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...
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Got the $25 one and it works! It clearly shows voltage, current in and out of the batteries, and the state of charge in amp-hours and per cent. The 25 amps is adequate for engine charging. The battery capacity is easily set up to at least 200 amp-hrs. Present state of charge can be set and will be at the beginning of every trip when fully charged. Even the voltage and current can be calibrated.
Only two minor complaints. The four wire terminals seem a bit small, though I was able to use 12 gauge wire with difficulty and a bit of filing down. The shunt is built in so I can't have the gauge on the dashboard - it seems handy enough in the battery compartment which I open to view it. I am very pleased to have it for such a good price.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-120V-25A-Amp-Volt-Combo-Meter-Battery-Monitor-Capacity-Power-Charge-Discharge-/161120594598?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2583892aa6
I learned that engine charging is less effective than I thought. A three hour drive only charged about 10 amp-hours. The fridge and propane alarm pull 0.39 amps or over 9 amp-hrs per day. Clearly I need a solar collector and charge controller. I have an old 1 amp flexible solar panel but it only runs about 25 mA into the batteries.
Only two minor complaints. The four wire terminals seem a bit small, though I was able to use 12 gauge wire with difficulty and a bit of filing down. The shunt is built in so I can't have the gauge on the dashboard - it seems handy enough in the battery compartment which I open to view it. I am very pleased to have it for such a good price.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-120V-25A-Amp-Volt-Combo-Meter-Battery-Monitor-Capacity-Power-Charge-Discharge-/161120594598?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2583892aa6
I learned that engine charging is less effective than I thought. A three hour drive only charged about 10 amp-hours. The fridge and propane alarm pull 0.39 amps or over 9 amp-hrs per day. Clearly I need a solar collector and charge controller. I have an old 1 amp flexible solar panel but it only runs about 25 mA into the batteries.
