[Dave_E]

Hi All,

I've got no room to install any kind of battery monitor. I've got a voltmeter (selectable to either bank) and have always used residual battery voltage as an indicator for state of charge.

High amp engine alternator, solar power being added and shore power charger. We do alot of motoring here in the PNW during prime cruising season so the alternator is working quite alot and then we end up in a marina 75% of the time.

Are there any cruisers out there who just use a voltmeter to monitor there electrical power? Just curious. Did you ever have something happen where you wished you had something else?

Dave

 

[btrayfors]

Dave,

I just use a voltmeter most of the time, too. It tells me all I need know, mainly because I know my boat well after 25 years.

For several years I've been in the business of designing, installing, and troubleshooting electrical systems on boats and, among other things, have done intensive research on flooded, AGM, and gelled lead-acid storage batteries.

No, I've never wished I had a battery monitor on my own boat. I've installed them on client's boats and watched those who have them try to resolve the discrepancies they see -- mainly because these device tend to get less and less accurate over time, especially when they are not re-calibrated.

If I were to fit one today, however, it would be a Smartguage. These are expensive, but are the most accurate battery monitors available. They actually get more accurate over time as they "learn" about your boat.

I would note, however, that every boat should at a minimum have:

1. a good digital multimeter of known accuracy; and
2. a good AC/DC clamp-on ammeter.

These two instruments will allow the knowledgeable owner to monitor critical systems on his/her boat, and to quickly troubleshoot any problems which occur.

Bill

 

[Maine Sail]

Dave,

I just use a voltmeter most of the time, too. It tells me all I need know, mainly because I know my boat well after 25 years.

For several years I've been in the business of designing, installing, and troubleshooting electrical systems on boats and, among other things, have done intensive research on flooded, AGM, and gelled lead-acid storage batteries.

If I were to fit one today, however, it would be a Smartguage. These are expensive, but are the most accurate battery monitors available. They actually get more accurate over time as they "learn" about your boat.

I would note, however, that every boat should at a minimum have:

1. a good digital multimeter of known accuracy; and
2. a good AC/DC clamp-on ammeter.

These two instruments will allow the knowledgeable owner to monitor critical systems on his/her boat, and to quickly troubleshoot any problems which occur.

Bill

+1. If you know your bank and your boat you can figure it out using open circuit voltage but sadly most DIY's I know have failed miserably at it.

No, I've never wished I had a battery monitor on my own boat. I've installed them on client's boats and watched those who have them try to resolve the discrepancies they see -- mainly because these device tend to get less and less accurate over time, especially when they are not re-calibrated.

This is the big problem with Ah counters and if not used properly, and most are not, they can get owners into rather absurd levels of mis-calibration.

For those who've been asking I am just finishing up a new article on programming an Ah counter. It is 95% done and only needs a few more tweaks....

Programming A Battery Monitor

P.S. For those who own an Ah counter I apologize in advance for making your head spin with this article....

 

[BarryL]

Hey,

I only have a voltmeter on my boat and I have not regretted it.

Caveats:
-I mostly day sail and that includes running the engine for 10 minutes on the way out and 10 minutes on the way in. During a 2-4 hour sail I will run the autopilot, instruments, vhf, and that's about it. So no serious electrical draws like refrigeration.
-I do spend a number of weekends aboard, but those are in marina with electrical. Sometimes I will spend a weekend on a mooring, then I will be careful to have the batteries fully charged before I get on the mooring.
-In the 10+ years I have been sailing, this has worked well for me. I was stuck just one time when I was unable to start the engine. The cause was NOT a dead battery but poorly run wires to the starter, glow plugs, switch. In that situation I was able to sail back to my mooring but I was fortunate that the weather conditions made sailing back easy.

Barry

 

[Bill-Rangatira]

i just use the panel mounted volt meter most of the time
was thinking i might add 2 ammeters not shunt type, hall effect ones
to monitor charging and drains

 

[Dave_E]

Dave,

I just use a voltmeter most of the time, too. It tells me all I need know, mainly because I know my boat well after 25 years.

For several years I've been in the business of designing, installing, and troubleshooting electrical systems on boats and, among other things, have done intensive research on flooded, AGM, and gelled lead-acid storage batteries.

No, I've never wished I had a battery monitor on my own boat. I've installed them on client's boats and watched those who have them try to resolve the discrepancies they see -- mainly because these device tend to get less and less accurate over time, especially when they are not re-calibrated.

If I were to fit one today, however, it would be a Smartguage. These are expensive, but are the most accurate battery monitors available. They actually get more accurate over time as they "learn" about your boat.

I would note, however, that every boat should at a minimum have:

1. a good digital multimeter of known accuracy; and
2. a good AC/DC clamp-on ammeter.

These two instruments will allow the knowledgeable owner to monitor critical systems on his/her boat, and to quickly troubleshoot any problems which occur.

Bill

Thanks Bill,

I agree totally with everything said. I do carry a good DVOM (MAC tools) and a clamp-on ammeter on board. This year I'll be adding another 100A to the house bank also.

Dave