Judging battery level

[Traildad]

We have a 2015 Escape 19 that is new to us. I got a small 1400/1100 watt generator to keep batteries and devices charged. The system monitor shows 4 lights for battery condition. I would like to run the generator only long enough to fully charge my deep cycle battery. Is there an easy way to know when the battery is fully charged? Thanks

[wackyburggeezer]

The image that you posted shows that you have a single battery. Lead-Acid? The best/easiest solution is probably a digital voltmeter, installed inside the trailer, and wired directly to the battery terminals. For storage periods, a 20 watt solar panel, with the leads connected directly to the battery will keep the battery charged.

[Iowa Dave]

Google : Digital volt meter 12 volt plug in. Take your pick. . We have one that cost about
$10 and it’s lasted 5 years.
Iowa Dave

[Ron in BC]

Digital voltmeter: don't leave home without one. Handy for checking voltage the way you want to but also for pinpointing a problem.

I don't have a surge protector but I like to be able to monitor my DC and AC voltages at a glance so I made up this little panel. Very inexpensive.

The solar panel monitor also displays DC voltage but it's not centrally located and easy to see at a glance and it doesn't monitor AC.

Ron

[MyronL]

I found this I forget, either Amazon or eBay, connects directly to the battery poles.

[BILLB]

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

Google : Digital volt meter 12 volt plug in. Take your pick. . We have one that cost about
$10 and it’s lasted 5 years.
Iowa Dave

So now that I have a volt meter, what is the right way to use it? Are you supposed to read your voltage before , after, or during charging? Should the batteries be allowed to rest a while after charging before reading your voltage? What is normal voltage for a fully charged battery not being charged? Also, how low can batteries be safely drawn down before recharging?

[Iowa Dave]

The battery reading is usually taken a little while after charging to give you the more accurate reading as I understand it. I consider mine fully charged when they are at 13.8 volts. I’ve never discharged below 12.2 and usually 12.5 or 12.6. Somebody will hopefully post the chart that shows percentage charged to volt reading. I know it’s not recommended to go below 50%.
Iowa Dave

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by BILLB

Are you supposed to read your voltage before , after, or during charging?

Should the batteries be allowed to rest a while after charging before reading your voltage?

What is normal voltage for a fully charged battery not being charged?

It's nice to know those numbers because they establish a baseline. In the future if you suspect that something's not right you have some numbers to compare.

There's a float voltage showing immediately after stopping charging. If you run a small load for a short time the number will drop to the "real" voltage.

Varies with condition etc. I like to see a 12.6V or 12.7V reading when I think that I have fully charged batteries. Note, that's for FLA batteries, lithium has entirely different numbers.

Ron

Holy crapola Dave, you're 18 posts ahead of me, must type faster.

[Iowa Dave]

Sorry, I’ll slow down and drink a little more. To quote Yoda “Talkative I am
Iowa Dave

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

and drink a little more.
Iowa Dave

is that possible?

Folks not familiar with multi-meters should be aware the lower end meters may be off by .1 of a volt. So don't get all worried if it reads 12.6 and you were expecting 12.7.

Ron

[alanmalk]

Here is an interesting battery capacity meter (voltage based) offered by a reputable company.


https://powerwerx.com/battery-capaci...-gauge-lithium


The URL has the word "lithium" but the device is also compatible with Lead-Acid.