Neat little volt meter gadget

Skipper

Skipper

.
Oct 9, 2008
1,742
Bristol 29.9 Dana Point
I love gadgets. However, I resist with all my might the temptation to put useless junk on the boat. I'm also not a nailer or a cutter. Anyone who defiles a sailing vessel for cosmetic or unessesary reasons should be snarled at.

Therefore, it has to be a usable and uncluttering gadget. :dance:
My control panel does not have a volt meter. Also, the engine control panel has an amp meter (I'm aware of the isssues), not volt.

This little meter (pics) shows the voltage to the 100th, has a graph for battery level, lights for condition, is illuminated, and plugs right into a CLA.

It rotates to allow access to the cabinet behind in my case, or to allow various viewing angles. Also, it matches the other gear at the nav station.

The beauty is that it cost me $14 bucks. Model Equus Innova 3721.

Now when I'm sailing for hours\days, I know when (if) to switch the batts, or start the engine. Also, based on time elapsed I can calculate battery charge longevity for future use and conservation. Or, I can see how the alt is charging when the engine is running. If needed.

Sorry, geeking out a little. But, I love gadgets. :D
 

Attachments

Erieau

Erieau

.
Apr 3, 2009
209
Oday 25 Erieau
That's a neat little voltmeter, and installation couldn't be simpler.
I like the precision (1/100), and if it's got decent accuracy, then you've found a perfect solution there.
Bear in mind you may have a tiny voltage drop in the wires to the DC outlet, but that should be minimal with the tiny draw of a voltmeter, right?
 
Don S/V ILLusion

Don S/V ILLusion

.
Sep 25, 2008
7,501
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
It's a toy.
Although it may be of use as a relative indicator of condition, I assume the precision of its readings is indicative of its cost. I wouldn't put much faith it what it reads, particularly as it appears it plugs I to the infamous cigarette lighter type plug with its inherent weaknesses in terms of integrity, weak connection mechanics and resistance.
 
Skipper

Skipper

.
Oct 9, 2008
1,742
Bristol 29.9 Dana Point
Don S/V ILLusion said:
It's a toy.
Although it may be of use as a relative indicator of condition, I assume the precision of its readings is indicative of its cost. I wouldn't put much faith it what it reads, particularly as it appears it plugs I to the infamous cigarette lighter type plug with its inherent weaknesses in terms of integrity, weak connection mechanics and resistance.
Click to expand
I tested it against a multi-meter at the CLA. It's accurate. I didn't test voltage drop by connecting the multi direct to the batt. I'll try that later. Anyway, any voltage drop from wiring, etc is to my advantage, for I can put faith in that if it reads a good charge then the voltage is better than it is reading.

We'll see how long it lasts. You're right that it can't be considered as robust marine equipment, but it sure beats $200 for a "marine" unit which would have to be installed - IE: cutting. If it lasts a year I'm happy; no loss at $14 and easily disposable to the boat - no harm. And it's a huge amount better than nothing.
 
Skipper

Skipper

.
Oct 9, 2008
1,742
Bristol 29.9 Dana Point
Joe vandenEnden said:
That's a neat little voltmeter, and installation couldn't be simpler.
I like the precision (1/100), and if it's got decent accuracy, then you've found a perfect solution there.
Bear in mind you may have a tiny voltage drop in the wires to the DC outlet, but that should be minimal with the tiny draw of a voltmeter, right?
Click to expand
Seems like it. I looked for the draw stats when posting but couldn't find them. I saw them somewhere but can't remember exactly. When I saw the stats at the time I recall that the draw was very low.

BTW If I'm really power concious I can then only plug it in when I want to read it.
 
N

nolasafari

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Jul 19, 2013
186
Hunter 33 New Orleans
Skipper, I like it, nice handy, affordable, and portable.

Don, you criticisms are well founded and I often get caught up in my own quest for accuracy, I then have to remind myself it is a boat and not a Heart Lung Machine.
 
Brian D

Brian D

.
Feb 17, 2006
5,274
Lancer 27PS MCB Camp Pendleton KF6BL
With today's technological advances in SMT, cost is no longer a factor on accuracy. I have a frequency counter that is very small and extremely accurate and cost me about $20. 40 years ago I would agree with the comment you get what you pay for. But now a days, this could be a phrase of the past.

I like what I see. I will have to look at the device more closely.
 
C

Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
I have it in my cart on Amazon. If Don doesn't like it, it has to be a great product! ha Chief
 
Don S/V ILLusion

Don S/V ILLusion

.
Sep 25, 2008
7,501
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
Chief RA said:
I have it in my cart on Amazon. If Don doesn't like it, it has to be a great product! ha Chief
Click to expand
Sorry for hurting your feelings when I disagreed with your opinion. Guess this forum is reserved only for yours...
 
Maine Sail

Maine Sail

.
Feb 6, 1998
11,713
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Skipper said:
I love gadgets. However, I resist with all my might the temptation to put useless junk on the boat. I'm also not a nailer or a cutter. Anyone who defiles a sailing vessel for cosmetic or unessesary reasons should be snarled at.

Therefore, it has to be a usable and uncluttering gadget. :dance:
My control panel does not have a volt meter. Also, the engine control panel has an amp meter (I'm aware of the isssues), not volt.

This little meter (pics) shows the voltage to the 100th, has a graph for battery level, lights for condition, is illuminated, and plugs right into a CLA.

It rotates to allow access to the cabinet behind in my case, or to allow various viewing angles. Also, it matches the other gear at the nav station.

The beauty is that it cost me $14 bucks. Model Equus Innova 3721.

Now when I'm sailing for hours\days, I know when (if) to switch the batts, or start the engine. Also, based on time elapsed I can calculate battery charge longevity for future use and conservation. Or, I can see how the alt is charging when the engine is running. If needed.

Sorry, geeking out a little. But, I love gadgets. :D
Click to expand
Best bet with those is to direct wire a dedicated 12V outlet to the house bank with a fuse in the + lead close to the batt. You then use it to detect trends and monitor for abnormal behavior. In time you will get to know your bank using that volt meter. For example if you always woke up and the meter read 12.4 - 12.45 and now all of a sudden you are seeing 12.0 - 12.1 you know something is amiss... Good for detecting trends...


If you want to know "full" rested open circuit voltage for your bank charge them to full, disconnect all loads and let them sit at 80F for 24+ hours. Now deduct roughly .1V for every 10% of capacity (rested voltage of course) and your meter should line up relatively closely.....

Remember 10% of capacity is approx 0.1V so don't look to it for the utmost in accuracy, but it will be fine for trends and ball parks..
 
Ron20324

Ron20324

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Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
It has been a few years, but I got mine at the Sears auto center. I plugged it in the Caddy and compared volt readings, which were favorable accuracy for it's use.
 
C

cbourne200

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Dec 27, 2011
279
Oday 272 Pensacola
On my '87 O'Day 272, there is a 3 position battery test switch - battery1, off, battery2. While it has no markings as to amount of voltage/amperage, it moves maybe 20% of dial when 1 or 2 is selected. It is not on a CLA, so may need to add one or use existing CLA to determie charge of batteries. Thanks for the posting

Charles
 
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