Energy Monitors

Energy monitors (Also known as a Shunt) are electrical instruments that precisely measure and monitor the flow of energy to and from your leisure battery, providing real-time insights for efficient battery management.

Renogy Smart Shunt

Battery anxiety can cast a shadow over the experience of travelling in your campervan. The concern revolves around the fear that the leisure battery might unexpectedly run out, disrupting the entire trip. The constant worry can take the enjoyment from your trip. Overcoming battery anxiety is crucial for those seeking an enjoyable experience.

When looking at low cost power system upgrades, few investments match the cost-benefit of an energy monitor. These devices offer a direct insight into your energy consumption, providing real-time data that can enhance both your travels and battery health. We install a monitor in all of our builds and encourage our customers to install one too.

1. What is an energy monitor:

When installed in a campervan electrical systems it is much like a smart meter you may have in your home. It is a small electrical device placed to measure the current passing through your battery, enabling accurate monitoring of the electrical flow. This information can then be displayed to offer insights into the state of charge and live consumption. Knowing exactly what your battery is doing helps to prevent potential issues related to overuse or unexpected power depletion.

2. Precision Monitoring:

It allows you to precisely track your campervan's energy usage. From lighting and appliances to charging devices, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of where your power is going.

3. Battery Health Management:

Provides valuable data on charging and discharging cycles, enabling you to optimise your battery usage and prolong its lifespan.

4. Efficiency Boost:

Armed with insights, you can identify energy-hungry appliances and streamline your setup for maximum efficiency. This not only conserves power but also extends your time off-grid.

5. Real-time Awareness:

Do you want a real-time dashboard displaying your energy consumption? Get a display with instant updates, empowering you to make informed decisions about when it's time to run the engine or park in a sunny spot to get the most from the solar.

6. Which brand:

There is a range of products available, the main retailers are Victron, Renogy and Eco-Worthy. In principle they all work in the same way, our preference is the Renogy Smart Shunt due to the simplicity of the display and the price of the unit.

The device is Installed on the negative side of the main power cable between the battery and negative busbar capturing all negative load which passes through it. Installing a shunt or energy monitor is a friendly DIY project if you're experienced with campervan electrics. Alternatively, get in touch for an installation quote, depending on your current setup the energy monitor could be installed in around 2 hours.