Dual Battery Monitor

Submitted: Monday, May 12, 2008 at 12:27
ThreadID: 57530 Views:6832 Replies:3 FollowUps:13
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I was looking to fit a dual battery monitor- that would indicate how much voltage in the aux. battery, and charge rate. OK- can be purchased for about $100+.
This device does the same- with bits from Jaycar and change from $20.
The LED indicator was about $12, and the slide swicth about $3.
Obviously the centre pole of the switch to the indicator, with one side to the aux battery circuit, and the other to ignition.
It's not an original idea. I think I saw it on a Camper Trailer forum a while back.
The thing is siliconed on, leaning slightly back so it doesn't reflect onto the windscreen.Image Could Not Be Found
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Reply By: Grassparrot - Monday, May 12, 2008 at 13:17

Monday, May 12, 2008 at 13:17
Signman,
Where did you get it from?
Grassparrot
AnswerID: 303426

Follow Up By: Member -Signman - Monday, May 12, 2008 at 13:31

Monday, May 12, 2008 at 13:31
Got the bits from a mob called Jaycar..
Sorry- I've stuffed up with the prices..

The Battery/Charger indicator
Part # QP2258 $9.95

The SubMinature Slide switch
Part # SS0812 90c

Bit of careful drilling & filing to mount the switch in, and there ya go !

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Reply By: Member - Smithy (VIC) - Monday, May 12, 2008 at 13:26

Monday, May 12, 2008 at 13:26
This also from jcar



Cheers
AnswerID: 303427

Follow Up By: Member - Smithy (VIC) - Monday, May 12, 2008 at 13:26

Monday, May 12, 2008 at 13:26
help if i put up the picImage Could Not Be Found
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Reply By: Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Monday, May 12, 2008 at 14:43

Monday, May 12, 2008 at 14:43
Well done, did you fuse the circuit with very light fuses ?

If the slide switch fails it will join the two batteries and could melt the wiring.

We have a similar circuit for the VoltMinder and can be used with any volt meter but I prefer toggle switches.



Regards

Derek.
AnswerID: 303438

Follow Up By: Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Monday, May 12, 2008 at 14:48

Monday, May 12, 2008 at 14:48
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Follow Up By: Member -Signman - Monday, May 12, 2008 at 15:02

Monday, May 12, 2008 at 15:02
Hi Derek
Not trying to 'cut across your bow' here mate !!
Thanks for the tip on the fuses..I guess any switch can fail, and always at the worst time !!
Cheers



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Follow Up By: Member - Happy Gutz (QLD) - Monday, May 12, 2008 at 18:45

Monday, May 12, 2008 at 18:45
Derek, where can I lay my hands on one. Nobody out here knows anything about them
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Follow Up By: Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Monday, May 12, 2008 at 18:58

Monday, May 12, 2008 at 18:58
On what ?
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Follow Up By: Member - Happy Gutz (QLD) - Monday, May 12, 2008 at 19:10

Monday, May 12, 2008 at 19:10
A volt Meter. Sorry I didn't explain
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Follow Up By: Member - Happy Gutz (QLD) - Monday, May 12, 2008 at 19:11

Monday, May 12, 2008 at 19:11
Volt Minder I should have said
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Follow Up By: Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Monday, May 12, 2008 at 19:19

Monday, May 12, 2008 at 19:19
Oh, they are on my site under 'Battery-Monitors-&-Protectors'

Sorry I am not allowed to post a link to it.

Regards

Derek.
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Follow Up By: Boobook2 - Monday, May 12, 2008 at 20:19

Monday, May 12, 2008 at 20:19
...

Voltminder here



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Follow Up By: Member - Happy Gutz (QLD) - Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 07:05

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 07:05
Thanks for the help, that's exactly why we are in this forum. And the humour. And the tantrums And the mateship
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Follow Up By: Boobook2 - Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 07:30

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 07:30
IMHO the Battery montor in the original Post by Signman is of little value beyond the basics. I bought one and found that it did little other than tell me that the engine was running and charging, the battery is ok, or it is dead. If that is all you need then they are ok.

However when you consider that a fully charged battery is at about 12.8v, and that you should not be discharged below 12 to 12.2 and dead flat is about 11.7V then You really need something that at least has 0.1v resolution.

Derek has a state of charge graph.here

Either voltmeters like Derek has or the LED bar graph Opposite lock or TJM ones will give you a good indication of the true state of your battery. Some like the Volt Minder also let you program an alarm when you get to a low level.
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Follow Up By: Member -Signman - Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 08:33

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 08:33
Comments noted Boobook..
That's all I'm interested in- 'the basics' ..
I'm really not going to lose any sleep over 0.1v- so long as the Engel keeps running then all good..

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