Link 10

[Bert]

I am considering buying a Link 10 Battery Monitor. After looking at the user guide, I found there was many settings which could impact its operation and threfore, I was wondering if it was very usefull. Does anybody have any experience with this unit?

 

[Gord May]

The Link 10 is an excellent instrument, and MUCH more than a mere volt-ammeter. The installation & extensive initial set-up is well documented in the instructions, and is the key to the device’s comprehensive intelligence. Having performed the set-up, you’ll get all the information you need from the Link.For many of us, the relatively high cost, and effort of installation may not be justified; but it can be an invaluable tool in evaluating & maintaining your electrical power system.Link-10 User Guide & Instructions:http://www.xantrex.com/support/docserve.asp?id=7Regards,Gord

 

[Trevor - SailboatOwners.com]

It's our onboard entertainment center!

Hi Bert -When I installed a completely new house bank (six 6 volts, with an Echo charger to keep a separate start battery up), I also installed a Link 10 to keep track of how much juice is coming and going from my batts. The Link 10 is a great way to find out exactly how many amps each electrical device uses (click it on and watch the meter!), how many amps your alternator or charger is putting out at any given time, and how much capacity remains in your bank (via amp hour measurement or percentage). Marketed under several names (i.e. Link 10 is the same thing as an E-meter), I highly recommend this device!Best,Trevor

 

[Tom S]

I second that. Highly recomend it

If you are just a day sailor and always tied to the dock you can get buy without one, but I find it invaluable to know just how much "juice" is going in and out of the batteries, how much time I have left on batteries at the present discharge rate, etc, etc. When you are not tied to shore power that often when you cruise knowing whats going on and where you are at with your batteries is really usefull. Keeps the guessing and second guessing down. Sometimes the battery voltage at a moment of time will not give as accurate an understanding of where your batteries are at with regards to charge capacity, as this device could.

 

[Bert]

Optional features - Link 10

Thanks folks,According to the Xantrex web site, there is an optional model 84-2016-02 which provides a RS232 data port and an andible alarm connection. I am not sure if it's worth the extra $ but I thought I would ask if this is usefull for you guys.

 

[Tom S]

Bert, Never added it, not needed in my case

I guess if you were **Really** into monitoring you could hook it up to a PC and run a spreadsheet program on total cycles and graph the charge discharge etc.As far as an alarm, I monitor all the time (and the visual bars help too) so I don't need it. I guess there aren't a lot of % of people adding that.