Dual battery monitor

[oddkid82]

Hey guys I am wanting monitor my dual battery system and found this on eBay. Has anyone got one on their system? Are they any good?

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=181537965107

[threedogs]

Link not working for me

[oddkid82]

Try this one

http://m.ebay.com.au/itm/181537965107?nav=SEARCH

[the evil twin]

I don't like current shunts on 4WD's.
IMHO you are better off with Hall effect sensors for your amperage.

Having said that, most units are current shunt systems and Yes, it will do the job.
Don't put any loads that will draw more than 200 ish Amps like a Winch downstream of the shunt tho
(Winches should be off the Cranker anyway but just in case you parallel your Aux or whatever)

If you don't have a load exceeding 50 Amps I recommend something like this http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Baintech-Voltage-Amp-Meter-/331209833985?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4d1da4fe01

[threedogs]

Link working but not familiar with that one[style]
Try Redarc,, simple to install affordable and Aussie made
what model are you fitting it to ?

[the evil twin]

Link working but not familiar with that one[style]
Try Redarc,, simple to install affordable and Aussie made
what model are you fitting it to ?

Hiya TD

Agree pretty much and the Redarc will do 100 Amps but they will cost well over $250 (gauge plus sensor)

My opinion is same as yours IE Redarc, Baintech et al with a Hall effect are the go.
Shunts can be a PIA and if the connections go high resistance you get issues with fridges shutting down or if they fail you lose the power entirely

[threedogs]

.I take it you have a diesel as you will struggle for real estate under the bonnet if a dual fuel,,,fitting a 2nd battery
My BIL [auto lec] always told me to stay away from amp meters saying a volt meter will serve you better

[oddkid82]

.I take it you have a diesel as you will struggle for real estate under the bonnet if a dual fuel,,,fitting a 2nd battery My BIL [auto lec] always told me to stay away from amp meters saying a volt meter will serve you better

I do have a diesel, I want it to measure my voltages of both batteries. The amp part is just to keep an eye on what my second battery is using with all my accessories on ie fridge, camping light.
I will also have my 120w solar panel connected up when camping.

[the evil twin]

I do have a diesel, I want it to measure my voltages of both batteries. The amp part is just to keep an eye on what my second battery is using with all my accessories on ie fridge, camping light.
I will also have my 120w solar panel connected up when camping.

Redarc (who bought out Autron) do a very nice dual voltmeter with single digital ammeter
It will set you back about $280 including the hall effect sensor

An extra $100 over your original link choice but excellent and reliable.

[the evil twin]

snip...
My BIL [auto lec] always told me to stay away from amp meters saying a volt meter will serve you better

In the context that shunt ammeters are unreliable and cause more issues than they solve I totally agree.

[threedogs]

Heres what I did its a Baintech volt gauge I fitted to the
centre console to let me know what the Aux battery is doing

[threedogs]

maybe one of these wired it the system will let you know Amps used, AH being put back in and heaps of other usefull info
I wired mine in line to a solar panel on the bull bar via a 50 amp anderson plug to my Aux battery
I love these meters only $12 each too

[oddkid82]

maybe one of these wired it the system will let you know Amps used, AH being put back in and heaps of other usefull info I wired mine in line to a solar panel on the bull bar via a 50 amp anderson plug to my Aux battery I love these meters only $12 each too

Funny that I was going to get one of them to use with my solar panel.

[threedogs]

That one shows my battery at 12.8 volts and my small 20watt panel was putting in 1.1 amps
the radio was 12.9 watts, dont recall the last value, Think thats right

[the evil twin]

maybe one of these wired it the system will let you know Amps used, AH being put back in and heaps of other usefull info
I wired mine in line to a solar panel on the bull bar via a 50 amp anderson plug to my Aux battery
I love these meters only $12 each too

Handy buggers aren't they, I have 4 or 5 on various leads and bits of kit around the place.
Only things to be wary of is they are rated at 50 Amps continuous so the labelling can be misinterpreted and they don't like heat IE near Turbo's or whatever.
Awesome on Camper Trailers or battery powered devices to check power consumption, SOC etc and none of that gear pulls anything like 50 to 100 Amps

[the evil twin]

That one shows my battery at 12.8 volts and my small 20watt panel was putting in 1.1 amps
the radio was 12.9 watts, dont recall the last value, Think thats right

Pretty much -
Ap is Peak Current in Amps so it is showing that there is 1.01 Amps (instantaneous) flowing from the Panel and the Peak current since connected was 1.20 amps, the output voltage level is 12.8 the load is consuming 12.9 Watts of power

[oddkid82]

maybe one of these wired it the system will let you know Amps used, AH being put back in and heaps of other usefull info I wired mine in line to a solar panel on the bull bar via a 50 amp anderson plug to my Aux battery I love these meters only $12 each too

Are they easy to use and wire up?
I am thinking about using one with my solar panel and in inline with my fridge?
I think I will still get a dual voltage meter.

[the evil twin]

Are they easy to use and wire up?
I am thinking about using one with my solar panel and in inline with my fridge?
I think I will still get a dual voltage meter.

They are as easy to wire as a fuse holder... or you can get them on Ebay with plugs or ring terminals already fitted.

There may not be any point if all you are running is a fridge IF your Solar reg already has those readouts otherwise, yes they are very handy.

If anyone wants to "monitor" batteries in the Cabin then they aren't much use.
You would need to run the full size wiring into the Cabin and then back out to the load/s as they use an internal shunt.
Most Battery Monitors use Hall Effect or External Shunts that you mount the sensor at the Battery and only very light guage wires are needed to connect to the display