Question: Battery charge gauge

[pikefisherman]

Is their a battery charge gauge out their that is under fouty dollars?I would like to have it mounted on the boat to see the battery charge ,I do have a tester I use at home,but it's a hand held meeter.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Question: Battery charge gauge

http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-24V-Battery-indicator-meter-tri-colors-rectangle-/260806135099?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cb941cd3b&vxp=mtr

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Question: Battery charge gauge

Why not install a voltmeter that actually tells you something. A battery gauge is nothing more than a voltmeter calibrated E-F like a gas gauge. It doesn't tell you at any instant if the battery is actually charging or not - it just tells you what the current "state" of charge is. This gauge can tell you that the battery is at 80% but the charging system may not be working. The charging system is working if the voltmeter is showing 13.5 - 14.5 volts with the engine running at 1500 rpm or higher. If it is showing 12.6 volts or lower under the same conditions the battery is being discharged because the charging system is not working. That would not show up on a battery "gauge" except as a gradual lessening of % charge. Nice to know what the charging system is doing before you leave the dock rather than half way into a trip when you find the battery is losing ground vs staying charged. A battery gauge is probably most useful on a trolling motor battery that is NOT connected to an engine charging system .

 

[pikefisherman]

Re: Question: Battery charge gauge

Thanks captian, Supreme this is what I was wanting,my motor will not charge the battery,just would be nice to know where the battery is on the charge.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Question: Battery charge gauge

So what are we talking about? A troller battery NOT charged by the engine, an engine starting battery that is not charging because the charging system isn't working, or because the engine doesn't have a charging system..

 

[colbyt]

Re: Question: Battery charge gauge

For a deep cycle battery where there is no charging system on the water, does everyone agree that these style works?

 

[pikefisherman]

Re: Question: Battery charge gauge

Sorry for the missunderstanding Silvertip, a deep cycle battery,not charged by the motor.I went too the link from Fireman431 on E-Bay,22.00 no shiping charge!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Question: Battery charge gauge

Doesn't your trolling motor have a state of charge indicator on it?

 

[pikefisherman]

Re: Question: Battery charge gauge

Yes,but it only shows the charge now and then, its an older Min-Koda the motor works great so I will not replace just for that.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Question: Battery charge gauge

A state of charge gauge is just a voltmeter. Nothing more and nothing less. If that bar gauge is measuring between 12.6V(max) and 11.5V(min) or so, it will be fine.