We find the Amps in/out function particularly useful – this can be used to check the current being consumed by particular appliances, as well as the input current being generated by the solar panel, or the alternator or 230V charger. The new monitor reports information about not only battery Voltage, but also provides a ‘live’ display of electrical current (Amps) into and out of the battery, the Ah capacity remaining in the battery, and the battery’s State of Charge as a percentage of a full charge. This is particularly necessary for Lithium batteries. Seeking to be able to access more information about our 12V electrical system – particularly relating to the Current (Amps) flowing into and out of the batteries – we fitted a more comprehensive Coulometer battery monitor. 12.1V (when ‘resting’) was an approximate indication of having reached 50% of battery capacity – the maximum discharge for AGM batteries to maintain a reasonable life span. When we had AGM batteries, measuring the voltage of the batteries provided a reasonable estimate of the State of Charge of the batteries. Our van was initially fitted with a voltmeter, installed in the electrical control panel cupboard. See also: Our Lithium Battery Upgrade >.(Link to more info at the bottom of this page.) However, these monitors are not able to automatically detect the battery’s total capacity, but depend on this information being entered by you when initially calibrating the monitor. It should be noted that this type of battery monitor measures the current moving into and out of the battery, and calculates the remaining charge of the battery (displayed as both Ah and %) based on what it understands to be the total capacity of the battery (Ah). Assessing the SoC of Lithium batteries requires the use of a more sophisticated meter that measures not only the battery voltage, but also the current flowing into and out of the battery. Lithium batteries however maintain a fairly constant voltage over their period of discharge, making an assessment of their State of Charge (SoC) based on a simple voltage reading impracticable. This voltage / charge relationship permits an assessment of the State of Charge (SoC) of an AGM battery based on its voltage. The voltage output from AGM batteries declines in a reasonably linear fashion as the batteries discharge. Most Campervans and Motorhomes are fitted with some sort of meter that monitors the battery’s state of charge – a fuel gauge for your 12V energy supply.įor vans with AGM batteries this is most likely a voltmeter, which (you guessed it) displays the voltage of the battery/s. This monitor makes all that info available at the touch of a button. No more guessing how much current is being consumed by appliances, or how much current is being recharged to the batteries, or wondering about the batteries’ state of charge. See also: Lithium Battery Upgrade | Installing a Battery Monitor | Installing an InverterĪ comprehensive battery monitor is one of the most useful pieces of kit that we have installed in our van. Why does it read zero capacity? I went through the set up process twice to make sure I didn't do something wrong.Sustainability: Batteries & Solar | Water | Heatingīatteries | Consumption | Battery Recharging | Solar Charging | How Long Without Sun? | Alternate Charging Options | Solar Regulators | The Bottom Line Why when the battery is fully charged by battery charger does the amps being charged not register but does when the solar system is charging?Ģ. When I put the camper in the sun, it seems to work and starts to show some capacity (1.5%).ġ. Charged it back up with a battery tender, now reading 13.5 v but the capacity meter still reads zero. I drew down the battery (Renogy 200 a/h agm) to 11.4 volts, set the monitor to zero. I suspect it lies with the battery (2 1/2 years old but have always had issues) so I bought and installed an AiLi battery monitor. I am having problems with my system in that it can not operate my DC Snomaster refrig more than a few hours after the sun goes down.
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