Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Battery Monitor
| [GMCnet] Battery Monitor [message #173882] |
Tue, 19 June 2012 02:09  |
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ljdavick
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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I'm thinking of installing a battery monitor. Truth be told I might only need a shunt as the beloved PO installed an ALTUS battery power meter that shows something akin to voltage now.
Looking at what's available I see the Xantex or TriMetric. The Xanteex would fit my current hole but the TriMetric is made locally, and I like that.
I know Jerry Work has the Xantrex but I'm wondering what y'all would recommend? I want to add a solar panel at some point down the road, if that matters.
Larry Davick
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Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
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| Re: [GMCnet] Battery Monitor [message #174005 is a reply to message #173989] |
Wed, 20 June 2012 06:36  |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
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Shunt = Resistor. Samie samie.
The ammeter is merely measuring the voltage drop across the resistor.
Ken H.
On Wed, Jun 20, 2012 at 1:59 AM, Larry Davick wrote:
>
> ...
> I know that the shunt is what makes the meter able to "see" current flow
> to and from a battery, but I don't understand how they work without
> imparting resistance in the system.
> --
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Battery Monitor [message #174014 is a reply to message #174005] |
Wed, 20 June 2012 07:43 |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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Measuring the current on a GMC battery system does not provide much useful
information. If you have a Solar system and want to see if your load
current is matched my your charge, current it is possible to match your
power usage.
but
if you want to determine the state and condition of your batteries, a
digital voltmeter is easier to use and more useful
look here for some data that describes how this works
http://www.gmcmotorhome.info/instr.html#CHARGE
by measuring the voltage ( to 2 places - like a 3 1/2 digit voltmeter) you
can measure
- charge state
- condition of battery
- alternator functions
- combiner operation
- battery bank condition
- charger operation
- etc
In fact it is possible to analyze the whole electrical system, with-out
modifying the electrical system at all.
jwid
gene
On Wed, Jun 20, 2012 at 4:36 AM, Ken Henderson <hend4800@bellsouth.net>wrote:
> Shunt = Resistor. Samie samie.
>
> The ammeter is merely measuring the voltage drop across the resistor.
>
> Ken H.
>
> On Wed, Jun 20, 2012 at 1:59 AM, Larry Davick wrote:
>
> >
> > ...
> > I know that the shunt is what makes the meter able to "see" current flow
> > to and from a battery, but I don't understand how they work without
> > imparting resistance in the system.
> > --
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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| Re: [GMCnet] Battery Monitor [message #174016 is a reply to message #174005] |
Wed, 20 June 2012 08:03 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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At some point I'll change both of my ammeters to shunt fed instruments. I'm not entirely comfortable with both battery hot leads passing through the firewall, and the way the batteries are mounted, it should be quite easy to put shunts on both. This will also let me move the meters up under the instrument panel upper edge where I can see them withiout inducing vertigo.
--johnny
'76 23' transmode norris
'76 palm beach
From: Ken Henderson <hend4800@bellsouth.net>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 7:36 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Battery Monitor
Shunt = Resistor. Samie samie.
The ammeter is merely measuring the voltage drop across the resistor.
Ken H.
On Wed, Jun 20, 2012 at 1:59 AM, Larry Davick wrote:
>
> ...
> I know that the shunt is what makes the meter able to "see" current flow
> to and from a battery, but I don't understand how they work without
> imparting resistance in the system.
> --
>
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: [GMCnet] Battery Monitor [message #174020 is a reply to message #174019] |
Wed, 20 June 2012 08:28 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Any reason why you wouldn't put it either directly on the battery, or on the side of the parallelling solenoid? Mine are on the solenoid, because everything except the starter is fed from there.
--johnny
From: Matt Colie <matt7323tze@gmail.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 9:22 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Battery Monitor
Tangerine wrote on Wed, 20 June 2012 09:05
> Gene
> Should I put the shunt before or after the isolator?
> Gary W. Mills (Livonia MI)
> . ___________
> ./_][__][] []| 1974 GMC M/H
> .*O-------OO-* Painted Desert
> "Tangerine Dream" W/New Frame
Gary,
After the isolator.
The shunt has to be in the circuit to the only battery bank you are trying to monitor. As these new systems actually integrate the charge current and calculate the battery efficiency, they are much more than any voltmeter can do.
I still have a ceiling speaker/light waiting here, but I never seem to remember it when I am going your way.
Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie
'73 Glacier 23 Chaumière (say show-me-air) Just about as stock as you will find
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: [GMCnet] Battery Monitor [message #174024 is a reply to message #174023] |
Wed, 20 June 2012 09:13 |
RicksGMC
Messages: 145
Registered: May 2012
Karma: 0
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I have a related question about battery monitors.
My couch has a battery meter mounted in the wall connected to a 'light' switch in the back dinette/bedroom. Nothing happens when I flip the switch. Has anyone seen a set-up like this? I'm not sure if this a factory set-up or a PO set-up.
Rick Drummond
Prior Lake MN
1974 (re-)Painted Desert 26'
TZE064V100077
Photos: http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/u18085-r-drummond.html
Email: RandTs.GMC@gmail.com
On Jun 20, 2012, at 9:11 AM, "Robert Mueller" <robmueller@iinet.net.au> wrote:
> Ken,
>
> Avion's have a switch labeled Battery Condition and when you press it one of three bulbs light up under labels that note:
>
> Poor - Fair - Good
>
> How does that work?
>
> Regards,
> Rob "electrically challenged" M.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ken Henderson
>
> Shunt = Resistor. Samie samie.
>
> The ammeter is merely measuring the voltage drop across the resistor.
>
> Ken H.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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Rick
Rick&Tammy Drummond
Prior Lake MN
'74 (re)Painted Desert
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| Re: [GMCnet] Battery Monitor [message #174029 is a reply to message #174024] |
Wed, 20 June 2012 10:13 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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Mine has a 'light switch' in the cupboard where the electric panel is located. It's marked 'Battery" and disconnects the house battery from everything.
--johnny
'76 23' transmode norris
'76 palm beach
From: Rick <randts.gmc@gmail.com>
To: "gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org" <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 10:13 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Battery Monitor
I have a related question about battery monitors.
My couch has a battery meter mounted in the wall connected to a 'light' switch in the back dinette/bedroom. Nothing happens when I flip the switch. Has anyone seen a set-up like this? I'm not sure if this a factory set-up or a PO set-up.
Rick Drummond
Prior Lake MN
1974 (re-)Painted Desert 26'
TZE064V100077
Photos: http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/u18085-r-drummond.html
Email: RandTs.GMC@gmail.com
On Jun 20, 2012, at 9:11 AM, "Robert Mueller" <robmueller@iinet.net.au> wrote:
> Ken,
>
> Avion's have a switch labeled Battery Condition and when you press it one of three bulbs light up under labels that note:
>
> Poor - Fair - Good
>
> How does that work?
>
> Regards,
> Rob "electrically challenged" M.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ken Henderson
>
> Shunt = Resistor. Samie samie.
>
> The ammeter is merely measuring the voltage drop across the resistor.
>
> Ken H.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
|
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| Re: [GMCnet] Battery Monitor [message #174030 is a reply to message #174025] |
Wed, 20 June 2012 10:21 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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If I put the shunt in the ground side, the meter will read cranking current. Beats up the meters :) and I don't want to run several huindred amps through the shunt. I use 1/8th amp fuses when I put an external shunt in. They will open if you look at them hard, are readily available for cheep, and have a considerable safety factor before the meter itself opens one. When you remove the loads from the solenoid to connect them to the ammeter, if it is unshunted, you have to bolt them together and insulate them and tie them down. The shunt connection gives a place to do all of this. We're gonna wire them differently, you and I.
--johnny
'76 23' transmode norris
'76 palm beach
From: Dan W <gmcnet@dwinchester.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 10:51 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Battery Monitor
The shunt should go in the ground conductor of the battery being monitored. If for any reason it is put on the positive side you must have fuses in both wires from shunt to meter. These fuses should be as close to shunt as possible and sized to protect the wire from shunt to meter. Normaly you only need a battery monitor on house batter where they are invaluable, a simple volt meter is fine for engine battery.
--
Dan Winchester
gmc.dwinchester.com
Sent from HTC phone
Gary Mills <daveel@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
On 6/20/2012 8:43 AM, gene Fisher wrote:
> Measuring the current on a GMC battery system does not provide much useful
> information. If you have a Solar system and want to see if your load
> current is matched my your charge, current it is possible to match your
> power usage.
> but
> if you want to determine the state and condition of your batteries, a
> digital voltmeter is easier to use and more useful
> look here for some data that describes how this works
> http://www.gmcmotorhome.info/instr.html#CHARGE
>
> by measuring the voltage ( to 2 places - like a 3 1/2 digit voltmeter) you
> can measure
> - charge state
> - condition of battery
> - alternator functions
> - combiner operation
> - battery bank condition
> - charger operation
> - etc
>
> In fact it is possible to analyze the whole electrical system, with-out
> modifying the electrical system at all.
>
> jwid
> gene
Gene
Should I put the shunt before or after the isolator?
Gary W. Mills (Livonia MI)
. ___________
./_][__][] []| 1974 GMC M/H
.*O-------OO-* Painted Desert
"Tangerine Dream" W/New Frame
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: [GMCnet] Battery Monitor [message #174070 is a reply to message #174031] |
Wed, 20 June 2012 14:37 |
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ljdavick
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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Senior Member |
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It's time for me to top up the batteries anyway. I'll poke around to see if I can find remnants of the old Altus battery monitors' shunt back there.
Larry Davick
Fremont, California
The Mystery Machine
'76 (ish) Palm Beach
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dan Gregg" <gregg_dan@hotmail.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 8:37:14 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Battery Monitor
Lots of good stuff here Larry. I disagree with the one on the volt meter. It is a simple thing to do and will give you a "clue" as to what is going on but is certainly not what you want if you dry camp. Voltage works great on a car because most amp meters are not giving us a true reading. Set one up as discussed here and you have a complete fuel gauge for your house batteries. You will know whether or not you need to fire the generator and how long it needs to run. Using a volt meter will not give you that information.
I like the fact that you are trying to set your coach up so later it will be ready for solar. Most, including myself, did it backwards. When I started there was no really good books on the subject, I bought them all and still was not doing it right. Life in a GMC can be really good when we get things set up properly for the type of camping we want to do. Many never unplug the ac cord and that is fine. But, when wanting to learn about "roughing it" in comfort, pay attention to those who have done it. There are many on here and they are giving you good stuff. I suspect, when I have a few more years on me, I will be a campground camper too.
Dan
--
Dan & Teri Gregg
http://danandteri.blogspot.com/
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Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
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| Re: [GMCnet] Battery Monitor [message #174138 is a reply to message #174023] |
Wed, 20 June 2012 21:38 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Take your pick:
https://www.google.com/search?q=led+battery+monitor&hl=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=y4fiT629B4f48gSahe WGCA&ved=0CIIBELAE&biw=1024&bih=681
or
http://goo.gl/7mBsO
In other words: "There are a LOT of possible ways." :-)
Considering the age, I'd bet on something similar to this one (that's "how
we did it back then"):
http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&sa=X&biw=1024&bih=681&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=2V9shdpqt7rZCM:&imgrefurl=http://electr oschematics.com/4838/battery-monitor/&docid=8qCRq-eulMoRbM&imgurl=http://electroschematics.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/BATTERY-MONITOR.png& amp;w=480&h=322&ei=p4jiT_7hFpKm8QS0rNCGCA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=709&vpy=293&dur=10323&hovh=184&hovw=274&tx=136&am p;ty=98&sig=110036614828051981321&page=1&tbnh=153&tbnw=222&start=0&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0,i:97
or
http://goo.gl/1zphq
Ken H.
On Wed, Jun 20, 2012 at 10:11 AM, Robert Mueller wrote:
> Ken,
>
> Avion's have a switch labeled Battery Condition and when you press it one
> of three bulbs light up under labels that note:
>
> Poor - Fair - Good
>
> How does that work?
>
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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and I don't want to run several huindred amps through the shunt. ...