Ray K
Member
I looking into the possibility to install battery monitors that requires a shunt in the negative line just before the battery. On my last boat it was easy as the boat had a large dedicated house bank. Engine batteries were separate and each had a dedicated battery. The boat in question this time is a Sea Ray 44 Sedan Bridge which like most Sea Rays do not have a dedicated house bank. They split all DC system and load between 2 banks, Starboard and Port. I'm looking at installing a monitor for both banks but am concerned about the amperage going through that circuit when the QSC500 engines start. Is it safe to put a shunt in negative circuit for this type of setup with a high current draw like a large diesel engine? I would really like to have a separate house bank but this would be too much work if not impossible to separate all the DC now split between the port and starboard banks. I don't know how much the engines draw when starting. The standard shunt is 500A but a 1000A is available.