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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Battery monitoring gauage

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Trust Me
1st Mate

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USA
71 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/07/2006 : 04:47:58

I am a low power KISS system with pull start outboard and have set up my two batteries with a toggle switch so I can move from battery 1 to battery 2 for the power source while using a combiner to charge both. From the toggle I then go to the main panel. If installing a battery monitoring gauge should you insert it in series on the power side wire or can you branch off and return the gauge to ground to monitor the battery selected?

5044 TR FK

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 04/07/2006 : 06:26:56

If you put it in series, it should be displaying the ampage flowing in the circuit! So it had better be capable.
Normally you use a Voltmeter and that is put in parallel ie across the terminals, not in line (series).

If you put the 'voltmeter' across the output connections of the battery1/battery2 switch, then you'll see the volts for the 'on' battery.

Paul

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 04/07/2006 : 12:41:26

I bought this from Catalina Direct for $17. I will gladly sell it for $10 plus shipping. (I bought a power panel with one built in, it was not installed.)

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rsholler
Deckhand

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9 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2006 : 20:32:41

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by fhopper@mac.com
 I bought this from Catalina Direct for $17. I will gladly sell it for $10 plus shipping. (I bought a power panel with one built in, it was not installed.)

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I would be interested in the battery meter but does it require holes to be cut other than the screw holes. Is it suitable for single battery as well as two batteries?

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John G-
Admiral

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793 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2006 : 21:17:10

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

 
Frank,
I looked at that a little while ago. Can you tell me how it hooks up?
Do the red leads go to each battery? Then what is the black lead and I don’t recognize the fitting on the end of the black lead.
I’m interested if I can figure it out.

Go ahead click on the bird.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2006 : 21:19:58

John,

If the batteries are wired in parrallel the negative is one complete circuit. Therefore you can connect that to either batteries negative, or any negative on the boat for that matter (negative buss bar...etc). The red's would then go to each battery.

dw

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John G-
Admiral

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793 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2006 : 22:31:28

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Duane Wolff
 John,

If the batteries are wired in parrallel the negative is one complete circuit. Therefore you can connect that to either batteries negative, or any negative on the boat for that matter (negative buss bar...etc). The red's would then go to each battery.

dw
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

 
Thanks Duane

Frank,
If Bob doesn’t take it I’d be glad to have it.

Go ahead click on the bird.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2006 : 11:00:35

Sorry guys, it sold on the 10th.

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2006 : 11:12:29

KISS - I like it. In fact, I live and sail by it.

Go to Harbor Freight and buy a digital voltmeter. Make a plug that goes into one of your DC adaptors (cigarette lighter plug). Test the voltage.

13.6 full charge
13.0 still good
12.8 time to charge
12.0 seriously depleted
under 12 throw away batteries.

Costs about $12. You can also use it for lots of other things.

It's what I have on Indiscipline, although my fish finder will also display system voltage, that is very handy (tells me when to get out the solar panels on a long trip).

Also I don't bother with engine charging. Never needed it. Don't like big current and cables hanging in salt water.

Another really good item is a specific gravity tester available from Pep Boys or Kragen for about $5 (wet acid batteries only). The ULTIMATE battery tester. Looks like a turkey baster.

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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.