Added a Volt Meter

ramair · 02-12-2015, 10:51 PM

Just thought I would post and show my new addition to the MH. Now I can keep track of my batteries.

Iggy · 02-12-2015, 10:56 PM

Good idea Andrew.
I also have been watching Ebay for the exact same blue meter.
Is it wired directly top the batteries?
Nice Job.

ramair · 02-12-2015, 11:10 PM

I connected it to the hot and ground wires for the floor lights, found that those are fused and are connected to battery. When checking with volt meter the reading were identical to what the batteries were showing. Also it has an adjustment so you can set the reading.

bubbles · 02-13-2015, 09:43 AM

I'm in line with ramair but also added a momentary press to test so no parasitic battery draw (spliced into awning power) when in storage mode. Very useful when issues arise.

Witch Doctor · 02-13-2015, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ramair

Just thought I would post and show my new addition to the MH. Now I can keep track of my batteries.

nice job Ramair..

Iggy · 02-13-2015, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubbles

I'm in line with ramair but also added a momentary press to test so no parasitic battery draw (spliced into awning power) when in storage mode. Very useful when issues arise.

Nice job Bubbles with the mounting and momentary button. Smart idea.

Where did you find the backplate?

DreiHunde · 02-13-2015, 10:06 AM

Great job to both of you!!!

bubbles · 02-13-2015, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iggy

Nice job Bubbles with the mounting and momentary button. Smart idea.

Where did you find the backplate?

The back plate is just thin hobby plywood from Hobby Lobby. Cut to size, cut out holes (meter comes with snap in capability on each end) and found the tiny switch at local electrical supply house (drilled all holes to mount). Sprayed panel with several heavy coats of Rust-Oleum hammered black paint. I always install a thin plywood backing plate with 5 minute epoxy to whatever I screw to those thin walls of the MH so the item will stay secure and can be removed and replaced without screwing (no pun) up the holes. Got the meter same as ramair (ebay) but don't remember source. Numerals are green but the source had several colors available. really cheap also. Oh yeah a couple coats polycrylic.

Malc · 02-13-2015, 02:54 PM

Has anyone thought about installing an amp meter, this will show the draw on the battery and also the charging rate.
I saw one in operation on a sailboat and it was very effictive

TURBS · 02-13-2015, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malc

Has anyone thought about installing an amp meter, this will show the draw on the battery and also the charging rate.
I saw one in operation on a sailboat and it was very effictive

Adding an amp meter can be expensive even buying a cheap China bomb.
A shunt is required in the 100 amp range to be safe.

electroblast · 02-13-2015, 03:12 PM

Hi, I personaly added a little more on my 325RES, and AC volt/amp meter. Nice to monitor current draw in a camp site where they have 30Amp breaker.

camaraderie · 02-13-2015, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TURBS

Adding an amp meter can be expensive even buying a cheap China bomb.
A shunt is required in the 100 amp range to be safe.

A better idea is a complete battery monitoring system that can actually tell you amps, REAL state of charge, present usage, hours remaining at present usage, parasitic loads, loads for each item used etc.
About $160 includng shunt.
Victronix and Trimetric make them as does Xantrex at a higher price point for the same performance.
Needed if you boondock...not needed if you remain plugged in. Used one on my sailboat off the grid with solar, wind and genny for a number of years. My favorite and most used instrument other than the GPS!

trbomax · 02-13-2015, 11:45 PM

Another good idea,but not a new one!I had digital ro volt/amp gauges on the Kenworth Camper and on the Merhow LQ horse trailer as well. I just havent decided where to put them on the new one,and its snowing 6" tonight with 45 mph wind,so thats another project for march.

mbtelguy · 02-14-2015, 01:14 PM

Just another approach with meter, push button & 3 position rotary switch. With wiring going to BCC posts, coach & chassis batteries can be checked under load/no load, charging, converter output etc.

see below for schematic

DickiedooFlagman · 02-15-2015, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malc

Has anyone thought about installing an amp meter, this will show the draw on the battery and also the charging rate.
I saw one in operation on a sailboat and it was very effictive

Here is a meter that measures amperes both in and out of a battery (battery bank) to the .01 of an ampere. Bogart Engineering TM-2020 TriMetric Meter Battery Monitor I used the 100 amp shunt for our 5th wheel, but a 500 amp shunt is available. I would think 100 amp would be adequate unless you include the starting circuit in a motorhome. The most I ever saw displayed was 60 amp when our converter/charger first started charging 50% depleted batteries (two).

**KyDan** · 02-15-2015, 08:08 AM

Come on one of you guys- post an ebay link to the digital volt meter!

-never mind- just search for digital voltmeter

Rats! Clicked too soon. I paid a whopping $1.91 and I could have gotten
it for a measly $1.45
note- these are shipped direct from China so will usually take about 4-6 weeks
to arrive via USPS. With any luck it will be warn enough by the time I get it
to actually enjoy being out there tinkering in the trailer.

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