Post deleted by danfoley

VicS

Well-known member
Joined
13 Jul 2002
Messages
48,550
Visit site
Re: Xantrex Link 10 Monitor

Yes that's right but you may find it difficult to make the twisted pair stay tightly twisted. It'll depend on what you are using, the more flexible it is the less likely it is to want to stay twisted. Might be worth looking in a Maplins catalogue. I'm sure twisted twin flex is in there and provided you can buy by the metre might be the answer if you want enough oher stuff to make the p&p worthwhile.
 

pvb

Well-known member
Joined
16 May 2001
Messages
45,602
Location
UK East Coast
Visit site
Easy DIY job...

It's an easy DIY wiring job, and much cheaper than a ready-made harness. The wires carry almost no current, so you can use thin wire (say 1 sq mm). It helps if you can get wires of the colours used in the Link 10 wiring instructions, because that will help avoid mistakes if you need to remove and refit the meter at a future date. The twisted pair only needs gently twisting. Follow the installation instructions to the letter, and remember the two 2A fuses in the permanently live wires - try to put these fuses right next to the battery.

Once installed, the Link 10 is a very useful and extremely accurate instrument. It will help you manage your battery bank for better performance and durability.
 

VicS

Well-known member
Joined
13 Jul 2002
Messages
48,550
Visit site
Re: Easy DIY job...

Surely it won't need 1mm² wire thats about 10amp wire. Did you mean to say 0.1mm² ?
 

tome

New member
Joined
28 Mar 2002
Messages
8,201
Location
kprick
www.google.co.uk
Re: Easy DIY job...

Brian

There's a simple way to make twisted pairs. Take the 2 (untwisted) equal length wires and secure one of each end in a vice. Secure the other ends in a drill chuck. Slowly twist them together keeping a bit of tension at the drill end. As the wires start to twist, they'll get shorter so you'll need to start moving towards the vice.

When you get about 5 twists to the inch you're home.

As you release the tension at the drill end, they will want to spiral back on each other. Don't let them.

BTW, you only need 7/0.2 mm wire for the Link. It's a brilliant device and not difficult to make a harness.

Cheers
Tom
 

robbieg

Active member
Joined
25 Sep 2003
Messages
934
Location
Brixham/Midlands
Visit site
Re: Xantrex Link 10 Monitor

I've just put in a BEP 600 DCM monitor-also need twisted pair. Merlin who supplied it also sold me some appropriate wire-basically twisted pair with an earth & shield-cost £1.45 pm if you don't want to make your own. I only need 4m for my installation so this was a small part of the overall cost of the project.

Great now its up & running-I can see what the alternator & charger are actually up to & seeing the actual current used by some of the kit is a real eyeopener!!
 

pvb

Well-known member
Joined
16 May 2001
Messages
45,602
Location
UK East Coast
Visit site
Xantrex recommendations...

Xantrex recommend 16 AWG wire, which is 1.3 sq mm, so that's why I suggested 1 sq mm. Smaller wire could be used, but as 2 of the wires are permanently live, it's important that the two fuses fitted are rated lower than the wire. Xantrex recommend 2A fuses with 16AWG wire; smaller gauge wire would require smaller fuses for safety.
 

snowleopard

Active member
Joined
16 May 2001
Messages
33,645
Location
Oxford
Visit site
Re: Easy DIY job...

[ QUOTE ]
....the Link 10 is a very useful and extremely accurate instrument...

[/ QUOTE ]

Useful yes, but in my experience not accurate, though my problem seems not to be general. When I cut off my main switches the Link 10 continues to show a discharge of 0.1A. Leave the boat for a week and it will be showing -50AH but the battery is still fully charged!.

I've never figured out what's causing the phantom discharge.
 

pvb

Well-known member
Joined
16 May 2001
Messages
45,602
Location
UK East Coast
Visit site
Figures don\'t add up...

A discharge of 0.1A would mean 2.4Ah a day, or about 17Ah a week. Don't see how that becomes a 50Ah discharge.

Do you have a car audio type unit with a permanently connected live? Or a bilge pump which is permanently connected?
 
Top