Bavaria Owners Forum

Member Forums => Bavaria Yacht Help! => Topic started by: Rapita on June 06 2024, 10:25

Title: Voltage meters
Post by: Rapita on June 06 2024, 10:25
On our B34 ,2000.We have voltage displays on;

original digital Bavaria control panel,
Garmin chartplotter
solar charger pwm controller display
The problem is that they all differ by up to 0.2v.We also have a test meter to check circuits,but which one can be trusted considering that 0.2v is a considerable amount of battery capacity?

Any comments will be appreciated.
Title: Re: Voltage meters
Post by: Happysailor on June 06 2024, 10:31
I would suggest the voltage meter closest to the batteries. Due to wiring there will be a noticeable voltage drop..
Title: Re: Voltage meters
Post by: tiger79 on June 06 2024, 10:38
Quote from: Happysailor on June 06 2024, 10:31
I would suggest the voltage meter closest to the batteries. Due to wiring there will be a noticeable voltage drop..

Only if there's a current flowing.
Title: Re: Voltage meters
Post by: tiger79 on June 06 2024, 10:39
I'd rely on the test meter; voltage displays on other things tend to be inaccurate.
Title: Re: Voltage meters
Post by: Yngmar on June 06 2024, 17:01
Chartplotter voltage readout is only for troubleshooting issues with the plotter's power supply, not for monitoring your batteries. It measures what arrives at the plotter after the voltage drop in the wires, which will also vary with the plotters own power use.

Either use the Bavaria panel, a battery monitor (e.g. Nasa Clipper BM-1 or Victron BMV-712) or a multimeter on the batteries.

A shunt with ammeter is quite helpful as it will tell you how much power you're using (or charging) at any given time.
Title: Re: Voltage meters
Post by: tiger79 on June 06 2024, 23:24
Quote from: Yngmar on June 06 2024, 17:01


A shunt with ammeter is quite helpful as it will tell you how much power you're using (or charging) at any given time.

I'd second that.  I have a Simarine Pico system, which is excellent.  It shows state of charge, charge/discharge current, voltage, battery temperature and barometric pressure (including trend).  It also has a lovely high-definition colour display - a refreshing difference from most battery monitors!



Title: Re: Voltage meters
Post by: Rapita on June 07 2024, 10:00
Thank you everyone,I now know how to proceed.