GhostZero
Denver
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Joined: 05/11/2006
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CamoKQ700 wrote:Ghost,
I saw the Trimetric set up. For little pop up TC like I own that is a little over the top. Looking for something simple, can mount in a corner. I really only need to know Voltage. It is the easiest gauge of battery status.
Yea, it's a little hardcore I'll admit, but I'm a total gadget/mod/data junkie and it certainly feeds that need.
Works real well though- Just this morning I looked at it and it read -1.5 amps. That told me something was very wrong, as it should have read at least +1, with the solar panel charging the batts (dual lifeline AGM's). I spent some time looking at some wiring I'd done, and realized that I'd done something wrong, and that the camper was powering some accessories in my truck (long story). That was definitely NOT what I wanted.
I don't need the camper to power my Yaesu 2m rig, so I re-did all the wiring today and now everything works as it should have in the first place. The trimetric is great for diagnostic stuff, but agreed- it may be heavy for what you're looking for.
--
GhostZero: KC0YDD
The Battle Truck Galactica: 2006 Dodge CTD 4x4 6spd
Helwig sway bar/Rancho 9000rx shocks/
Air Ride bags/Air Ride Sureset/Westach gauges/AFE stage 2 intake
Bluetooth GPS/Sirius/XM/ipod/2-meter/Ricksons 19.5s
1992 Lance 480: Stable Lift
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ThePolishExpress
Grand Junction, Colorado
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Joined: 07/11/2007
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I like the Blue Sea guages model 8248 it monitors voltage and amps. there is also an AV guage that monitors voltage, amps and frequency. They are a little high priced though. I have yet to purchase them myself. I'm not so into the trimetric even thought it's in the same price range. I wouldent trust the % I'd rather know the basics.
Todd & Janice
2002 Lance 845 on a 2004 Chevrolet K2500HD Crew Cab
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msiminoff
San Jose, CA
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Joined: 12/31/2006
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A few years back I put a pair of Datel 2-wire digital voltmeters in my VW camper-van. They are compact, accurate (+/- .01V), draw only 2mA (can be loft on all the time)and easy to install. I selected their model "DMS-20LCD-0-DCM-C" which is available from Newark Electronics for around $30.
My TC has digital volt meters in both the inverter control panel and the solar controller... more than enough battery monitoring for me.
Cheers
-Mark
2004 Alpenlite Saratoga 935, 188w solar, RV-30S cntrl, Trojan T125, Prosine 2.0
2005 Ram 3500 QC, Cummins, Vision 19.5 w/Michelin XDE-MS 245's, RR airbags, Torklift w/Superhitch, Roadmaster sway-bar, Thuren trackbar, Rancho RS9000X, Modified bumpstops
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Matthew_B
The boonies near Dallas, Oregon
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Joined: 08/18/2005
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msiminoff wrote:A few years back I put a pair of Datel 2-wire digital voltmeters in my VW camper-van. They are compact, accurate (+/- .01V), draw only 2mA (can be loft on all the time)and easy to install.
Mark, awesome find!!!!
2mA, that's wonderful.
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Reddog1
El Dorado, CA (above the fog & below the snow)
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I refused to pay for a high dollar setup also. I bought a gage for the cigarette lighter, actually three different ones. They all looked great, everyone that seen them were really impressed. Problem was, they were not acurate, and would change the degree of error constantly. Great for the bling bling, but usless.
Then I decided all I needed was a volt meter. It was great, had to dig it out, and plug it in. Not as bling bling, but atleast it worked.
Then I decided I would build my own meter panel. It was digital, worked and looked great. Lots of bling bling. I even had a charger system and little AGM battery to power them. I had AMP and Volts. I do not remember how many of the meters I replaced, they kept dying.
I did all of the above, because I could not see spending the money on a TriMetric for just one AGM battery.
Well, after all the messing around I bought a TriMetric. Dang, I wish I would have skipped all the messing around. The TriMetric does far more than just measure voltage, and mine is still working after about three years. It is really nice to just look at the meter and see how many AH is left in your battery. And it displays other things also. Just for one battery and a 1988 Camper. To me, I think the half steps were over the top, but did not know it at the time.
Wayne
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John H
Kansas City Mo.
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Joined: 04/11/2002
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If you are handy with woodworking and have the tools or access too. You can make a wood box, fancy as you deem, with a clear plastic(Lexan) face plate. To house one of Harbor freights voltmeters ($3.98). Padded bottom/side for meter. (cut styreform) You will have to break the red wire in housing 9v. battery, and soider an insulate an extension wire it to a momentary normally off switch, using an inline low amp fuse for protection. Leaving the meters switch too on before mounting meter in housing. Wire the approbate probes to the post on the battery. Try and place the meter as close to the battery as possible. Allow an approbate space in your housing (two divided compartments) one for switch(s). If more that one battery also mount a two or more position switch, with wires from battery/meter to this. Mark on face plate which is which. Remember though a wet cell battery will have a false reading (surface charge) shortly after being charged. Waite 8 hours before trying for a true reading. Did this for my boats three battery's.Sealed for water proof. Works for me !!!
John H
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Matthew_B
The boonies near Dallas, Oregon
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Wayne, I've not done anything other than use a DMM to watch voltage. I hesitate to do more since I suspect that I'll be going down the same path you did.
My major issue with the Tri-Metric is that it's a MAJOR rip off when you look what's in it. It's a 1980's design that they are still milking profit out of. The new design Pentametric should be selling for the price of the Tri-Metric.
I think it's time to design my own  I bet it can be done for under $100...
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Geewizard
Alaska, USA
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Joined: 08/25/2004
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I have a little pop-up TC too and like geeky stuff so I started looking for digital volt/amp gauges. I happened to find a Xantrex Link 20 gauge on eBay for a very good price.
One side is wired to monitor the two 12v batteries and the other side is wired to monitor the solar panel. This gauge indicates volts, amps, amp hours consumed, and operating time remaining. It also displays key historical battery information such as charge efficiency, deepest discharge, and average discharge. So, while a regular multimeter can show you volts (and amps with a shunt), this thing gives you a lot more information.
There's a similar one for sale on eBay right now.
I wouldn't live without this thing in my TC.
* This post was
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Tundra Double Cab
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CamoKQ700
California
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Joined: 05/26/2007
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Here is the EVM1200 Volt gauge and momentary switch installed
Total cost, $31.50
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Reddog1
El Dorado, CA (above the fog & below the snow)
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Matthew_B wrote:Wayne, I've not done anything other than use a DMM to watch voltage. I hesitate to do more since I suspect that I'll be going down the same path you did.
My major issue with the Tri-Metric is that it's a MAJOR rip off when you look what's in it. It's a 1980's design that they are still milking profit out of. The new design Pentametric should be selling for the price of the Tri-Metric.
I think it's time to design my own I bet it can be done for under $100...
I see lots of things that are major ripoffs, in my opinion. I bought an electric window switch for a car once, and had to pay $30 for it. It was made in Mexico, probably some of our NAFTA stuff. I took the old one apart, probably 50 cents in parts. I still cannot build one for $30, ripoff or not.
The photo below was my second panel (after solar). I my first had four different meters, a small AGM to power the meters, a charger for the AGM, and switches and buttons to turn stuff on and off. I had to replace several meters due to failure, in a short period of time. On one occasion, lightning struck a tree, about 200 feet from my TC, and blew meters again. Admittedly, I enjoyed building it, but even without labor cost, it was not cheap, and it was not reliable.
There is no question, many of us are very talented, and have tools to build many things. This also includes repairs. It is also true some of us read a lot, and build lots of stuff while sitting in the armchair.
As for the Tri-Metric costing under $100 to build, I do not doubt. You might make a lot of money, selling them for $100 each. If you posted a how to Thread, including a bill of material with a parts source, there would be many happy campers.
Wayne
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