JuncTek Battery Monitor vs Victron SmartShunt

[Sonne]

The Bluetooth device of KH160F is located in the host computer, and one host computer can connect up to 2 monitors.

I asked Junctek Factory Store on AliExpress how I can buy a second monitor for my KH160F. They replied “亲爱的朋友，一台KH只能用一个显示屏显示。Dear friends, one KH can only be displayed on one screen.”

So @Rickey if the KH series can really connect to 2 monitors like you said above, you should probably inform your team who sell them and provide some way for customers to actually buy a second monitor.

 

[grizzzman]

I asked Junctek Factory Store on AliExpress how I can buy a second monitor for my KH160F. They replied “亲爱的朋友，一台KH只能用一个显示屏显示。Dear friends, one KH can only be displayed on one screen.”

So @Rickey if the KH series can really connect to 2 monitors like you said above, you should probably inform your team who sell them and provide some way for customers to actually buy a second monitor.

I recently purchased a Victron Smart-Shunt and testing found that it was dead on voltage and amperage wise. How accurate was the Junctek out of the box?

 

[Sonne]

I recently purchased a Victron Smart-Shunt and testing found that it was dead on voltage and amperage wise. How accurate was the Junctek out of the box?

It’s hard to say as my only other reference to compare against is the 3D brothers Electrodacus, which I know is inaccurate. I assume the Junctek is accurate but that’s the best I can say as I’ve not verified it.

Better to live in happy ignorance and trust those numbers on the display!

Edited to add… my multimeter is a clamp meter for current, so I wouldn’t trust that for accuracy comparison either and voltage I haven’t checked with meter but will do so.

 

[scubadoo]

I recently purchased a Victron Smart-Shunt and testing found that it was dead on voltage and amperage wise. How accurate was the Junctek out of the box?

Near enough for me.

Click to enlarge

 

[grizzzman]

Near enough for me.

Click to enlarge

Nice. Thank you.

 

[42OhmsPA]

I recently purchased a Victron Smart-Shunt and testing found that it was dead on voltage and amperage wise. How accurate was the Junctek out of the box?

My Won Von has been within a few hundredths of my clamp meter every time I've checked.
Battery voltage the same, also nearly identical to the Victron MPPT.

My only complaint is sometimes the app reads negative as positive or vice-versa, it's infrequent and a quick disconnect and reconnect fixes it.

 

[decioy]

I asked Junctek Factory Store on AliExpress how I can buy a second monitor for my KH160F. They replied “亲爱的朋友，一台KH只能用一个显示屏显示。Dear friends, one KH can only be displayed on one screen.”

So @Rickey if the KH series can really connect to 2 monitors like you said above, you should probably inform your team who sell them and provide some way for customers to actually buy a second monitor.

Since I bought two KG11F, I plugged the second screen to the data port and it didn't work. Switched them around and either only work in the display port.

 

[Sonne]

Since I bought two KG11F, I plugged the second screen to the data port and it didn't work. Switched them around and either only work in the display port.

Thanks for doing that test, it’s an interesting result. I have given up the idea of buying a second display for now as the info from Junctek factory store on AliExpress is contradictory and confusing.

First after I asked to buy a 2nd display they said only one display can be connected to the KH series, then when I asked them what the function of the “RS-485 link” connector on the main unit was, they answered that it was for connecting a second display, then finally when I pointed out I had asked how to buy and connect a second display, they just answered with a link to this listing which has a KL series (different in layout from my KH series) display option.

 

[Rickey]

A KH machine can only be connected to one display. There are 2 interfaces on the measurement module. One is "RS-485 DISPLAY" for connecting to the display, and the other "RS-485 LINK" is used for connecting to 485 communication.

 

[Sonne]

A KH machine can only be connected to one display. There are 2 interfaces on the measurement module. One is "RS-485 DISPLAY" for connecting to the display, and the other "RS-485 LINK" is used for connecting to 485 communication.

Thank you Rickey. I do not understand what the RS-485 link port is used to connect to? RS-485 communication to what?

If a KH machine can only connect to a single display, why did you previously write the below in response to my question about whether I could add a second display?

The Bluetooth device of KH160F is located in the host computer, and one host computer can connect up to 2 monitors.

 

[Rickey]

Hello, conventional machines can only connect one display screen;
If the circuit of the measurement module can be modified to connect to the display simultaneously, but only one of these two displays can set data, and the other can only display data

 

[greenhess]

Hello everyone!

I've recently developed an application that can read data from Junctek devices and transmit it over a port. The real-time data is stored as JSON and can be viewed through a visual dashboard available at this link: Junctek Monitoring Dashboard.

The system ultimately saves the data in a JSON file, making it potentially integrable with Home Assistant or other home automation systems. That integration is my next step.

As for the hardware connection, I used an RS485 cable that I had to fabricate myself – apologies for the DIY nature, but it was the quickest solution. Since I didn't have an RJ9 connector available, I ended up using an old telephone cord which I modified to fit.

I will continue to develop and refine this project, and I'm excited to see how it can be expanded and integrated into more complex systems. Your feedback and suggestions are very welcome!

Looking forward to your thoughts and any advice you might have.

 

[Rickey]

JUNCTEK has launched a new battery monitor with waterproof function and simpler wiring. Anyone interested can watch this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxWY4RNY0t8

 

[Texas-Mark]

JUNCTEK has launched a new battery monitor with waterproof function and simpler wiring.

Simpler wiring? Not any different than the other ones. Cable from display to shunt, positive cable for power, and the negative through the shunt.

 

[Rickey]

Simpler wiring? Not any different than the other ones. Cable from display to shunt, positive cable for power, and the negative through the shunt.

Previously, the wiring of KH had to distinguish between 2W and 3W. The new BL Coulomb meter only needs to consider connecting positive and negative electrodes, making the wiring simpler than before.

 

[Texas-Mark]

Previously, the wiring of KH had to distinguish between 2W and 3W. The new BL Coulomb meter only needs to consider connecting positive and negative electrodes, making the wiring simpler than before.

So not having to flip a switch (which 99% of people would have left at the default) makes wiring simpler?

In any case, this "new" meter does not appear to have much of the functionality of the other ones. The version shown in the video only handles 50A. For the prices, I'll stick with the other versions.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806086705423.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt

 

[Rickey]

So not having to flip a switch (which 99% of people would have left at the default) makes wiring simpler?

In any case, this "new" meter does not appear to have much of the functionality of the other ones. The version shown in the video only handles 50A. For the prices, I'll stick with the other versions.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806086705423.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt

The BL series has 0-400A options, which is a good thing for those who pursue simplicity.

 

[Texas-Mark]

The BL series has 0-400A options

As do the others. If people want a smaller less informative display, that's fine, but I still fail to see how it is really any simpler to install.

 

[Rickey]

What is everyone's opinion on the Coulomb meter connected to WiFi? After connecting the Coulomb meter to WiFi, users can check the battery level anywhere in the world.

 

[a619]

What is everyone's opinion on the Coulomb meter connected to WiFi? After connecting the Coulomb meter to WiFi, users can check the battery level anywhere in the world.

At that point, I'd just use SA and rely on BMS coulomb counter

 

[Sonne]

What is everyone's opinion on the Coulomb meter connected to WiFi? After connecting the Coulomb meter to WiFi, users can check the battery level anywhere in the world.

I would want this feature to be added in a way where it is possible to upgrade the KH160F I already own, instead of needing a buy a whole new coulomb meter just to get wifi function. Then I would not buy it.

 

[Rickey]

I would want this feature to be added in a way where it is possible to upgrade the KH160F I already own, instead of needing a buy a whole new coulomb meter just to get wifi function. Then I would not buy it.

What if you need to spend an extra $20 to buy a WIFI-enabled monitor? Would you consider this option?

 

[Sonne]

What if you need to spend an extra $20 to buy a WIFI-enabled monitor? Would you consider this option?

Yes that would be great. It would be especially good if the wifi enabled monitor could be added to my system so I can have two monitors in different places. One close to the battery and one connected with RS-485 cable 20m away.

But if you can only make it work with one monitor then I could buy the new one for $20 and just stop using the old monitor.

 

[Sonne]

What is everyone's opinion on the Coulomb meter connected to WiFi? After connecting the Coulomb meter to WiFi, users can check the battery level anywhere in the world.

@Rickey will the new version X display unit with wifi built into it be the same physical size as the original display which shipped with the KH160F shunt?

As you see in the picture, I have my display flush mounted into a box, so if I will buy a new wifi enabled display, I want it to be exactly the same size so it fits in the same hole. Also, when will these wifi enabled displays which are compatible with the older shunts become available?

 

[Rickey]

I saw that a new WIFI coulomb meter has been launched on AliExpress, but it is a completely new set of products.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256807441702052.html?gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt