battery monitor...anyone used this one?

[nicstrike]

on the back of my "split charge woes" post , I was thinking about hard wiring a pair of battery condition monitors but came across this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300628609035? ... 1438.l2649 and wondered whether anyone has used one? I have a separate 12v socket wired directly off the vehicle battery , so when I re-connect the willinton kit I can test both batteries independently.

[g8dhe]

If you have an existing voltmeter anywhere in the vehicle (Zig Marque 1 say) then it doesn't do anything different than that does.

[winchman]

I fitted this about two years ago.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Blue-LCD-Volt ... 230ffe71fe
I have a BMW clock conversion and it fits with a bit of cutting in the back of the little cubby, I also have a switch on it as I find it distracting whilst driving so I can just turn it on and off when I want to look at whats going on.
We did a calibration check at work and it wat accurate to 0.002 of a volt so fine for our application

[nicstrike]

I don't have any monitoring equipment in the bongo , hence my wish to fit something. I thought the portable unit was a good idea as I could use it in our other vehicles too. as I said I was initially thinking of one hard wired unit per battery but I suppose I could fit just one on a change over switch (on/off/on) instead? I had been looking at the gammatronix unit http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5mm-LED-12v-B ... 2eb6be3fd0 as it could be fitted unobtrusively.

[winchman]

Looks good as long as you have a sheet of what each colour means, I like the compactness of it too

[Gasy]

I have a similar 3 light set up on a cigar lighter 2 way splitter
It's no good at all don't waste ya money
Get one or two like winch man has above
There not much of eBay

[the1andonly]

I have a similar set up to winchman with a voltmeter in cubby but with a dual pole momentary switch that swaps from LB to SB when pressed up or down or off when left. Real numbers are easier to discuss than I've an orange led is the alternator ok? Simple voltmeters that fit in the cigar lighter also exist

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Newest-Econom ... 540179aef2

[Simon Jones]

I've used LCD meters and basic LED displays. I actually prefer the simplicity and readability of the LED type. You can see whats happening at a glance based on the colour or number of LEDs without having to read the fluctuating reading.

[nicstrike]

blimey....just found one of those small plug in ones for £1.65 inc p&p....from hong kong!!! (every penny counts....just had a service and 2 punctures this week!) im thinking that could be cut and shut into a panel mounted job that would take up very little room , then either a on/off/on or a momentary switch for each battery.

[winchman]

blimey....just found one of those small plug in ones for £1.65 inc p&p....from hong kong!!! (every penny counts....just had a service and 2 punctures this week!) im thinking that could be cut and shut into a panel mounted job that would take up very little room , then either a on/off/on or a momentary switch for each battery.

Buy two you tight wad
Bet it would cost more for a switch

[g8dhe]

It measures the voltage from the source, so you would have to bring another wire out to switch it to another battery, buy two and have one socket on each battery instead!

[nicstrike]

tight wad?!! .... I represent that remark! you are right about the cost of a switch but I have just formulated a cunning plan. I have a spare window blind switch kicking (and wire) about in the garage somewhere..... mmm decisions decisions.

[winchman]

You must have some junk kicking about you could make the lot meter and all
Here
http://going-green-battery.blogspot.co.uk/
Or here
http://paulorenato.com/joomla/index.php ... 7&Itemid=2

I am well known for my short arms and deep pockets

[winchman]

Why don't you make one out of Cake?
It would be very handy as you could eat it if you got hungry.

[nicstrike]

ahh you see.... the bi-latereal co-signal residual resistance value of hevva cake (that's lost those north of the tamar) peaks at 32.5 gigga crumbs , which means it is only suitable for 6v systems!