Dirty environment.

[McHero]

My house batteries are in the left rear compartment open somewhat to the road. Can get dirty, sandy and dusty. I'm wanting to install a WBJr BUT was wondering if that little circuit board that screws to the shut will get dirty & fail?

Thanks

Robert

[Westbranch]

What options do you have to move the shunt into the interior of the coach..? 
Electronics, road dust/dirt do not mix well! 

[McHero]

Id have to run a good 3 to 4 foot cable each way. Might have to pass on the WBjr and get a seperate Battery monitor. The ones I have used B4 don't have a board on the shunt.

[Westbranch]

I only has top be the negative that is used.. I have used an XBM from Xantrex in the past and now the WBjr, the latter being far more useful... 
best of all it lets you use a 'real' EndAmps' setting to terminate absorb stage, otherwise you are just guessing at the completeness of that charge stage.

[Vic]

Hi McHero,

That WBjr circuit board comes with a  plastic cover over the top.  You could add an additional plastic cover over it.

Doubt if that would be an issue for the WBjr as provided by MidNite...   why not try it,  as it?

The WBjr is far less expensive than is another battery monitoring/current sensing device,  AND,  the WB teams with the Classic,  allowing EA based on battery charge current.

FWIW,     Vic

[mahendra]

You can try putting it in one of those plastic junction boxes for added protection if not it's very simple to make  a mini clear one from plexiglass and silicone similar to fabricating an aquarium.Just a thought.

[TomW]

It has been awhile since I installed mine and I am no where near it to check. I seem to recall that the board has a conformal coating so, with the plastic cover and sealed board it should handle crud up to a point.  Getting wet will be the real problem as moisture can penetrate most things and especially terminals and connections. Terminal grease can help with moisture penetration and I use it on most connections now.

Maybe One of the Midnite guys will comment.

Just my opinion, likely not shared by everyone.

Tom

[Halfcrazy]

I think it would be fine, As long as it doesn't get physically wet I think you are good to go

[zoneblue]

Or else the battery cable must eventually go somewhere more civillised to where the CC is... Can you put it there? Personally prefer to keep all the high current capable stuff inside the disconnect.

[CDN-VT]

OR !!!!!!!!!!!!
Use #10 Gauge wiring & clean connections & use the wire to move the the WBJr to a cleaner spot!!!
It's just a 50mv drop & the WBjr will be close enough to accurate rate for the kid / classic ..
Just make sure you get the wire on the correct side for the WBJr and in photos , & they give you the screws .

I myself would use Stablaint 22 or SDG on all connections , but that's getting amal ..

Just do a good remote mount !

VT

[CDN-VT]

Here is a Tri-Shunt setup !

[McHero]

Thanks for all the suggestions! Currently working to replace the bats then i'll install a WBjr. Looking at wet cells so I'll be cleaning them monthly!

[mike90045]

Since the shunt is a precision resistor, what is the heat dissipation under full rated load ?

Will enclosing it in a plastic box cause a problem?

[brad.midnite]

A 50mV/500 Amp shunt has a resistance of R=V/I, or 100 uOhms (micro-Ohms).

The power dissipation in the shunt is most easily calculated by using P = I^2*R. So to find the power dissipation in Watts, multiply the square of your current by .0001

Example:
P = 100^2*.0001 = 1 Watt
P = 500^2*.0001 = 25 Watts

So it really depends on your usage. 25 Watts can produce significant heat in a small case. Larger cases will do a better job of dissipating heat due to their larger surface area.

From the shunt manufacturer:

For continuous operation, it is recommended that shunts are not used at more than 2/3 of the rated current under normal operation conditions. Shunts should be located in an area where freely circulating air is available. If this is not possible adequate forced ventilation should be provided to keep the shunt operating temperature at -40° to +60°C. Shunt temperature must be maintained under 145° C or a permanent change in resistance will occur.

[russ_drinkwater]

If heat is not an issue with the WBJ then you could screw a small clip on lid type food container near your batteries.
The WHJ could be mounted inside it with 3 holes to allow cable access and then silicone the holes for a good dirt proof job.
Clip your lid on to finish the job. Also if you use a transparent one you can still see the 5 second led pulse.