I just lost our battery monitor (failed due to age.) I will replace with another however in the mean time I am hooking up 2 analog volt meters 1 for each bank. (starter and House). My question for the group is...do I need to install a switch to turn this analog meter on and off or can it just always be on? Thanks
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Steve, You can keep it simple.
Most meters draw so little that most battery banks discharge quicker when just sitting. But why two meters? Why not one meter and a selector switch?
Most meters draw so little that most battery banks discharge quicker when just sitting. But why two meters? Why not one meter and a selector switch?
One meter is all you need
I just did the same thing, but I used one meter and two momentary push button switches. So I have one switch for each batter bank and put the button when I want to see the voltage. Works great, uses very little power and only one meter. Let me know if you have any questions.
I just did the same thing, but I used one meter and two momentary push button switches. So I have one switch for each batter bank and put the button when I want to see the voltage. Works great, uses very little power and only one meter. Let me know if you have any questions.
Volt Meter
Steve, when I got in sailing some 15 years ago, I bought a cheap boat with no monitor system for the battery. So I designed one and is now on the market for $ 20.00. If you are interested I can send you the details. Frank Vanzon
Steve, when I got in sailing some 15 years ago, I bought a cheap boat with no monitor system for the battery. So I designed one and is now on the market for $ 20.00. If you are interested I can send you the details. Frank Vanzon
Volt meter
Check www.iboats.com for $ 56.00 plus S & H Blue Sea # 8015 will monitor three batteries on one gauge. West Marine wanted close to $ 90.00
Check www.iboats.com for $ 56.00 plus S & H Blue Sea # 8015 will monitor three batteries on one gauge. West Marine wanted close to $ 90.00
My question is about the switch
I had a Heart Link 2000 which is now at Xantrex in Washington being repaired. I will be getting that back soon so that will be my main Battery monitor, However in the mean ( and I will be keeping these installed as a backup) time I wireed 2 DC voltmeters directly to my house bank and the starter battery. Its been hooked up for 1 week and constantly "on" with no measuable depleation. the question is weather I should turn them on with a switch?. Fred yours has been the most straight forward answer so far. I thank everyone for there response but was looking for an answer to the switch. Thanks
I had a Heart Link 2000 which is now at Xantrex in Washington being repaired. I will be getting that back soon so that will be my main Battery monitor, However in the mean ( and I will be keeping these installed as a backup) time I wireed 2 DC voltmeters directly to my house bank and the starter battery. Its been hooked up for 1 week and constantly "on" with no measuable depleation. the question is weather I should turn them on with a switch?. Fred yours has been the most straight forward answer so far. I thank everyone for there response but was looking for an answer to the switch. Thanks
Testing Battery Voltage
To me, the easiest and least expensive way to be able to test battery voltage (and lots of other things on board) is with a digital volt meter (DVM). While I have an expensive one at home, I bought a DVM brand new on eBay for $5+a buck and half shipping that lives on the boat. While it would be easy to hard wire this device up to the panel and use it as a battery meter, that would defeat the usefulness of this wonderful device.
To me, the easiest and least expensive way to be able to test battery voltage (and lots of other things on board) is with a digital volt meter (DVM). While I have an expensive one at home, I bought a DVM brand new on eBay for $5+a buck and half shipping that lives on the boat. While it would be easy to hard wire this device up to the panel and use it as a battery meter, that would defeat the usefulness of this wonderful device.
You're right
You're right Steve, Fred gave you a great answer. Nonetheless, don't expect a basic voltmeter to tell you much more than "more or less" regarding the state of battery charge.
You're right Steve, Fred gave you a great answer. Nonetheless, don't expect a basic voltmeter to tell you much more than "more or less" regarding the state of battery charge.
Thank You everyone
Thanks to everyone who answered. I will leave the analogs directly installed to the batteries. I also calabrated them with a digital volt meter. they were almost right on. The digital gives a better read out of exactly is in the banks but at least I have a "pretty good" idea of what the batteries have in them while I await my heart link 2000 return. And redundancy is not really a bad thing on a sailboat! Thanks again. Steve
Thanks to everyone who answered. I will leave the analogs directly installed to the batteries. I also calabrated them with a digital volt meter. they were almost right on. The digital gives a better read out of exactly is in the banks but at least I have a "pretty good" idea of what the batteries have in them while I await my heart link 2000 return. And redundancy is not really a bad thing on a sailboat! Thanks again. Steve
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