Add a Battery Blue Sea Wiring

[PaulRainbow]

Paul,
Sorry I messaged wrong, the battery is 12.8v, and the chart plotter was measuring 12.4.

many ideas how I accurately measure the voltage at the chart plotter??
Unfortunately I can’t provide a link because I got the wire from an auto shop but will see if I can see it.

it is pretty flexible cable to be fair

If the cable is 2mm and it's 5m long, you'd need about 5a current draw to get 0.4v drop.

You'll need to measure at the plotter somehow. If needs be, you'll have to cut the connectors out. Might be an idea to use different connectors, perhaps some Wago connectors.

 

[CraigandHan]

As in cut into the wire just before the chart plotter or if I just measure down the end of the chart plotter wire and out new connectors on is this adequate? Or does it have to be right at the chartplotter? I’m not sure how I’d get into the actual pin connector without damaging it.

 

[CraigandHan]

On a side note would the other systems IE all the systems that come off the NMEA circuit also be draining the power or should the chart plotter have an average am draw?

 

[PaulRainbow]

On a side note would the other systems IE all the systems that come off the NMEA circuit also be draining the power or should the chart plotter have an average am draw?

NMEA 0183 devices have their own power supplies.

You don't have to measure the voltage right at the plotter, you can measure it where you joined the plotter power cable to your wiring.

 

[CraigandHan]

Perfect, thanks Paul I’ll report back next week I’m done for the day!..... could this twin core cabling also be a culprit it appears the primal wiring is definitely dodgey as it’s at 11.9, but the twin core at 12.4 still seems very very low

 

[CraigandHan]

NMEA 0183 devices have their own power supplies.

You don't have to measure the voltage right at the plotter, you can measure it where you joined the plotter power cable to your wiring.

Hi Paul,

got down today and connected one of my leisure batteries to the chart plotter at only the chart plotter end,

leisure battery was checked and at 12.83 volts prior to doing this

I attached bullet connectors to the battery but firmly down, photos are too large but I attached the bulletconnector to the battery and screwed down with a nut on top making sure all surfaces met. the chartplotter was showing 12.5 briefly then down to 12.4 this is with the NMEA connections and everything out,

looks like the chartplotter is giving a false reading? Or do I need to re connect with different connectors to make doubly sure??

 

[CraigandHan]

re connected with the 5M plus of twin core and the connection stayed at 12.4 as well.

could be the chart plotter?

 

[PaulRainbow]

re connected with the 5M plus of twin core and the connection stayed at 12.4 as well.

could be the chart plotter?

You will need to accurately measure the voltage at the battery, at the plotter with the plotter off and at the plotter with it turned on, using a multimeter. Also, what does the plotter show when taking that final reading ?

 

[CraigandHan]

ok,

battery off 12.65 before doing this,

5M and GPS cable connected battery showing 12.65

Chartplotter connected and turned on

battery 12.6

End of 5M insulated bullet connectors to GPS cable 12.52

Other side of connectors and start of GPS cable 12.52

chart plotter showing 12.3v

what do you think??

plotter

 

[CraigandHan]

Everything connected including NMEA still 12.3/12.2

 

[PaulRainbow]

ok,

battery off 12.65 before doing this,

5M and GPS cable connected battery showing 12.65

Chartplotter connected and turned on

battery 12.6

End of 5M insulated bullet connectors to GPS cable 12.52

Other side of connectors and start of GPS cable 12.52

chart plotter showing 12.3v

what do you think??

plotter

I'd just ignore the chart plotter voltage reading, the real voltage drop is less than 1%, which is fine.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Everything connected including NMEA still 12.3/12.2

Not sure what you mean here. What does "everything" mean ? Connected to where ? Where are you measuring from ?

 

[CraigandHan]

Not sure what you mean here. What does "everything" mean ? Connected to where ? Where are you measuring from ?

Sorry pail, I connected the NMEA as well so it was running with everything working, AIS etc etc I know they all have their own power but it was just to check,

looks like it’s the plotter! Thanks I’ll have a low voltage and put it for 12v so I can get a warning when it’s looking low again

 

[CraigandHan]

Sorry pail, I connected the NMEA as well so it was running with everything working, AIS etc etc I know they all have their own power but it was just to check,

looks like it’s the plotter! Thanks I’ll have a low voltage and put it for 12v so I can get a warning when it’s looking low again

Just as a quote from this i contacted B and G just to be sure, apparently this voltage drop is "normal" in the plotter due to them having their own "internal" drop...what use this is i dont know?