What do you run your battery down to?

[teamredjeep]

Ok I like data so I'm installing a volt meter to monitor battery voltage. We have one AGM battery in our teardrop in series with the primary battery in our Jeep. We don't unplug trailer because the second battery (needed to run mig welder on trail) in the Jeep is isolated unless the key is on. I have read different voltages that you should not drop below to avoid damaging a battery. I was thinking 11.5 but seen as high as 12.5.

[citylights]

Ok I like data so I'm installing a volt meter to monitor battery voltage. We have one AGM battery in our teardrop in series with the primary battery in our Jeep. We don't unplug trailer because the second battery (needed to run mig welder on trail) in the Jeep is isolated unless the key is on. I have read different voltages that you should not drop below to avoid damaging a battery. I was thinking 11.5 but seen as high as 12.5.

From what I have read, I let it go down to 12v. That is supposed to be about 50% charge, for use without battery damage from over discharge. These are the two volt meters and switch I installed.

Here is more info and a battery, volt, capacity chart.

http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=11173

[tony.latham]

My rule of thumb is 12 volts. This chart says 11.9: http://www.marxrv.com/12volt/voltchart1.gif A copy of that still sits in my galley.

I bought a GT Voltmeter from eBay for 20 bucks and swear by it. http://www.ebay.com/itm/331225673636?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

It tells me how many amp/hours and watt/hours I've used on the trip. I used to just watch my voltage but unless I let my battery sit for an hour, it really didn't tell me where I was at. My Group 27 has about 55 useable amps and now it's easy to keep an eye on it.

Tony

[Shadow Catcher]

A voltage reading to ascertain depth of discharge is unless it is at rest for a couple of hours from either adding or discharging current not accurate. The only way is to use a battery monitor Trimetric or Victron (I chose the Victron). http://www.victronenergy.com/battery-monitor
Homework http://www.solar-electric.com/deep-cycl ... y-faq.html

[absolutsnwbrdr]

My rule of thumb is 12 volts. This chart says 11.9: http://www.marxrv.com/12volt/voltchart1.gif A copy of that still sits in my galley.

I bought a GT Voltmeter from eBay for 20 bucks and swear by it. http://www.ebay.com/itm/331225673636?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

It tells me how many amp/hours and watt/hours I've used on the trip. I used to just watch my voltage but unless I let my battery sit for an hour, it really didn't tell me where I was at. My Group 27 has about 55 useable amps and now it's easy to keep an eye on it.

Tony

I'm with Tony. 11.9V - 12.7V is the range I want to stay in. Although I haven't even been below 12.2V yet.

I have the same meter too. Can't beat it for the price and simplicity! I just use it to monitor monitor my solar panel output, but at night when the panels don't have a voltage then it displays the system voltage. For most of us, paying $20 beats $300 any day. These aren't space ships so the $20 meter is as accurate as I need.

Heck, get two of the $20 meters and you can monitor Ah input with one and output with the other!

[Dale M.]

Ok I like data so I'm installing a volt meter to monitor battery voltage. We have one AGM battery in our teardrop in series with the primary battery in our Jeep. We don't unplug trailer because the second battery (needed to run mig welder on trail) in the Jeep is isolated unless the key is on. I have read different voltages that you should not drop below to avoid damaging a battery. I was thinking 11.5 but seen as high as 12.5.

In parallel.... I hope...

Dale

[teamredjeep]

Good catch Dale.

[teamredjeep]

I already ordered a cheap surface mount volt meter before I posted here. This is how it turned out.

[Dale M.]

Good catch Dale.

Got to keep fellow Jeep owner honest.....

Dale
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