Location For Voltmeter

rjsurfer wrote:
Tenbear,

You said "Picking up a nearby 12v source may give you a reading higher than the battery voltage when charging the battery in boost mode. Or, maybe lower if you pick a line feeding a high current load, or if lights are on or off. "

Why would the voltage be higher? Just curious.

Thanks

Ron W.

I have that "issue" too. It is voltage drop on the wires between meter and battery.

I have a voltmeter away from the battery and have compared readings with at the battery so I know the meter reads 0.1v high. No problem once you know that to just take 0.1 off whatever the meter says.

Tenbear,

You said "Picking up a nearby 12v source may give you a reading higher than the battery voltage when charging the battery in boost mode. Or, maybe lower if you pick a line feeding a high current load, or if lights are on or off. "

Why would the voltage be higher? Just curious.

Thanks

Ron W.

For me it would just be something to get an idea of battery level if I happen to be not plugged in somewhere. There are times where I go to storage for a couple hours to work on the 5er and it would be nice to be able to glance at a meter like that and know the battery voltage. I have a spot where I'd like to put one but couldn't imagine running a wire directly to the battery from that location. Grabbing an existing 12v wire near that location would be much preferred to running something to the battery.
Thanks for the info.

Helmsey wrote:
Can I ask a potentially silly question?
What source are you using for these displays? Are you just locating a 12v source near where you would like to mount it or are you running a line directly to the battery from the displays?

Not sure who you are asking but in my case I have an SPDT switch in my 12v voltmeter feed so I can select the converter voltage or the battery voltage. I pick up the converter voltage at the line to the propane monitor and the battery voltage at the battery. I use the battery ground in both cases.

BTW, it's not a silly question. What is important is the battery voltage. Picking up a nearby 12v source may give you a reading higher than the battery voltage when charging the battery in boost mode. Or, maybe lower if you pick a line feeding a high current load, or if lights are on or off. :h

Can I ask a potentially silly question?
What source are you using for these displays? Are you just locating a 12v source near where you would like to mount it or are you running a line directly to the battery from the displays?

Installed mine behind the cork board message center where all the other switch gear is. A momentary push button activates it.

Mine is installed on the kitchen counter, located just across from the door. In addition to the 12v dc meter there is the 12v ammeter and a 120v ac volt and ammeter. There are switches for each.

Installed by the entry door.

I installed one inside my trailer and had to also install an ON-OFF switch. The digital display was very bright and lit up the whole inside of the trailer hehe...

Roy Ken

I have mine mounted close to the entry door, so it can be seen inside or from the outside just opening the door.
I have another one just above the tv, so its always seen when the the tv sat is on.