New Battery Meter - Keep it on all the time?

[KenJr]

I just bought a new digital battery meter with 2 connectors so that I can monitor both my batteries. There's only 2 sets of cables out the back - one set for each battery (+ and -) and one wire for the backlight. <br /><br />My question is - I'm assuming that you hook this up and leave it on all the time? If not, how do you wire it so that you can use a switch to turn it off and on? The only thing I could think of was to put a switch in the back of the boat that completes the circuit and only turns the monitor on when the swtich is on.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: New Battery Meter - Keep it on all the time?

Well, not knowing the specs on the meter, I'll assume that being digital, the current requirements are very small, in the milliamp range. Have a very low current draw means installing it and having it on 24/7 won't be a problem. <br /><br />If it did draw excess current, a simple Double Pole Single Throw switch would disconnect both batts at the same time. Simply wire the switch in series with each + meter lead.<br /><br />Edit: Perhaps connecting the backlight enable to ignition ON will enable unit too, as Ranger points out. Perhaps wiring per the destructions is the best route.

 

[Ranger01]

Re: New Battery Meter - Keep it on all the time?

couldnt you just hook it to the hot side of the ignition?