Battery Monitor

[Luckydog671]

Just purchased and received this monitor from Amazon to check the status of the battery charge:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EVWDU0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

It's an inexpensive way to keeps tabs without having to go outside the camper with a multimeter, and is much more accurate than the factory installed monitor. I recently installed some LED bulbs in the camper, leaving some of the less frequently used fixtures with incandescent bulbs and I could really see the difference in power consumption between the two lights using this monitor! Just plug it into the 12V power jack next to the TV antenna power amp and you are set. You can also use it in your tow vehicle to monitor alternator charging but I haven't tried that yet.

 

[JackandJanet]

You can also plug it in to your cigarette lighter or 12V power port on your tow vehicle to see that your alternator is actually charging the battery in it. My new truck just has a light on the instrument panel that is supposed to light up if there is a problem. This little device tells me the charging voltage is 14.5V when I'm not towing.

When you hook up a trailer, the additional battery (and possibly the refrigerator) will increase the draw on the alternator. This device will let you know that the alternator is able to handle the increased load. If it's still above 13.5V, you're still charging things.

- Jack

 

[Treeclimber]

Greg, Jack, Thanks for the info. Part on order!
Tree

 

[hilltool]

Careful where you put it. My 12v outlet is in side of kitchen cabinet over sink. Second time I lowered trailer with it plugged in the refrigerator got it. . Still , it sort of hung like that for two seasons and kept working. It was my quick visual check on if I was charging or not as well as where the toggle switch for power to the trailer was at.

 

[Luckydog671]

You can also plug it in to your cigarette lighter or 12V power port on your tow vehicle to see that your alternator is actually charging the battery in it. My new truck just has a light on the instrument panel that is supposed to light up if there is a problem. This little device tells me the charging voltage is 14.5V when I'm not towing.

When you hook up a trailer, the additional battery (and possibly the refrigerator) will increase the draw on the alternator. This device will let you know that the alternator is able to handle the increased load. If it's still above 13.5V, you're still charging things.

- Jack

I'll try that next, a good way to test the fridge on DC!