12v Battery monitoring

[Andrew]

Just wondering what I563 owners do to monitor battery charge levels when underway? (or like i've done for ages, just charge it up and keep hoping for the best!)

I'm trying out a $20 12V cigarette lighter voltmeter,

12V cigarette lighter voltmeter Jaycar

https://www.jaycar.com.au/in-car-batter ... 4qEALw_wcB

Found out the voltage levels for battery's online. >12.6v is 100% charged, 12.4v is about 80% charged (and think about topping it up) , 12V is about 50% charged (getting critically low, must recharge). My battery is a few years old, but the maximum voltage still looks reasonable. I'm hoping it will help extend the battery life by alerting me to low voltage levels before they can do irreversible damage.

Battery charge table

I like this plug in voltmeter as it can also check any cars' voltage levels too. Got the idea from a mate who has travelled around Australia about 2 or 3 times by 4WD. He had one setup for his fridge etc 2nd battery under the back canopy.

[Raya]

Andrew, I installed a voltage gauge which came in a housing which included a USB charging port and two cigarette outlets. I found it on ebay. The voltage display is separately switched so that it doesn't drain the battery when not required.

[Andrew]

Look like a nice system there Ray,

checked them out on Ebay in more detail. Seems like a good way to go, like the on/off switch and charging sockets.

I just started with the plug in one because the 12v socket was already installed. In this category, there are a few similar ones with USB ports that may be more useful than the one i bought.

[Andrew]

I've Investigated more advanced battery monitoring (pun intended),

This extends into battery recharging monitoring.

Enter the "WATT Meter"



This might be useful for I563's with a larger power draw on longer trips eg Running a 12V fridge or tiller pilot while cruising.
It would certainly help keep a valuable battery alive for (years?) longer. RV, 4WD and camping enthusiasts often use these.
They can be placed inline between charge source (solar or outboard) or between battery and the loads on board.

Check out the video salesman in this link, he introduces their Watt meter/analyser ($30 seems an ok price point too)

https://www.tentworld.com.au/buy-sale/t ... aeEALw_wcB

I found a similar $30 one at 4WD super center too (plus they have more advanced >$100 stuff)

They show the real-time Amps, Volts and Watts.(W =A x V) The lower left readout cycles through various time-dependent results that are useful to analysing performance.

Cheers

[Peter T]

Hi Andrew, these look pretty good. I wonder what power they themselves actually consume. Might give them a call and find out. It's really only a meter that does the ohms law calculations for you but looks quite convenient. Like you say, P = E x I.
(Power ie watts, equals voltage ie E multiplied by the current ie I ) .
I don't think I would leave it connected permanently, but it would be easy to install Anderson plugs in various places so you could plug it in and see what the power in from either motor or solar panel is or in series with any or all outputs to check power consumption to any or all devices.
That way, one unit could be used wherever desired at any given time. Then, when not connected, just join the two Anderson plugs together to maintain that particular circuit.
Also, not too sure how "marine capable" those Anderson plugs are ?
Cheers

[Andrew]

Hi Peter,

I don't know if Anderson Plugs would stand up to marine conditions. But given they can zoom along salty beaches on 4WD's (like Fraser Island) figured they might have enough resistance to go trailer sailing, as long as they're kept under cover away from direct salt spray. (also use WD40 on connections from time to time, after a salt spray flying sail etc)

Have recently tried to learn about my multi-meters use too. Like testing my solar panel..

[snoopebj]

Some good ideas there.
Going the KISS principle I like your first simple cig lighter volt meter Andrew. Used mine from Jaycar for years. Useful voltage/capacity chart too. I found voltages a bit of a black art.
My two agm batteries ( now stuffed after 5 years) fully charged were 13.6V down to 12.8 then a rapid descent to 11.8.
Not being techy I like a spare battery, charging on solar, while using the other.
Installing an Aldi deep cycle acid replacement now which shows 12.8V as full charge.
Wondering if safe breathing in those fumes though when sleeping.

[Peter T]

So long as the boat has good ventilation, it shouldn't be a problem

[Andrew]

Just bought an old-school battery Hydrometer from Repco.

It measures the SG of flooded lead-acid battery's fairly accurately.

Removed the battery from its onboard position (under cockpit) for maintenance so it was easier to top up, use the hydrometer and watch the sulphidation slowly dissolve with the smart-charger/maintainer pumping 1-6A current into it for the last 3 days.

Hydrometer

[Andrew]

Some good ideas there.
Going the KISS principle I like your first simple cig lighter volt meter Andrew. Used mine from Jaycar for years. Useful voltage/capacity chart too. I found voltages a bit of a black art.
My two agm batteries ( now stuffed after 5 years) fully charged were 13.6V down to 12.8 then a rapid descent to 11.8.
Not being techy I like a spare battery, charging on solar, while using the other.
Installing an Aldi deep cycle acid replacement now which shows 12.8V as full charge.
Wondering if safe breathing in those fumes though when sleeping.

Should be ok Emrys, no hydrogen produced when drawing battery down at night.

5 years was a fairly good run for the AGM's,