Voltmeter

Submitted: Thursday, Aug 06, 2009 at 20:32

ThreadID: 71272 Views:2766 Replies:4 FollowUps:11

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Imstat

I was thinking I would install a voltmeter (separate to the standard L Cruiser one in the dash) to tell the voltage in my second battery used for camping accessories.
Do you reckon this is a good idea?
Would there be a way I could wire it so it would only come on with the ignition (tricky??) other wise it would be on and showing voltage all the time (??) Thanks Ian

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Reply By: oldpop - Thursday, Aug 06, 2009 at 20:40

Thursday, Aug 06, 2009 at 20:40

Imstat

Wire it through a relay triggered by the ignition switch thats wat I have done

Regards

Oldpop

AnswerID: 377858

Follow Up By: Imstat - Thursday, Aug 06, 2009 at 20:50

Thursday, Aug 06, 2009 at 20:50

Brilliant! Thanks Oldpop. That is a neat way to go. Cheers Ian

FollowupID: 645243

Reply By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Thursday, Aug 06, 2009 at 20:58

Thursday, Aug 06, 2009 at 20:58

Hi Ian

Just wire it to the cigar socket, it is switched by the acc position of the ignition and is also fused.

I use a 2 way switch on mine to monitor voltage of both batteries. The shunt is only fitted to the aux battery.

Regards

Derek from ABR.

AnswerID: 377865

Follow Up By: Imstat - Thursday, Aug 06, 2009 at 21:04

Thursday, Aug 06, 2009 at 21:04

Thanks Derek, That's a great idea. Thanks for the terrific pic. Crikey! yours looks like a mighty set-up. That is a very smart looking meter. Cheers Ian

FollowupID: 645247

Follow Up By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Thursday, Aug 06, 2009 at 21:30

Thursday, Aug 06, 2009 at 21:30

Yes the MGL is great for testing isolators that is why I use it in my own vehicle. I also like to know what the fridge is drawing from the aux battery. The 2.7A above is the start up of my fridge.

The 2 way switch allows you to check for voltage drop and the shunt shows what the charge current is.

I use MRV70 batteries and when discharged below 12V the DBi-120 will deliver 45 amps for a full 30 or 40 minutes before starting to tapper off.

Regards

Derek

FollowupID: 645252

Follow Up By: Member - John (Vic) - Thursday, Aug 06, 2009 at 23:49

Thursday, Aug 06, 2009 at 23:49

Hi Derek
The MGL stuff is all aircraft instrumentation and very good gear at that.
You flogging those Voltmeters or did ya get it through the Aussie Distributor?

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FollowupID: 645267

Follow Up By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 07:15

Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 07:15

Hi John

I imported a batch direct from South Africa so do have stock. They are quite expensive but a fantastic instrument.

Regards

Derek

FollowupID: 645279

Follow Up By: Imstat - Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 08:00

Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 08:00

By the way, can relays be 'on' constantly. I am only familiar with say horn and driving lights that are on fairly briefly mostly ?? would they over heat ?
Thanks Ian

FollowupID: 645285

Follow Up By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 08:26

Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 08:26

Yes they can.

Fuel pump relays for example are on all the time while you drive.

FollowupID: 645286

Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 23:35

Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 23:35

Generally it's only Starter Solenoids that are designed to only be swiched on for a short period - other relays or solenoids are designed for continuous duty.

FollowupID: 645437

Reply By: Maîneÿ . . .- Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 10:33

Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 10:33

Ian,
why do you want it "in the dash" ?

would it be better situated where it can be readily seen when your stationary or camped, so you can readily see the battery condition ?

You would know it's charging when your driving, it would only be showing the charging reading anyway, if it's a reasonable Dual battery system the fridge would not be drawing more than what's being sent to the battery by the Alternator, so it would be fully charged when you stop.

Maîneÿ . . .

AnswerID: 377953

Follow Up By: Imstat - Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 10:53

Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 10:53

That is a good point Mainey.

Yes it would be handy to see a voltmeter while using the battery. At the moment for short stays my 2nd battery just works fine. I trust it - But it is pretty new. I really don't know its state of charge at any time though.

I would also like to know as I'm driving along that's it is recharging all okay. Maybe I'm being a bit too fussy here.

Thanks, Ian

FollowupID: 645311

Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 11:34

Friday, Aug 07, 2009 at 11:34

Ian,
you only need to know what's going 'in' and 'out' of your Aux battery, and the battery Voltage at a glance, no changing dials, loss of power etc.

These two gauge's show the important numbers for <$40 each.

Image Could Not Be FoundMaîneÿ . . .

FollowupID: 645315