Another Xantrex installation question?

[sloopdavidb]

I've been digging but can't find an answer. I'm installing a Xantrex Link 10, Battery monitor. I have 4, 6volt batteries that I run as a single house bank. Because of there location (two port and two starboard) they have seperate ground runs to the diesel. Will this work with a single shunt on just one of the grounds? The info Gord posted on the Xantrex site does not address this. Any thoughts? Thanks David B.

[slacker]

No. The manual says "there should be only one heavy cable from the battery side of the shunt to the battery. All loads and sources must be connected on the other side of the shunt."
Remove the wires from the engine, combine them with a PowerPost or something like that, run one cable to the shunt and then one from the shunt to the engine ground.

[camaraderie]

NO. Definitely not. One ground only is acceptable. Slacker is spot on.

[sloopdavidb]

I looked at it today and it's no big deal to combine the grounds.
Slaker I think thats twice now you told me what I needed to hear. If you get over to Hilo I'll take you sailing. Thanks all. David B.

[Islandmike]

slacker,

When you say all loads and sources on the other side, what about solar charge. Would I not put the positive lead from the solar controller to the positive post of my battery? Are you saying it should go to the shunt first? Sorry to butt in on this thread, but I will be installing a link 2000 and am curious as to where I would put this lead.

[slacker]

In order for the meter to accuratly display the Amps used you need to move all ground connections to the ground side of the shunt. If you have any ground connections between the battery negative and the battery side of the shunt you will not get accurate information.
On Slacker I used a Blue Seas buss bar between the shunt and the engine ground.
Dont forget to use twisted pairs for hookup. The cable that they sell as an accessory for the meter make hookup a lot easier.

Mike