What is a battery monitor?
I bought this inexpensive one on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/300696028021?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 It shows voltage and current flowing out of the battery or power out and...
Forum Discussion
The shunt is for measuring current flow. It tells nothing about how charged the batteries are.
The Trimetric 2025 monitor looks good! For $150 you get current, voltage and % charge. The description suggests it integrates power over time to get the % charge. I don't understand how this can be accurate because there is considerable energy inefficiency in battery charging. If you put a KWH in, you can't get that much out again. If I find the time and energy to make one, I will integrate current over time - I think every Coulomb that goes in comes out again.
Such a shame the $30 one on ebay can't sense current flow both ways.
The Trimetric 2025 monitor looks good! For $150 you get current, voltage and % charge. The description suggests it integrates power over time to get the % charge. I don't understand how this can be accurate because there is considerable energy inefficiency in battery charging. If you put a KWH in, you can't get that much out again. If I find the time and energy to make one, I will integrate current over time - I think every Coulomb that goes in comes out again.
Such a shame the $30 one on ebay can't sense current flow both ways.
