Funky readings from the monitor panel

[leadsled9]

I did the volt meter installation that b team suggested, it turned out great:
http://www.wanderthe...70/page__st__30


How many of you get a funky reading from the monitor panel (water level and battery condition) due to the fact we are standing up, looking down on the panel....and it appears that a certain LED is lit, when in fact it is not but the one below it is shinning through the hole?

We have to bend over and get our head level with the panel to see what LED's are really lit up.

For example, your water is only 2/3 full, but the 2/3 LED is shinning through the top "F" window and we think the water is full.

Well, I came up with an idea...using felt, or in my case the fuzzy side of velcro (don't know if it's the VEL or the CRO) for dividers between the rows of LED lights, so now the window is only illuminated with the proper LED.

I don't know if I'm making sense so I'll enclose some pictures.

The first photo was taken from the top view (standing up) when the truck is plugged into shore power....and the water tank is 2/3 full. Notice how the FULL light on the water monitor stays blacked out...without any false reading from the 2/3 LED below it....even though the picture was taken from above....not level with the monitor panel.

The second picture is with the truck unplugged from shore power....note how the "CHARGE" light is now out, and totally blacked out...not showing a false green glow from the LED below.

I've included pictures showing the cut velcro strips and their placement on the circuit board.

Hope this makes sense. If not.....never mind.

 

[pods8]

Good idea on the felt, I understood what you meant.

 

[HERR42]

good idea, i am commencing work...

14v while on shore power?

do you have the smart charger add-on?

 

[leadsled9]

good idea, i am commencing work...

14v while on shore power?

do you have the smart charger add-on?


Yes, I have the smart charger add-on (about $25)....the IOTA IQ4. I plugged it in and zip tied it to the wiring under the front lower furnace grill....that way I can see the LED light through the grill. The manual has the explanation of what the flashing LED means. It's kind of neat knowing what phase your smart charger is in. It also explains the different charging phases and how much voltage and time are in each.

I started a thread about the IQ4 charger a while ago: http://www.wanderthe...hp?/topic/2884/

 

[HERR42]

i knew it...since without the iq4 the iota converter puts out 13.5v....i agree that its a good thing......but since i have a solar unit i let that take care of the battery.

14v would be too high for a sustained period of time.

 

[leadsled9]

good idea, i am commencing work...


By "commencing work" do you mean you are installing the voltmeter?

If so, note that the original model suggested had a maximum voltage of 24VDC. A member on this forum had the voltmeter wired to the pump switch, rather than the momentary switch and fried the meter. I found that the exact same meter comes in a version that has a maximum voltage of 40VDC....it might prove more robust with less chance of burning out with a voltage spike. Just let me know if you need more information. The two meters look identical......and cost the same.....with the only difference being maxium voltage

 

[pods8]

By "commencing work" do you mean you are installing the voltmeter?

If so, note that the original model suggested had a maximum voltage of 24VDC. A member on this forum had the voltmeter wired to the pump switch, rather than the momentary switch and fried the meter. I found that the exact same meter comes in a version that has a maximum voltage of 40VDC....it might prove more robust with less chance of burning out with a voltage spike. Just let me know if you need more information. The two meters look identical......and cost the same.....with the only difference being maxium voltage


That would be me. I don't know off hand if the voltage difference matters (can't hurt though if they are cost comparable), but having it on the momentary switch as opposed to the pump switch so you can make sure stuff isn't running when you turn it on is helpful in protecting it. I had it on the pump so I could leave it on more often while camping to look at the battery levels for personal curiosity. Opps.

 

[leadsled9]

That would be me. I don't know off hand if the voltage difference matters (can't hurt though if they are cost comparable), but having it on the momentary switch as opposed to the pump switch so you can make sure stuff isn't running when you turn it on is helpful in protecting it. I had it on the pump so I could leave it on more often while camping to look at the battery levels for personal curiosity. Opps.


Hi pods8,

Couldn't remember who it was....must be getting old.

The cost of the two meters is identical (at least from the site where I purchased mine...they had them both) so I don't see a down side.

I attached the two leads of the meter to the circuit board with simple spade connectors so they can be plugged and unplugged at will.

I was thinking of also just running dedicated wires to the battery (like you did later) and have the meter on all the time. It draws such a small amount of current I don't think it would hurt anything. Either way would probably work just fine.

 

[norcalhawk]

leadsled9...<br /><br />I have two (24 group) batteries hooked in parallel and I just added a 80watt (portable Zamp) solar panel to give me more freedom. This panel has a controller on the panel, but I would like to see the numbers from inside my camper and not have to go outside every time I want to know what the batteries are doing. Does this make sense? I would like to replace my battery/water monitor that came with my Hawk with the monitor type panel you have, where it shows the level of the water tank and the battery charge condition with the actual battery voltage read out. Do you have the website? It appears I can take out the old panel and just replace it with the new one like yours. Does this monitor just have a black and red wire that connects simply to the batteries? I may not need this, but perhaps I see it as another fun light in my camper. Also, do I need a "smart charger IOTA IQ4" with this voltmeter. Anything else I should know?<br />Thank you.

 

[craig333]

For a quick and easy voltage check I use this

I can use it in the camper, truck or the Jeep. Seems fairly accurate and easy of use, just plug it in.

 

[norcalhawk]

Thanks Craig333....
I have given thought to this way for the sake of simplicity. Where did you get this one? Also, is there something I'm missing about a Smart Charger IOTA IQ4 and if I need such a thing?

 

[rotti]

Thanks Craig333....
I have given thought to this way for the sake of simplicity. Where did you get this one? Also, is there something I'm missing about a Smart Charger IOTA IQ4 and if I need such a thing?

I have the same one....nice solution:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Equus-Innova-3721-Battery-and-Charging-System-Monitor/15137663

On the IQ4, read that previous link. I just ordered one on the recommendation of the FWC dealer here in Denver.
Best price I found:
http://www.solar-electric.com/smarcharconi.html

 

[craig333]

If you're going to plug in to 110 then you want the charger. I don't see the point though otherwise.

 

[norcalhawk]

Just learned my Hawk has the IOTA IQ4. Still looking for a battery/water tank combo monitor like the one leadshed1 was showing earlier. It looks like it can replace the monitor that FWC puts in at the factory w/o too much trouble. If I can't find one I will get a EQuus 3721 plug-in monitor at Walmart.

 

[camelracer]

Just learned my Hawk has the IOTA IQ4. Still looking for a battery/water tank combo monitor like the one leadshed1 was showing earlier. It looks like it can replace the monitor that FWC puts in at the factory w/o too much trouble. If I can't find one I will get a EQuus 3721 plug-in monitor at Walmart.

The combo meter leadsled has is homemade. He added a digital voltmeter to his monitor panel. There was a thread on this mod a couple of years ago. This meter doesn't have to be mounted to the monitor. I put mine on the cabinet face.

 

[norcalhawk]

Camelracer...Thank you for saving me some time. Here I thought leadshed1 bought this at the website he referred to in another thread. I did see the digital meter on that website, but it wasn't the water/battery combo meter, now I know why. That said, during my web searching for this non-excitant combo monitor, I have seen a monitor ("SeeLevel" I recall the name) that does check water levels, that including gray, black etc. water levels along with a battery monitor, but they are $spendy$. Just what I don't need. Thanks again. For now I'm off to Walmart to buy a small plug type voltmeter, EQuus 3721 that a few brothers here suggested. Thanks to all.

 

[Bwht4x4]

Has anyone considered one of these for their FWC?

http://www.bluesea.com/products/1801/Vessel_Systems_Monitor_VSM_422

 

[billharr]

Has anyone considered one of these for their FWC?

http://www.bluesea.com/products/1801/Vessel_Systems_Monitor_VSM_422

I considered it when I just looked at it. But them I looked at the price $400 and I am not considering it anymore.

 

[jha6av8r]

I considered it when I just looked at it. But them I looked at the price $400 and I am not considering it anymore.

I'm considering either a TriMetric or Xantrex. Both are less expensive. Making sure there's nothing else to consider.

 

[Bwht4x4]

If it's a superior product with better features I don't think the price is too outrageous.