I'm tired of the battery dying, without warning, on my single-battery C22. Can I simply install West Marine's $25 voltmeter (Teleflex gauge) to monotor the charge, so that I know when its getting low? I have an outboard w/ alternator, but I'm not sure how effective it is. Thanks, all!
- Status
Go Digital!!
Yes you can, but for it to be an effective tool for you to measure the health of your battery you will need a digital voltmeter. Analog (needle type) does not display a usable measurement. Your battery is fully charged at 12.8 volts and significantly discharged at 12.0. I don't recall the exact number, but it is small enough to be not noticed with an analog gauge.
Yes you can, but for it to be an effective tool for you to measure the health of your battery you will need a digital voltmeter. Analog (needle type) does not display a usable measurement. Your battery is fully charged at 12.8 volts and significantly discharged at 12.0. I don't recall the exact number, but it is small enough to be not noticed with an analog gauge.
Who makes a digital voltmeter?
Thanks, Mark for the interesting insight. Who makes a digital voltmeter? Henry
Thanks, Mark for the interesting insight. Who makes a digital voltmeter? Henry
Digital Voltmeter
Avoid marine prices, go to Radio Shack and pick up a $10 digital meter. Add two banana plugs on your battery wires, plug the meter in anytime, and see what's going on. Of course, it's a bit more than just the voltage, but that's a story that is covered in detail in many other publications, like Calder's Boatowner's Manual.
Avoid marine prices, go to Radio Shack and pick up a $10 digital meter. Add two banana plugs on your battery wires, plug the meter in anytime, and see what's going on. Of course, it's a bit more than just the voltage, but that's a story that is covered in detail in many other publications, like Calder's Boatowner's Manual.
2nd battery?
Can you install a 2nd battery with a guest switch to shift between the two? You could keep one for the house and one just for starting. I did that on my O'day 272 and it was a great addition!
Can you install a 2nd battery with a guest switch to shift between the two? You could keep one for the house and one just for starting. I did that on my O'day 272 and it was a great addition!
i went to raideo shack and bought...
a dc volt meter and a dc amp meter for less than 40 bucks!! they work great i know how many amps im drawing and the charge rate i mounted them right next to my fuse panel and put them in searies with my wiring
a dc volt meter and a dc amp meter for less than 40 bucks!! they work great i know how many amps im drawing and the charge rate i mounted them right next to my fuse panel and put them in searies with my wiring
Digital Volt Meter Source
I bought mine at JC Whitney & Co., they do inexpensive/cheap autoparts via the mail. They have a digital voltmeter for $35.00, that you can program a "low voltage" setting that will flash the voltage at the set reading (mine is at 12.4v), and then scroll "low voltage" when the value dips below that. Additionally, it is 2" round with a black face that fit into my electrical panel at the nav station above and to the right of my battery switch. I wired it into the electrical panel so that I may check the status of each battery, just by moving the selector switch. And it will alert me to failure of the alternator. With the engine running the volt meter should register above 13 volts. It was a great little, inexpensive modification that give peace of mind.
I bought mine at JC Whitney & Co., they do inexpensive/cheap autoparts via the mail. They have a digital voltmeter for $35.00, that you can program a "low voltage" setting that will flash the voltage at the set reading (mine is at 12.4v), and then scroll "low voltage" when the value dips below that. Additionally, it is 2" round with a black face that fit into my electrical panel at the nav station above and to the right of my battery switch. I wired it into the electrical panel so that I may check the status of each battery, just by moving the selector switch. And it will alert me to failure of the alternator. With the engine running the volt meter should register above 13 volts. It was a great little, inexpensive modification that give peace of mind.
- Status