Thread: Battery Meter

I have seen some nice ones on ebay, but beware they seem to need a seperate power supply of (i think) 6 volts which means you need to buy/build a power supply to run the meter which I think is a bit of a waste of the power you are trying to monitor!!
The LED ones may use more power to run than you are happy with.
Fraser

Try Jaycar


Jaycar Electronics

Type in "volt meter" in their search feild. They've got several types including this LCD one for $30 with voltmeter with low voltage alarm, plus indoor outdoor thermometer and clock, and blue backlight, which i thought was pretty cool. You could use the thermometer bit for the fridge temp.




Hmm. might go get one of them myself....



or you could get this Piranha one

Battery Monitor Piranha

seems a bit expensive for what it is though ....

I found this,,

Volt Meter Inline

which is more what I had in mind,, but permanently wired in.

but then I thought, I will only be concerned when the fridge is on,, so why not wire it to the 12v fridge lead?

a cheap $15 multimeter from dicksmiths, cut the probes off the end, put round electrical connectors on the end and mount them permently battery terminal. the length of wire should be long enough to get you some where you can read it


turn your multimeter on when you want to check, leave it off the rest of the time

Brilliant weeds,,

I have had a Jaycar for about 4 years now and it is great.
I noticed at caravan show that one of the Camper makers fitted them.
Regards Philip A

A little more technical but have a look at this.

MARINECONNECT - Electronic and Electrical Specialists - Gold Battery Terminal Block with Digital Voltage and Current Meters

Measures voltage and Amps.

not bad,, was after something , set and forget, no need for a power cord, is back lit, and relatively, easy on the power drawn,, can it be that hard?