[RE-wrenches] Advice for battery monitoring

[Mac Lewis]

Hi Chris,

One strategy that I have been using to add intelligence to older systems is
to add a Victron shunt and a Victron Ekrano.  This allows efficient battery
monitoring via a very nice screen and you can hand generator starting
duties to the Ekrano.  Another potential benefit is the ability to remotely
monitor the battery and generator starting control (via Victron VRM), set
up some simple alerts and verify the depth of discharge.  If you have a
battery that supports closed-loop control, you can probably eliminate the
shunt, although I prefer having both options (victron can have a primary
and secondary battery monitor)

The Ekrano/shunt combo isn't cheap, but it is quite powerful and can
precisely inform future system upgrades.

On Thu, Feb 12, 2026 at 3:42 PM Maverick Brown via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> I have two recommendations
>
> Victron smart shunt, which is a Bluetooth device.
>
> Also, since you have the MidNite classic, you could install a whizbang
> junior and a shunt. You could also put the MidNite classic on the Internet
> and view it that status remotely. (I’m assuming myMidNite is still
> available.)
>
> Thank you,
>
> Maverick
>
> Maverick Brown
> Off-Grid Solar Commander since 2006
> Maverick Solar Enterprises, Inc.
>  • Solar Commander Remote Power
>  • SunFlow Systems Cathodic Protection
> maverick at mavericksolar.com
> 512-460-9825
>
>
>
> On Feb 12, 2026, at 12:24 PM, Chris Daum via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
> 
>
> Hi folks:   We’re helping a customer with a Magnum MS4448 power center
> (with a Midnite Classic controller) and the usual accoutrements; they’ve
> got three SimpliPhi 3.5KW batteries and are looking for a decent battery
> monitor for such.  The system was  installed in 2019.  I’m looking at the
> Trimetric meter – but are there better alternatives?
>
>
>
> Thanks in advance for your wisdom!
>
>
>
> Chris Daum
>
> Oasis Montana Inc.
>
> 406-777-4309 or 4321
>
> 406-777-4309 fax
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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-- 



Mac Lewis

*"Yo solo sé que no sé nada." -Sócrates*
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