Battery Monitoring Systems
 

Hi Guys,
I'm looking for a better way of monitoring managing my dual-optima setup, I currently use a multimeter and occasionally a lightbulb!

Anyway, if anyone has any recommendations or suggestions I'd appreciate it. I remember seeing a dual-LED bar-type one which looked cool, but that doesn't always mean it's up to the job...

Thanks in advance,
Nick.

PS Apologies to those of you on the VDE list for the crosspost.



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www.nickt.com
96 BMW F650
96 Defender 90 300TDi
97 NAS D90
98 Camel Trophy 110

Hi

I remember seeing a friends vehicle fitted with a National Luna battery monitoring set up - he reckoned it was excellent.

check out www.nationalluna.com

cheers

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ChrisC

I fitted one of National Lunas' "Battery Management Systems" to my Defender. Fairly easy though a bit fiddly. It charges the main battery for the first 4 minutes (you can change this setting) before you hear the solonoid click and the charge is routed to both batterys.
The "monitor" (LED bars) unit fits perfectly onto the bulkhead to the right of the fusebox on a Defender. An squealing alarm (you can turn this off) reminds you if you've left any drain on batterys.
Very pleased with it. Imported from SA at considerable saving. You need to phone them though as they don't reply to emails and customer service is somewhat lacking . . . .

Huey

Same as Hugh, note the comment about they don't reply to emails or fax's. They barely reply when you phone them.

Should cost you 90 quid to land it from SA - over 200 from Footloose etc

2 US options:

www.hellroaring.com
Solid state (no moving parts), excellent and prompt support via email. Very versatile system that can be configured in several ways (see examples on website).

www.painlesswiring.com
Solenoid based. Offer a regular, water proof and advanced battery management systems. Good support and good products in general.

I would recommend any of the above over National Luna since they can be configured not to combine both batteries after a few minutes like the Luna units. They can be configured to completely isolate, but still charge when needed, the backup battery all the time not just when the ignition is off. When both batteries are combined, you can still drain them both under heavy loads. That will never happen when the second battery is isolated all the time.

That’s the setup I run in my 4x4: I hook everything to a healthy main battery (winch, cooler, lights, etc..) and keep the backup battery completely isolated under all circumstances. Both battery managers mentioned above can do this and still monitor the battery for voltage drop and only charge it when necessary to keep it in top shape.

When I drain the main battery with the flick of a switch I jump start the car from the back up battery and isolate it again (the Hellroaring unit can be configured to do this automatically).

Hope this helps.

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A.B.

OasisPhoto.com – Images from the Magical Sahara.
ShortWheelbase.com – Jeep preparations.

Nick,

You may have seen the setup I had in my Disco based on two DMS red flash batteries and dual Hellroaring split chargers/combiners. It is described on <link> www.overlandcruiser.info </link>.

The Hellroaring is a very good product I can also recommend. You should be aware, though, that for a diesel engine you will need two units connected in parallel.


Rgds,
Roman (UK)

Roman, your dual hellroaring mount is very neat http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif.

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A.B.

OasisPhoto.com – Images from the Magical Sahara.
ShortWheelbase.com – Jeep preparations.

A.B.,

Thx. For terminal insulation I added hinged transparent plastic covers made of diskette ten pack boxes. It works pretty well :-)

Thanks guys, I'll have a poke around and let you know what I end up doing. I like the look of the hellroaring very much.

Cheers,
Nick.