MicroPulse Calibration For Battery

[jeff4506]

Has anyone gone through the MicroPulse recalibration specifically to see if it affects the battery monitor? As you probably know the SunExplorer monitor (for solar) shows 100% at 12.8v and 0% at 10.8v. I noticed at 12.7v my MicroPulse was showing about 50% (yellow). I measured my voltage with a digital voltmeter and confirmed that reading agreed with the SunExplorer. I have seen the MicroPulse show as high as 7/8 (but never full) when the battery is fully charged and plugged into shoreline. I'm thinking the MicroPulse is not calibrated correctly.

I've read the recalibration instructions, but it refers to tanks only. I popped the MicroPulse cover off but did not see any type of adjustment screw to fine tune the voltage readout like you can with the SunExplorer. I'm wondering if the parameters for battery are predetermined or if they're calibrated based on the current battery condition during the calibration process (which could have been 13.5v if the trailer was plugged in for example). Anyone ever experiment with this?

[jeff4506]

Does anyone think it reasonable for the Micropulse to read 50% at 12.7v?

[DEITZ645]

Jeff4506,
You may consider calling the MicroPulse folks. I hear they have an excellent reputation for product support. They may be able to answer your questions regarding the battery readings.

You can get support information here...

CATCON Products | Home

[Gene]

Before a year was up the tank readings on the monitor were acting crazy. Since it was still under warranty, the monitor and some sensors were replaced. I have heard that sometimes the problem is the wiring. They use telephone wire and connections and the connections at a standard telephone buss bar can get dirty and cause malfunctioning.

The battery percents do not agree exactly with the reading on my solar monitor. Like you, I checked the voltage readings at the batteries and the solar monitor with a voltmeter were exactly the same, so I believe the solar monitor. I hope the tank monitor readings are close to reality and I think that's the best we can expect.

Gene

[Silvertwinkie]

Yea, the folks at the company are really good about supporting the units. They will most likely send you a new unit (of course you have to install it) and then send it back to them. I believe there is a 5 year warranty on these, so 3 years beyond Airstream's warranty.

What Gene said is totally correct, the connections do tend to get feisty which can also lead to incorrect info. I myself am on unit #3 and it too recently has started to not see my gray tank. It's for sure the connection because when I jiggle the wire lead to the sensor, it comes on for a bit.

[jeff4506]

Well, I got a prompt email from Steve at CatCon last night. He told me in 2004 Airstream wanted the monitor to show 100% charge at 13.75 volts, so CatCon programmed the units that way. He went on to say over the years Airstream asked CatCon to lower it to what is now 100% at 12.75 volts. He knew well that me and may others would never see the monitor at 100%, but as he said, that's the way Airstream wanted it at the time.

He did say they'd reprogram my unit free of charge, so I'm spending 5 bucks to mail it to Texas. He told me they'd ship it back same day. We'll see.

Easy enough to pop out - most wires plug in, but I had to snip 2 wires which I'll splice back together. 5 minute job.

Mystery solved, but I bet I'll have to recalibrate the tanks. Might need to pull a "cousin Eddie" calibrating the black water tank.

[jeff4506]

For anyone that's interested, I received the Micro Pulse unit back and clearly saw a difference. For the first time it would read full on 12.75v. The downside was it showed half at 12.25v, so I assume it will show empty at 11.75V but not enough time with it yet to come to any conclusions.

Unfortunately, not quite the results I expected but somewhat better than before. I'll continue to rely on the SunExplorer for true consumption.

[ronderful]

temp compensation

[68 Overlander]

Originally Posted by ronderful

temp compensation

Curious what that mean't. Have you or anybody been able to get in touch with Catcon?

[ronderful]

My mistake. I posted accidentally.