Comparison
Comparing comparable shunts - WIP
Last updated
Comparing comparable shunts - WIP
Last updated
| PwrTool 500 | Victron SmartShunt 500 | Thornwave PowerMon | REDARC Smart Battery Monitor | LNEX AirShunt 500 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Current (Max/Const)
500A/300A
500A/300A
500/?
500/?
500/?
Voltage
6-60v
6.5-70v
up to 32v (v3.0) / 72v (v3.1)
9-32v
8-100v
Hot/Cold ()
Cold Only
Hot Only
Cold Only
Cold Only
Wireless
Wifi + Bluetooth for provisioning
Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Bluetooth
User Interface
Home Assistant; built-in web server
Android/iOS App
Android/iOS App
Android/iOS App
APPS MISSING
Expansion
I2C, SPI, UART, LED, GPIO
VE.direct (custom UART, documented)
Proprietary Bluetooth Touchscreen Only
R-Bus / CAN (Undocumented)
UART (Undocumented)
Firmware
ESPHome(Default) or custom code via Arduino/ESP-IDF
Proprietary
Proprietary
Proprietary
Proprietary
Hardware
ESP32-C3 + INA238 + SHTC3
Proprietary
Proprietary
Proprietary
Proprietary
Temperature
SHTC3 on front w/Humidity; Sense IC die temp facing shunt; External Optional
External Optional
External DS18B20 via proprietary connector
External on included B+ cable?
External Included
External Voltage Sense
Optional via GPIO
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
DC Power Conversion
5V/2A (10w) Buck + 3.3V/1A Linear regulator
Internal only
Internal only
Internal only
Internal only
Load Control
N-MOS up to 45w (TBD) with PWM control: Lighting, Relay, SSR, etc
No
MOSFET for external relay or SSR
with compatible external control system
No
LEDs
On-board WS2182b with level-shifted output on GPIO; On-board red status light
Bluetooth; Error Status
None
Bluetooth Staus
Bluetooth; Warning Status
Buttons
Boot (GPIO9) - Usable in Home Assistant; Reset; GPIO expandable
None
None
Bluetooth Control
None
Documentation
Open source updateable wiki managed by VDBX.io
Manual, dimensional drawings, datasheet on website
Have to google for manual which is on external site, main website lacks clarity
Manual on website
No website or manual available
Price - USD
$149
$129
$139
$189
$69
Vibe Check
Extensible & Hackable Open Hardware + 16-Bit ADC + Environment Sensor. Works with Home Assistant out of the box.
Industry standard but limited to proprietary app without external hardware.
The only hot-side shunt in this category. Another proprietary bluetooth app. Only compatible with Thornwave control system.
Marketed for overlanding with "rugged" design - only compatible with REDARC control system and a proprietary app.
DO NOT BUY - The app has vanished in 2023/24 and their website hasn't been around for years. Zero support but still on Amazon.
