Leisure Battery Voltage Indicator. (1 Viewer)

GeriatricWanderer

Free Member
Feb 1, 2015
1,194
4,199
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, just cos I can!
Funster No
34,964
MH
Pop-Top Campervan
Exp
45years
I have a 110ah leisure battery - fairly new.
An onboard charger with a Zig CF8 with a green/red charge indicator.
A compressor fridge with a cut out level of 11.7V.

It's hot down here (Aude) at the moment so I reckon the fridge is doing overtime to keep up.
When I put my multi meter on the battery it's showing 11.59 so no great surprise that the fridge has cut out but the Zig is still showing a healthy little green light. No problem, I've got a charger rigged up to get the battery up to where it should be.

I have a nice little digi voltmeter for the engine battery which just plugs into the cigar lighter with a instant reading.
I want to set up something similar for the leisure battery. Just a simple meter I can fix up somewhere.
I can't do it before I get home in July but hopefully by then all you good electrical techies will have given me lots of links to EBay/Alibaba for suitable bits of kit and lots of advice how to, and not to, wire it all up.
And as they say at the end of all good requests - thank you in hopeful anticipation.

My apologies if I'm not able to respond instantly but I will as soon as I get a connection.
 
Jan 19, 2013
132
109
Worcestershire
Funster No
24,347
MH
A Class
Exp
since 2010
Hi, I looked into this as I wanted to do something quite simple for my Leisure batteries. However, in the end I plumbed for the Victron BMV 700 battery monitor which although expensive, is an excellent product and I now know exactly what is going 'in' and 'out' of the batteries at any time.
 

andy63

Free Member
Jan 19, 2014
4,672
15,017
south shields
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29,767
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None
Exp
since 1990
Hi, I looked into this as I wanted to do something quite simple for my Leisure batteries. However, in the end I plumbed for the Victron BMV 700 battery monitor which although expensive, is an excellent product and I now know exactly what is going 'in' and 'out' of the batteries at any time.
Got to agree.. Some sort of power management panel is the best way to go if you want to take the guess work out of knowing what state your batteries are in..

Tony if you don't want to go to that bother and expense why not just another socket wired directly to your leisure battery and use the plug in device you have.
Ta andy

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Feb 27, 2011
14,669
74,857
UK
Funster No
15,452
MH
Self Build
Exp
Since 2005
I agree the Victron monitoring system is excellent. I have had one in the past and it knocks the spots off anything else available.

I now have a NASA BM-1 which is better than nothing.

A voltage meter is next to useless on it's own if you have solar panels though. Also a compressor fridge when operating will pull the voltage down when operating also giving you misleading readings.
With both a solar panel and a compressor fridge your voltage meter will be up and down like a yoyo and next to useless to be honest.
 

magicsurfbus

Free Member
Oct 11, 2010
4,673
10,127
NW England
Funster No
14,057
MH
Bessacarr Coachbuilt
Exp
Since 1997
I've added an Aldi 12v 3 x socket + 2 x USB extension block to one of my habitation area sockets and I stick a ciggie lighter voltmeter in one of those to keep tabs on the leisure battery voltage. On solar the charge controller keeps it at around 13.6v. On mains or alternator it reads 14.2v. Resting voltage with no solar input is around 12.8v (battery over 5 years old), so it seems reasonably accurate.
 

KeithChesterfield

Free Member
May 20, 2015
528
1,234
Stand Road Chesterfield
Funster No
36,458
MH
Low Profile
Exp
Since 2010
I wired up a couple of Digital Voltmeters, one to the engine battery and one to the leisure batteries, and at less than £3 for meters and cable it shows the voltage at all times.


They are positioned out of the way behind the drivers seat, fastened to the panelling by Velcro, but easy to check.

Voltmeter 1.jpg

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GeriatricWanderer

GeriatricWanderer

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Feb 1, 2015
1,194
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Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, just cos I can!
Funster No
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MH
Pop-Top Campervan
Exp
45years
Thanks guys.
I don't have any fancy set up, no solar, just a comp fridge.
I was think about going as Andy suggested but then thought if I'm going to get into wiring up something like that I may as well do what Keith has.
I'm still learning how long my fridge will keep running without some form of charging - just lost a couple of pints of milk so far so not too bad.
 
Apr 9, 2014
1,304
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Lincs
Funster No
30,922
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
2012
I am experimenting (learning) with a seperate battery and Inverter setup for using a hairdryer and wanted a way of displaying the power usage, battery state and charge etc.., so have ordered one of these meters:

Broken Link Removed

I think it does a similar thing to the Victron or NASA device but at £22.50 this device fits my bill, I have used a smaller one before which worked fine but the above model comes with a shunt which should work nicely with the 2000w inverter.

All this for a hairdryer!
 
Feb 27, 2011
14,669
74,857
UK
Funster No
15,452
MH
Self Build
Exp
Since 2005
I am experimenting (learning) with a seperate battery and Inverter setup for using a hairdryer and wanted a way of displaying the power usage, battery state and charge etc.., so have ordered one of these meters:

Broken Link Removed

I think it does a similar thing to the Victron or NASA device but at £22.50 this device fits my bill, I have used a smaller one before which worked fine but the above model comes with a shunt which should work nicely with the 2000w inverter.

All this for a hairdryer!
That looks like great value, may have to order one to test out.

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andy63

Free Member
Jan 19, 2014
4,672
15,017
south shields
Funster No
29,767
MH
None
Exp
since 1990
I am experimenting (learning) with a seperate battery and Inverter setup for using a hairdryer and wanted a way of displaying the power usage, battery state and charge etc.., so have ordered one of these meters:

Broken Link Removed

I think it does a similar thing to the Victron or NASA device but at £22.50 this device fits my bill, I have used a smaller one before which worked fine but the above model comes with a shunt which should work nicely with the 2000w inverter.

All this for a hairdryer!
that does look like a very cheap power management panel... thanks for the link, and I may just get it to play with..the sterling pmp I have cost a lot more than that lol
ta andy
 
Sep 3, 2012
7,451
25,837
Cheshire
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22,759
MH
C Class Elddis 175
Exp
8+ years
have you added a fan to the rear of the fridge cooling rack ?This may help to keep the fridge cooler using the same current-it only needs to be a pc type van. They work well in hot weather.Might be worth try
 
Sep 10, 2012
2,117
3,564
worcester
Funster No
22,842
MH
Sunliving van
Exp
2012
Thanks for the eBay link. More ways to spend money!
Question for the electrickery experts - does the 'shunt' go in the earth line? IE cut the wire between Electroblok and the negative terminal and insert 'shunt'?

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Sep 23, 2013
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In theory, it could go anywhere in the circuit, so long as everything goes through it. In practice, putting it in the cable connected to the battery negative post is the best way to ensure that it gets ALL the circuit current flowing through it, as it's often the case that there are several separate wires connected to the positive post, but only a single common return to the negative.

If, by chance, there is more than one wire to your battery negative, move ALL of them to one terminal on the shunt & then connect the other side direct to the battery negative.
 
Oct 14, 2007
3,958
6,131
Rochester
Funster No
619
MH
Auto-Trail Mohawk
Exp
16 fun filled years
I am experimenting (learning) with a seperate battery and Inverter setup for using a hairdryer and wanted a way of displaying the power usage, battery state and charge etc.., so have ordered one of these meters:

Broken Link Removed

I think it does a similar thing to the Victron or NASA device but at £22.50 this device fits my bill, I have used a smaller one before which worked fine but the above model comes with a shunt which should work nicely with the 2000w inverter.

All this for a hairdryer!

How did this work out in the end?
 
Apr 9, 2014
1,304
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Lincs
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Coachbuilt
Exp
2012
It does work, the trickiest element for me, was calibration of the Amps. To do this you have to setup an known large draw e.g.150 amps for a period.

Had it in the van with the inverter and a separate battery for last 6 months. Just removed as to be honest we did not refer to it, the inverter remote has a separate monitor that is fine. Have decided to keep the seperate battery and inverter setup as it simple and does not affect main leisure setup. This device was overkill.

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ludo

LIFE MEMBER
Jul 12, 2011
724
1,178
Lincolnshire
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17,306
MH
Van Conversion
Exp
Since 1990
I have fitted 12v sockets in the rear seat panels/covers of the Fiat X250 with a voltage read out and button switches so that the read out circuit is open without the button pressed, saving any power drain however small.

The sockets/voltage readouts are supplied with short fused direct connections. One to the two parallel connected hab batteries and the other to the vehicle battery.

This provides 2 extra and easily accessible sockets and an instant readout, when pressing the button, of any situation, whether the batteries are under load or at rest.

C Metered Socket (2).jpg
 
Nov 1, 2014
4
6
Downham Market, Norfolk
Funster No
34,084
MH
Low profile
Exp
Since 1998
Looks great & seems a good monitoring solution.
Could you provide details of the socket and where to purchase.
Any details on how you wired it in would be useful.
 

ludo

LIFE MEMBER
Jul 12, 2011
724
1,178
Lincolnshire
Funster No
17,306
MH
Van Conversion
Exp
Since 1990
Looks great & seems a good monitoring solution.
Could you provide details of the socket and where to purchase.
Any details on how you wired it in would be useful.


Loads here, some with 5v usb provision:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_o...TRS0&_nkw=12v+socket+with+volt+meter&_sacat=0

Electrical

Simple wiring, with suitable cable, from + - battery terminals, through suitable in line fuse, direct to the 12v socket. Then, a second short supply cable, from the terminals on the rear of the socket to the meter terminals but interrupted by the button switch. Keeping cables from batteries to device as short as possible.

Mechanical

The rear seat panels/covers are designed to be removed easily. When removed cut hole for the socket and bolt device neatly to the panel. Then, wire as above.

Hope this is clear and helps.

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ludo

LIFE MEMBER
Jul 12, 2011
724
1,178
Lincolnshire
Funster No
17,306
MH
Van Conversion
Exp
Since 1990
I have fitted 12v sockets in the rear seat panels/covers of the Fiat X250 with a voltage read out and button switches so that the read out circuit is open without the button pressed, saving any power drain however small.

The sockets/voltage readouts are supplied with short fused direct connections. One to the two parallel connected hab batteries and the other to the vehicle battery.

This provides 2 extra and easily accessible sockets and an instant readout, when pressing the button, of any situation, whether the batteries are under load or at rest.

View attachment 149087
Loads here, some with 5v usb provision:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_o...TRS0&_nkw=12v+socket+with+volt+meter&_sacat=0

Electrical

Simple wiring, with suitable cable, from + - battery terminals, through suitable in line fuse, direct to the 12v socket. Then, a second short supply cable, from the terminals on the rear of the socket to the meter terminals but interrupted by the button switch. Keeping cables from batteries to device as short as possible.

Mechanical

The rear seat panels/covers are designed to be removed easily. When removed cut hole for the socket and bolt device neatly to the panel. Then, wire as above.

Hope this is clear and helps.


Incidentally, this installation provides another very useful solution to another problem. We have 2 AGM Banner habitation batteries. We had them in our last van and they have been excellent, as far as we are concerned and we would choose them again when required.

These batteries are served by an Electroblock 99 charging regime which is set to "GEL" as Schaudts recommend. This presents a problem since the vehicle battery is wet lead/acid and really needs to have an alternative suitable charging regime.

In order to alleviate this difficulty, I have manufactured a lead with a "twist and grip" cigarette lighter plug through which I can connect my 10 stage charger directly to the vehicle battery through the "twist and grip" cigarette lighter socket now installed in the rear seat cover/panel. When charging the vehicle battery in this way, I do ensure that the EB99 is isolated.
 
Sep 23, 2013
2,579
8,603
Lincs
Funster No
28,231
MH
Globecar Campscout
Exp
Since 2008 (started in a VW T4 campervan)
These batteries are served by an Electroblock 99 charging regime which is set to "GEL" as Schaudts recommend. This presents a problem since the vehicle battery is wet lead/acid and really needs to have an alternative suitable charging regime.
The EBL99 only ever provides a float charge with a maximum of 2A to the vehicle battery. The way I read the manual, this is the same whether the main charging of the habitation batteries is set to Gel or Wet.

However, if your vehicle battery ever does need a proper charge, rather than just a maintenance charge, then your system will be much more effective at providing what it needs than the EBL99 will ever be.

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