LED Voltage Monitor Installation ?

[dd716ted]

I am in the process of installing a LED Voltage Monitor in my boat but I have a question.. If I connect it to the switched power lead from the ignition switch I believe that the total voltage draw from the other dash instruments (tach, fuel gauge, trim gage, hour meter, and all gauge / compass illumination) on this same circuit will create a false indication of actual battery voltage.. But if I connect it to the main power leads from the battery on the under dash accessory power block, it will be on all of the time. What would you do? install a special on/off switch for the LED Voltage Monitor on the dash or install a main battery disconnect switch (Blue-Sea) at the battery and just shut the entire boat off when not in use...

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: LED Voltage Monitor Installation ?

How many Milli amps does the volt meter pull? Most of the time those things pull very little amps and its not enough to matter. Do you have a charger on the battery?

You would be correct that it would give you a lower voltage. How much of a drop depends on the amount of load, the length of wire, and the size of the wire. Why not place the biggest possible load on the wire and check the voltage at the battery then at the ignition?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: LED Voltage Monitor Installation ?

First off. Why would you install an LED voltage monitor in the first place? An analog gauge would be a better choice.

Second, the amount of voltage drop you will have at the dash will be negligible to that an LED monitor would even be able to tell.

 

[dd716ted]

Re: LED Voltage Monitor Installation ?

Why any meter/indicator at all?... In the past I have gone fishiing with other boats of mine when the outboards charging had failed and I didn't know it..until to late.. this device that I am installing indicates battery voltage AND if the charging circuit is working just by the color of the single LED..Flashing Red - below 12v/ Red - 12.1 - 12.6 v / Steady Amber - 12.7 - 12.8 v / Steady Green - 12.9 - 15.1 v / Flashing Green Obove 15.2 v..

Why not an Analog Meter Movement?... I have a small boat and the dash space is totally consumed by GPS Plotter/Depth unit, Honda Hour Meter, Trim Gauge, and Fuel gauge. The LED will tell me what I need to know..

Pictures show how small my dash is.. and in the empty spots there are major wiring blocks on the reverse side..

 

[bruceb58]

Re: LED Voltage Monitor Installation ?

Ok..makes sense! My first response was not if you should have one or not...just what type.

So back to your other question. You can just connect it to your ignition switch. If you are worried that draw at the helm is going to give you an invalid measurement, check the voltage of the battery and at the switch before you do your install.