Battery voltages accuracy as displayed on control panel (1 Viewer)

Feb 24, 2013
12,991
101,179
Bolsover, Derbyshire
Funster No
24,833
MH
Hymer S800
Exp
not long enough
We have an often too clever for its own good Hymer S800, the control panel allows me to view hab and can battery voltage and also current being drawn

We are driving through France in very cold weather and having had issues previously do all I can to avoid flat cab batteries

Our cab battery on our Mercedes chassis was changed 2 years ago (y)

So, point of my thread, battery level for cab often shows 12.3 - 12.5V in morning, seems low to me

Today’s ‘scare’ and reason for post I checked this morning we had a typical 12.5V but out of interest asked Bev to watch display when I turned ignition on, just to panel lights on. Bolts dropped to 11.7 on display

Bev didn’t know how bad I thought that was and the engine turned fine and started first time

So is this actually OK, is the display probably wrong or did I just get lucky?
 
Nov 4, 2011
5,888
38,113
Uk
Funster No
18,763
MH
A class
Exp
2001
The analogue gauge on our 2001 B584 is not very accurate always shows lower than when checked with voltmeter in one of the 12volt outlets.
Shows 12.2 when it’s 12.7ish.
 
Apr 27, 2008
11,794
13,953
Eastbourne East Sussex
Funster No
2,327
MH
Hymer low profile
Exp
Since 1972
I have volts on the panel, on the solar controller and on a socket I needed an led indicator on but didn't have one so put an led voltmeter on which I did have. They disagree with each other around 0.2v the panel one always being lower than the other two. Best put a accurate multimeter on then you will know how accurate the panel meter is. My panel meter generally shows 13.6v on charge while it is actually 13.8v.
 
OP
OP
DavidG58
Feb 24, 2013
12,991
101,179
Bolsover, Derbyshire
Funster No
24,833
MH
Hymer S800
Exp
not long enough
My real concern was that at 11.7V it would be too low to start

But I will look at doing volt meter checks, but battery is a bugger to get at under passenger floor

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Jan 19, 2014
9,322
24,578
Derbyshire
Funster No
29,757
MH
Elddis Accordo 105
Exp
since 2014
We have an often too clever for its own good Hymer S800, the control panel allows me to view hab and can battery voltage and also current being drawn

We are driving through France in very cold weather and having had issues previously do all I can to avoid flat cab batteries

Our cab battery on our Mercedes chassis was changed 2 years ago (y)

So, point of my thread, battery level for cab often shows 12.3 - 12.5V in morning, seems low to me

Today’s ‘scare’ and reason for post I checked this morning we had a typical 12.5V but out of interest asked Bev to watch display when I turned ignition on, just to panel lights on. Bolts dropped to 11.7 on display

Bev didn’t know how bad I thought that was and the engine turned fine and started first time

So is this actually OK, is the display probably wrong or did I just get lucky?
The voltage will drop if the glow plugs are on, could it be that?
 
Nov 9, 2015
154
244
North Hampshire
Funster No
40,102
MH
Hymer MC-I B 580
Exp
Since 2005
David
What you describe are exactly the same symptoms exhibited by my two year old Concorde. Even down to the too clever for its own good control panel and systems. Maybe ignorance would be bliss but I cannot stop fretting after having a flat battery recently. I do not have any answers so will watch your thread with interest.
 
Feb 9, 2008
4,086
5,902
SW Scotland
Funster No
1,453
MH
LP Coachbuilt
Exp
Since 2008 after caravanning for 20 years
11.7 would be near normal for when you start the engine, any load causes the voltage to drop, i.e. glowplugs, starter motor. An accurate reading can only be made perhaps 10 mins after the load has been removed as the voltage recovers after load. 12.5v could be fully charged depending how accurate your meter is. Are you overthinking this?

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Feb 9, 2008
4,086
5,902
SW Scotland
Funster No
1,453
MH
LP Coachbuilt
Exp
Since 2008 after caravanning for 20 years
Bear in mind an accurate, laboratory, voltmeter will cost over £100, how much do you think a MH manufacturer will pay for a simple readout?
 
Apr 27, 2016
6,801
7,839
Manchester
Funster No
42,762
MH
A class Hymer
Exp
Since the 80s
Our cab battery on our Mercedes chassis was changed 2 years ago
Check that the connections on the thin EBL voltage sense wires are clean and undamaged, and the 2 amp fuses are not corroded or blown.

The battery voltages are measured by the EBL via separate 'sense' wires. These are relatively thin wires that go from the EBL directly to as near the battery as possible.

The hab battery has a larger main fuse, 20 or 30 amps, and a smaller 2 amp fuse just next to it for the voltage sense wire. There's a similar one for the cab battery.

The negatives are not fused, and run all the way to the battery negative terminal. The reason that separate sense wires are used is to avoid inaccuracies due to voltage drops in the current-carrying wires.

Bear in mind an accurate, laboratory, voltmeter will cost over £100, how much do you think a MH manufacturer will pay for a simple readout?
In my experience cheap meters that are not obviously faulty are surprisingly accurate. They will usually tell you whether the voltage is for example 12.5 and not 12.6 or 12.4. I have checked several meters against accurately calibrated meters at work, and they have always been at least this accurate.
 
OP
OP
DavidG58
Feb 24, 2013
12,991
101,179
Bolsover, Derbyshire
Funster No
24,833
MH
Hymer S800
Exp
not long enough
I think it could be true to say I am overlooking things, if a little harsh, my technical ability almost peaks at reading the display although I carry a multi meter the thought of tracing wires leaves me in a sweat

For example when looking for a fault on our toilet flush I managed to create a dead short with my wedding ring, luckily only blowing a fuse o_O

Some things in life I have found are best left to those that know what hey are doing :)

Update on my volts today, controller display of cab batt volts at rest 12.5V turned on ignition to glow plug stage 11.7V rising back to 11.9V when glow plug light went out, then a rather scary 10.8V when the starter turned the engine

But start it did, this might be another case of too much information, without the display I would be unaware of the numbers and all the while it starts I don’t think I will worry (y)

The sun is just coming up here 30 mikes north of the med in France life is good :)(y)

And we have RAC European cover (y)

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

funflair

LIFE MEMBER
Dec 11, 2013
19,199
29,888
Guisborough
Funster No
29,351
MH
MORELO palace
Exp
since 2012
Morning David 10.8 when the starter kicks in is no big deal as it is taking a big chunk of amps to turn over that lump of an engine, 12.5 before you start the process of heating up and starting is a good level of charge so just enjoy your break and don't worry about it. Ours starts with as low as between 12 and 12.2 on the battery before I turn the key(y)

Martin
 
Apr 27, 2016
6,801
7,839
Manchester
Funster No
42,762
MH
A class Hymer
Exp
Since the 80s
But start it did, this might be another case of too much information, without the display I would be unaware of the numbers and all the while it starts I don’t think I will worry (y)
The voltage of a battery is only a good indication of its state of charge under very specific conditions. There must be no output load, and no charging input. In addition it must be left in the no load/charge state for a few hours.

As you have seen, the voltage of a fully charged healthy battery varies greatly when under load, and when being charged. 10.8 volts when starting is in fact quite good, I wouldn't be surprised at 9 volts on a cold morning.

That's the reason people use a battery monitor device that continuously counts the charge in and out of the battery, and doesn't rely on just the battery voltage. Maybe your EBL does that already for the hab battery. Having said that, these devices are rarely fitted to a starter battery.
 

Dare_Devil_Dennis

Free Member
Apr 22, 2017
296
199
Derby
Funster No
48,269
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
Newbie
What was the (very cold) temperature? you may have answered your own question.

For guidance purposes for battery monitoring, the battery voltage (and current capacity) is normally quoted at 25C. At very low temperatures, you can expect lower off charge voltages.

The fact that it cranked and started is a good indicator that the vehicle battery is ok.

The Hab batteries, if warmer (where are they/is it?), will likely indicate higher voltages. But to compare like for like you need to disconnect or switch off the charger.

For peace of mind, you need to get the battery to "normal" temperature and take more readings, or get it tested properly by someone who knows what they are doing and is not trying to sell you a new battery.

Good luck
Dennis

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

pappajohn

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 26, 2007
43,207
48,810
Dark side of the moon
Funster No
172
Exp
Since 2005
My real concern was that at 11.7V it would be too low to start
When actually cranking the battery voltage can be as low as 9v....but it still starts.

Ign on, not running, there's a lot of background gubbins (relays, ECU etc) sucking power.

Volt meters/gauges/dials are only as good as the component parts...cheap Chinese crap will never be as good as an expensive quality meter.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top