What gauges are useful?

rgranger · Mar 12, 2017

Scott

If you are like me and at most will spend a week on a cruise (on occasions). Then I think you are good to go. If you are going to do more extensive cruising then I got no real experience to share. I like some gizmos but also realize the more stuff you have the more time you spend fixing stuff and the less time you spend on adventures.

Ted · Mar 12, 2017

Scott, I find that an engine hour meter/gauge to be helpful to determine service intervals. It can also be useful to give you a secondary guide to fuel consumption.

dlochner · Mar 12, 2017

Scott T-Bird said:
I guess my main question would be is there any reason to monitor AC with a volt meter and an ammeter, or would they just be decoration?

The AC volt meter might be nice to have, but certainly not a priority. It is helpful when plugging into a marina to know that the AC is 120 or 110, or lower or higher. Spend the money on a decent quality Digital Volt-Ohm meter, it is more useful in more situations and you can use it to check the voltage when first plugged in or when the lights dim.

Ron20324 · Mar 12, 2017

Scott T-Bird said:
... is there any reason to monitor AC with a volt meter and an ammeter, or would they just be decoration?

No real need, but they are a nice way to make other skippers jealous. Kind of like Bow Bunnies, but cheaper.

dlochner · Mar 12, 2017

Another thought. The Balmar Smart Gauge for battery SOC. Easy to install, gives SOC and voltage. Buy from Compass Marine, last I checked, Maine had a really good price.

capta · Mar 12, 2017

If you ever plug in to shore power or if there is a fault in your inverter, it might be nice to able to monitor your AC voltage.

Stu Jackson · Mar 12, 2017

AC voltage is a "nice to have" but I've sailed our boat for 18 years, it's 30 years old and never had one.

If I need to know AC voltage, I use my DVM in an outlet, just like I do for a crosscheck with my built-in on polarity.

Scott for the way you have described your sailing over the years and in your new waters, not an issue or a necessity.

jssailem · Mar 12, 2017

Save the money Scott and put it in your cruise kitty

jssailem · Mar 12, 2017

Or in Sue's return to Hawaii fund. You know your going to need it.

LeslieTroyer · Mar 13, 2017

No matter what gauges you get the important thing is to position them where you can easily view them. If they are out of the way - or you need to get down on hands and knees to read them - they wont be used. I'm specifically thinking of the horrible location of my engine cluster - I literally either have to get on my knees or sit down and lean over at 180 deg to read them. Being hard of hearing I don't hear the audible alarms either.

So one "gauge" not yet talked about is a bilge pump counter - I've been thinking about adding one.

Les

rgranger · Mar 13, 2017

LeslieTroyer said:
So one "gauge" not yet talked about is a bilge pump counter - I've been thinking about adding one.

Les

I read a post on here years ago where someone added a simple LED light in line with the bilge wiring and routed that to the cockpit. That way, if the bilge was running, he would know about it. Seems like a smart move.

flynhi4u · Mar 13, 2017

I think a beer in cooler meter would be handy. It always amazes me how quickly the beers disappear on the hook. Probably some correlation between the speed of the beer loss and ice melt since the faster the ice melts the faster the beer level drops.

Sam

Allan12210 · Mar 13, 2017

I installed a combination AC digital volt/ammeter on my panel. I like it as it reminds me when to shut off one power hog (electric space heater, microwave, water heater, coffee maker) when I want to use another. I can also recognize certain appliances when those appliances kick on including my battery charger. It was a really easy installation. Thread a wire through a donut and tap onto the incoming screw terminal after the main AC breaker.

https://www.amazon.com/DROK-100-300...d=1489414525&sr=8-8&keywords=Digital+volt+amp

There are a few other things on my panel of some use...12 power adapters and USB, 110 with GFCI to all the other outlets on the port side. Starboard was handled separately at the first receptacle.

dc78212 · Mar 13, 2017

The only way most gauges are useful is if you are watching them... or if they will track the high and low. If you really only dock at your home dock, buy a line power conditioner and call it good. You can take it with you and most don't need be mounted "permanently". I have one in my RV as well as boat. Same plugs and is 110v. If voltage goes too high or low, it shuts off power to the RV/boat until it evens back out and then restores power. Automatic, no perm install and I don't have to stare at a gauge to "catch" it happening. Most have some kind of way to lock it also... well the good ones do. Works at any dock when I travel.

Gauges and other crap that has no real purpose is "cool" but adds another fail point. A guy at my home port recently added pressurized water to his boat <shrugs> whatever. Not living aboard, I really had no clue why he wanted to turn his boat into an RV, but to each his own... The last time I saw him he was involved in the recovery operation as his boat sank overnight. A hose came off a fitting and the bilge could not keep up. Usefulness? No. Fail point? Obvious. Funny, a $5 ball valve cutoff would have prevented the whole ordeal. Shut it off when not there is free...

Usefulness? No... unless you plan on watching it 24/7... Just another fail point. My boat has one... it came that way 40+ years ago... I never look at it. When I get ready to replace my panel, I doubt I will put one back in.

dlochner · Mar 13, 2017

Phil seems to think that this is what's needed.

alleytm · Mar 13, 2017

One item I've found very useful in the two years since I added it was a digital temperature readout for the ice box on our Alberg 35. Helps to build confidence that the egg salad stays domesticated.

Also helps verify whether the ice box (or refrigerator) just "feels warm" or actually is warm.

What gauges are useful?

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SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

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