Adding a multi bank battery voltage monitor.

[88dancer300]

This is a project I have wanted to do for a long time. We spend a lot of time on the hook, and I wanted a better way to read my battery voltages without going under the deck with a voltmeter. I used a 6 position rotory switch from Radio shack,I got the digital volt meter on e-bay for under $15 bucks,and a brother P-touch to make the labeling. I can read the voltage on any one of my 5 group 31 batteries at the turn of the switch. This whole set up including the meter, switch and wiring ran me under $30.00. The newer boats have this option, but if you have an old sled like me....Pretty cool and cheap DIY.

 

[JerryS]

Nice set-up! You have done a lot of nice work on your boat.

 

[tdappleman]

Nice work! Are any of your batteries connected in serial? If so - does it really read the bank voltage or individual battery voltage?

 

[KRB64]

Cool!

You have the schematic that you used that you can post? I'd love to do this to ours and remove a lot of undo anxiety while on the hook.

How big an undertaking was this? Like timewise?

Thanks for sharing.

 

[88dancer300]

This job is a piece of cake ! I did the whole job in 3 hrs.. I will scan the schematic I drew up into my PC, and post it. I will also list the part # for the switch I got at Radio shack. The meter is on e-bay, any voltage gauge will work, though I prefer digital for acuracy. The whole thing uses 18 gauge wire. Running the wires into the cabin was the most difficult part. You can have this set up, just under a hatch if you dont want to run the wires all the way into the cabin. I was going to do just that, but I had room in my electrical panel and thought it would look trick and factory in there !

Cool!

You have the schematic that you used that you can post? I'd love to do this to ours and remove a lot of undo anxiety while on the hook.

How big an undertaking was this? Like timewise?

Thanks for sharing.

 

[KRB64]

88dancer300 that would be great, thanks in advance for the trouble. I've been wanting to do this for a while. Looked at those deals you plug into the cigaret lighter but they are pricey to get a decent one. You still have the part /ebay numbers you used too?
Thanks,

 

[88dancer300]

Yea, I can let you know who the e-bay user is. Its a nice little 2" round digital 2 wire voltage meter used for monitoring battery voltage on automotive audio systems. I will try to get to all of this tonight.

88dancer300 that would be great, thanks in advance for the trouble. I've been wanting to do this for a while. Looked at those deals you plug into the cigaret lighter but they are pricey to get a decent one. You still have the part /ebay numbers you used too?
Thanks,

 

[KRB64]

So is it basically one small gauge wire from each battery to the switch and then the switch is wired to the display?

What are the single purple and black wires on the right? Power & ground?

Thanks,

 

[88dancer300]

Sorry I have not posted the wiring diagram. Scanner is not working. The purple and black wires are the wires for my generator running, indicator light and has nothing to do with the battery switch. Yes, the wiring is very simple.... each battery positive goes to the rotory switch on the outside pins. The red wire on the meter gets wired to one of the inside pins, and the ground from the meter gets wired to the battery ground. I used all 18 gauge wire.

So is it basically one small gauge wire from each battery to the switch and then the switch is wired to the display?

What are the single purple and black wires on the right? Power & ground?

Thanks,

 

[KRB64]

Sounds simple enough. Thanks,

 

[JVM225]

I don't have a generator, or spend many nights on the hook. But I still think this is a great mod for me because I do spend some days on the hook with the fridge and radios running.
Probably a great way to monitor the generak health of my batteries too by keeping an eye on how quickly they discharge.
Not sure if I can make it fit on my electrical panel, but for my purposes it would probably work out nicely up on my dash.
I can't wait to see the schematic.

 

[Turboqv]

nice work. I love all the mods you have done. I think I will do the same with the addition of a low voltage alarm like I have on my RV. Gauges are good if you are only actively watching them, much like the airliner i fly for a living. How easy would it be to incooperate a low voltage alarm to the creative setup you have?

Cheers

 

[88dancer300]

:grin:The low voltage alarm is a great idea. All you would have to do is wire it in series with the red wire that runs to the digital voltage meter, from the rototy switch. Paul....If you can source out a low voltage alarm......could you let me know? I am trying to get the boat in the water, and dont have too much time for research. Dave

 

[Turboqv]

:grin:The low voltage alarm is a great idea. All you would have to do is wire it in series with the red wire that runs to the digital voltage meter, from the rototy switch. Paul....If you can source out a low voltage alarm......could you let me know? I am trying to get the boat in the water, and dont have too much time for research. Dave

Here you go Dave

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_from=R...w=low+voltage+alarm&_sacat=See-All-Categories

 

[Rum Runner]

I may be a little late on this, just found the thread a couple of days ago. This looks like a clean installation. I noticed someone asked about a schematic in an earlier post. I was wondering if you have had a change to download it yet? Again, good job.