PowerSmart Announces Availability of the New PS3180 SmartShunt Battery Monitor

PowerSmart Inc. (Shelton, CT) has announced the availability of the PS3180 SmartShunt battery monitor for prototype evaluation. The SmartShunt is a battery-monitoring circuit integrated onto a high-current shunt assembly. It performs all major battery monitoring and reporting functions, including voltage, temperature, current and current-integration measurements, as well as providing state-of-charge and battery health information via a communications bus. The battery sensor is initially offered in 25A and 100A ratings. Alternate current ratings and customized mechanical mounting dimensions are also available.

PowerSmart claims that the small size of the SmartShunt, 1.41" x less than 0.33", allows it to be easily integrated into a compact smart-battery solution. The new sensor has an on-chip 14-bit integrating a/d converter, an on-chip eight-bit RISC microprocessor and an on-chip serial communications interface, in addition to self-learning algorithms and three-dimensional battery cell models. Target applications for the sensor include 12V, 24V, and 42V starting battery systems, hybrid-electric vehicles, standby telecommunications battery backup, as well as UPS battery backup.

The SmartShunt battery monitor is currently available. Pricing is below $20 for quantities of 1,000.