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Best way to check Battery Voltage?

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Best way to check Battery Voltage? Empty Best way to check Battery Voltage?

Post by JollyMack Sun Jan 12, 2020 12:35 pm

Hi

I’ve had battery on mains hook up to keep from falling below 11v.

The ZIG control panel in our van shows Water Tank level.

The green light shows when pressed so I know it’s over the 11v

Does anyone have any recommendations for a bit of kit to provide a more accurate check?

Kind regards

Pete
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Post by Roopert Sun Jan 12, 2020 12:47 pm

Pete - digital voltage displays are very cheap these days and even the cheapest should be accurate enough. If you have a cigar lighter socket on the leisure battery circuit then something like this for under a fiver should do fine:

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

I should add that I have never bought that specific product or used that seller - but they are all pretty much the same.

Otherwise it's quite easy to adapt something to plug into (for example) a Hella socket if you have one (the smaller type of 12V socket). Or, for less than a tenner you can get a voltmeter and twin USB supply which will plug into a Hella socket:

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

BTW, I should point out - if you are not already aware - that 11 Volts is too low a threshold. If a battery sits at between 11 and 12V for more than a short period, the plates will start to sulphate and you will lose capacity, some of which may not come back when it is recharged.

[Edit - this thread suggests you have a Hella socket [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] so the second of those products should work well unless you have something permanently plugged into it.]
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Post by JollyMack Sun Jan 12, 2020 3:45 pm

Hi Roopert yes I have a Hella socket in the Zig control panel so I’ll get that one. Looks perfect. I was thinking I might have to buy something to go across the battery terminals but this fits the bill perfectly

Thank you.
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Post by JandL Sun Jan 12, 2020 4:08 pm

Volt meter from Halfords is the simplest way if you have easy access to battery terminals. Keep mine behind the drivers seat next to leisure battery. Use to check vehicle battery as well.
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Post by StewPotch Sun Jan 12, 2020 4:38 pm

If you want an accurate way to check battery voltage, it is best done while your battery is under moderate load - a digital meter alone has too high an internal resistance.
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Post by JollyMack Sun Jan 12, 2020 10:23 pm

Cheers all, i’ll get the Hella,and Halfords volt meter
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