Control Panel Voltmeter

[SVTatia]

Forum searches failed to get me an answer... thus a question about built-in control panel meters:

I am looking at buying a new control panel and would like to know the reasons why I would need a voltmeter with it. I will have a battery monitor (Victrom) just beside it. Redundancy?

 

[Chris Patterson]

They look cool. Kind of like the graphic equalizer.

 

[Stu Jackson]

You don't need one if you have the monitor.

 

[JohnShannon]

Is the voltmeter going to be in a different location?
Like a monitor down below but a voltmeter by the helm?

 

[Stu Jackson]

I will have a battery monitor (Victron) just beside it. Redundancy?

John, that's why. That said, I have just that arrangement. Why? 'Cuz the voltmeter was there and chose to leave it instead of trying to cover up another hole. I don't need it, but it's there. I also have a voltmeter in the cockpit panel, but the small harness wires going there have a really large voltage drop, so it's pretty useless, but I've learned how to read it with the Theory of Relativity.

 

[SVTatia]

... but I've learned how to read it with the Theory of Relativity.

Stu, that is is a great skill to have.

There are more choices for panels w/o the meter - and cheaper too.

Thanks to you all.

 

[Benny17441]

Learning to read fluctuations rather than actual numbers is a valuable skill indeed. A voltmeter reading at the cockpit is usually incorrect but reading changes usuall rflect what is actually happening. Many chartplotters include a voltmeter function.

 

[Bob 04 H260]

I have a digital voltmeter and ammeter installed on the panel. It was there before there was a battery monitor. I think it is useful to check the voltage of the second battery. I just switch the battery supply to from #2 to #1 and I can read it easily no need to tear up the aft berth and get a voltmeter out for a quick check. The ammeter is nice to keep an eye on what is on at any time. The battery monitor is usually displaying SOC % so if a light has been left on in a locker it will be noticed quickly on the panel ammeter and turned off.
Just my experience with them, Bob