Bogart engineering Tm-2025-rv User manual

INSTALLER’S INSTRUCTIONS FOR

TRI-METRIC 

Battery system monitor, Model TM-2025-RV

revised March 14, 2009

IMPORTANT: The wiring installation for this meter, especially the shunt installation

must be performed by someone knowledgeable on proper wiring, electrical practices,

and safety. If you do not have this knowledge please have someone install it who does,

or at least get some competent help to supervise the installation.

To install:

1. Please read or scan two pages of introductory information in section A.

2. Consult drawings Figure 1 and 2 (pages 7-8).

3. Follow step by step installation instructions in section B.

4. Install at least 3 important numbers into meter as described in section C.

Contents

A. Meter Installation: Preliminary: What you need to know before

installing the TriMetric meter.

B. Meter and Shunt Installation: How to make connections from meter to

battery and shunt.

C1. Entering required three setpoints in TriMetric memory: How to

enter necessary data related to your battery system to make the TriMetric

displays give you the correct information.

C2. Information on the next (optional) three program setpoints.

Limited warranty. Meter is warranted for 1 year against any manufacturing defects. Any meter not meeting

the specification or performance description will be replaced or repaired within one year of purchase, provided it

has not been subject to abuse or misapplication, and provided the defective unit is shipped to us if we request it.

Contact your dealer or us before shipping.

BOGART ENGINEERING

19020 Two Bar Road

Boulder Creek, CA 95006

(831) 338-0616

www.bogartengineering.com

A: METER INSTALLATION--PRELIMINARY: Useful information to

review before installing.

Choosing meter location and some benefits of battery monitoring: To make best use of this monitor, we recommend

that it be located where it can be readily observed in the living area where the electrical power is used, such as a kitchen

or living room. It displays the current draw or the charging current by either “amps” and “watts”. (It is designed to be

located up to a few hundred feet away from the battery bank using 4 wires.) One important use is to learn how much

electrical power various appliances draw by looking at the "amps" or “watts” readout first with the appliance off, and then

observing how much the current increases when you turn it on. This is inconvenient if the meter is located away from the

living area. After a while you will become instinctively familiar with the electrical usage of your appliances, so you won't

need to refer to the meter. Also, you can become familiar with "normal" electrical usage, and occasionally check that it

is not excessive, which would indicate some appliance has been unknowingly left on. Using the "BATTERY % FULL"

display, (or "Amp-hours from full") readout you will be able to see approximately how much energy you've withdrawn

from the battery bank. If you have "lead acid" batteries--the most commonly used type--the "Volts" readout gives useful

information about the "extreme" cases, when your batteries have gotten a nearly full charge, (which, while charging a 12

volt lead-acid battery will typically show voltage above 14.3 volts) or on the other hand when they are in a low charge

state (which, while discharging a 12 volt lead acid battery will typically show voltage 10.8 to 11.6 volts depending on

how many "amps" are being withdrawn). However “volts” is not too informative when the batteries are between 20%-

90% charged, since in this case exact voltage depends on several factors, including: whether the batteries are being

charged or discharged, how fast they are being charged or discharged, temperature of the battery, and the recent past

history of charge/discharge. For example, if they are charged at a high rate for awhile, the voltage will rise higher than

they would be after charging stops, due to what are called "polarization" effects. The TriMetric, therefore, uses the

battery voltage as an indicator for when the batteries are "charged". Then--when discharging the batteries from there, the

"BATTERY % FULL" (or "amp-hours from full") reading is a better guide for determining intermediate battery state of

charge. Voltage can again be useful for seeing that the batteries are in a state of near discharge--this is useful since it is

not good for lead-acid batteries to be too often, or remain too long nearly discharged. (Multiply voltages above by 2 for

24 volt systems or 4 for 48 volt systems)

The TM-2025 can measure two battery systems if you choose: This meter measures one battery system

comprehensively, including volts and battery charging/discharging amps, typically for the one that supplies power to

appliances so you can measure accurately the state of charge (how much energy is in the batteries.) In addition, it will

monitor voltage only on a second battery having a common negative connection, which could be the engine starting

battery.

Permissible battery voltage: This meter is suitable for battery systems with nominal voltage from 8 to 65 volts. It should

not be connected to systems which will ever exceed 65 volts.

You may choose three different operating levels from simplest to more complex: It comes initially programmed at the

lowest Operating Level: L1 which will furnish the most important data. There are also levels “L2” or “L3” which add

more functionality, but with more complexity you will need to read more of the operating instructions.. If you are new to

this, begin with L1, and after becoming familiar with the meter you may easily advance to L2 or L3 at any time should

you need to. These levels are described in the TriMetric User’s Instructions.

Lightning considerations: The meter has been designed with reasonably good protection against lightning.

SHUNT AND WIRING CONSIDERATIONS

A shunt (a very low resistance, accurate, high power resistor) must be wired into your battery system as described in

section B of these instructions. This is how current (amps) and watts are measured by this meter: The “amps” shown

on the meter measures whatever current passes through this shunt. Therefore the shunt must be wired in series with the

wire which carries the current to be measured. The shunt is almost always installed between the negative terminal of

the battery to all loads and charging sources (as shown in the wiring diagram on page 15.) It is located near the

batteries, since the high current carrying wires must be kept short. The TriMetric measures the current ("amps") by

measuring the very small voltage drop across this shunt. Watts measured by the meter are shown by multiplying the

“volts” times the “amps”.

Shunt requirements: There are two choices of shunts which may be used: Most systems will use the 500 amp-50 mV

shunt. For smaller systems you can use a 100A/100mV shunt (For this choice the meter must be programmed at

Opearating Level L3.)

Who might want to use the 100A/100mV shunt? (requires Operational Level L3) If you have an unusually small system

that uses less than 70 amps maximum (charging or discharging) this shunt will show an extra digit to the right of the

decimal point, and resolve currents as low as 1/100 amp. But the 100A/100mV shunt can get too hot with a typical 12V

system with a 1000 watt inverter.

Technical note: Incidentally, it is only the shunt ratio between amps to mV. which is important to the meter--so, for example, a

200 amp-200 mV. shunt can, from the meter's point of view, be considered equivalent to the 100 amp-100 mV shunt. The

implication, when a shunt is rated at "100 amps-100 mV." is that it may safely carry up to 100 amps maximum--however

unfortunately in many cases so-called "100 amp" shunts will not carry this much without overheating--especially some of the

"mini" shunts of this type. For more information, request : "Information on Shunts" from Bogart Engineering, or get it from the

internet address shown on page 1.

If it is desired to measure only total solar input current, or only total load current (and amp-hours): you must wire

the shunt such that only the solar current, or load current will pass through the shunt. The "Battery % Full" display will be

meaningless in this case. In this case it would be advisable to use Operating Level L3 which will enable you to turn off

the “automatic reset” of amp hours.

Maximum cable length for “G1” wire from meter to shunt for the following wire sizes are: #26 gauge: 45 feet. #24

gauge: 70 feet. #22 gauge: 100 feet. #20 gauge: 180 feet. #18 gauge: 300 feet. #16 gauge: 400 feet.

If the distance between battery and meter is more than 100 ft (30 meters) you may need to increase the size of the

“G1” wire or possibly “+” wire: Use wire with resistance less than 2 ohms total for the G1 wire. The G2 and SIG wires

can each be over ten times higher than this with no problem. If the single wire connecting from the meter + and M+

terminals to the battery is over 2 ohms, the "volts" will read slightly less than true. (If the wire is less than 2 ohm, the

meter "volts" error will be less then 0.06 volts--almost negligible). However, wires of ten times this resistance may be

used with no "volts" error if a separate (additional) wire is run for the M+ terminal: Disconnect the short wire between the

+ and M+ terminals at the meter terminal block, and connect two separate (long) wires to the fuse at the battery +

terminal--and run one of these to the + terminal of the meter, and the other to M+ terminal.

Meter to shunt cable requirements: The meter may be located up to hundreds of feet away from the shunt if desired, in an

indoor location, with four or five power and control wires connecting between the shunt and the meter. (These 5 wires

are labeled on the connector on the circuit board inside the TriMetric: “G1”, “G2”, “SIG” and “+B1” and “+B2”.) The

meter can be connected to the shunt with 5 wires, or a cable with 5 conductors. If only one battery system is being

measured only 4 wires are required.. It would be advisable to use twisted pair wires in the cable if any other power wires

are being run near and parallel with these, however it should not be necessary otherwise. If twisted pair wire is used, it

should be connected as shown in the drawing. The simplest way to connect the meter is to use wire size large enough, as

shown by the following:

TriMetric maximum current capability: The TriMetric will measure current properly up to 999 amps with the 500 A-50

mv shunt. With the 100 A-100 mv shunt the meter measurements will be OK up to 300 amps. However, at these

currents the shunt is going to get too hot: the 100 A shunt as described will be producing the heat of a 90 watt light

bulb, and the 500 A shunt will produce heat equivalent to a 100 watt light bulb. (The heat produced by the shunt will be

proportional to the square of the current passing through it, so each time the current is doubled the heat increases by a

factor of 4.)

Serial data output is available that outputs all real time data. Another data access method for techies.

Mounting the meter: TM-2025 RV model comes in a white, surface mount box (3 x 4-1/4 x 1-1/4 inch deep). It can be

mounted to a wall with screws at the top and bottom flanges.

B. METER and SHUNT INSTALLATION Even momentarily

connecting “+” wire from battery to meter incorrectly or backwards will destroy

it. Carefully following these steps will minimize that possibility.

•IMPORTANT: A qualified person familiar with safe electrical practices and the local electrical

code should install this meter--particularly when installing the shunt. Accidentally shorting

the battery with a tool or other metal such as a finger ring can result in severe burns

from an arc (think “arc welder”). Obviously, mistakes in wiring could seriously

damage your electrical system.

•Refer to wiring drawing on last page--please read all notes.

•To prevent damage to meter, do not install into a battery system that has a voltage that will rise

above 65 volts. It is designed for a maximum “nominal” 48 volt battery system.

•A (2Amp, fast-blow) fuse shown located near the battery in the wiring diagram is for safety. If not

provided with your meter, such "in line" fuses are available at Radio Shack.

To install meter and shunt you will need:

•One shunt (usually 500A/50mV size)

•A length of cable containing 4 or 5 wires long enough to connect from battery system to meter. Or 4 or 5

individual wires may be used. (Five wires if two batteries are being measured.) The wire used for the +

connection of the battery should have a 2A fuse at the battery end to protect the wire in case of a short. This

shows minimum size wire for distances shown:

#26 gauge: 45 feet. #24 gauge: 70 feet. #22 gauge: 110 feet. #20 gauge: 180 feet. #18 gauge: 300 feet. #16

gauge: 400 feet. (These represent distances for approximately 2 ohm wire resistance.)

•A short length of cable with large bolt eyelets on each end to connect one end of shunt to negative battery

terminal: of same or larger size (diameter) than the large cable that connects to the + and – terminals of the

battery.

•Suitable wrench or tools for connecting the large cables to battery and shunt

•Very small screwdriver for connecting wires to meter terminal block

•Small Phillips screwdriver for removing front panel of meter

•Medium screwdriver for connecting wires to shunt

•A drill for putting a small hole to permit cable to enter the meter box

STEP 1: Install shunt: Turn off main breaker to battery. Refer to diagram Figure 1 and Figure 2 for details. You'll need

an additional short length of cable at least as large (in diameter) as the largest cable going to the negative battery

connection. It should have bolt lugs at each end to connect from the negative battery terminal to one side of the shunt.

The battery cable size must be large enough to accommodate the maximum system charging or discharge amps from the

battery.

STEP 2 Making connections from meter to battery and shunt: We suggest a cable with different colored wires to reduce

the probability of wiring errors. The chart above has a place for you to write the colors for each wire. The cable wires at

the TriMetric end of the cable must connect to a terminal block located on the green circuit board in the TriMetric. If

cable with twisted pair wires are used (not normally needed), the wires labeled “G2” and “SIG” should be run with one

twisted pair, and if another pair is used, “G1” and “+B1” may be run an another pair, although twisted pair here will not

give any benefit. If it is desired to measure the “volts” of a second battery, you may run a fifth wire to its positive

terminal. The terminal block on the circuit board accommodates wire size from 16 to 26 AWG.

If twisted pair wires in a cable are used, (which is not necessary unless other power wires run near these wires)

clearly establish which wires in the cable are “paired” together. This often requires stripping quite a bit of insulation to

see which pairs are twisted together. Then choose one twisted pair for G2 and SIG (the ones for which twisted pair is

most helpful), and record the wire colors for that pair below in the chart. You may want to use a piece of tape at each

end of the cable to tie these two together, to clearly mark the pair. Then you can also choose a pair for G1 and +B1 and

record their colors on the chart above, and an extra wire for +B2, if used. If cable with non twisted pairs is used, just

select any four wires (or five if +B2 is used) and record the wire colors here.

STEP 3: Take the meter out of its box by removing 4 screws. Drill a hole in the plastic box in a suitable location to allow the

cable to enter the box. The meter circuit board has a 5 pin terminal block on the rear. The five connections are labeled:

G1, G2, SIG and +B1 and +B2. Thread the wires or cable through the hole in the box from the outside, and strip

insulation off each wire 1/4 inch or so. Use a small screwdriver to loosen the screws on the connector and insert each

wire in a separate connector hole using the chart above to determine which wire goes to which terminal, and tighten each

screw to hold the wires securely, taking care that there is no danger of shorts between the wires. Install meter in box.

STEP 4: Finally, using the chart above and the wiring drawing on the last page connect the other end of the cable. First

connect the G1 and G2 wires to the correct Kelvin terminal on the shunt farthest from the minus battery terminal lead.

CONNECTION WIRE COLO

TWISTED PAIR

(IF USED)

SIG

+B1

+B2

(These two wires must join together only right at this terminal.) Then connect the SIG wire to the other Kelvin

connection, closer to the minus battery connection.

STEP 5: Connect the fuse holder to the battery + terminal, but don't yet put in the fuse. Connect the + wire from the fuse to

the TriMetric + terminal. Then please make a final check of the wiring, and then finally insert the fuse in the

fuseholder. The digits should light up on the meter and battery volts should be displayed.

STEP 6: To check that you’ve wired the meter and shunt properly: you can do a simple check as follows: 1. Turn all

charging sources and all loads off, with the inverter completely off (not even in “standby”). Be sure that the meter shows

very near 0. (0.0 to 0.1 amps. ) 2. Turn on a load and see that it measures correctly. Turning on a 40 W light bulb should

cause the “amps” reading to become more negative by about 3 to 4 amps (12V system) or 1.5 to 2 amps, (24V system)

plus possibly a little more for the inverter power. 3. Check charging from each charging source. As you turn each

charging source on, (solar, wind, battery charger, etc) be sure that the amps become more positive by about the amount

you would expect from that source.

STEP 7: In order to get the “Battery % full” data to read correctly you must enter some programmed data as described in the

next section.

C1. Entering required three setpoints in TriMetric memory: First determine

correct values to enter, shown just below. Then enter the data as described on page 6 and Table 1 near the

bottom. To learn more about what these numbers do refer to USER’S INSTRUCTIONS for TriMetric TM202

Table 2, program numbers P1, P2, P3. The volts, amps and watts will read correctly on the meter even if you do not

set these values correctly. “Battery % full”, “Amp hours from full” and “Days since charged” displays will NOT be

correct until you properly enter the first three values. This section will help you to determine what those numbers

should be. Beyond this there are three additional ones that are useful, but are of lesser importance—covered after the

first three.

The meter comes factory set to Operating Level L1, which is the simplest level of operation. The brief instructions in

the section only relate to level L1. It is advisable to begin with this which is suitable for most applications—it is easy

to change it later (to levels L2 or L3) if after reading the instructions more flexibility, or a higher level of operation is

desired. It may be changed at any time by program P7 (see Table 1 on page 7 ).

As you determine the following three numbers, write them in column 3 of Table 1 page 7. Then program them in

the TriMetric as described page 6, near Table 1.

What’s the purpose of these numbers? The numbers P1 and P2 tell the meter when your batteries have been charged:

that is, when the battery 1 voltage goes ABOVE P1, and the charging amps go BELOW P2. Then the meter will reset

the “% Full” to 100%, the “amps hours” to 00.0 and your “Days since charged” to zero. P3 calibrates the “Battery%

full” display according to your battery size.

How to determine value for program item P1: the “charged setpoint voltage”

If you understand the following sentence, then do the following: Determine the “absorption charging voltage” to

which your charger or charge controller limits the charging voltage. The “charged setpoint voltage” for the TM-

2025 should be set 1% to 2% below this “absorption charging voltage”. For a 12 volt system can be taken as 0.1-

0.2 volts less than the “absorption charging voltage” setting. For a 24V system 0.2-.4 volts less.

If you don’t know what this means: Then start with the following: If you have liquid electrolyte batteries (those with

watering caps on top) use 14.3 volts for 12 volt systems, or 28.6 volts for 24 volt systems. For Gel or AGM type

batteries for 12V systems use 14.0. However, since probably one reason you bought this meter was to better care for

your batteries, we highly recommend at some point reading: Important information about battery charging to

keep from killing your batteries in section 7 of the USER’S INSTRUCTIONS for TriMetric TM2025 .

Record value in the space provided for the first item of Table 1, column 3 page 7.

How to determine value for program item P3: “battery system capacity” amp

hours. This is a number in “amp hours” which describes how much charge (or energy) your batteries hold when

they are fully charged. For “deep cycle” batteries this number is specified by the battery manufacturer. If you have

only one battery then use that value. It is more usual to have more than one battery connected in series or parallel. In

this case the rule is that when you put identical type batteries in series the amp hour of the series string is the same as

the amp hour rating of any one of batteries in the string. When you put them in parallel then you add the amp hours of

each battery. When you have batteries that are both in series and in parallel, then compute the amp hour of EACH

series string. Then multiply the amp-hours of each series string by the number of strings in parallel to get the total

value of amp hours. Put this value in the “battery system capacity” (P3) in Table 1 on page 7. Note that when the

decimal point flashes, that means “multiply the display value by 1000”.

How to determine value for program item P2: “charged setpoint amps” Just take the

value you found for P3 above and multiply it by 2, then divide the result by 100—to give a value in amperes. Put this

value in “charged setpoint amps” (P2) in Table 1.

Now that you have these three values program them into the TriMetric as

described at the bottom of page 6. The meter should then be set up to properly measure volts,

amps, watts, battery %full, amp-hours from full and days since charged.

C2: Information on the next (optional) three program setpoints:

P4, P5 and P6. Do these if you like.

Selecting value for P4: Do you prefer to read “watts” or “amps”? This meter allows you to

see the flow of energy in or out of the battery by either observing the AMPS or WATTS. Here is how they are related:

Watts=Amps x system volts

When originally received, the AMPS reading is among the primary display items, and the WATTS show on the secondary display

items. If desired, you may switch the order, so that the WATTS show as a primary item, the AMPS show as the secondary item.

This is done by the P4 program item described below in Table 1. A small label that says “Watts” is supplied [will soon be available]

with this meter that may be used to place over the “Amps” nomenclature on the panel if this is desired .

If you are used to thinking in “amps” you may prefer that as your primary display. One advantage of “watts” is that if you are using an

inverter to power 120V appliances, the watts display shows you the actual watts to power them. So a 15 watt light bulb should show

as a draw of about 15 watts (or actually a little more since your inverter/converter is not 100% efficient in its power conversion).

Many people find “watts” to be more familiar.

Selecting a value for P5: “Battery recharge reminder”: Lead acid batteries should be periodically

fully charged for maximum life—and also for the meter to maintain a more accurate “% Full” display. The default P5 value is

programmed as “OFF”—but if you would like to be reminded to fully charge them after they have NOT been charged for several

days you can use this to remind you. If you set it to our recommended value of “5”, then after five days of not reaching their

charged state (according to the values you programmed in P1 and P2 above) the meter will flash an occasional “Ch F” in the display

(when the primary displays are being shown.) This should signal you to charge your batteries to get fully charged . When the

batteries are charged the “Charging” lamp will start flashing, and the “Ch.F” in the display will cease flashing.

Selecting a value for P6: “Battery equalizing reminder”: The default setting is “OFF”. For batteries

which need periodic equalization, this can be used to remind you when to perform this operation, which is usually recommended for

“liquid electrolyte batteries” (but often not the gel or AGM types.) Some chargers perform this automatically, but if yours is requires

manual intervention than you may use this to remind yourself to perform this task. You can set in the interval in days that you wish

to elapse between equalizations. Then it will flash “Ch E” periodically after that number of days has elapsed to remind you to

equalize. After you have performed the equalization process you will need to MANUALLY RESET the “days since

equalization” display by going to this display and holding the “RESET” button for several seconds, until the number in the display

goes permanently to ‘0”. It does not do this automatically. See section 7 of the USER’S INSTRUCTIONS for TriMetric

TM2025 for more information on equalization.

Programming instructions: Also see Table 1 to right, on page 7

To observe data follow steps 1 and 2. To change data follow additional steps 3 and 4.

(1) HOLD DOWN the SELECT button and watch as the display cycles through several different displays. When you see

P1 in the display, immediately release SELECT. If you don’t release quickly enough, just wait longer holding down

SELECT until you see the P1 again, then release. Then the programmable data shown in column 2 for P1 (in Table 1)

will alternate with “P1”, so you can observe its value.

(2) Push SELECT repeatedly to observe programmed data P2, P3, etc, as shown in the left two columns in Table 1. After

going through all these it will go back to observing normal display data. (Volts, Amps, etc.)

(3) If during step 2 you see data that you wish to CHANGE, push SELECT and RESET firmly at the same time. Three

green lamps will flash to indicate that you are in the CHANGE mode. Then giving successive pushes to RESET will

increase the numbers slowly. Holding RESET down a little longer will speed up the change—and will cause data to

cycle more quickly through all the possibilities. To make values go down, you will need to keep increasing until it

finally jumps to its lowest value again.

(4) When satisfied with the data, push SELECT to get out of the CHANGE mode and back into OBSERVE mode. Now

continue again as described in step 2.

The above drawing will not show your exact situation--

this example is unusually complicated. It is intended to show

that you need to first remove every cable or wire that goes to

the negative connection on your battery system before

installing the shunt. All of these will need to be reconnected

to the right side of the shunt as shown in the right drawing.

The shunt may be installed either way. It does not have

a polarity.

Anything

else

Charger

Engine

alternator

Inverter/

converter

Chassis

ground

Solar

controller

Lighting or appliance batteries

To all positive connections

Before shunt installation

Figure 1: Where to install shunt

Anything

else

Charger

Engine

alternator

Inverter/

converter

Chassis

ground

Solar

controller

Lighting or appliance batteries

To all positive connections

After shunt installation

Newly added cable

from battery

In the diagram above the left side of the shunt should be

connected only to the negative side of battery or battery set.

Note that in that drawing the current from and to the

negative terminal of the battery (system) flows through the

shunt. This is necessary for the meter to measure the battery

“amps” properly and also for the “Battery % full” display on

your meter to work. Of course this does not mean that your

connections on the right side of the shunt will be precisely as

shown.

all

PROGRAM

MODE

NUMBER

PROGRAMMABLE DATA and ADJUSTMENT RANGE

SEE INSTRUCTIONS TO LEFT (ON PAGE 6)

Factory

value

Your

value

28.6

400

P1 “CHARGED” setpoint voltage: to V10.0 65.0

“Battery Capacity” Amp-hours: to amp hours

NOTE: Flashing decimal point means “multiply number by 1000”

10 9,990

Days before “time to recharge” reminder: to days or1 100 OFF

Days before “time to equalize” reminder: to days or1 100 OFF

Choose OPERATION LEVEL: , or .L1 L2 L3

“watts” or “amps” choice: =watts =ampsPr A

“CHARGED” setpoint amps: to Amps1 100

OFF

Table 1

SHUNT: 50 MV/500 AMP

OR 100 MV/100 AMP

IMPORTANT NOTE: The two wires: G1, G2 must be connected to each other

ONLY right at the shunt terminal at the small screw (Kelvin connection) for

accurate current measurements. Don't connect them together at the meter

and run one wire to the shunt. (Otherwise meter will show residual "amps"

when it should be showing zero.) Also, good connections must be maintained

for accuracy.

TECHNICAL NOTE: The reason the G1 and G2 wires must be connected together ONLY at the

shunt, is that to measure current through the battery the TriMetric measures voltages across the

shunt between the SIG and G2 wires as small as 10 microvolts. On the other hand, the voltage

drop across the G1 wire from the shunt to the meter (due to current flow through the wire) can be

10,000 times this, or 100 millivolts. Only when the connections are made as shown, the G2 wire

carries no current, thus there is no error causing voltage drop across it. (1 volt=1000 millivolts =

1,000,000 microvolts.)

IMPORTANT NOTE: The two wires: G1, G2 must be connected to each other

ONLY right at the shunt terminal at the small screw (Kelvin connection) for

accurate current measurements. Don't connect them together at the meter

and run one wire to the shunt. (Otherwise meter will show residual "amps"

when it should be showing zero.) Also, good connections must be maintained

for accuracy.

TECHNICAL NOTE: The reason the G1 and G2 wires must be connected together ONLY at the

shunt, is that to measure current through the battery the TriMetric measures voltages across the

shunt between the SIG and G2 wires as small as 10 microvolts. On the other hand, the voltage

drop across the G1 wire from the shunt to the meter (due to current flow through the wire) can be

10,000 times this, or 100 millivolts. Only when the connections are made as shown, the G2 wire

carries no current, thus there is no error causing voltage drop across it. (1 volt=1000 millivolts =

1,000,000 microvolts.)

Back view of

battery monitor panel.

TriMetric

SIG

Magnified view of 5 SCREW

TERMINAL STRIP located on

circuit board.

Magnified view of 5 SCREW

TERMINAL STRIP located on

circuit board.

FOR SAFETY:

2 amp

near the battery,

Place a

(fast blow) fuse

in series with the + wire

shown. That way, if

there is ever a short

between this wire and

the other wires, you

won't melt down the

wires, you will only blow

the fuse.

FOR SAFETY:

2 amp

near the battery,

Place a

(fast blow) fuse

in series with the + wire

shown. That way, if

there is ever a short

between this wire and

the other wires, you

won't melt down the

wires, you will only blow

the fuse.

SHUNT NOTE: Use either a 50 mv/500 amp shunt or 100

mv/100 amp shunt. Shunt must be connected to minus

side of battery. To read correct current and amp-hours,

TriMetric battery monitor must be programmed for correct

shunt type being used, as described in instructions.

SHUNT NOTE: Use either a 50 mv/500 amp shunt or 100

mv/100 amp shunt. Shunt must be connected to minus

side of battery. To read correct current and amp-hours,

TriMetric battery monitor must be programmed for correct

shunt type being used, as described in instructions.

KELVIN CONNECTIONS: These are the two smaller

screws on the shunt which should be used for current

sensing wires only. For measurement accuracy, don’t

connect wires containing high currents to these

connections.

KELVIN CONNECTIONS: These are the two smaller

screws on the shunt which should be used for current

sensing wires only. For measurement accuracy, don’t

connect wires containing high currents to these

connections.

SECOND BATTERY: This may be connected (for example) to the + terminal of a starting battery so you

can use the meter to observe voltage. (The - sides of both battery systems must be connected together.)

SECOND BATTERY: This may be connected (for example) to the + terminal of a starting battery so you

can use the meter to observe voltage. (The - sides of both battery systems must be connected together.)

NOTE: The SIG wire

must be connected to

the small screw (kelvin

connection) on the

shunt, not the larger bolt

which connects to the

battery. Otherwise

"amps" measurements

will be inaccurate.

NOTE: The SIG wire

must be connected to

the small screw (kelvin

connection) on the

shunt, not the larger bolt

which connects to the

battery. Otherwise

"amps" measurements

will be inaccurate.

12 OR 24 VOLT

BATTERY

SYSTEM.

12 OR 24 VOLT

BATTERY

SYSTEM.

TO CHARGING SYSTEM (SOLAR PANELS including

controller, CHARGER, ETC.) AND ALL LOADS

(INVERTER, ETC.)

TO CHARGING SYSTEM (SOLAR PANELS including

controller, CHARGER, ETC.) AND ALL LOADS

(INVERTER, ETC.)

SHUNT TO METER CABLE: Can be up to 150 ft. long if cable has #18 or larger

wires, or 50 feet using #22 wires. Twisted pair is normally not necessary.

However, if it is used, we recommend wiring it as shown in the diagram. Use

one twisted pair for the G1 and + wires, and another twisted pair for the G2 and

SIG wires (as shown). For long cable runs the M+ terminal can be connected

separately as described on page 3 "If the distance between battery...."

SHUNT TO METER CABLE: Can be up to 150 ft. long if cable has #18 or larger

wires, or 50 feet using #22 wires. Twisted pair is normally not necessary.

However, if it is used, we recommend wiring it as shown in the diagram. Use

one twisted pair for the G1 and + wires, and another twisted pair for the G2 and

SIG wires (as shown). For long cable runs the M+ terminal can be connected

separately as described on page 3 "If the distance between battery...."

FIGURE 2: TM-2025 TriMetric BATTERY MONITOR CONNECTIONS. Please read all notes carefully. (Technical notes optional.) BOGART ENGINEERING 2/1/09FIGURE 2: TM-2025 TriMetric BATTERY MONITOR CONNECTIONS. Please read all notes carefully. (Technical notes optional.) BOGART ENGINEERING 2/1/09

IMPORTANT:Besure

this side of shunt is

connected to nothing but

your battery negative

terminal(s). Otherwise

your meter “amps” will not

be correct.

IMPORTANT:Besure

this side of shunt is

connected to nothing but

your battery negative

terminal(s). Otherwise