Mid 2000 Bambi Battery Monitor Accurate?

[vis0rd0wn]

Hi all,

Anyone know if the mid 2000 year model Battery Monitor is accurate?

How is everyone ensuring they don't go below 50% on their batteries?

Thanks.

[overlander63]

A digital volt meter on a momentary contact switch will serve you well.

[AnnArborBob]

A 50% charge for wet cells and AGMs is generally reached when the resting voltage of the battery bank indicates 12.2 volts. "Resting" means no inputs from a charger (solar, generator or shore power) and no significant draws from lights, etc.. for about an hour. A voltage reading while charging or with a significant load is meaningless.

[vis0rd0wn]

Thanks for the input. My solar is direct to batteries so if STORE is switched, no draw on batteries while Solar recharges.

I guess I'll have to add an easily accessible kill switch for panels so I can get a reading.

How accurate are the onboard battery meter on mid 2000 airstream 16's?

[dznf0g]

What Bob said, except some battery manufacturers charts differ slightly. Interstate says 50% state of charge for their "hybrid" LA batts is 12.06V. Since my monitor only reads to one decimal point, I use 12.1V as my bogey to recharge.

[vis0rd0wn]

Thanks.

Would be nice if my Solar controller had an OFF setting.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by vis0rd0wn

Thanks.

Would be nice if my Solar controller had an OFF setting.

Easy to add:

http://rvsupplies.com/marinco-parkpo...rx_xoCaprw_wcB

Many similar marine cutoff switches out there. Shop for best price.

[vis0rd0wn]

Last question. In the evening in winter; there should be zero charge from the panels, so a voltmeter at the batteries should be accurate without manually switching the solar off with an inline switch correct?

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by vis0rd0wn

Last question. In the evening in winter; there should be zero charge from the panels, so a voltmeter at the batteries should be accurate without manually switching the solar off with an inline switch correct?

Pretty accurate, provided no large draws within trailer systems.

[vis0rd0wn]

Thanks for the help. Never thought the onboard and solar charger meters would be pretty much worthless.

[Ruscal]

Check out the Trimetric battery monitor from Bogart Engineering. It keeps close tabs on your battery's state of charge, and shows current flow in or out of the battery as well as system voltage. It is a neato gizmo.
Russ

[Jack46]

I've never found the installed systems monitor to be totally accurate, so I agree with Overlander that a digital volt meter would serve you well.