Once all loads and charging sources are removed, it is best to leave your battery in a no-load condition for a short period of time to allow the voltage to settle before reading it. When a battery is under-load (having current drawn from it) the measured voltage will drop, and when it is being re-charged the measured voltage will rise, so you won't be reading the no-load voltage and therefore you can't determine the corresponding state of charge. The voltage displayed under these conditions is referred to as the 'no-load' or 'resting' voltage. However, there is one very important caveat when using battery monitors which is that you should only take a voltage reading with all the charging sources and loads turned off. The diagrams below show how battery voltage corresponds to a % state of charge for different battery chemistries. Voltmeters are simple devices displaying only one piece of information, yet this voltage reading can be used to good effect because it can provide you with an approximate % state of charge of your battery to give you a rough idea of how much energy you have remaining.
#12 volt battery meter upgrade#
Battery monitors can also be an extremely useful upgrade to your system because armed with knowledge about your energy usage, you can better plan and make sure that your system can support your energy requirements.
By monitoring the battery, it's possible to see when you are reaching this critical discharge level and make changes to prevent damage, which might mean turning on a charging source or simply turning off circuits that draw high currents so that further drain is minimised until you have the opportunity to charge the battery again.īattery monitors can help you identify problems such as parasitic drains where an appliance is taking a small about of energy from your battery without your knowledge, and these types of issues can flatten batteries if left unnoticed for long periods. Batteries based on lead-acid technology, for example, should not be discharged any lower than approximately 12.1V because at this level they can start to suffer from sulphation damage, which can reduce their lifespan or damage them beyond repair. Being able to see what energy you have available allows you the opportunity to find a re-charging source if you see your battery/batteries are running low. Well, you don't but they can be extremely helpful to manage your energy usage and prevent over-discharge of your batteries (which can lead to battery damage). So, you might ask, 'Why do I need a battery monitor?'. Take a look at some of our related articles below.Battery monitoring can be very useful, but with many types of meters and monitors available how do you select one that will work for you? Do you want detailed, in-depth information about your off-grid set-up so you can fine-tune and manage your energy usage, or just a quick reference? In this guide, we'll explain the different types of meters and monitors available and the benefits of each one. So when you’re testing your battery with a multimeter, make sure that all accessories are turned off: headlights, radio, audio system, etc. In that case, it will draw current from your battery even when you’re not using it. For example, suppose your vehicle has an audio system installed in it. Your vehicle’s load can also cause your multimeter to read low voltage. Try cleaning off any corrosion with a wire brush if this is causing the problem. In that case, it can cause your multimeter to give you a false reading.
For example, suppose there’s corrosion on the terminals of your battery. There’s something wrong with your battery. You could also be getting an inaccurate reading for a few other reasons:ġ. If you have another one available, try testing it with that multimeter. Why is my Multimeter Reading Low Voltage?įor starters, you could have a bad multimeter.
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