Really straightforward little project I've been meaning to do for ages...finally fitted a voltmeter and 3 way (on-off-on) switch to allow me to monitor my leisure batteries and starter battery from the driver's seat.
The voltmeter was cheap off ebay but, checking against my multimeter, seems accurate. With dual 110Ah leisure batteries and separate solar systems for leisure (150w) and starter/vehicle (40w) it gives useful info. Can also tell when split charge relay has switched over to the leisure bank by watching the voltages change (don't get distracted whilst driving though!).
The wiring was pretty easy as my stereo is already wired to the leisure battery and there is a 12v socket nearby on the starter side so I just picked up from there (and common earth). Was expecting a bit of voltage drop (i.e. was expecting to see 0.1v or so lower at the dash meter than at the battery terminals) but doesn't appear to be. Interesting to see the voltage drop then recover as various ancillaries are turned on off, gives a good idea of where the amps are going!
Hope the video hosting works... (albeit looks a bit weirdly stretched!)
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Simple Battery Monitor System
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Simple Battery Monitor System
1986 1.9DG WBX LPG, 4 spd manual. Westy poptop. Renogy lithium leisure. 175W solar. CR50 fridge. Propex. RX8 seats.
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Re: Simple Battery Monitor System
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