Volt/Amp meter on 12v charging system

Here we discuss various alternative energy solutions. From converting your car to electricity to converting your home to be off the grid.
Post Reply
User avatar
oxydog
LR 4WD Full Lockers
LR 4WD Full Lockers
Posts: 676
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2011 8:46 am
Town: Pretoria
Vehicle: '98 Hilux SFA 2.8D 4X4 D/C, '06 Hilux 4.0 V6 4X4 D/C
Real Name: Jarus
Club VHF Licence: J67
Location: Die Ooste
Contact:

Volt/Amp meter on 12v charging system

Post by oxydog »

To add to my question about PWM controllers and 7Ah batteries, another question:

Has anyone successfully added a combination Volt/Ampere meter to their solar charge setup?

I'm considering getting one of these
Image Link Broken

and build it into one of these
Image Link Broken

then make a cable using this
Image Link Broken
to connect the battery buddy to my charge controller.

Any flaws or caveats on my design?

PS. Thanks to https://www.lumenoled.co.za/ and https://4x4direct.co.za/ for the use of your images.
Bees (Toy)
'98 Hilux 2.8D 4X4 D/Cab

• ARB Bullbar
• Safari Snorkel
• GearMax Rear Locker
• Dragon 29 MHz with 2.6m whip
• Front Runner bakkie slide
• 31" BFG KM2's

Hings (Everyday use and long distance travel)
'06 Hilux 4.0 V6 4X4 D/Cab

• Level-it kit (Front)
• Custom integrated bullbar
• Custom replacement bumper
• Midas driving lights
• Front Runner bakkie slide
• National Luna 80l fridge/freezer
• National Luna Dual Battery System
• LA Sport 70l long range tank
• 2x40W Solar panels with PWM controller
• 31" BFG KM3's
User avatar
Family_Dog
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 12697
Joined: Tue May 22, 2007 10:09 am
Town: Klerksdorp
Vehicle: Hilux DC SFA, Hilux 2.7 DC, Hilux 2.7 SC, Prado 95 VX
Real Name: Eric
Club VHF Licence: HC101
Location: Klerksdorp, NW
Contact:

Re: Volt/Amp meter on 12v charging system

Post by Family_Dog »

I think Pieter sells this type of thing at 4x4 Direct...


-F_D
Image

White Fang: 1999 2.7i DC Raider 4x4
Bull Dog: 1987 4Y-EFI 2.2 DC 4x4
Pra Dog: 1998 Prado VX 3.4
Hound Dog: 2000 2.7i SC 4x4


One Staffie, One Jack Russell, One Ring Neck Screecher, 17 Fish of questionable heritage


Image
User avatar
oxydog
LR 4WD Full Lockers
LR 4WD Full Lockers
Posts: 676
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2011 8:46 am
Town: Pretoria
Vehicle: '98 Hilux SFA 2.8D 4X4 D/C, '06 Hilux 4.0 V6 4X4 D/C
Real Name: Jarus
Club VHF Licence: J67
Location: Die Ooste
Contact:

Re: Volt/Amp meter on 12v charging system

Post by oxydog »

Family_Dog wrote: Wed Oct 26, 2022 3:37 pm I think Pieter sells this type of thing at 4x4 Direct...


-F_D
Correct, that's why I thanked him in my post for the use of their images! :taunt:
Bees (Toy)
'98 Hilux 2.8D 4X4 D/Cab

• ARB Bullbar
• Safari Snorkel
• GearMax Rear Locker
• Dragon 29 MHz with 2.6m whip
• Front Runner bakkie slide
• 31" BFG KM2's

Hings (Everyday use and long distance travel)
'06 Hilux 4.0 V6 4X4 D/Cab

• Level-it kit (Front)
• Custom integrated bullbar
• Custom replacement bumper
• Midas driving lights
• Front Runner bakkie slide
• National Luna 80l fridge/freezer
• National Luna Dual Battery System
• LA Sport 70l long range tank
• 2x40W Solar panels with PWM controller
• 31" BFG KM3's
User avatar
pietdevs
LR 4WD Rear Locker
LR 4WD Rear Locker
Posts: 253
Joined: Fri Feb 11, 2011 12:29 pm
Town: Mosselbay
Vehicle: Toyota Land Cruiser Troopy
Real Name: Pieter
Location: Mosselbay
Contact:

Re: Volt/Amp meter on 12v charging system

Post by pietdevs »

I have installed the identical Amp/volt meters on my system. If you keep it on it will drain you battery within a week. The LED screen consumes a significant amount of power during 24 hrs. I verified this by checking the mA drawn by the meters from the battery and found that this is the main reason why my batteries ran down within 10 days without any external load. Wire it so that you have a little button switch so that you only check it when you want to know the Volts/Amps.
User avatar
oxydog
LR 4WD Full Lockers
LR 4WD Full Lockers
Posts: 676
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2011 8:46 am
Town: Pretoria
Vehicle: '98 Hilux SFA 2.8D 4X4 D/C, '06 Hilux 4.0 V6 4X4 D/C
Real Name: Jarus
Club VHF Licence: J67
Location: Die Ooste
Contact:

Re: Volt/Amp meter on 12v charging system

Post by oxydog »

pietdevs wrote: Mon Oct 30, 2023 10:38 am I have installed the identical Amp/volt meters on my system. If you keep it on it will drain you battery within a week. The LED screen consumes a significant amount of power during 24 hrs. I verified this by checking the mA drawn by the meters from the battery and found that this is the main reason why my batteries ran down within 10 days without any external load. Wire it so that you have a little button switch so that you only check it when you want to know the Volts/Amps.
Thanks Pieter, that makes sense! My idea was to only plug it in when I wanted to read the values.
Bees (Toy)
'98 Hilux 2.8D 4X4 D/Cab

• ARB Bullbar
• Safari Snorkel
• GearMax Rear Locker
• Dragon 29 MHz with 2.6m whip
• Front Runner bakkie slide
• 31" BFG KM2's

Hings (Everyday use and long distance travel)
'06 Hilux 4.0 V6 4X4 D/Cab

• Level-it kit (Front)
• Custom integrated bullbar
• Custom replacement bumper
• Midas driving lights
• Front Runner bakkie slide
• National Luna 80l fridge/freezer
• National Luna Dual Battery System
• LA Sport 70l long range tank
• 2x40W Solar panels with PWM controller
• 31" BFG KM3's
Post Reply

Return to “Alternative Energy”