Another battery question.

[irnbru]

After just purchasing 2 new leisure batteries I am trying to get a better understanding of how they operate in the hope they will last a few years. So far I have learned that 2 batteries in parallel shows up like 1 big battery so can someone explain

1.How the 2 batteries discharge. Do they do so at the same rate or does one run to half empty 1st?
2. Does the system stop producing battery power when the batteries reach maximum discharge limit or is it up to me to monitor the level on 1 or 2 of the batteries each time we use them? If I have to monitor at what level on the meter would be the lowest to use, sorry if im confusing you.

 

[maz]

I suspect that guages used in motorhomes to display volts etc are not always very accurate.

Ok to use to get a rough idea but not to use as gospel truth.


JJ :Cool:

Agreed. Tho' if the OP's panel reading is 12.73 when she knows the battery is fully charged then it's probably not that far out. I calibrated my control panel with voltmeter readings taken across the battery terminals - initially it was showing 0.2v higher than actual.

 

[irnbru]

How do I calibrate please?

 

[maz]

How do I calibrate please?

Beg, steal or borrow a multimeter (if you don't have one already) and use the DC 20v range to take a reading across the battery terminals and compare it with the control panel readout. You can then adjust the control panel reading up or down until it's the same as the actual voltage measurement.

 

[TheBig1]

essential equipment in a motorhome, and for under £5 its cheap
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-L..._Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item416f39842a

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[irnbru]

Beg, steal or borrow a multimeter (if you don't have one already) and use the DC 20v range to take a reading across the battery terminals and compare it with the control panel readout. You can then adjust the control panel reading up or down until it's the same as the actual voltage measurement.

I have a multimeter, been using 20v for my readings. Do you mean compare it with the control panel on the MH? If so it doesn't give me numbers, just dots that light up..full, 2/3rds, 1/3rd etc.

 

[maz]

I have a multimeter, been using 20v for my readings. Do you mean compare it with the control panel on the MH? If so it doesn't give me numbers, just dots that light up..full, 2/3rds, 1/3rd etc.

Yes that's what I meant. I thought the readings you listed were from the control panel - apologies. My van's control panel gives digital readings.

 

[pappajohn]

you could buy a NASA BM1 monitor.

Tells you what amps are going into the battery from the charger, what amps are being used, the battery voltage at any time, the battery useage time remaining before recharging, the time remaing on charge before fully charged among other things.



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