digital voltmeter question

[Robin]

The more I read (thanks all), the more I realise just how much has changed since the days I played more with practical DC boat wiring and that newer stuff is a) different and b) much cheaper from China if you know what you are doing, which I now know I don't. I think what I ordered will still work, with a switch added, to achieve my goal and since it cost just 90c over the credit note I had, not too expensively either. I have found a suitable switch in my junk box too. Should have asked the grandkids!:ambivalence:

 

[Len Ingalls]

The more I read (thanks all), the more I realise just how much has changed since the days I played more with practical DC boat wiring and that newer stuff is a) different and b) much cheaper from China if you know what you are doing, which I now know I don't. I think what I ordered will still work, with a switch added, to achieve my goal and since it cost just 90c over the credit note I had, not too expensively either. I have found a suitable switch in my junk box too. Should have asked the grandkids!:ambivalence:

The nice thing about the "old fashioned" LED display is that you can see it day or night & bright sun & wearing polarized glasses.
Not so with the %$#@ LCD display.

 

[Robin]

The nice thing about the "old fashioned" LED display is that you can see it day or night & bright sun & wearing polarized glasses.
Not so with the %$#@ LCD display.

SO some good new as I hate those screens I cannot read in sunlight, like my phone, 2 cameras, car GPS, even car clock etc. :encouragement:

 

[Len Ingalls]

SO some good new as I hate those screens I cannot read in sunlight, like my phone, 2 cameras, car GPS, even car clock etc. :encouragement:[/QUOTE

+1 Led meter with switch,because I found that low milliamp gas detector,etc. will cause a low bat. after sitting a week or so ,especially in cold wx. Solar or wind would cure that,but I'm not there yet.

 

[GHA]

I just put an ammeter on one of these...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-V...r-UK-seller-/320701838199?hash=item4aab51b377

11 mA which is pretty insignificant compared to the rest of loads if you are onboard. Mine stays on all the time and is visible from the cockpit and sitting down below. Straight onto the battery terminals. Accurate batt voltage on view all the time is a jolly good thing, imho. 12.91v at the mo. Charging tonight then.

 

[Robin]

I just put an ammeter on one of these...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-V...r-UK-seller-/320701838199?hash=item4aab51b377

11 mA which is pretty insignificant compared to the rest of loads if you are onboard. Mine stays on all the time and is visible from the cockpit and sitting down below. Straight onto the battery terminals. Accurate batt voltage on view all the time is a jolly good thing, imho. 12.91v at the mo. Charging tonight then.

T
hat one is a LCD is it not, mine is LED. I already have one displaying the service battery bank volts 24/7, the new one on order is intended to display the separate engine start battery volts where I could envisage it not being charged for many days even weeks if at anchor/away from shorepower I just want to be sure that a depleted starter battery doesn't catch me unawares, even though there is a battery combiner switch if needed to bring the huge service bank on stream. a momentary switch would do as long as I get into a daily check routine and don't forget. Probably I could leave it on 24/7 via the battery master switch if the LED drain is not too much, but paranoia woke me in the night and had me ask the question. On balance I think I will add a simple switch in the line between master switch and meter and maybe tattoo a reminder to check it daily on my forehead, reversed so as to read right way round in my shaving mirror.

 

[RichardS]

Accurate batt voltage on view all the time is a jolly good thing, imho. 12.91v at the mo. Charging tonight then.

OK, I'll ask the obvious question ...... if your batteries are currently at 12.91V, why do you feel that they need charging tonight?

Genuine question.

Richard

 

[GHA]

OK, I'll ask the obvious question ...... if your batteries are currently at 12.91V, why do you feel that they need charging tonight?

Genuine question.

Richard

I knew that was badly worded

This is a good example of why, imho an accurate voltmeter easily visible is a wonderful cheap sensor on a boat spending extended time away from marina power. So this afternoon still some sun so the solar panels would be pushing out a bit of current but the voltage gets upto 12.9 so batts need some charge. If the voltage was up near 14 then the state of charge would be close to full. Same in the morning, if the fridge is on and the volts are still high then things aren't too bad, all in a half second glance without having to check any battery monitors, highly recommended

 

[RichardS]

I knew that was badly worded

This is a good example of why, imho an accurate voltmeter easily visible is a wonderful cheap sensor on a boat spending extended time away from marina power. So this afternoon still some sun so the solar panels would be pushing out a bit of current but the voltage gets upto 12.9 so batts need some charge. If the voltage was up near 14 then the state of charge would be close to full. Same in the morning, if the fridge is on and the volts are still high then things aren't too bad, all in a half second glance without having to check any battery monitors, highly recommended

Ah I see .... 12.9V whilst on charge.

Many thanks!

Richard