Hi Hive mind,
I have a DC system - Venus, Smart Shunt, Solar Controllers. Winter is coming and solar isn't quite cutting it, I have a Blue Smart Charger 15amp that I am using to keep my batteries nicely topped up and connected directly to my batteries.
I am wanting to know:
A - how much power I am actually taking from the grid.
B - what do I need to add to make sure VRM is reporting the correct info.
I know adding a Multiplus or similar will report all this, but it seems a little overkill as I have nothing that uses 230V. I have also seen the Phoenix Smart chargers that Have a VE.Direct port built in, but they seem a little overkill as well seen as though I am only using a charge current of 7.5 amps
1. Is it better to use a AC energy meter or a DC smart shunt in energy meter mode
2. If I went down the Ac energy meter path, would it display on Venus as AC IN and my VRM stats show up correctly.
thoughts, comments, suggestions, solutions all appriciated
James