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AF
Deckhand

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USA
5 Posts
Initially Posted - 10/12/2005 :  10:35:35  Show Profile
I am thinking about adding a voltmeter to my electrical system, so I could monitor the batteries level. Sounds like a good idea.
I'd appreciate any advice/reference/pics.
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DaveC
Deckhand

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20 Posts
Response Posted - 10/12/2005 :  12:29:00  Show Profile
I've just bought one from Catalina Direct for $16.95 that allows you to test the state of two batteries. I've not installed it yet, but I did test the battery state and it appears that it'll work pretty good. It doesn't display volts remaining, just Green for good & Red for bad. It'll at least give me an indication of when to charge up the battery.

Use the link provided on this site under "links" to access the Catalina Direct web site.

Kudos to the Catalina 25/250 Association and it's members for providing this forum! I'm a newbie also and have found this site to be invaluable.
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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts
Response Posted - 10/12/2005 :  12:32:18  Show Profile  Visit JimB517's Homepage
Get a digital. Batteries fully charged, with the charger off, should be at 13.6 volts. A few tenths of a volt make a big difference here. You can't read this on a digital very well. ALso, if you have wet cells, there is nothing better than the specific gravity tester (looks like a turkey baster) sells at Pep Boys for under $5. You can test each and every cell and add water if needed, too. Good seamanship.
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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts
Response Posted - 10/12/2005 :  13:34:50  Show Profile  Visit Frank Hopper's Homepage
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by DaveC</i>
<br />I've just bought one from Catalina Direct for $16.95 that allows you to test the state of two batteries. I've not installed it yet, but I did test the battery state and it appears that it'll work pretty good. It doesn't display volts remaining, just Green for good & Red for bad. It'll at least give me an indication of when to charge up the battery.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
ditto, will install on the hard this winter along with my Charles 3 stage marine grade charger. I will not worry about the batteries.
Edited by - Frank Hopper on 10/12/2005 14:26:10
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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts
Response Posted - 10/12/2005 :  18:26:54  Show Profile
Here is an idea you may not have thought of if you plan to get a solar panel someday. Get a charge controller with a digital readout. I have a Morningstar charge controller which will do 3 step regulation of the solar panel charging, the digital readout gives amps your solar panel puts out, amps your system is drawing. and the voltage of your battery bank. Way cool. I believe I got it for about 100 bucks about 3 years ago on sale. Do an internet search for Morningstar charge controller, and you will find more solar power information from solar suppliers than you ever wanted.
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AF
Deckhand

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USA
5 Posts
Response Posted - 10/13/2005 :  15:28:58  Show Profile
Thanks Gloss.
This is a really neat idea. I checked them out. For $155 (less than the digital voltmeter from WMarine) you can get the whole charge controller w/digital readouts.
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Alan Clark
Captain

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406 Posts
Response Posted - 10/13/2005 :  15:53:45  Show Profile
Did you Try www.defender.com ? No Tax..Quick shipping..Maybe cheaper.. :)
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.