I replaced the original voltmeter on my 38 with a Blue Sea Systems 3 bank digital meter. It was a bit pricey, I thought (I did find one on EBay for quite a bit less than it would have been at WM or any other chandlery), but since I've had it I have become a fan and think the expense justified.
But after taking a trip on a friend's cruising boat I became sold on the advantages of the Link battery monitor, and installed a Link Lite on Imzadi. If I were to start over, I would forgo the Blue Seas monitor or any other voltmeter and go right to the Link Lite. Battery voltage doesn't really tell you a heck of a lot about the batteries. The Link monitor shows voltage, instantaneous current in or out, Amp-hours taken out of the batteries, and percentage of total capacity remaining. The Link Lite I have shows that information for one (my house) bank, and shows voltage information for the start battery. There is also a Link Pro that shows everything for both banks. I bought the Link Lite on Ebay at a reasonable price. I only see two on there right now, but my search was kind of cursory. Here is a link to one of the monitors on EBay; http://www.ebay.com/itm/Xantrex-Link-LITE-Battery-Monitor-84-2030-00-BRAND-N EW-FREE-SHIP-/322007589666?hash=item4af925e322:g:3yoAAOSwezVWv1bv <http://www.ebay.com/itm/Xantrex-Link-LITE-Battery-Monitor-84-2030-00-BRAND- NEW-FREE-SHIP-/322007589666?hash=item4af925e322:g:3yoAAOSwezVWv1bv&vxp=mtr> &vxp=mtr Rick Brass Washington, NC From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of Jake Brodersen via CnC-List Sent: Monday, February 15, 2016 1:30 PM To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com Cc: Jake Brodersen <captain_j...@cox.net> Subject: Stus-List Nav Station Panel and Volt Meter Recommendations Greeting all, One of my winter projects is to replace the black panel at the top of my nav station. The current panel was the home to my old B&G speed, depth, and wind computers. Their removal last spring left several gaping holes. I'd like to start with a fresh panel and install a volt meter and eventually some other items. The panel is 1/8" thick with a matte black finish. It appears to be some sort of fiberboard product. I have been looking at plastic panel materials at McMaster-Carr, but I'm not really sure which kind to get. Plastic sheeting comes in so many different materials. I'm sure someone here has replaced theirs at some point. This is the same type of material used for the circuit breaker panel. What works and looks like the original stuff? The first instrument to go into the new panel will be a volt meter. My B&G instruments had one built-in, but they're gone now. It seems there are only two options for digital volt meters; the high dollar Blue Seas meters (pricey) and the cheap Chinese meters that run $15-25. I'm looking to install a single meter with a toggle switch to test both batteries separately. Does anyone have a source for a reasonably priced digital volt meter? Right now I'm looking at something like this: http://www.sears.com/niceeshop-tm-mini-2-wire-dc-4.5-30v/p-SPM7958467523 Thanks, Jake Jake Brodersen C&C 35 Mk-III "Midnight Mistress" Hampton VA
_______________________________________________ Email address: CnC-List@cnc-list.com To change your list preferences, including unsubscribing -- go to the bottom of page at: http://cnc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/cnc-list_cnc-list.com
