Re: [tabtrailers] Re: Battery (Again)

3:03 PM |

Bob, the permanently installed ones will give you a good idea of what the present voltage is, but it won't tell you the remaining capacity when the battery is under load. Also, it can't be easily used for troubleshooting purposes. If you use one regularly under the same general loads, it will give you a rough idea of what you have left, based on experience. It would be handy if you also have a disconnect switch for the load with the meter still connected across the battery. Even then, you need to wait quite a while to get an accurate remaining capacity indication. It could come in handy when troubleshooting, to compare voltage measured elsewhere with the battery voltage--indication of a bad or dirty connection between the battery and the load.

I don't use one, but several other members have installed them on theirs, and should be able to give you some good recommendations.

Also, Google "rv battery monitor" for a good list of items available. Check the *Electrical photo album--I think I found some shown there.

Jerry J

----- Original Message -----

From: tabovernight

To: tabtrailers@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, November 26, 2010 4:25 PM

Subject: [tabtrailers] Re: Battery (Again)

R there any ref. on the forum that u know of.

Thanks,
Bob

--- In tabtrailers@yahoogroups.com, "tabovernight" <tab-llc@...> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Thanks Jerry,
>
> I was thinking of a permanet one wired to the battery, like the 2" round ones. (sun pro?)
>
> --- In tabtrailers@yahoogroups.com, "Jerry Jones" <jjerryj@> wrote:
> >
> > Bob, that is a good question.
> >
> > I would recommend something a little better than the very cheapest, but you don't really need one that is calibrated to a hundredth or thousandth of a volt, like a Beckman or Fluke--like I used before retirement--though most inexpensive meters today can do that. I bought my latest one at Lowe's for a little over $20. Here is a link to some recommendations.
> > http://www.bestcovery.com/best-budget-multimeter
> >
> > I am hesitant to make a specific recommendation, because there are so many on the market today, and the offerings change from year to year, so it is not practical to try and list them all. A digital display is easier to readn, and an auto-ranging feature is nice, because it will detect whether you are measuring AC or DC, and will automatically scale down to the voltage range needed for what you are measuring.
> >
> > Another review--
> >
> > http://www.amazon.com/Mastech-as830L-Digital-Pocket-Multimeter/product-reviews/B0000AXD47
> >
> > Google "multimeter reviews" for more--
> >
> > Jerry J
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: tabovernight
> > To: tabtrailers@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Friday, November 26, 2010 3:14 PM
> > Subject: [tabtrailers] Re: Battery (Again)
> >
> >
> >
> > Jerry,
> >
> > Is there a recomended small voltmeter?
> >
> > Bob, DE
> >
> > --- In tabtrailers@yahoogroups.com, "Jerry Jones" <jjerryj@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Amy, your battery should fully charge from the truck, but that depends on how discharged it was before you started, and how long you drove. Try leaving your trailer hooked up to shore power when it is parked in your driveway, preferably for several days. Nothing to laugh about concerning bedding down in your driveway. I love being in the T@B and taking a nap when it is raining--very relaxing. We highly recommend new owners to "camp" out at home before taking their first outings. To save money, also get a small voltmeter to check the voltage at your battery.
> > >
> > > Jerry J
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: Sleepless
> > > To: tabtrailers@yahoogroups.com
> > > Sent: Thursday, November 25, 2010 11:01 AM
> > > Subject: [tabtrailers] Battery (Again)
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Well, I've been driving around the valley with Tawanda, from Woodland Hills to Pasadena. On little stops I have plenty of lights but when I bed down in my driveway for the night (yes, don't laugh!), my furnace peters out around one o'clock, preceded by a load "beep", not to mention the noises it makes while in operation!. I guess my battery problem has not been solved. Maybe a battery can't fully charge off a truck?
> > >
> > > Amy
> > > Tawanda
> > >
> >
>