Battery/solar charge meter

Lately there has been a few threads on how to measure solar charge, battery condition, State of Charge etc.
I purchased a meter on eBay from a mob called elite.element. Does everything I want it to day plus more . Cost was about $30. Complete kit apart from a bit of hook-up cable. Easy to install (even for me!!). Just back from a short 2 week trip and it was a good piece of kit. Instructions are in Chinglish but easy to understand.

It can measure Forward and Reverse current.
Combines many functions in one,
Dual display for Voltage (V)
Current (A), Power (W)
Ampere-hour (Ah),
Working Hours (H), Charging Time, Discharging Time
Battery capacity (%)
Have built-in shunt, no need external shunt,
Flexible On-line calibration function, calibrate Voltage and amps reading easily.
Adopting modular design, collocate indicator lights on the panel for various working status.
4 digits LED for Voltage, Power, and Working hours reading, 3 digits LED for Current and Ah reading.
Lowe power consumption.
External power supply DC12V/24V, or powered by the same source being measured (10-90V).

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Reply By: wombat100 - Tuesday, Dec 16, 2014 at 15:36

Tuesday, Dec 16, 2014 at 15:36
The model I used is a DCM120100C
AnswerID: 543056

Follow Up By: Zippo - Tuesday, Dec 16, 2014 at 16:48

Tuesday, Dec 16, 2014 at 16:48
Is the shunt incorporated in that meter or is it remote? Remote would mean being able to have the shunt where the high current wiring is while the display is up where the driver needs it. (I looked at his ebay store but that model# didn't come up).
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FollowupID: 829876

Follow Up By: wombat100 - Tuesday, Dec 16, 2014 at 17:40

Tuesday, Dec 16, 2014 at 17:40
My shunt is 'external'. ie- connected at the battery
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FollowupID: 829881

Follow Up By: Zippo - Tuesday, Dec 16, 2014 at 18:43

Tuesday, Dec 16, 2014 at 18:43
I was fairly sure it was, for sensible/practical reasons, but the extract from the description said in-built so I hoped you would clarify that.
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Tuesday, Dec 16, 2014 at 18:58

Tuesday, Dec 16, 2014 at 18:58
The manual shows the shunt external, here.
See wiring diagrams on last page.
Cheers
Allan

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Follow Up By: Krooznalong - Wednesday, Dec 17, 2014 at 14:22

Wednesday, Dec 17, 2014 at 14:22
Can an electronics dummy ask a couple of questions?:
1. What is reverse current?
2. What is a shunt and its purpose?
Thanks in advance
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FollowupID: 829944

Follow Up By: Zippo - Wednesday, Dec 17, 2014 at 14:32

Wednesday, Dec 17, 2014 at 14:32
Usually in this context, reverse current means discharge i.e. shows negative on meter, while charge shows as positive.

A shunt is a small value resistor deasigned to carry a sizeable current. When a current passes through it, a voltage is developed across it (as is the case with all resistors). It is termed a shunt as it is wired ACROSS the sensing terminals of the meter i.e. it "shunts" the meter input. Because of the magnitude of currents involved in battery charging/loading and the gauge of wiring required, a shunt is generally used so that (a) the heavier load current doesn't have to travel to the meter location (and back) which increases unwanted volt drop; and (b) the sensed volt drop across the shunt can be wired to a remote meter with lighter gauge cable.
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