More battery information?

[Niall B]

This is possibly a stupid question so apologies in advance but... The control panel on our van just shows green/amber/red LEDs for the state of the leisure and vehicle batteries (the panel is a Schaudt LT99). Will one of those cheap voltmeters that plug into a 12v cigarette lighter socket give me more reliable information? If so, is it as simple as using the socket on the dash to get info on the vehicle battery and plugging it into the sockets in the back for the leisure battery?

Hope this makes some sort of sense.

 

[pappajohn]

is it as simple as using the socket on the dash to get info on the vehicle battery and plugging it into the sockets in the back for the leisure battery?

Yes, but you may need the ignition on for the dash socket.
The plug-ins arent 100% accurate by any means but a lot more Accurate than an led readout.

 

[Guigsy]

Voltage is a fairly crude method of measuring battery charge level. A better way uses a shunt and adds up current used over time. With the added bonus that you can see how much current is being pulled at any one time. Brand name ones are about £100. But there are cheaper versions that will probably be nearly as accurate for significantly less:
Amazon product ASIN B07W7XXKVF

 

[Stealaway]

This is possibly a stupid question so apologies in advance but... The control panel on our van just shows green/amber/red LEDs for the state of the leisure and vehicle batteries (the panel is a Schaudt LT99). Will one of those cheap voltmeters that plug into a 12v cigarette lighter socket give me more reliable information? If so, is it as simple as using the socket on the dash to get info on the vehicle battery and plugging it into the sockets in the back for the leisure battery?

Hope this makes some sort of sense.

I use voltmeters to monitor the state of charge of my batteries but I have wired them in.
No necessarily accurate but they are a reliable gauge.
Having the plug in ones will be OK.

 

[Niall B]

Thanks everyone for the replies. On your advice I’ve taken a bold step and invested £6.48 on a little voltmeter.

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