BCM Community

Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Rosie on August 16, 2008, 04:38:08 PM

Title: Battery Voltage and Usage
Post by: Rosie on August 16, 2008, 04:38:08 PM
Does any one know what voltage the house batteries would be at 50 or 60 per cent usage? Also who out there is going to Bristol next weekend?? We will be camping at Lady Equipment on Volunteer Parkway.
Thanks,
Rosie                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
Title: Re: Battery Voltage and Usage
Post by: Utahclaimjumper on August 16, 2008, 04:44:59 PM
If you have a simple volt meter, then 12 Volts would be the 50% point, don't go lower if it can be helped, batteries hate it.>>>Dan
Title: Re: Battery Voltage and Usage
Post by: Utahclaimjumper on August 16, 2008, 04:46:22 PM
I assumed you have a 12 volt system.>>>Dan
Title: Re: Battery Voltage and Usage
Post by: jjrbus on August 16, 2008, 06:21:19 PM
Simple chart on page

            http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower_battery_metering.html   HTH Jim
Title: Re: Battery Voltage and Usage
Post by: NJT5047 on August 16, 2008, 07:51:27 PM
OK...I got this.  60% discharge on a 12V battery is about 12.28 V.   24V would be at 60% @ 24.5 V.    Good huh?   ;)
Thanks Jim....!
JR

Title: Re: Battery Voltage and Usage
Post by: Rosie on August 16, 2008, 09:07:57 PM
I do have a 12 volt system. Thanks for all the help, I really didn't want to kill my new batteries!
Thanks,
Rosie
Title: Re: Battery Voltage and Usage
Post by: Brian Diehl on August 17, 2008, 08:53:31 AM
Rosie,
Here is what I use:

http://www.bogartengineering.com/trimetric.htm

You really need to get this as any battery voltage reading used for the purpose of "state of discharge" needs to be taken after the batteries have sat with no load on them for 12 hours.

This really is going to be one of the best purchases you can make on your conversion system as it will help you keep your batteries alive.  I have over 5 years on my batteries right now and they still behave like they were brand new.
-Brian
Title: Re: Battery Voltage and Usage
Post by: NJT5047 on August 17, 2008, 08:20:54 PM
Quote from: Rosie on August 16, 2008, 09:07:57 PM
I do have a 12 volt system. Thanks for all the help, I really didn't want to kill my new batteries!
Thanks,
Rosie

How do you charge the 12V house system when on the road?  Generator? 
JR 
Title: Re: Battery Voltage and Usage
Post by: JohnEd on August 17, 2008, 10:58:51 PM
Brian,

Can't I get the Trimetric monitoring features/capability from a Trace Inverter equiped with a Link monitor?

Thanks,

John
Title: Re: Battery Voltage and Usage
Post by: Brian Diehl on August 18, 2008, 06:40:32 AM
John, I haven't studied the Link monitor in depth, but do recall it provided similar functionality. 
Title: Re: Battery Voltage and Usage
Post by: belfert on August 18, 2008, 08:53:22 AM
If I remember correctly the Link monitor is an OEM version of the Trimetric.
Title: Re: Battery Voltage and Usage
Post by: HB of CJ on August 18, 2008, 01:43:27 PM
Best guess here using lead acid golf cart type is around 12.2 vdc with no load and about 5 minutes to stabilize.  A total use watt/amp/hr gage would keep track of things a lot better.

An old rule of thumb (perhaps hopelessly out of date) is that you want to keep the golf cart type lead acid batts above 12.0 volts at all costs and 12.25 volts if possible.  :) :) :)