Question re: Battery Level

[ottor]

Have a 2012 Jayco Swift 18' ... has the little monitor on the wall that, when a button is pushed, shows 1-4 LED lights for empty/full .. Battery; Water; gray and black tank. Is there something else I can use to make a better determination of the current Battery charge? I found that 4 lights doesn't really mean "totally charged". Trailer is totally stock w/no mods - yet. Plan on getting 2 6volt batteries this Spring, and Generator. Generator

[facory]

Best way to test for voltage is with a voltage multi-meter. Easy way to check the batteries.

[S_more_campers]

As a powered lift truck technician who specializes in electric lift trucks and vehicles I have some knowledge and experience on this subject.

The four LED display in your TT is quite simply a limited range voltmeter. It likely ranges between 12.8V to 12.0VDC. As you've already guessed, it's not terribly useful.

If you're serious about battery maintenance, a hydrometer coupled with an inexpensive voltmeter is the ultimate solution.

A hydrometer will run about $10 and another $10 for a cheap voltmeter are a much better indicator of battery SOC (coupled with good documentation) than ANY other meter. Perfect for your 6V FLA batteries. They require good documentation be kept so you'll have reference of the past (SG/cell and battery voltage need to be kept, good notes will indicate everything from acid imbalance to cell failure), they're also messy which leads to inconvenient.

You can buy a toaster (coil type battery load tester) for about $80, will also provide a decent indication (though pulls off charge with each test) or an electronic battery load tester like a Blue Point YA2612B, but at $200 gets to be pricey, also pulls down battery with each test.

Last but not least, a Curtis 908 BSOC gauge. These are also fooled by being hooked up to shore power, provide an additional 6 segments and cost almost as much as an electronic battery load tester.

[dave54]

rexlion wrote:
A meter like this Innova meter on Amazon works great, if you have one of those sockets. My TT has one.

That's what I use. The meter is not 100% accurate, it shows the voltage at the outlet, not the battery, but close enough for the price.

I got it at at an auto parts store.

[rexlion]

A meter like this Innova meter on Amazon works great, if you have one of those sockets. My TT has one.

[GrandpaKip]

I added a 12V receptacle above our monitor panel and stuck a voltage meter in it. Also have an AC voltmeter plugged in a receptacle by the monitor panel. Can now see how the electric is doing in a glance.

[tenbear]

Here is what I did to keep track of my battery SOC.

[ADK_Camper]

As said, you can use a voltmeter to get a reading that correlates to state of charge with acceptable accuracy. You really need to use a digital voltmeter though for this test. Watch your Sunday paper for coupons to Harbour Freight. They often give away a digital voltmeter free with any purchase. It may not be the best meter, but it is good enough and the price can't be beat.

Another option as stated is to use a hydrometer to check the electrolyte in the battery cells. You can buy an inexpensive hydrometer at any auto supply store.

[RoyB]

I use the DC VOLTAGE verses BATTERY STATE of Charge to get an idea of my battery state of charge. This is no where absolute but gets me in the ball park. The absolute test of course is to use a hydrometer and read a specific gravity of 1.225 or greater in each battery cell.

When camping off the power grid If I read my battery bank DC voltage being around 12.0VDC will tell me my approximate battery state of charge is 50% charge state. This is where I want to start re-charging my battery to get it back up to its 90% charge state or more to be able to use it again for the next day/night run off the batteries with almost full performance of the battery.



Like said this is not absolute but gets me in the ballpark. I keep a close watch of my battery DC Voltage reading when camping off the power grid and have planned out my battery drain to not go below the 12.0VDC before 8AM the next morning when I am allowed to run my generator to recharge my batteries.

I have this homemade meter panel inside my trailer monitoring my two battery banks for 12VDC and also how much current is being drawn from my batteries to run my Inverter and 12VDC connected items.




Roy Ken

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Since the generator you chose won't run the air conditioner, I'd encourage you to spend the money on a nice solar system. The battery bank will be totally filled between trips, and you won't have to worry about gas, etc.

[westend]

Panel mount voltmeter is a pretty good gauge. Maybe one of the guys that has installed one will post. The usual Trimetric and Victron meters are the best devices but cost is 10x times the volt meter.

[Rubber_Ducky1]

I believe that you will find out that when you are hooked up to shore power, that monitor panel will show the battery being fully charged even though the battery might actually be completely DEAD. Your best bet would be to use a mult-meter and check battery voltage at the battery posts.