My new digital ampmeter/ battery monitor

[landyacht318]

I just wired up my new Bluesky IPN pro remote battery monitor to go with my charge controller for the solar panel and I got to say it's real neat having such an informative tool always hooked up.
For example, I always thought I would save battery power by running only the front or the rear speakers, when boondocking, but my meter shows the same amp draw weather 2 or four speakers are working. .7 amps anywhere from volume 0 to 12(out of 35). If I lower the bass all the way it will drop .2 amps if over volume 10.

When starting the engine, I've seen it go as high 67 amps( there is some delay in the read out, it probally takes more). It will lower to around 12 amps with no other electrical load and nearly fully charged batteries.

My 2 incandescent lights which come on with the doors open draw 1.2 amps. My 12 foot red LED rope lights draws .7 amps. My four reading Spot LED lights combined draw .2 amps.

My headlights take 10.2 amps high beams, 14.4 amps.

I'm still experimenting, and have yet to hook up the solar panel, or fridge, inverter, fans, or tv.

I feel like a kid with a new toy. Man I can't wait till I'm camped on a cliff over the beach In Mexico, freezing my extra fresh caught halibut, drinking cold beer 3 weeks after I've parked the Van, and knowing I have x amount of amp hours left, and can produce over 50 amp hours a day., all while listening to good loud music and watching DVD's and forgetting about the rat race to the North.

Didn't intend to rant and rave. Oh well, time for another frosty. Salud!

[alloro]

and can produce over 50 amp hours a day.

Rain or shine?

[landyacht318]

Shine, although I'm told to expect more amphours in rainy weather than I originally thought possible. Of course I didn't account for charging losses and voltage drop. Luckily Baja is mostly desert, and afternoons are almost always sunny. If I'm north of the border, I'm driving more and have access to AC power.

[Dodgevanman]

How 'bout some pics of this set-up?

[landyacht318]

Here's some photos as requested. It's obviously still a work in progress. I already have the table top and sink made up and poly/urinestained but won't install it till I've got the wiring a little more sorted. You can see all the wiring is twisted. Supposedly this keeps electrical radio noise to a minimum. The wiring to the battery meter says this is absolutely neccessary for an accurate reading. I twisted all the other wires hoping to reduce inteference to my TV and radio.

The whole cabinet is based around the third seat throne. The narrow cabinet/ closet is for a winter jacket and my wetsuit (been surfing for 26 of my 35 years). The fridge will go just forward of that, and in front of that, just behind the driver's seat will be a 1 door lockable storage area. A plus to this is I can turn the battery switch to off, lock the cabinet, and make it somewhat more difficult to steal the vehicle.

Looking toward the rear of the van you can see up top ,the charge controller, and below that the battery monitor. Both have teak boxes around the metal electrical box enclosures. You can just see the fridge on the floor in the back. I've added some extra insulation hoping to increase efficiency. The fridge draws 2.7 amps while the compressor is running, which, suprisingly is just what the manufacturers claim. I've got 345 amp hours of quasi deep cycle batteries, and a 130 watt solar panel..

I also removed the old rear bench seat lift/ flatten mechanism and installed the electrical motor so that I can open and close the screened, louvered window behind the fridge from the drivers seat, for when driving in the rain or upon dusty roads. It doesn't open all the way but more than enough to vent the back of my fridge. It's not a propane/ 3 way fridge so I don't have to worry about keeping it within 3 degrees of level, or about CO poisining.

I've had to relocate all the engine and chassis grounds so all the amperage flows through the shunt, so the battery monitor can determine amps out and into the battery. It was pretty confusing with a starting battery and a 'house battery bank', but well worth the cost and effort.

[landyacht318]

1 more photo for clarity.

[Dodgevanman]

Man that is too cool. Using the couch motor for the window is genious.

That's one heck of a "load center" you got there. LOL!

This is why I like owning vans. Any van is a blank canvas for the respective owner to build it as he/she sees fit.