Jack_son,
I think there are actually only 6 LEDs - they are showing various possible combinations to indicate voltage after you program it. Blinking, Steady, On, Off, number of blinks are all a way of showing status without a true meter. They could have done the same thing with one LCD, maybe this was a more rugged (or cheaper) solution?
Anyway, worth further research!
Dave Richoux
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On Jun 9, 2008, at 12:52 PM, jack_son_73 wrote:
Dave -
I looked at the Balmar dual battery charger. While
searching for some tech specs on it, I got cross-
eyed trying to count the LEDs. I was almost up to
150, when I saw the switches on top. If they have
LEDs built in, the lamps might total ~170.
They omit details, such as voltage drop through the
device, connection to alternators with internal
regulators, - - & price. They must charge at least
$170 to cover all of those LEDs.
I plan to mount a digital meter under the dash,
wired to each side of the battery combiner relay,
with a center off selector switch. This will make
me happier than 170 lights. I ruled out a
digital voice announcing, "Your batteries are OK"
every minute. OTOH, it could call my cell phone.
One of the reasons I mounted Thule rails on my plastic
roof was to be able to use it to for solar panels.
Panels need a simple isolation diode, which is often
included with a solar controler. This could connect
directly to your coach battery.
My large panels are glass, but my smaller ones use
a 1/8" aluminum panel behind thin film cells, with
a clear protective coat. A small hail storm or an
occasional piece of gravel would cause no problem.
[I just reworded that, after recalling news of
base-ball sized ice a few days ago.] Either type
need to be spaced off of the roof a couple of inches,
for cooling, which the cross struts would provide.
Sometimes I put two 0.6A panels on 1" rubber strips
on the EVC dash. This is not nearly as efficient as
on the roof, but I can park, lock, & not worry. If
I average an Amp for a few hours, it's 'free' energy.
I plug output into one of the 12V sockets. In my
drive, this is simpler than extension cords, Battery
Tender, etc. If I couldn't leave extension cords
connected, & hoods partially open, w/chargers tucked
out of the weather, I'd get more serious with panels.
I keep putting off running a DC extension from my
solar panels on my house to the driveway, but I have
to work out details of a quick-disconnect when I
forget to unplug!
I recently replaced engine batteries in EVC & Passat
with AGM. Eventually I plan to also replace my EVC
house batteries [original, & its K-Mart bargain
'marine' twin] with two AGMs. I hope with an AGM in
front, a slightly higher charge will reach the house
bats. If I hadn't already built the new battery box,
I'd just put in 2 AGMs to fit [in, or in-place-of]
original bat box. I keep waiting for the house bats
to die, but I keep babying them, & they check GREAT!
Jack_son '03 EVC '01 Passat
