Battery monitor pricing
I understand the need for a battery monitor - certainly the analogy of monitoring your fuel level via a fuel pressure gauge strikes home (although it's a little bit off). I want to get one. What I ...
Forum Discussion
Hi,
I have a "E-Meter" that was developed before the Tri Metric. Same person, but first or second 'stage' before the Tri Metric.
I paid around $375 back in 1999, when wages and prices where much lower, so with inflation, the cost 'would be around $500 today'.
Yes it is very accurate, and there is a lot to counting all those amp hours.
I did not use 'twisted pair' wire, but instead used 8 wire thermostat wire (I had plenty sitting around). IT has worked great for over 15 years.
You might want to check out this magazine, you might find a vendor who will sell them at a lower cost.
HomePower.com Magazine. Look for an advertisers list near the back of the magazine.
ALso check SolarOnSale.com
SunElec.com is where you can buy solar panels for a great price.
Overall, I had a pick. I could spend $375 for a 75 watt solar panel (well I bought 1 not 2) or spend $375 on this meter. My wife said 'Install the meter' - so I have the meter.
The meter will not collect any more power, but can be handy in tracking down small loads that make the battery go dead over a week, just because a 1 amp load X 7 days X 24 hours is close to 200 AH, about what most batteries are rated at.
My RV has a 0.8 amp load all the time when the battery switches are 'on'. It is running the CO meter and propane leak detector. Add the refrigerator, and it will go up to about 1.2 amps per hour. Or around 35 AH daily.
My 400 watt solar system can put back about 21 AH per hour from 10 am to about 2 pm. Usually it is full before sundown.
Good luck,
Fred.
I have a "E-Meter" that was developed before the Tri Metric. Same person, but first or second 'stage' before the Tri Metric.
I paid around $375 back in 1999, when wages and prices where much lower, so with inflation, the cost 'would be around $500 today'.
Yes it is very accurate, and there is a lot to counting all those amp hours.
I did not use 'twisted pair' wire, but instead used 8 wire thermostat wire (I had plenty sitting around). IT has worked great for over 15 years.
You might want to check out this magazine, you might find a vendor who will sell them at a lower cost.
HomePower.com Magazine. Look for an advertisers list near the back of the magazine.
ALso check SolarOnSale.com
SunElec.com is where you can buy solar panels for a great price.
Overall, I had a pick. I could spend $375 for a 75 watt solar panel (well I bought 1 not 2) or spend $375 on this meter. My wife said 'Install the meter' - so I have the meter.
The meter will not collect any more power, but can be handy in tracking down small loads that make the battery go dead over a week, just because a 1 amp load X 7 days X 24 hours is close to 200 AH, about what most batteries are rated at.
My RV has a 0.8 amp load all the time when the battery switches are 'on'. It is running the CO meter and propane leak detector. Add the refrigerator, and it will go up to about 1.2 amps per hour. Or around 35 AH daily.
My 400 watt solar system can put back about 21 AH per hour from 10 am to about 2 pm. Usually it is full before sundown.
Good luck,
Fred.
