Inside or Outside? battery monitor

[Shadow Catcher]

I am getting ready to install the Vectron Battery monitor and I am debating on whether to have it it inside the cabin or in the galley.
Considerations, I have a Morningstar M1 meter in the galley which tells me battery voltage and voltage from the solar panel going into and coming out of the Morningstar controller. The Vectron monitors all of the current going into and out of the battery with a shunt and will tell you among other things the percent of charge left in the battery, accurately. Monitoring consumption by the refrigerator and whatever else.
Advantages of having it inside, being able to tell when it is time to turn off the TV... disadvantages having to look inside, crawl inside to check functions...

[parnold]

Mount it in the galley, with a wireless camera that you can display on the tv inside.

But seriously, my gauge is mounted inside my trailer because that is where I am when the high usage is taking place.

[deceiver]

I have a $5 voltmeter mounted on the dash inside. I turn on the fan and it puts enough of a resistance on the system that I get a pretty good reading of the battery. I've learned to know when it's low by the experience of looking at it. After about 10.3 volts my inverter starts cutting out but the lights still work.

[bdosborn]

My guess is that most of your high battery draw devices are inside the trailer. I mounted mine inside right next to the bunk and I've never wanted to move it.

Bruce

[droid_ca]

for my 2cents worth. I'd say put it inside, cause I agree that when your inside you will most likely be using more electricity at that time...but if it is a major concern then why not put it in a place where, If you have a pass through into your galley you'll be able to view it from there as well

[absolutsnwbrdr]

I mounted my el-cheapo meter right at the head of the bed in the middle. Its the little round thing with a faint green LED. The other round thing next to it is the remote control for the stereo system. Mounting it there makes it easy to read at night without my glasses or contacts (can't see two feet in front of me without them), and you can just peak in the door during the day to get a rough idea of what level the battery charge is at.

[Shadow Catcher]

One problem is that the head of our bed is the rear of the trailer and while the access there is probably the easiest to install the meter, connecting to a computer would be more difficult, I am inclining more to inside as I think about this.

[droid_ca]

not to sure how hard this would be but if your

connecting to a computer would be more difficult,.

would it be possible to have it send a sms to you cell phone so then theoretically you could be anywhere to check it I don't know enough to do but thee idea sounds kinda cool

[Shadow Catcher]

The meter is very sophisticated for something that is only two inches in diameter, but requires an interface to plug into a computer. I will run an RG whatever it is to the point where I can plug in the interface.