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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Battery Monitor?

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moserd
Navigator

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USA
149 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/09/2007 : 17:18:44

Anybody consider installing an electronic battery monitor? Anyone use a simple voltmeter to determine state of battery charge? The monitors seem quite expensive and I am not sure they are really necessary for the 250 but since I do not have any means to charge away from the dock (no alternator yet) I would like a reasonable ( <<< $$$$) method to judge remaining energy.

Thanks,

Don

Don Moser

Edited by - on

Cavitating
1st Mate

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USA
47 Posts

Response Posted - 09/09/2007 : 17:39:29

I use a 12 Volt digital voltemeter that plugs into the lighter receptacle on my 250. I have compared the readings with my VOM and it is pretty accurate. You can buy it at Walmart for under $15.00.

Edited by - on

moserd
Navigator

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USA
149 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2007 : 07:06:14

I also use a DVM in the lighter receptacle; do you test under load or with everything off? What voltage levels do you use to consider 'full' and / 'empty'?

Don

Edited by - on

Cavitating
1st Mate

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USA
47 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2007 : 07:24:12

I only check the voltage when the battery is at rest. If you check it under load, the reading is going to be lower because of the amp draw. I have a Waeco portable fridge/freezer and 3 size 29 deep cycle batteries. I estimate my daily amp ussage at about 100 amps a day or about one third of my battery capacity.
I have a copy of this chart next to the panel so I know when its charging time. Whenever possible, I will charge when the batteries drop down to about 12.3 volts.
State of charge chart for 12 volt batteries:
• 12.70 volts 100%
• 12.50 volts 90%
• 12.42 volts 80%
• 12.32 volts 70%
• 12.20 volts 60%
• 12.06 volts 50%
• 11.90 volts 40%
• 11.75 volts 30%
• 11.58 volts 20%
• 11.31 volts 10%
• 10.50 volts 0%

Edited by - on

kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2007 : 18:30:42

Cavitating, how do you charge your batteries on a cruise? The typical outboard would take a long time to charge that much battery capacity...do you have solar panels, or...?

Edited by - on

Cavitating
1st Mate

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USA
47 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2007 : 07:26:43

I am in central Florida and most of what I do is cruise to a nearby island where I spend the night and come back late the next day. At night, during the hot and humid Florida summer, I will run a Honda 2000 generator that powers a window unit air conditioner and a 20 amp Charles battery charger. During the cooler days, sometimes my power consumption will not require that I run the generator at all and will recharge at the marina. I have being doing this for many years on a Hunter 240 that I used to own and it works for me. After being in the sun all day the cool air and low humidity makes a difference. The admiral will not do it any other way.
I know that for some of you the extra weight and noise is a no-no but for me is a way of living.

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zebra50
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2007 : 13:28:25

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Cavitating
 I use a 12 Volt digital voltemeter that plugs into the lighter receptacle on my 250. I have compared the readings with my VOM and it is pretty accurate. You can buy it at Walmart for under $15.00.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

what department at Walmart did you find it it? Their web site does not show one available.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2007 : 17:16:29

I've found several online at different prices. Do a google search using "12 Volt Digital Voltage Meter and Socket Multiplier"

Edited by - Tom Potter on 09/13/2007 17:23:46

Cavitating
1st Mate

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USA
47 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2007 : 18:41:12

You will find it where they have the 12 volt batteries in the automotive department.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2007 : 21:37:10

Yup--I got one there too.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2007 : 06:50:39

You could buy a AVO cheaper than this, but this is pretty cool if you like messing about with erectronics.
<center>
[url="http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_2082/article.html"]DIY LED VoltMeter Panel[/url]

</center>

If Jesse is reading this... know a good supplier?

[url="http://cgi.ebay.com/LCD-Display-Digital-Voltmeter-Volt-Meter-Battery-Test_W0QQitemZ190151209646QQihZ009QQcategoryZ25411QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]eBay (china)[/url]

[url="http://cgi.ebay.com/HANGER-9-DIGITAL-VARIABLE-LOAD-VOLTMETER-NEW-IN-PACKAGE_W0QQitemZ280150982032QQihZ018QQcategoryZ34056QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting"]another eBay[/url]

It would seem worth a visit to your local hobby store.

Paul.

Edited by - britinusa on 09/14/2007 07:00:53

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2007 : 18:39:31

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Cavitating
 You will find it where they have the 12 volt batteries in the automotive department.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I made a trip to wally world today and found the digital voltemeter that plugs into the lighter receptacle right where you say it would be. Picked it up for $16, works great.

Thanks for the idea.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2007 : 20:34:37

I have the traditonal red-green-amber battery conditon meter that has never worked. I tried connecting it directly to the battery posts but got no reading on the meter. I have also tried connecting an analog meter the same way, again with no response.Is there something special I need to be doing to get this thing working?

Edited by - aeckhart on 09/14/2007 20:35:48

Cavitating
1st Mate

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USA
47 Posts

Response Posted - 09/15/2007 : 18:35:57

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by tompotter
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Cavitating
 You will find it where they have the 12 volt batteries in the automotive department.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I made a trip to wally world today and found the digital voltemeter that plugs into the lighter receptacle right where you say it would be. Picked it up for $16, works great.

Thanks for the idea.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

It is fairly accurate, inexpensive and easy to use. I am glad you found it!

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/16/2007 : 10:17:14

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by aeckhart
 I have the traditonal red-green-amber battery conditon meter that has never worked. I tried connecting it directly to the battery posts but got no reading on the meter. I have also tried connecting an analog meter the same way, again with no response.Is there something special I need to be doing to get this thing working?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Make sure you have the leads plugged into the correct jack on the analog meter (if, as on many meters, there are two). You want to measure volts (potential)--not amps (current flow). Beyond that, try the screwdriver test--maybe the battery is dead!

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 09/17/2007 : 12:56:58

Dahhh! Thanks Dave. It didn't occur to me that my wires may be wrong on the leads.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 09/20/2007 : 22:03:18

I just bought a bunch of stuff to do a winter electric project to add outlets, 2 batteries, new smart charger, etc. Got a Xantrex Link 10 monitor which claims to be a "fuel guage for your batteries" and does things like show amp draw, remaining amps, remaining time before charging needed, etc. Probably more than I need to know but I do rely on the electric system for navigation and comfort.

Edited by - on

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 10/04/2007 : 17:34:07

Randy ,

I have the Xantrex moniter , Its a great tool to protect your battery .

It could have a audible beep or something for a alarm .
you can set low leveles , but you dont know if you pass them unless you look .

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 10/05/2007 : 08:56:49

This is what I bought. Added a small momentary switch. Mounted it all to a small square of plexiglass. Push button - get reading.

http://www.lascarelectronics.com/products.cfm?STOCKNO=EMV%201200& CFID=19807011& CFTOKEN=81613927

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 10/05/2007 : 13:38:03

This looks nice and cheap.
[url="http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/105483/377%20710%201829%201397/712/Electronics/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/10/0?N=377%20710%201829%201397&Ne=712&Ntt=Electronics&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&page=Branding&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=5003&subdeptNum=3&classNum=11681"]voltage display[/url]

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 10/05/2007 13:40:09

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 10/05/2007 : 17:21:04

The one I got from walmart is very similar to this one.

Edited by - on

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