Has anyone installed a battery charge meter?

RittSea

RittSea

Member
Jun 5, 2021
47
Windermere, Florida
Boat Info
2013 Sundancer 330DA
Previous Boats:
- 2002 Sundancer 280DA
- 1992 Sundancer 230DA
Engines
Twin Mercruiser Bravo IIIs
I recently had batteries go dead on me and was wondering if anyone has ever installed a battery charge meter to see how much charge is remaining. Or is there a good rule of thumb to know how much battery life is left?
 
on your DC panel you should have a volt and amp meter for your house batteries. There are some control panels that integrate with Inverter/Charger systems that report amp hours remaining until charging is required. I've got one but have yet to have a chance to use it as we don't spend time away from a dockside power supply.
Carpe Diem
 
Typically you don't want your batteries that are not being charged to go below 12.0 volts. A fully charged 12 volt battery will read 12.6 volts. With the engine(s) and generator turned off, the volt meter in your instrument panel will give you an approximate reading of your battery voltage.
 
I would like to do something similar. I have 2 “house banks” and a genny bank. I would like to install something inside a cabinet in the cockpit, or even an alarm (a beep every 5 minutes) that goes off if my battery gets down to X volts. I was thinking 11.8v, but open to suggestions or ideas
 
Look up Zantrax products. They make a couple of panel mounted battery monitors that may be what you are looking for.
 
My chart plotter has a volt meter with an adjustable alarm setting. Stand alone DC volt meters are extremely easy to install. Don't use ones like the add on USB port option. They do drain the battery. Not alot, but enough. I had installed one to keep an eye on my four wheeler battery. I finally realized it kept running the battery down.
 
SKybolt said:
This might be a good option as well, if you have an N2K backbone: https://panbo.com/veratron-linkup-battery-monitor-innovative-configuration-and-nmea-2000/
Click to expand...

anyone have one of these installed?

my batteries have Automotive Post and a Stud (3/8" threaded stainless steel terminal). All my SAE (automotive Post) are used, so would i just add the adaptor to the 3/8' stud (https://www.grainger.com/product/2F...9efpwGASdL5bBpX8TZEaAo08EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)

it doesn't appear to break the connection to sense the drain, just monitor what the drain is, is that correct?

i like it
 
I think you will find that the battery's voltage is but one indicator of it's charge and health. The problem is if anything is drawing current from the battery (lead acid) the voltage will sag and consequently, isn't good for determining the state of charge. The gauges installed in our boats do not have enough resolution to fully understand how discharged the battery bank is; we are interested in 1/10ths of volts. The ultimate in understanding battery charge and discharge condition is to measure through a shunt and account for the amount and rate of amps leaving and entering the battery as well as the voltage. I'm a fan of Victron Energy and their products; they are highly integrated and adaptable. Take a look at their Smartshunt product; I think you will find it provides everything and more that you need.
 
HawkX66 said:
My chart plotter has a volt meter with an adjustable alarm setting. Stand alone DC volt meters are extremely easy to install. Don't use ones like the add on USB port option. They do drain the battery. Not alot, but enough. I had installed one to keep an eye on my four wheeler battery. I finally realized it kept running the battery down.
Click to expand...

Wouldn't the chart plotter also drain the battery? Not sure which would drain more power, the plotter or the standalone power meter. My plotter is switched on via the ignition switch in the cabin. I was hoping to keep these switches off to save power, and have the power meter wired to always be on, like bilge pumps. But I'm not yet sure what the best/recommended wiring option is.
 
RittSea said:
I'll definitely check this out. It seems to be exactly what I was envisioning. A lot of functionality. Although it looks like it may take up more dashboard real-estate than I have.
Click to expand...

The battery link is separate from there 4.3" monitor, they are just showing there complete setup on panbo, but Ben did a great write up on them.

The N2k battery adapter can be had fairly inexpensive for N2K: https://www.hodgesmarine.com/verb00...jg-vjDRtUb9gE97c9hyXSKcSuiVrGOSMaAuKMEALw_wcB

Most modern MFD's have some sort of battery status page that will read these monitors and display everything, I know Garmin has a great customizable page for battery monitoring.
 
Chris-380 said:
anyone have one of these installed?

my batteries have Automotive Post and a Stud (3/8" threaded stainless steel terminal). All my SAE (automotive Post) are used, so would i just add the adaptor to the 3/8' stud (https://www.grainger.com/product/2F...9efpwGASdL5bBpX8TZEaAo08EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)

it doesn't appear to break the connection to sense the drain, just monitor what the drain is, is that correct?

i like it
Click to expand...

As far as the add on stud adapter, I would opt to get a battery with post's but in leu of that, I guess you could try it. I am leery of adapters when it comes to boat batteries. Corrosion builds up real quick and usually can't be seen until its bad. But if you use a lot of battery grease or dielectric you should be ok. I wouldn't use them with higher current applications like with a diesel engine.

Yes it's a straight connection and does not break the connection to measure, I believe it's something like a 1 ohm resister plate. There is limited information from Veratron on this and why I referenced Panbo's review.
 
Most batteries only have 1 SAE terminal, so all mine are used, so I am not sure how you would use it any other way that an adapter on the 3/8”stud, how would you do it?

SKybolt said:
As far as the add on stud adapter, I would opt to get a battery with post's but in leu of that, I guess you could try it. I am leery of adapters when it comes to boat batteries. Corrosion builds up real quick and usually can't be seen until its bad. But if you use a lot of battery grease or dielectric you should be ok. I wouldn't use them with higher current applications like with a diesel engine.

Yes it's a straight connection and does not break the connection to measure, I believe it's something like a 1 ohm resister plate. There is limited information from Veratron on this and why I referenced Panbo's review.
Click to expand...
 
Chris-380 said:
Most batteries only have 1 SAE terminal, so all mine are used, so I am not sure how you would use it any other way that an adapter on the 3/8”stud, how would you do it?
Click to expand...

Sorry, misunderstood your first meaning (was thinking side terminal for some odd reason), you would have to swap the battery cable with a ring end cable or put a ring end on your existing cable. Most chain auto parts stores can do that. I think Auto-Zone has the zinc coated copper terminals on a spin rack. I know they can crimp the new end on for you. I bought a hydraulic crimper off of Amazon fairly cheap as well.
 
SKybolt said:
Sorry, misunderstood your first meaning (was thinking side terminal for some odd reason), you would have to swap the battery cable with a ring end cable or put a ring end on your existing cable. Most chain auto parts stores can do that. I think Auto-Zone has the zinc coated copper terminals on a spin rack. I know they can crimp the new end on for you. I bought a hydraulic crimper off of Amazon fairly cheap as well.
Click to expand...
Does it do 4/0? If so link?
Thanks!
 
ttmott said:
Does it do 4/0? If so link?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

The crimper is the highlighted "Hydraulic Crimper" link, But I believe so, possibly down to 1/0, I have only used it for my generator and electric lines when I made my new electric panel, worked perfectly. The sizes are listed as: 9x dies: 4, 6, 8, 10, 16, 25, 35, 50, 70mm2. I keep it on the boat so I'll check in a bit, going to the boat in a few.
 
Smart shunts with bluetooth and the victron app along with the 712 meter.
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RittSea said:
Wouldn't the chart plotter also drain the battery? Not sure which would drain more power, the plotter or the standalone power meter. My plotter is switched on via the ignition switch in the cabin. I was hoping to keep these switches off to save power, and have the power meter wired to always be on, like bilge pumps. But I'm not yet sure what the best/recommended wiring option is.
Click to expand...
Yes. The chart plotter definitely uses power. I don't leave it on all the time. It's a fish finder and sonar also though so my son's and I like to play with it. There's much better options for keeping a constant watch on your power reserve.
 
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