LinkLITE Battery Monitor

[java]

Anyone have personal experience with this unit? Seems like a way better way to judge battery life rather than voltage. Looking at installing one in my new truck to monitor the two house batteries.

http://www.amazon.com/Xantrex-84-20...-Monitor/dp/B001FBIR08/ref=reg_hu-rd_add_1_dp

 

[Captm]

While I do not have experience with the Link Lite, I have used (what is now) the Link Pro for many years and would recommend it. Spend the couple of extra bucks and get the Pro. That said, I recently read a report on monitors and would now go with the model that the recommended. Let me search for the link .
Cheers

 

[java]

While I do not have experience with the Link Lite, I have used (what is now) the Link Pro for many years and would recommend it. Spend the couple of extra bucks and get the Pro. That said, I recently read a report on monitors and would now go with the model that the recommended. Let me search for the link .
Cheers

Thanks or the input! Love to see the link. What's the advantage of the pro?

 

[mvbeggs]

Battery Monitor Chart

Anyone have personal experience with this unit? Seems like a way better way to judge battery life rather than voltage. Looking at installing one in my new truck to monitor the two house batteries.

http://www.amazon.com/Xantrex-84-20...-Monitor/dp/B001FBIR08/ref=reg_hu-rd_add_1_dp

I don't know about the gauge being "way better"...but to each his own.
I use the following chart and the voltage meter on the solar charger to determine state of charge. Quick and simple. Just my $0.02.

This chart was derived for the 2 Group 31 Deka Intimidator AGM house batteries in our AT Teardrop.

 

[4x4junkie]

^^^
I tend to agree with the above, a healthy battery's terminal voltage is usually a pretty decent indicator of it's state of charge. I've always just used a voltmeter myself as well.
The LinkLITE does have a feature where it can start up a generator if your batteries get too low, which can be nice to have (though of course this requires a remote-start capable generator).

 

[java]

^^^
I tend to agree with the above, a healthy battery's terminal voltage is usually a pretty decent indicator of it's state of charge. I've always just used a voltmeter myself as well.
The LinkLITE does have a feature where it can start up a generator if your batteries get too low, which can be nice to have (though of course this requires a remote-start capable generator).

Terminal and voltage is OK, but it's not very linear. I know the answer Hart above does take that into account some. I but it seems one measuring the amount of amperage removed from a known amount is a much better estimate.

I do have a remote start generator too...

 

[tchughes]

I have no experience with these but did remember reading a post some time back on the Xantrex LinkPRO on RSB's build thread.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...-Radiant-Red-Tacoma-build?p=875024#post875024

I think Ryan worked with the vendor of the LinkPRO unit and batteries to dial this in like he wanted.

 

[lysol]

I think for that price, It should have a way to monitor incoming amps & amphours such as solar.

 

[waexplorer]

I have the older link 10 in my motor home... It's nice to see how many amps your using, or have used overnight. Lets you know how many hours you need to run the generator to get back to charged. We used to run the batteries flat due to the stock converter charger only put out 5 amps. I upgraded the converter to a Progressive Dynamics 70 amp charger. Now it only takes two hours or so to recharge the batteries after running the furnace all night. Something I would have never known without this gauge. You can also see what amperage each light, furnace, water pump etc. draw. I like it and don't think I would want to be without one now.

 

[wrcsixeight]

Here is an inexpensive option for those trying to measure under 65 amp hours cumulative current in one direction only:

http://www.amazon.com/High-Precision-Power-Meter-Analyzer/dp/B00C596UIA/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

I put some Anderson powerpoles on mine and frequently hook it inline with various loads, or charging sources.

I have a Bluesky battery monitor tied in with my solar but the linked device above is a more enlightening tool when hooked to individual items.


Here is mine on my Vitrifrigo compressor fridge

VOltage charts when the battery is under load or just off a charging source is not accurate, and the surface charge right after driving leads to the belief that the alternator is some instant magical battery recharger.

Most people without some tool to measure alternator current overestimate its contribution by a huge factor, and those of us with the tools weep at the overall ineffectiveness of a 130 amp alternator giving the battery 7 whole amps when it could eat up 25amps from some other charging source

 

[java]

Thanks guys! Love some discussion.

I like the Watts up meters, but i dont think that will work for my system. Id like both directions, and more than 65 amps.

Here is another option: http://www.bogartengineering.com/products/TriMetric Its a fair bit less than the linkPRO, but doesnt look as nice.