaahn,
The Redarc Manager 30 comes with a shunt rated at 500 Amps so is capable of reading the draw of quite a large inverter. All that is required is that the inverter negative goes via the shunt (as with every other load) rather than being wired direct to the battery negative as I suspect it is with Goldenyears system, and then it will be accurately including the inverter draw in it's measurements.
Thanks Mamil
I see the light now. For some reason Redarc chooses to call the shunt a 'battery sensor' not a 'current sensor' and indeed does not seem to list it separately or any specs for it either ?? But here is the diagram for wiring it in for full operation in the discussion topics.
Hmm having made my own shunts in times past for larger currents than needed here, I fail to see the reason for hiding this information or I am a bit thick possibly.
Jaahn
Yeah, some of their terminology is a bit confusing, like they call the Manager 30 which is a mains charger, DC/DC charger, and Solar MPPT charger a "Battery Management System" which means something very different to everyone else
PeterD said
07:21 AM Jan 10, 2022
Simple, a battery management system looks after the battery. The Redarc BMS does the lot. It's a very good name for it.
goldenyears said
07:45 AM Jan 10, 2022
Thats right peter ...........
Jaahn said
08:20 AM Jan 10, 2022
Hmm my impression of Redarc gear js that it is good quality, possibly made in Australia and seems to work OK. BUT the marketing and sales is designed to part cashed up gullible punters with not much technical nouse, from large lumps of cash.
I think the mis-description of the current shunt is a deliberate policy to reinforce 'the mystery' of their stuff. I do not like that approach much. But whatever floats your boat I guess. The term BMS has become universally used for something else rather than a complex expensive charger. IMHO
Thank you Mamil for explaining some of the mysteries of Redarc from your personal experience with them.
-- Edited by Jaahn on Monday 10th of January 2022 08:23:16 AM
-- Edited by Jaahn on Monday 10th of January 2022 08:28:34 AM
goldenyears said
08:44 AM Jan 10, 2022
MAMIL certainly knows his stuff and after he has done a few Redarc installs already ..i know who i would be listening to !! u get the know alls etc that are never wrong then u get the ones that are not up to speed like myself ... but prepared to learn .. great forum to visit and get ideas .
Mike Harding said
08:59 AM Jan 10, 2022
goldenyears wrote:
MAMIL certainly knows his stuff and after he has done a few Redarc installs already ..i know who i would be listening to !! u get the know alls etc that are never wrong then u get the ones that are not up to speed like myself ... but prepared to learn .. great forum to visit and get ideas .
That little jibe sounds like it's aimed at me: that's fine, I'll ensure I don't respond to any further requests for information you may make.
PeterD said
09:24 AM Jan 10, 2022
"I think the mis-description of the current shunt is a deliberate policy to reinforce 'the mystery' of their stuff." My take on that is they are using a term that those with not much fine electronics knowledge understand.
"The term BMS has become universally used for something else rather than a complex expensive charger." Redarc were using that terminology for their device way before lithium batteries came into vogue. I see no reason for Redarc to rename their devices. In most naming systems the older usage takes precedent. It is thus up to the latecomers to find a more suitable nomenclature for their devices. If we go back to before Redarc named their device, dual battery VSR style systems and diode isolators were referred to as battery management systems.
-- Edited by PeterD on Monday 10th of January 2022 09:30:43 AM
goldenyears said
09:33 AM Jan 10, 2022
MIKE ........certainly no jibe intended towards anyone on this particular tech forum .. comment made with regards to grey nomads forum in general !! guess some people a bit paranoid ! sorry if you were offended !!! and i do appreciate all input on this particular subject ....
-- Edited by goldenyears on Monday 10th of January 2022 09:34:51 AM
Mike Harding said
01:21 PM Jan 10, 2022
goldenyears wrote:
guess some people a bit paranoid ! sorry if you were offended !!!
So I'm paranoid too....
Making splatteringly wide pejorative comments is never a good idea - if you have a criticism of an individual then direct it to them and be responsible for it or say nothing.
Seeing how you operate; this has been the last time I'll offer assistance to you.
goldenyears said
02:58 PM Jan 10, 2022
How i operate !!!! You got to laugh Take a deep breath mike all good !!!!!
I will miss your knowledge !
-- Edited by goldenyears on Monday 10th of January 2022 03:23:43 PM
Gundog said
10:42 PM Jan 10, 2022
I have had an inverter issue my fault, I brought a new just to run the fridge whilst on the move.
I have recently got rid of solar panels, extra battery and other assorted rubbish that is is associated with green power.
Any way we have had a few power outrages recently, which set me on the path of appeasement for SWMBO, what would I need a decent inverter to run the AC, that means another battery or go lithium, solar controller, battery charger, solar panes, copious amounts of quality cable. Oh crap that's going to cost a couple of grand or more, bugger it I'll buy 3.2kva generator from kings for 500 bucks delivered.
So if you see a 25 ft Jayco and blue Ranger at a free camp with a bigs sign saying " this Grumpy old P@#$k will be using a genny, if you don't like it park well away".
Whenarewethere said
11:27 PM Jan 10, 2022
We had a blackout throughout a few suburbs for hours on Christmas Eve. Neighbours were knocking on our door asking why we had power as we were lit up like a Christmas tree. They were worried about all their prawns & turkeys going off.
We are running off batteries.
I do tend to turn more lights on during blackouts for a bit of fun.
Then your next step s are to:-
1. Switch the negative going to the inverter from the battery negative terminal to the 'GND' terminal of the shunt
2. Charge your battery up to 100% via mains to re-calibrate the SOC
3. Re-try your Microwave
Can't guarantee you won't still get the volt drop problem of a large inverter drawing from a small-ish battery others have talked about, but at least you'll know the correct SOC of your battery and you'll see the correct amps going out to the inverter on the Redarc display, and you can decide if battery capacity is the problem.
By the way, scroll thru the Manager display menus to the "Charging status" menu while your inverter is running and it will tell you the voltage and temperature at the battery (the Manager has a voltage and temp sensor attached directly to the positive battery terminal) which you can compare to the voltage on the Projecta display to give a rough idea of voltage drop between the battery and inverter and whether it's a problem.
Thanks for taking the time mamil to help out and a bit of a learning curve for me also ...
No problem. I've installed five Redarc Managers now and learn a bit more each time.
They are a great bit of kit, albeit rather expensive, and I've found Redarc's technical support to be excellent.
bms shows battery currently at %100 checked with volt meter 12.6 so seems to be ok with current read out.
Very good point, and I'd add that if you're not familiar with how to choose the correct size cable for any particular application, and the correct size and location of circuit protection (fuses), then I'd suggest you get an Auto sparky to sort it out for you - it's not worth saving the money one costs if it results in your motor home going up in flames!
motorhome was a sunliner 2017 build so assumed it was done properly !!!! you pay enough for these vehicles eh !!
I doubt it. They probably have calculated 15% loss at maximum load, as it won't happen often.
But that is the time you need every last nth% you can get your hands on.
Thanks Mamil
I see the light now. For some reason Redarc chooses to call the shunt a 'battery sensor' not a 'current sensor' and indeed does not seem to list it separately or any specs for it either ?? But here is the diagram for wiring it in for full operation in the discussion topics.
https://www.redarc.com.au/boards/topic/13254/wiring-in-a-shunt
Hmm having made my own shunts in times past for larger currents than needed here, I fail to see the reason for hiding this information or I am a bit thick possibly.
Jaahn
-- Edited by Jaahn on Sunday 9th of January 2022 06:20:54 PM
Yeah, some of their terminology is a bit confusing, like they call the Manager 30 which is a mains charger, DC/DC charger, and Solar MPPT charger a "Battery Management System" which means something very different to everyone else
Thats right peter ...........
Hmm my impression of Redarc gear js that it is good quality, possibly made in Australia and seems to work OK. BUT the marketing and sales is designed to part cashed up gullible punters with not much technical nouse, from large lumps of cash.
I think the mis-description of the current shunt is a deliberate policy to reinforce 'the mystery' of their stuff. I do not like that approach much. But whatever floats your boat I guess. The term BMS has become universally used for something else rather than a complex expensive charger. IMHO
Thank you Mamil for explaining some of the mysteries of Redarc from your personal experience with them.
-- Edited by Jaahn on Monday 10th of January 2022 08:23:16 AM
-- Edited by Jaahn on Monday 10th of January 2022 08:28:34 AM
MAMIL certainly knows his stuff and after he has done a few Redarc installs already ..i know who i would be listening to !! u get the know alls etc that are never wrong then u get the ones that are not up to speed like myself ... but prepared to learn .. great forum to visit and get ideas .
That little jibe sounds like it's aimed at me: that's fine, I'll ensure I don't respond to any further requests for information you may make.
"I think the mis-description of the current shunt is a deliberate policy to reinforce 'the mystery' of their stuff."
My take on that is they are using a term that those with not much fine electronics knowledge understand.
"The term BMS has become universally used for something else rather than a complex expensive charger."
Redarc were using that terminology for their device way before lithium batteries came into vogue. I see no reason for Redarc to rename their devices. In most naming systems the older usage takes precedent. It is thus up to the latecomers to find a more suitable nomenclature for their devices. If we go back to before Redarc named their device, dual battery VSR style systems and diode isolators were referred to as battery management systems.
-- Edited by PeterD on Monday 10th of January 2022 09:30:43 AM
MIKE ........certainly no jibe intended towards anyone on this particular tech forum .. comment made with regards to grey nomads forum in general !! guess some people a bit paranoid ! sorry if you were offended !!! and i do appreciate all input on this particular subject ....
-- Edited by goldenyears on Monday 10th of January 2022 09:34:51 AM
So I'm paranoid too....
Making splatteringly wide pejorative comments is never a good idea - if you have a criticism of an individual then direct it to them and be responsible for it or say nothing.
Seeing how you operate; this has been the last time I'll offer assistance to you.
How i operate !!!! You got to laugh

Take a deep breath mike all good !!!!! 


I will miss your knowledge !
-- Edited by goldenyears on Monday 10th of January 2022 03:23:43 PM
I have had an inverter issue my fault, I brought a new just to run the fridge whilst on the move.
I have recently got rid of solar panels, extra battery and other assorted rubbish that is is associated with green power.
Any way we have had a few power outrages recently, which set me on the path of appeasement for SWMBO, what would I need a decent inverter to run the AC, that means another battery or go lithium, solar controller, battery charger, solar panes, copious amounts of quality cable. Oh crap that's going to cost a couple of grand or more, bugger it I'll buy 3.2kva generator from kings for 500 bucks delivered.
So if you see a 25 ft Jayco and blue Ranger at a free camp with a bigs sign saying " this Grumpy old P@#$k will be using a genny, if you don't like it park well away".
We had a blackout throughout a few suburbs for hours on Christmas Eve. Neighbours were knocking on our door asking why we had power as we were lit up like a Christmas tree. They were worried about all their prawns & turkeys going off.
We are running off batteries.
I do tend to turn more lights on during blackouts for a bit of fun.