measure how many a/h im using per day

I have 2 80w solar panels & 2 110a/h batteries
all the lights in the van are 12v only
At the moment i only have one 12v cig plug
fridge is 3 way auto first 240v then gas last 12v
My question is (sorry for being long winded lol )
Is there a device or a way of measuring how many a/h i am using per day ???
warren aka aussichef
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Reply By: Ianw - Tuesday, Jun 22, 2010 at 23:31

Tuesday, Jun 22, 2010 at 23:31
Yes, there are Amphour meters available. Should read This before using one. They may or may not be accurate.

Ian
AnswerID: 421811

Follow Up By: Ianw - Thursday, Jun 24, 2010 at 18:44

Thursday, Jun 24, 2010 at 18:44
Since writing this, I have been trying to find one myself, with no luck. Like you I would like to have one for measuring the usage of different appliances etc. If anyone has a link to one of these, please let us know !!

Ian
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FollowupID: 692370

Reply By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Thursday, Jun 24, 2010 at 19:48

Thursday, Jun 24, 2010 at 19:48
Since you specifically want one for measuring different appliances (as opposed to using a solar regulator with inbuilt total Amphour usage etc), then i would recommend the Turnigy Wattmeter for portability.


source: hobbycity.com

With a simple addition of connectors of your choice (anderpole, anderson SB50, cigarette plug and socket, etc) these little units come in very handy. They can be found for under $50, though many sellers are nasty and charge more. :(

It is nice to have a simple device that can measure Amps, Amphours, Watts, Voltage, V(min). I'm off tomorrow on our school holiday trip North and the ability to know the consumption of particular devices is handy.

There are other meters (including those built into some solar regulators) that use a largish shunt to achieve the same outcome. This fella uses a damn small internal shunt still, though all reports indicate that is not of concern contrary to some DC beliefs.

See Here for one such review of them.Mine is set up with the same anderpole connectors. ;) Google for specs.

Probably one of the cheapest wattmeters available though still performs extremely well.

For the whole 12V system, a dedicated solar regulator with Amphours IN and OUT displayed would be used by many.


source: Jaycar MP3129

Hope that helps and gives you another option:) I would take some photos of the wattmeter in use if i wasn't packing (and interneting LOL).

Andrew
AnswerID: 422005

Follow Up By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Thursday, Jun 24, 2010 at 19:55

Thursday, Jun 24, 2010 at 19:55
Rereading your question, i would imagine a solar regulator with LCD display of required information, set up correctly, would be enough. Measure each appliance (fridge etc) by switching on one at a time and reading off the displayed information.

Others may help you with specific models to choose.

Andrew
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FollowupID: 692374

Follow Up By: Ianw - Thursday, Jun 24, 2010 at 23:44

Thursday, Jun 24, 2010 at 23:44
Andrew, I cant seem to find that Turnigy meter on the listed site.

Ian
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FollowupID: 692407

Follow Up By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 07:14

Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 07:14
It's there ;) however try hobbyscene for an aussie location.

Andrew
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FollowupID: 692418

Follow Up By: Ianw - Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 21:28

Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 21:28
Thanks Andrew, just ordered one from hobbyscene for $43.xx and $5.xx postage.
All up just under $50. I found lots of different ones in HK and US for various prices but with postage all up prices were similar so prefer to buy in Aust.

Ian
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FollowupID: 692503

Reply By: Maîneÿ . . .- Thursday, Jun 24, 2010 at 20:00

Thursday, Jun 24, 2010 at 20:00
aussichef
Some of the better solar regulators have an in-built loggerism that can show information that is useful, but I'm guessing you already have a regulator.

Image Could Not Be Found
Maîneÿ . . .
AnswerID: 422010

Follow Up By: Ianw - Thursday, Jun 24, 2010 at 20:45

Thursday, Jun 24, 2010 at 20:45
Wow !! If the battery is indeed at 100%, 2.4 amps will kill it quick !!!
I think you should read my previous reference !!

Ian
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FollowupID: 692383

Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Thursday, Jun 24, 2010 at 22:03

Thursday, Jun 24, 2010 at 22:03
Ian,
fortunately I know different, the Steca photo above only shows what's going to the battery, not what's simultaneously going from the battery.

Maîneÿ . . .
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FollowupID: 692395

Follow Up By: Alloy c/t - Thursday, Jun 24, 2010 at 22:11

Thursday, Jun 24, 2010 at 22:11
Ianw , 2.4 amps kill it quick ??Your dreaming , push the button on the Steca for the next function readout , amp draw comes up , SOC bar graph is divided by 10 units ,not 100 ,ergo while readout may state 100% in actual fact batt may be anywhere from 91% up.
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FollowupID: 692399

Follow Up By: Ianw - Thursday, Jun 24, 2010 at 23:43

Thursday, Jun 24, 2010 at 23:43
Alloy, The reply showed a meter showing a full battery and 2.5 amps going into it ( as stated by the caption) Thats all ! Under those conditions the battery will indeed die a quick death !! Try it yourself. Get a full battery, apply a 2.5 amp charge, (Probably need 18 to 20 volts) and see how long the battery lasts. I advise standing back a bit !!

Ian
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FollowupID: 692406

Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 09:57

Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 09:57
Just to clarify the situation, I'm not taking sides but showing the series of photo's which were taken on 5th October 2007 @ 3.47pm with the solar system laying flat on the roof.

Image Could Not Be Found
Image Could Not Be Found
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The photo's when viewed in context, clearly show the Steca solar regulator has reduced the Amperage available to the battery to just 2.4 Amps, from the available 6.8 Amps produced by the solar panel.
As the battery charges further the Amps will further reduce.

In this series of photo's I don't have one with the battery Voltage showing in the same photo as the 100% SOC so can't prove absolutely and beyond any doubt the actual battery Voltage, however, I believe it would be in the vicinity of 13.8v - 13.9v, which is just above the float Voltage of 13.6v.

Maîneÿ . . .
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FollowupID: 692432

Follow Up By: Ianw - Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 21:04

Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 21:04
Hey Mainey, I'm not disputing it. It was just an off the cuff comment about the situation displayed in the original photo. You would have to agree that forcing 2.5 amps into a battery that is indeed 100% full will end up destroying it through overcharging. Now that you have explained the actual situation all is clear. Have you read this explanation of the inaccuracies and dangers associated with ahr meters. It is worth reading, it just might save your battery.


http://www.smartgauge.co.uk/sgvahrs.html

Ian
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FollowupID: 692500

Follow Up By: Alloy c/t - Sunday, Jun 27, 2010 at 08:21

Sunday, Jun 27, 2010 at 08:21
Ianw , all do is show your ignorance , "probably 18 - 20 volts " , where oh where do you get that figure from , any charger or solar regulator worth having ? think not.
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FollowupID: 692608

Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Sunday, Jun 27, 2010 at 10:53

Sunday, Jun 27, 2010 at 10:53
Yes, when a (quality) solar regulator is used it regulates the Solar panel Voltage (~18 Volts) down to the 13v to 15v that goes to the battery, dependent upon the solar regulator.
Alloy, as you suggest 18 - 20 Volts is not realistic because it would kill the battery.

Maîneÿ . . .
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FollowupID: 692617

Follow Up By: Ianw - Sunday, Jun 27, 2010 at 17:31

Sunday, Jun 27, 2010 at 17:31
Hey Dick alloy, it would take 18 to 20 volts to force 2.4 amps into a fully charged battery. And yes Mainey it would kill the battery. And the picture that started this foolishness showed 2.4 amps going into a fully charged battery. End of story.

Ian
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FollowupID: 692649

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