Battery Monitors.

Hi Cumbo,
I too am looking at the idea of mounting 2 guages also.
The problem i am having is, trying to find some that fit where i want them to go.
If you look at your GQ where the center concole is on your dash, I want to try and find to narrow meters that will also light up at night, but i want them to fit just under the 2 ctr air conditioner outlets. just where the dash comes out like a step just below the air outlets. I havent found any yet, but i know they are available, so i will keep looking until i do.

I hope you have better lick, its always nice to check that charging system is working before its too late.I love it when you talk DIRTY !

Stop for a beer/coke/cuppa and whip out the multi-meter ... you needed a break anyway. Rest, revive and all that ... fair dinkum, you lot seem to have more dollaros than you really need.Fidei defensor

Rosco

Hi Cumbo,
I assume you only want to monitor voltage, not current as stated. You can monitor both batteries, just use a changeover switch; a feed from the +ve of each battery to a single pole double throw switch, the common of which goes to the voltage meter. The Jaycar one would be fine for this. Sure, it's nice to see what both batteries are doing simultaneously, but really, the only battery which needs monitoring most of the time when camping is your aux battery (assuming you don't run things off the main battery when stationary).
If you want to monitor current, that is a bit trickier, and you will need a digital panel meter and a shunt, and you will probably have to calibrate it. Not worth it if you're not a techie - just go with the voltmeter.
The Jaycar voltmeter has a small backlight, which probably _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx 20-50mA; this is nothing really, but if you are worried about it draining the battery, use a three position switch, with the centre position being off. This will allay your fears of running the battery down.
On my old GQ, I mounted a digital panel meter in a small plastic box 80x50mm (from Jaycar) and mounted the whole thing in the space where the coin holder in the centre console goes. This was before Jaycar offered the nice voltmeter/temp guage. Looked good there, tho.
Gerry

I run the Jaycar meter - attached with velcro onto the dash. I have two cig sockets in the front - one from the main and the other from the aux and soldered a cig plug on the end of the Jaycar meter - just swap between the two. The Jaycar meter over-reads by about 0.4 volt in really hot weather. Otherwise its a good guide to battery charge.

I also have a cig plug lead for my digital multi meter, for a dead accurate reading.

Phil

Hi Cumbo
I made mine an I reckon its tops.

I bought two battery monitor kits from Jaycar (aprox $14 each).
These use a 10 LED display to indicate voltages from about 11 to 14.5, I mounted the two kits in one small plastic case (about 60 by 40 by 20mm also from jaycar).
One row of leds shows the main and the other the aux battery simultaneously. The advantage of having them next to each other is witt the engine off I can see at a glance each batteries individual state, with the enging running both dispalys should read the same, ie they are recieving a charge from the alternator, if the two diplays are not exactly the same this lets me know that the rotronics dual battery manager has not switched the second battery in yet indicating potential problem in the system.

Ther is also a model available that does a digital readout but I prefered the bar graph type display.

I finished the job with a self adhesive sticker that I printed from my inkjet printer with voltages etc, these ink jet stickers are available most computer places these days.

The kits are very simple to make 1 ic and a few other bits and pieces. You need an accurate multi meter to calibrate the displays, I can help here if you are in Sydney and dont mind a drive to Castle Hill.

Hi all,
I fitted a voltmeter to GU off to left of tacho and changeover switch below marked main/aux to monitor batteries are charging when driving and discharge state of aux when camping. Had a battery isolator fail (diode type) and did not pick it up until beer got warm -- you can get over this (diode failure ) by moving cable of failed diode to other post on isolator.
Bobw
GU2.8TDI

Cumbo,

Have a look at yesterdays discussion on the Jayco voltmeter/thermometer combo unit post: 9079. In particular check out Jamcage/Jason's follow-up post: 257497. He uses this unit with a switch so he can monitor two batteries.

:o) MelissaPetrol 4.5L GU Patrol &
Camprite TL8 offroad camper
http://members.westnet.com.au/flatdog